TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO
(2) AWARDS COMMITTEE
(3) BOARD ARRANGEMENTS
COMMITTEE
(4) BYLAWS COMMITTEE
(5) FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
(6) INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
(7) LEGAL COMMITTEE
(8) LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
(9) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
(10)
NATIONAL CAVE MANAGEMEN T SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR
(11) NOMINATING COMMITTEE
(12) NSS/NPS LIAISON
(13) NSS/TNC LIAISON
(14) OUTREACH COMMITTEE
(15) PLANNING COMMITTEE
(16) PUBLIC RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
(17) RECORDING SECRETARY
(18) SECRETARY TO THE BOARD
(19) SHOW CAVES LIAISON
COMMITTEE
(20) BOARD
MEETING SYSTEM AD HOC COMMITTEE
(21) YOUTH GROUPS
LIAISON COMMITTEE
(22) PRESIDENT'S SECTION
There are twenty-one committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). A twenty-second item has been added here to cover information relevant to the President's activities.
In this report a numbered block of information is provided for each of these items. In each block the committee is first identified, followed by the name of the committee chairman (editor, coordinator, whatever) and the most recent mailing address that I have for that person. Additional communications information (Phone, FAX, and E-mail) is also included. The names of other committee members deserving recognition (as supplied by the committee chairmen themselves) are listed next. Each report then follows a format called P3, that is Progress, Plans, and Problems. For those not familiar with this format, let me explain. Under the heading Progress is given information about progress the committee has made since the previous report. This includes items covered under Plans in the previous report, as well as items not anticipated in the previous report. Progress is normally written in the past or present tenses.
Under the heading Plans is given information about progress the committee intends to make between the current reporting period and the next reporting period. Plans will normally be written in the future tense. Many (perhaps most) of the plans will end up being mentioned under Progress in the next report to the Board of Governors (Board).
Under the heading Problems is given information about actual problems which prevented more progress and anticipated problems which will impede the plans. Typically these are problems with which the committee needs help. Normally encountered, everyday problems with which the committee is used to dealing will not normally be mentioned here.
Background information may be included under any of these headings, but will normally be included under the heading where a subject is first introduced.
The information given under Progress, Plans, and Problems is supplied by the committee chairman, although it may have been edited. These headings appear for all committees whose chairmen supplied reports.
The last item in the block has the heading President's Comments under which I occasionally add some additional information not provided by the committee chairman.
Jean DeVries
2370 Chippewa
Jenison MI 49428
Phone: (616) 457-9664
E-mail: DevriesJ@aol.com
Progress
I have made no progress in finding articles to justify publishing
a new issue of the Administrative Memo.
Plans
At this time I have no plans to publish another Administrative
Memo.
Problems
The Administrative Memo is not an effective communication tool.
When I have solicited feedback, many in the organization say they
never read it, or the person in charge of their mail never passes
it on. The NSS News is published on such a timely basis, that any
news that needs to go out could do so through that avenue.
Much of what was printed in the Administrative Memo came from the Internal Organizations chair, and was information that fell under the auspices of her committee. Necessary information (such as Congress of Grottos issues/vote allocation) could continue to be sent by her in the method that she sends them now.
Because it is not an effective communication tool, it is not cost efficient to continue publishing or mailing. For these reasons, I think the Administrative Memo should be abolished.
(2) AWARDS COMMITTEE
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 W
Pendleton, IN 46064
Phone: (765) 778-3259
E-Mail: wtozer@aol.com
Committee Members:
Gale Beach, William J. Stevenson Outstanding Service Award and
Honorary Member
Evelyn Bradshaw, Member at Large
Bill Bussey, Certificates of Merit
Donald G. Davis, Member at Large
Michael D. Dyas, Member at Large
B. Scott Fee, Spelean Arts & Letters Award
Dr. Daniel Fong, Member at Large
Jeanne Hill, Conservation Award
Dr. Cato O. Holler Jr, Peter M. Hauer Spelean History Award
Mike K. Hood, Member at Large
Pat Kambesis, Lew Bicking Award
Charles V. Larson, Member at Large
Charles A. Lundquist, James G. Mitchell Award
William Mixon, Fellows of the Society
G. Thomas Rea, Member at Large
Geary M. Schindel, Member at Large
Godon L. Smith Jr, Best Paper on a Show Cave Award
Linda Starr, Member at Large
Lee Stevens, Member at Large
Dr. George Veni, Science Award
Progress
The awards program is in preparation and should be ready for the
Idaho convention. The slides of recipients are being digitized
and will be incorporated into the PowerPoint program. The
projection of these images should be fine even with the large
screen format. Slides will be on hand in case of technical
problems. The NSS News article reporting the convention awards is
ready.
