President's Report
AGI Outreach Liaison
Awards Committee
Board Arrangements
Committee
Bylaws Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Government Liaison
Committee
International Secretary
Legal Committee
Logistics Committee
Membership Committee
National Cave and
Karst Management Symposium Coordinator
Nominating Committee
NSS/KWI Liaison Committee
NSS/NCKRI Liaison
Committee
NSS/TNC Liaison
Planning Committee
Public Relations Committee
Recording Secretary
Secretary to the Board
Show Caves Liaison
Committee
Youth Groups Liaison
Committee
Board Meeting
System Ad Hoc Committee
Spring Hill
Cave Lawsuit Ad Hoc Committee
Travel Policy Ad Hoc
Committee
NSS License Plate
Ad Hoc Committee
NSS 60th
Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee
Mike K. Hood
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368
(937) 252-2978
president@caves.org
There are 26 committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). In this report, I provide the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the chairman of each committee or organization, followed by their report. The committee and sub-committee chairmen have provided the information in this report, although I’ve made some spelling, formatting, and minor editorial adjustments. If necessary, my comments are provided in Italics following the committee’s report.
Plans:
I’m beginning the process of putting together a 10-year plan
for the NSS to map where we want to be in 10 years. The function
of the Planning Committee is being restructured to work this
issue and I’ll be meeting with the Planning Committee
Chairman, Tom Pollock, during convention to discuss this issue.
I’ll be meeting at convention with Scott Fee, Emily Davis (representing Dr. Dave Culver), Dr. Horton Hobbs, III, Jeanne Gurnee, Tom Pollock, and Richard Downey to discuss the NSS Library and how we can improve it. Much of the discussion will be about moving towards a new library as part of the 10-year plan.
I’ll be meeting with Zelda Chapman Bailey of the National Cave and Karst Reseach Institute, Dr. Penny Boston, Jim Werker, and Val Hildreth-Werker at convention to discuss issues related to the National Cave and Karst Research Institute and the NSS.
I will also be meeting with David Foster, Director of the American Cave Conservation Association, at convention to review the Memorandum of Understanding between our two organizations. Our goal is to discuss methods of building upon our current relationship.
Progress:
I’ve been talking with Bert Ashbrook in regards to the
Annual Report. He wants to continue with the project and will be
working with Doug Medville to complete it. Bert understands the
importance of getting this done and has already finished most of
the text. Design and layout needs to be done and I will probably
ask Ray Keeler and the Special Publications Committee for
assistance. Getting this report published is one of my top
priorities.
Spoke at various grotto meetings and attended regional caving events.
Responded to various interview requests about caves, karst, and the NSS.
Our relationship with the National Cave and Karst Research Institute is continuing to develop. I see a positive future for both our organizations.
Sent a letter to Walt Schloer, District Ranger of Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District, objecting to the Hidden Forest Cave authorized climbing route provision of the Road 18 Caves Environmental Assessment.
At attachment 1 to this report is the board meeting agenda policy for inclusion in Section 9 of the Board of Governors Manual. This was submitted before, but was not included in the manual. It is being submitted again for inclusion.
Problems:
The publishing of the Annual Report is taking longer than
I’d like, but a strong emphasis has been put on getting it
published this summer.
I’m still searching for a chairman of the NSS/Karst Waters Institute Liaison Committee. Those I have contacted were not interested due to time constraints.
I continue to receive e-mails concerning speleothem sales on eBay. eBay will only restrict sales if we can show it's illegal in the state the ad is listed in. Education is the key here, but how do we convince eBay that any sale of speleothems is wrong, regardless of where it's from?
Carol Zokiates (Liaison)
620 McDaniel Drive
Christianburg, VA 24073-3872
(540) 382-5437
zokaites@usit.net
The AGI outreach education committee has been interesting. It has also lead to some good support for Karst education. I was able to help with the AGI "Living With Karst" poster that accompanies George Veni's book with the same name. A Project Underground lesson was included on the back of this poster. I have attended two meetings in Northern Virginia; the group only meets once a year.
