Administrative Vice-President's Report
Report to
the NSS Board of Directors
for the July 4, 2005 meeting
June 6, 2005
Steve Ormeroid, 937-642-7775, sormeroid@mindsping.com
As the AVP Department report deals with four separate Divisions, 17 Standing Committees, two Commissions and Convention Committees, I have decided to make my report to the Board a synopsis of the many 3P reports submitted with important highlights noted. The exception being the Preserves report, which is the Preserves Chairman’s summary (many thanks to Gary Bush for his dedication to this position). I will have available at request paper or electronic copies of the various Committees’ 3P reports and the full reports from the Preserve Managers. In this way I also hope to help save some trees. That report comprises approximately 20 pages. All contact information for these Department Committees is being updated for the upcoming Members Manual and website publication. I have stated before in my reports that this Department maintains the most significant portion of the NSS mission statement with the least amount of the available budget. Donations alone cannot be expected to support all of these committees. The discussions and efforts being made towards possible grants or funding needs to be a significant priority of the entire Board to support not only this Department but all the Officers and their Committees of the NSS.
This Division consumes the greatest amount of manpower and utilizes the least amount of this Department’s annual operating budget. It does however represent a Division that could monopolize great amounts of the NSS capital reserves. As a landowner and land manager, the NSS may need to step up its commitment to the maintenance and preservation of our investments. My opinion at this time is that the NSS is best served by assisting other organizations in their pursuit of cave and karst acquisition. The inability to locate replacements for the Division Chief position and the Preserves Committee Chair demonstrates the effort and energy drain on this Division. 3P reports were submitted by the following committees:
The IKC presented a thorough prepared grant request for $5000.00. A motion was made to fund this grant.
The Fund currently has $15,000.00. Plans need to be reviewed as to replenishment of the fund.
Assisting in purchase funding may be a suitable position for the NSS rather than direct ownership.
Plans for the 2005 Convention are scheduled.
Insurance for Conservancies continues to be expensive and difficult to obtain.
This program has languished, not because of the Committee Chairman, but due to lack of funding. As with many long running projects, this committee either needs to see more utilization of its goals or a change in those goals.
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REPORT of the NSS NATURE PRESERVE COMMITTEE - MAY 2005
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I. GENERAL:
Reports were received from only 6 of the 13 NSS Nature Preserves this period. The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached, for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each Preserve report in Section II of this report. Details can be obtained from the original reports. Overall, these properties continue to be in good condition.
Our deepest sympathies go to Warrens Preserve manager Bill Oldacre for the unexpected loss of both his parents this past year. Bill has also had to cope with significant damage to his home from last season's three hurricanes that moved through central Florida.
After submitting my resignation as Chairman of the NSS Preserves Committee at the last Board Meeting, I have seen little or no activity in finding a replacement. I'm somewhat puzzled by this inactivity. With over 10,000 members in our diverse Society, there should be no dearth of qualified candidates.
1) PROGRESS: The Preserves reporting this period all note a low level of activity so far. No progress on the updates to the older management plans, since last report. A bat count was completed at the John Guilday Preserve with surprisingly high numbers of myotis sodalis. Two new books have been released about Kingston Saltpeter Preserve. A survey deep into Tytoona Cave is continuing.
2) PLANS: Gate repairs at McFails are still planned, but no suitable volunteers have been located to date. A new gate is also planned for Bluemoon Cave at the Potter Unit Preserve. Maintenance projects are underway or planned at McFails, John Guilday, Warrens, Tytoona, and Potter Unit Preserves.
3) PROBLEMS: Recent vandalism at the Potter Unit Preserve bears watching to make sure it's not a continuing problem. The delays in getting management plans updated is similarly evidenced by the low response of manager's reports this period. While there was short notice, provided in the form of a late reminder, for reports, all are aware of the Board Meeting schedule. I'm concerned there may be lingering effects from last year's Board actions against the manager's wishes. Time will tell if there's a problem. As noted above, the delay in finding my replacement is a potential problem.
II. PROPERTY STATUS: (Listed in Order of Acquisition)
* McFails Cave Nature Preserve (New York): The cave is still not opened this spring, as the entrance hasn't been cleared. As with the last report, no pending work has yet been completed. Two entrance gates need replacing, but no capable volunteers have been found to do the work. Several trees are down and still need to be removed.
* Shelta Cave Nature Preserve (Alabama): (No Report received this period)
* John Guilday Cave and Nature Preserve (West Virginia): The February bat count found a surprising increase in myotis sodalis: 95 animals. Nearby Hellhole also showed a dramatic increase. Manager Dave West is working with WV DNR to establish a plan of action and to determine if this increase is an aberration. The annual Conservacation is planned for October 22, 2005. All's well at the Preserve.