Plans
The awards program will be ready for presentation at the
convention. Preliminary steps are being taken to prepare for the
nominations for the year 2000 NSS National Convention.
Problems
There is concern that the middle awards, specifically science,
should be directed to up coming scientists rather than to
scientists who have already received the Outstanding Service
award or Honorary Membership award. The awards committee is
evaluating the best approach to resolving this problem and will
propose a motion to address this issue.
(3) BOARD ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
Progress
Fall 1999 Board Meeting
Southeast Cave Conservancy:
The Board Meeting for the fall of 1999 has been approved for
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Held at the Clarion Hotel (adjacent to
the Tennessee Aquarium). The meeting will be Saturday 23 October
1999.
Contact Scott or Jamie Fee Phone: (205) 854-7487 E-mail: scottfee@pipeline.com
Spring 2000 Board Meeting
The Colorado Grotto:
Submits a bid for Denver, Colorado to be held on 03-05 March
2000. Easy access via new international airport Cavers will
provide shuttle transportation Plentiful accommodations
available, and cavers expected to be able to provide
accommodations for all attendees Plentiful
"Rent-A-Wreck" [ my words ] available at the airport
Plentiful support a la neighbor caving clubs (Colorado &
Front Range grottos, Southern Colorado Mountain Grotto, Northern
Colorado Grotto and Timberline Grotto.) Friday night party at
home of Jerry Forney, includes BBQ dinner Saturday Board Meeting
at auditorium of Denver Museum of Natural History, hosted by
Dept. Earth Sciences at museum. Planetarium and IMAX available
for "bored" attendees. Saturday dinner at
"Spaghetti Factory", approx. $12.00 per entree Sunday -
Many local metro attractions. Also trips to Cave of the Winds or
an off trail trip at Glenwood Caverns (3 hr trip one way)
Contact: Hazel Barton E-mail: hazel.barton@uchsc.edu> Phone: (303) 315-7059 FAX: (303) 315-0007
Arkansas Grotto:
Submits a bid for Bee Branch, Arkansas, date to be decided.
Access from Little Rock, approximately 70 miles. Shuttle service
on demand Accommodations at "BARN" (limited) with
private rooms and cot space. Unlimited camping nearby, motels
approx. 10 miles distant. Barn is multi-purpose large facility.
Friday party at barn. Saturday Board Meeting at barn. Lots of
space. Lunch provided by gen-u-ine hillbillies at the barn
Saturday dinner at local restaurant - Catfish (ribs/chicken/etc.)
Buffet Approx. $10.00 per. Return to barn for informal slide
show. Sunday - Miscellaneous caving - vert/horiz NOTE: Arkansas
weather is capricious. recommend spring meeting as late as
possible or fall meeting as early as possible.
Contact Dave Taylor E-mail: redlick@river-valley.net
Fall 2000 Board Meeting
Northern New Jersey Grotto:
Submits a bid for Green Township, NJ, date to be decided. Access
via Newark Airport, caver shuttle service provided. Drive time
from airport approx. 1 hour. Cavers have offered accommodations
and a list of motels will be available Friday night party at the
Green Township Fire Hall (optional - at a caver's home) Saturday
Board Meeting at the Green Township Fire Hall. Cavers may cater
lunch Saturday dinner catered at fire hall or optionally held at
local restaurant Saturday party at home of Mark Skove, complete
with bonfire, fireworks (in NJ ?) trampoline, slide show and hot
tub. Sunday - caving trips to local caves, lecture on NJ geology
and NJ caving history, film "The Spelunkers" by NNJG
caver Bill Hilstrunk. Non-caving activities also available.
Contact Mark Stover E-mail: mstover@cybernex.net> Phone: (201) 963-4964 Snail-mail:427 Ogden Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07307
Arkansas Grotto:
An alternative choice. See above.
Sandia Grotto:
Submits a bid for Albuquerque, New Mexico, date to be decided. I
have received only a request for a Board Meeting planning package
and a note that they plan on submitting a bid at the summer
convention.