A copy of the "Living With Karst" poster was included in the May issues of Geotimes and Science Scope magazines and the poster will be included in the AGI Earth Science week packets available this fall. So you can see a very large number of people will be exposed to Karst education through this poster.
I was also invited to write an article titled "Teaching Karst Science" which ran in the May issue of Geotimes. It is on Project Underground and the need for Karst education in the classroom. A nice article titled "Karst: The Stealthy Hazard" by Jim Cobb and Jim Currens is also included in the May Geotimes.
An article "An In-Depth Exploration of Karst" by Julia A. Jackson, Carol Zokaites, Michael J. Smith, Emil Crum and Caitlin Callahan ran in the May issue of Science Scope.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-3259
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
Daniel Fong - Member at Large
Jeanne Hill - Conservation Award
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
Gordon L. Smith, Jr - Best Paper on a Show Cave Award
Linda Starr - Member at Large
Lee Stevens - Member at Large
George Veni -Science Award
Plans:
The PowerPoint program of award winners will be prepared for
the awards presentation. The annual Awards Committee meeting will
be held at the convention.
Progress:
The Awards Committee recommendations were presented to
the Board of Governors at the April 2001 meeting. These and the
Honorary Member and Outstanding Service awards were designated at
that meeting. Recipients have been notified so that they may
attend the convention. The HM and OS certificates have been
prepared. Everything is on schedule for the convention awards
program.
Problems:
At last year's convention no one qualified for the Mitchell
Award. Young scientists are encouraged to present a paper at the
convention. As always, the awards committee needs support of the
Society by providing good nominations for all awards.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingsley Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
Plans:
None.
Progress:
Continue to respond to occasional requests. I’m sending data
to Montana. It looks like we are good until 2002.
Problems:
None.
The Dayton Underground Grotto will host the spring 2002 meeting the first weekend of April 2002.
Jim Borden (Chairman)
1604 Greensbrook Pl
Louisville KY 40205
502-253-9443
jimborden@attglobal.net
No report received.
Ted Kayes (Chairman)
8031 Whittington Dr
Richmond, VA 23235
(H)(804) 272-4310
(W)(804) 346-3697
tckayes@richmond.infi.net
Plans:
The Stash the Cash program, which was developed by
Cheryl Jones, is in place and it will be pushed at Convention.
Bill Stringfellow has committed to giving the Society $2 for each
person who signs up for the Program.
Progress:
The total donations to the Society in CY00 were $35,778. The
Stephenson Group now has 17 individuals and 2 organizations that
have qualified for membership by giving the Society more than
$10,000 or designating the Society as a beneficiary in will,
trust or retirement plan.
The mailing by MBNA to the Society’s members has signed up more members for the NSS VISA card, and the Society will see increased revenues in 2001.
Problems:
The Society was unable to qualify for the Combined Federal
Campaign for 2001 and it looks very unlikely that it will qualify
in 2002.
Only five people have enrolled in the Stash the Cash Program to date. It would be excellent to have the officers and the directors to set a good example and enroll for at least $10 per month.
Hazel Medville (Chairman)
11762 Indian Ridge Road
Reston, VA 20191-3525
(703) 860-0134
Hazelm@patriot.net
Plans:
Follow through on the National Park Service and
Tennessee Valley Authority MOUs with possible staffers attending
the convention and via mail.
Progress:
Thirty-five letters were sent to U.S. executive and legislative
branch employees who attended the Amazing Caves IMAX Premier in
DC; three letters were sent to state officials.
Ron Kerbo was contacted in reference to the National Park Service (NPS) MOU. He said that it was in review with the legal staff.
In late April, Scott Shaw (Chairman of the Northwest Alabama Grotto near Florence, Alabama) wrote saying that he was in contact with Tennessee Valley Authority staff who thought that an MOU with the NSS might be appropriate. He volunteered to follow-up.
Letters were sent inviting staff and administrators in U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior (DOI) to attend the NSS Convention in early June.
A Government Session/Panel is set up for Tuesday of the Convention.
Attended a talk by Zelda Chapman Bailey of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute at a USDA Brown Bag Seminar in DC.
Problems:
None.