* Kingston Saltpeter Cave Nature Preserve (Georgia): Researcher Jerry Maddox released his book with mention of KSCP and a photo of the big entrance. Also, manager Larry Blair and Joel Sneed have receive the first printing of their book on the cave, titled "The Late Pleistocene Record of Kingston Saltpeter Cave, Bartow County, Georgia." The book should be available shortly through the usual vendors, including the NSS Bookstore. Four summer trips are scheduled, including the annual teacher's trip with the Weiman Mineral Museum. All's well at the Preserve.
* Barton Hill Nature Preserve (New York): (No Report received this period)
* Warrens Cave Nature Preserve (Florida): Very low visitation at the Preserve this period. Minimal maintenance work has been performed due to family deaths and hurricane damage at the manager's home. Updating of the Preserve's Management Plan has also been delayed.
* Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): (No Report received this period)
* Schoharie Caverns Nature Preserve (New York): (No Report received this period)
* Mill Creek Sink Nature Preserve (Florida): (No Report received this period)
* Tytoona Cave Nature Preserve (Pennsylvania): Many maintenance work projects are scheduled or underway, now that warmer weather has returned to the area. A survey dive through the 3rd sump has taken place this spring. The Preserve is in good condition and conditions are more normal, after several wetter-than-normal years.
* Wells Cave Nature Preserve (Kentucky): (No Report received this period)
* Great X Cave Nature Preserve (Wyoming): Most of the items on the Management Plan have not been addressed due to a lack of manpower. Utilization of the cave has been low and access to the site is limited to less than 6 months of the year. Fundraising needs to be a priority for another committee.
* Potter Unit Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): Some vandalism has been occurring on the Preserve and on neighboring property, including the burning down of two cabins, owned by the donor of the Preserve, by unknown persons. Installation of a bat-friendly gate at Bluemoon Cave is planned. All else is well there.
Respectfully Submitted, May
29, 2005,
W. Gary Bush
Chairman, NSS Nature Preserves Committee
As mankind continues to expand and develop lands, the effects on caves and karst will become more dramatic. Clearly, this problem cannot be solved by land acquisition or the creation of preserves. The NSS must maintain a balance of its resources and finances between the Conservation Division and the Education Division. Our goal should be to protect the caves while we are educating the public. It is a two-fold mission that should involve the greatest amount of volunteer effort and funds. To have conservation programs without a strong public (and caver) education program is like trying to hold back the tides of the ocean. While the NSS and caving represents something personally different to each of us, the time is well upon us to make conservation and education efforts a greater common bond. 3P reports were submitted by the following committees:
Events, seminars, and workshops are planned throughout the 2005 Convention.
The Cave Conservation and Restoration book is in final stages of layout and is scheduled for print in 2005.
Thanks to all the contributors to the NSS News 2005 Conservation Issue.
One grant for $781.62 was approved for the WVCC for Persingers Cave.
Remaining fund amount is $2,200.00 (approx.)
The criteria for conservation grants and their approval is currently being reviewed.
Chairman has announced his resignation and will stay on until September 1, 2005.
Chairman has requested to advertise for a replacement
(see also comments under Conservation Division)
Several projects and collaborations are in process. Some of which are directed to teachers and school age children. The educational opportunities to the non-caving population are only limited by our abilities to provide the information. These types of programs and literature are being designed to inform the public, not create a new generation of cavers.
The remaining efforts of the Education Division are aimed at a program of continuing education of those who have committed to being cavers. These involve our Youth Groups Committee to our Safety and Techniques Committee. In all, I feel that the Education Division is making significant headway in many arenas. 3P reports were submitted and reviewed for the following committees:
Project Underground Inc.
Application submitted for replacement Chairman.
Having attended many Conventions and having chaired several of the Cave Diving Section’s annual Workshops, I had some understanding of the significant amount of work this Division has to maintain. And it is a non-stop process, as the necessity is to have the Conventions planned and progressing several years in advance. I have spoken with past AVP’s who have all indicated their thoughts of having this Division separated due to the amount of responsibility involved. As it has become more difficult to locate facilities that meet the NSS criteria, most significantly being the cost, the Conventions Division should have a revisit as to its structure and operation. At this time, the next two years are well into planning and fulfillment. Carol Tiderman has several groups interested in dates out to 2012. With these future commitments pending, this could present an opportunity to take time and analyze the organization of this division.
2006 Washington- budget approved by EC, contracts in progress for facilities. Budget attached to this report.
2007 Indiana- no issues to report
2008 Florida bid still being pursed- suitable campground an issue
2009 Bid contingent upon outcome of International Congress bid
2010 Possible bid
2012 Possible bid
All is progressing well for the convention.
All is progressing well for the convention
A major curriculum revision is nearing completion.
New instructor re-certification standards were adopted and will be implemented at this summer’s national seminar.
Several classes are planned through out the country.
Plans are in progress for a 2006 NCRC to be held in Puerto Rico.
Insurance is still an issue.
6-6-05