Contact: Duke McMullan Phone: (505) 255-4642 Snail-mail:Box 40342 Albuquerque, NM 87196
This may also be an option for spring 2001.
Plans
At the Indiana meeting, I was advised by Peri Frantz that a
California grotto was planning to submit a bid at the Idaho
convention for an area outside San Francisco. I have not received
any digital or hard copy at this point.
Problems
There frequently is a paucity of choices for Board Meetings,
however, the new millennium has spawned a plethora of
alternatives (must be all the 0s). In the above I have featured
only the highlights for each. All applicants have been advised to
have a representative available at the Friday Board Meeting the
NSS National Convention to respond to any questions.
(4) BYLAWS COMMITTEE
Jim Borden (Chairman)
7 Marron Lane
New Paltz, NY 12561
Home: (914) 255-4663
Work: (914) 433-2892
E-mail: jimborden@ibm.net
or jborden@us.ibm.com
Progress
No Bylaws changes are on the agenda for this Board Meeting.
Plans
Respond when Board Members have questions/concerns vis-a-vis NSS
Bylaws.
Problems
None.
Vacant
John L. Moses (Secretary)
15807 River Roads
Houston, TX 77079
Home: (281) 597-1494
Office: (713) 243-8000
Fax: (713) 243-8028
E-mail: johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member)
Tom Lera (Committee Member)
Progress
Several items of correspondence were handled in the most recent
reporting period. On behalf of a group of Croatian cavers
proposing to attend the NSS Convention, invitation letters were
sent to the US Consulate in Zagreb and directly to the Speleoklub
Had Porec. The Croatians reportedly did receive their US visas.
Also, information on local NSS grottos was sent to an Irish
caving group proposing to visit the US.
Two International Participation Grant proposals were selected by the grant committee (Moses, Romero, and Wefer) for funding. The first, submitted by Stan Allison, was made to the Chiquibol '99 (Belize) expedition for $1000. The second, proposed by Keith Christensen, was made to the Dominican Republic project for $700. The grant committee was enthusiastic about the potential of these projects to contribute to continuing cooperation between the NSS and foreign speleologists in the advancement of cave science.
One additional member was added to the International Secretary Committee - Eleanor B. Larson of Santa Barbara, California.
Plans
Review any submittals for the International Participation Grants.
Presently, one application (Azores biospeleology) remains
outstanding.
In order to provide seed money for the Brasilia 2001 International Congress of Speleology, advance funding from the NSS International Fund could be provided under a joint agreement between the NSS President, International Union of Speleology (UIS) Secretary General, and Congress organizers. The advance would be secured by pre-paid registrations for American delegates to Congress. The initial contact with organizers was made. Discussions with UIS will be made in 4Q 1999.
Update (1996) list of foreign caving clubs maintained by the NSS by year-end.
Attempt to develop a framework for an international caver exchange program by mid-2000.
Problems
Following the two grant awards, the additional cash available
from the International Participation Fund is very limited. The
grant committee could, however, for a sufficiently meritorious
project, draw on additional fund income. There is a precedent for
such action.
(7) LEGAL COMMITTEE
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3406
Home: (828) 669-0126
Work: (828) 255-7703
FAX: (828) 252-0698
E-mail: cavelaw@wnc.com
Progress
(1) I have responded to inquiries from members about concerns
relating to liability for injuries that occur during grotto
sponsored caving trips. I continue to have the concern that our
generic releases may not work equally well in all jurisdictions.
This is of especial concern in states in which we actually own
[or manage] properties. As I have indicated previously, the only
way to address that concern is by hiring an attorney in each
state in which we own or manage cave property.
(2) I have continued to monitor the progress - or lack of progress - in the Barton Hill litigation in New York. I have received copies of correspondence from the Society's attorney [Chuck Dworkin]. He has revoked our offer to discuss compromise because there was no response to a letter he sent last fall outlining a settlement proposal. I understand that he continues to be in contact with Thom Engel in regard to the property.
Plans
I will continue to respond to any inquiries.
Problems
None of which I am aware.
Rosewell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
Home: (412) 367-3522
E-mail: wrj4822@sgi.net
NO REPORT
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT
Phone: (860) 873-1623
E-mail: William.Karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com
or carbidekid@prodigy.net
Committee Members -- Their Assignments
Colin Gatland -- Canada, TX, and OK 325 Dellsing Drive Vandalia, Ohio 45377-1344
Ernie Coffman -- NV, HI, and CA 733 N. E. Oregon Ave. Grants Pass, OR 97526-3562 Phone: (503) 471-1202
Marty Brown -- AR P.O. Box 547 Johnson, AR 72741 Phone: (501) 582-0285 E-mail: mbrown@rhs.nwsc.k12.ar.us
Elaine Hackerman -- KY and OH 4701 Utah Avenue Nashville, TN 37209 Phone: (615) 298-5929
Hal Joerin -- MI, IN, and WI 28287 Red Leaf Ln Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: (313) 569-5007 E-mail: 76016,401@compuserve.com
Bill & Mary Klimack -- PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, and SC 6303 Ashley Meadows Ct. Dayton, OH 45424 Phone: (513) 235-2532 E-mail: klimackmw@aol.com> or wklimack@afit.af.mil
Jay Landt -- GA and FL 4321 Meadowood St. Orlando, FL 32812 Phone: (407) 851-2409
Bob Liebman -- Member At Large P.O. Box 441s Lewisburg, WV 24901-0441 Phone: (304) 772-5049
Marge Nelson -- CA 1942 Lombardy Drive La Canada, CA 91011 Phone: (818) 248-6546
Jennifer Pinkley Bennett -- AL, MS, LA, and TN 1120 Joshua Dr. Huntsville, AL 35803
Gayle Smart -- NM 1116 Zena Lona, NE Albuquerque, NM 87112
Bill Karpowicz -- NY and New England 291 Willard Avenue Westbrook, CT Phone: (860)873-1623 E-mail: William.Karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com
NO REPORT
(10) NATIONAL CAVE MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
Mclean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
E-mail: cherylj@erols.com
Progress
The plans for the 1999 National Cave and Karst Management
Symposium (NCKMS), hosted by SCCI, are progressing well. The call
for papers has been issued and a flier mailed to over 300 people
in our data base.
In April I had a productive meeting in Washington, D.C. with four NCKMS steering committee members from federal agencies. As a result, I have arranged on behalf of the Steering Committee a new session at the 1999 NSS Convention, "Managing Cave and Karst Resources on Federal Land -- A Panel Discussion" -- one we hope will become a regular feature on future convention programs. The format will be a short presentation by a panel of representatives from the BLM, NFS, NPS and F&W Service (issues, success co-op stories, ongoing projects etc.), followed by up to two hours of questions and feedback from the audience. The NSS will provide the federal agencies with their first opportunity to directly address the largest user group of caves on government land, as well as respond personally to questions and feedback from cavers. We look forward to a dynamic and beneficial exchange.
Plans
The 1999 NCKMS Steering Committee Meeting will be held on the
morning of 13 July at the NSS National Convention.
A display (using the new NSS display boards purchased by the OVP) which will highlight the NSS as cave and karst managers is being planned for use during the NCKMS. Doug Medville, David Jagnow, and Gary Bush are actively involved. We hope this display, with information on the cave properties and karst conservancies, will be a permanent one and available for use at other appropriate events.
Problems
None
(11) NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Vacant
PRES Comments
The following received the most votes, in the order of finish:
Cheryl Jones
Linda Devine
Bill Haliday
Philip Moss
Thom Engel
Thom Engel will serve a two year term ending in 2001.
Thanks to Ted Kayes for handling this year's Board Election.
A motion confirming the nomination of a new chairman for this committee is on the agenda for the Board Meeting.
(12) NSS/NPS LIAISON
John Scheltens (Liaison)
303 N River Rd
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Home: (605) 745-4366
Work: (605) 745-3135
FAX: (605) 745-5180
E-mail: 102370.2314@compuserve.com
Progress
As you may be aware, I am very involved in national environmental
water policy. I am a member of the National Drinking Water
Advisory Council (NDWAC). I work directly under the Administrator
of EPA on implementing the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water
Act. Unfortunately my time to devote towards NSS activities is
very limited. The NSS would be better served by an individual who
can devote more time to all the issues.
A couple of weeks ago I hosted an official meeting of the NDWAC here in South Dakota that included the participation of Administrator Browner, Senate Minority Leader, Tom Daschle, and many other national agency leaders.
Plans
I have many contacts in D.C. and I spend a great deal of time
running back and forth. I try to keep up with all the agency
contacts for caving, but I'm not always able to do so; however, I
can be of great help in assisting a new liaison getting
established in the Washington arena.
As I have stated in previous correspondence, the position of NPS liaison should be combined with the liaison responsibilities of the other federal agencies that the NSS deals with (i.e., NPS, BLM and Forest Service). The liaison is appropriately placed under the Office of the President since liaisons are responsible for communicating directly between government and NSS leadership.
I am more than happy to help the NSS, but right now I am heavily committed to several national programs. I will stay on till you find a replacement.
Problems
None.
(13) NSS/TNC LIAISON
Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
2805 Gladstone Ave
Ann Arbor MI 48104-6432
Phone: (734) 995-2678
Fax: (by prior arrangement) (734) 995-0289
E-mail: ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Progress
I met with the TNC--NSS Liaison, TIna Hall, when she attended the
Michigan Land Trust Conference on the weekend of 16 May 1999.
The joint NSS-TNC display is currently being updated - bigger text that is laminated. The schedule right now for it for 1999 is - NSS convention, National Cave Management Symposium, and TNC WV annual meeting. Tina Hall of the WV TNC chapter and Liaison to NSS maintains, upgrades, and arranges transportation for the display.
A web page on the NSS site has been established, and announced on the Cavers Index. We continue to search for joint NSS (member) projects that have web pages to which to link, or at least to describe, in order to help TNC find caver volunteers, and NSS members find needs for people with cave expertise.
The latest addition is a notice of acquisition of the Orangeville Rise from The Nature Conservancy by the Indiana Karst Conservancy (with link to IKC announcement).
I have appointed Rob Robbins of Columbia TN as a committee member to assist our liaison with TNC in the Southeastern Region of the NSS.
Rob has created an Internet mailing list for communications between the Grotto and club conservation officers and chapters of The Nature Conservancy, in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.
Plans
To keep doing the great things we have been doing.
Problems
I would not call it a problem, but reality is that it will be
slow going to stimulate more joint projects between NSS members
and TNC because they depend upon the existence of both TNC cave
projects and nearby NSS members with interests in volunteering.
(14) OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Vacant
(15) PLANNING COMMITTEE
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
Progress
There has been no activity during this past reporting.
Plans
There has been created an investment fund (NSF) for growing funds
for a new NSS library/museum structure, possibly located in
Huntsville, Alabama somewhere during the next five to ten years.
There is far too much property value accumulated in Huntsville
for us to ignore what we have. I would like to see an integrated
landscape/building loan developed for the Huntsville property.
Shelta Cave will likely never be suitable for "tourist" trips, but as a working laboratory environment together with a surface eco-park and speleo-education center (library/museum/bookstore/office) it could bring a speleo-value of inestimable heights to reputation, service value, and community respect.
Obviously, before money is spent for a structure, considerable thought, discussion, and design plans should be seriously entertained. Toward this end, the NSS Planning Committee would appreciate the thoughts and input of the Board as well as some direction of focus.
I believe this is not a time to nickel and dime the project, but to think and plan BIG, so as not to have to add small additions every ten years as has been our history to date. This has been a very expensive and relatively non cost-effective means of providing a service center. Planning a large project includes not just structural materials, but a fiscal plan for the project as well. BIG is not a problem if fiscal planning is included from the beginning.
Problems
None.
(16) PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Jay Jorden (Chairman)
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
Home and manual fax: (972) 382-2458
Work: (972) 991-2100
E-mail: jjorden@texoma.net
David McClurg (Committee Member)
Jack Hissong (Committee Member)
Sandra Hissong (Committee Member)
Progress
The NSS Public Relations Committee has, in the three months since
the last report, continued its task of fielding media inquiries
and promoting the Society's safety and conservation goals. It
also is aiding the Society's Cave Conservation and Management
Section publication efforts and contributing to the Society's
Conservation and Management Section newsletter.
Details: The committee mailed material to journalists, prospective authors ,and publicists by letter, telephone, and e-mail. Reporters for Texas dailies working on caving articles, freelancers and researchers for publishers and the electronic media continue to dominate the contacts. The committee is also helping with publicity for the upcoming IMAX film on caving and stands ready to provide support for the effort toward an NSS annual report.
Feedback: Clippings from earlier efforts continue to come in. The committee will work closely in the future with a media columnist for the NSS News.
Plans
(1) Work continues on updating the background sheet that
accompanies news releases and responses to media organizations.
(2) I am restructuring a "press kit" and the committee files. Development time and input are necessary.
(3)The committee is working on an outline for a PR workshop to be held at the next NSS National Convention
(4)The committee is also working an NSS News article.
Problems
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or
needs, either from the officers or the board. No problems come to
mind.
(17) RECORDING SECRETARY
Lee Stevens
5964 Seabright Road
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
Home: (703) 451-7663
E-mail: leestevens@erols.com
Progress
The current officers and directors continue to promptly review
the draft Board meeting minutes. Their efforts are greatly
appreciated. Corrections to the minutes of the March 1999 Board
meeting have been received and they have been posted on the NSS
WWW site. Paul Steward who has volunteered to write a summary of
each NSS Board Meeting for the NSS NEWS contacted me last April.
I told Paul that I would be happy to assist him.
Plans
To continue to record the minutes of the NSS Board of Governors
meetings and distribute them in a timely fashion.
Problems
None
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371
Home: (973) 579-2116
E-mail: vkappler@nac.net
Progress
Twenty-seven copies of the manual update from the March 1999
meeting were mailed in mid-May.
Cross References in several Act sections were checked and updated for the most recent mailing.
The local vocational school continues to do my printing at no cost to us.
Plans
Produce the manual updates as quickly as possible while keeping
costs to a minimum.
Problems
None.
(19) SHOW CAVES LIAISON COMMITTEE
Gordon Smith, Chairman
9850 N. Skyline Dr.
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
Home & Work: (812) 945-5721
Fax: (812) 945-6891
E-mail: glstis@aol.com
Progress
I have spent so much time recently on Show Cave relations that I
am going to buy another one yet this week if all goes as planned.
I recently assisted the Louisville Grotto in their efforts to
purchase the Lone Star Cave Preserve. I have visited Show Caves
in several States since the last report and no specific problems
concerning NSS cavers were uncovered. I will be visiting several
Show Caves during my trip to Idaho in a few weeks.
Plans
I will continue to visit Show Caves to explore areas where the
NSS members can be of assistance. I will continue to purchase
(and thus preserve) Show Caves when appropriate opportunities
become available.
Problems
Not enough hours in the day to earn enough money to buy more
caves.
(20) BOARD MEETING SYSTEM AD HOC COMMITTEE
G. Thomas Rea (Chairman)
8677 S State Road 243
Cloverdale, IN 46120-9696
Phone: (765) 653-4423
E-mail: tom.rea@caves.org
NO REPORT
(21) YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Home: (317) 841-0687
Progress
The main work of the committee is to field and respond to letters
and phone calls from:
1. Members seeking advice on how to handle a youth group request for a caving trip, how to respond to their inquiries, or what national policy is towards caving for specific organizations like Scouting USA.
2. Members of the public who are leaders of Scouting and other youth groups who: want to go caving, want to include caving in their programs, seek educational or safety information, want to know where the caves are, or have questions about caving.
The 4-page NSS Boy Scout Brochure has been printed at a cost of $192. The NSS Office in Huntsville, AL received 1,000 copies as did the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
The chairman is working with a Huntsville, AL group on developing a new form of Explorer Scouting that involves not only the vocational element, but also an adventure element. The effort is coeducational. Reading material is being developed by the BSA in 3-ring binder format, the NSS assisting with input, illustrations, etc. The program should be in operation by the end of the year.
Plans
Continue to respond to questions and letters as explained above.
Problems
None.
(23) PRESIDENT'S SECTION
Fred L. Wefer (NSS PRES)
PO Box 47
McDowell, VA 24458
Home: (540) 396-3543
E-mail: fwefer@cfw.com
Progress
*In accordance with ACT
43-376, awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the Southern
California Grotto and the Central Indiana Grotto for their work
in hosting recent Board Meetings.
*Sent the Preliminary Agenda and Final Agenda for the Board Meeting to all Board Members in time to meet the relevant deadlines.
Plans
*Finish a job description for the position of NSS President.
Problems
none.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L. Wefer, President
National Speleological Society, Inc.
*/**|**\*