John L. Moses (Secretary)
6900 Hueco Tanks #1
El Paso, TX 79938
(H)(915) 921-0535
(W)(915) 857-1135
(F)(915) 856-3556
johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member)
Tom Lera (Committee Member)
Plans:
The 13th International Congress of Speleology will be held at the
National Convention Center in Brasilia, Brazil, July 15 - 22,
2001. Information on registration for the Congress and pre- and
post-Congress field trips is on the Congress web site at:
http://www.speleobrazil2001.org.br
I will be attending the sessions in Brasilia. The NSS
International Secretary represents the NSS at the ICOS.
Progress:
Answered various correspondence addressed to international
secretary or sent to NSS relating to international issues.
Problems:
Need to clarify delegate credentials with UIS prior to Congress.
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3406
(H)(828) 669-0126
(W)(828) 255-7703
(F)(828) 254-1793
cavelaw@bellsouth.net
Plans:
I will continue to work with the Operations Vice President in
regard to the matters pending with the University of Puerto Rico.
I will remain available to address other matters as they arise.
Progress:
[1] The Baumann lawsuit, in which the Society, as owner of the
Barton Hill Preserve, was a defendant, has been dismissed prior
to trial. Our lawyer, Chuck Dworkin, did an excellent job for us
and, unlike our original counsel, returned my telephone calls and
kept me fully informed of the progress of the litigation. The
next time we need a lawyer in connection with Barton Hill, I
strongly recommend that we use Chuck. During the course of this
protracted, multi-year case, local members of the Society were in
direct contact with our lawyers and kept me informed of what was
going on. At various times they were Emily Davis, Bob Addis, and
Thom Engle, and their efforts had a lot to do with the successful
outcome of the case.
[2] Since the time of my last report, I have had one telephone inquiry, from a Society member in Georgia, regarding releases and the potential liability of trip leaders. We discussed the facts of his situation, the availability of release forms in the appendix of Caving Basics, and the need to have any form release reviewed by an attorney in the state where the cave is located.
[3] I have reviewed correspondence and documents in the matter of the resolution of Dr. Tom Miller's complaint about use of a couple of his cave maps in the Idaho Convention Guidebook. I have had extensive correspondence with the Operations Vice President, and to a lesser extent with the President, concerning the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Puerto Rico (regarding the establishment of a satellite NSS library there) and drafting the communications with the University.
[4] I have submitted a notice for publication in the NSS News requesting information from Society members for Chris Hacker's cave protection law project, a study of prosecutions that have been brought or considered under various cave protection statutes. Chris hopes to publish the results of that study this fall.
[5] I have also submitted a notice to the NSS News soliciting participation in the Legal Committee by members who are involved in the legal profession or in law enforcement.
Problems:
The Satellite Library at the University of Puerto Rico is a
potential problem. Our Memorandum of Understanding has been
submitted to counsel for the University, and for several weeks
there has been no reply. If the University proposes changes in
the MOU that effectively prevent the establishment or operation
of a satellite library, one of the major incentives to the
resolution of Dr. Miller's complaint will be gone, and the entire
matter will have to be re-assessed. If the major points in the
MOU are acceptable to the University, there will be no problem.
Roswell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
(H)(412) 367-3522
wrj4822@sgi.net
No report received.
Jonesy has been experiencing some health problems and will not be attending the convention this year. I believe he said it’ll be the first one he’s missed in 30-plus years. Arrangements are being made to ensure the equipment he normally brings will be at the convention.
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT 06498-7809
Colin Gatland: Canada, TX, OK
Ernie Coffmans: NV, HI, CA
Marty Brown: AR
Hal Joerin: MI, IN, WI
Bill Klimack: PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC
Bob Liebman: Member At Large
Marge Nelson: CA
Jerry Zimmer: AK, WA, ID, OR
Ryan Brown: CO, UT, WY
Melanie Coleman: CO, UT, WY
Robert J Hall: NY, NJ
Bill Karpowicz: NY, New England
Plans:
Committee members and non-committee members are getting
involved in non-NSS functions and making our presence known to
both the caving and non-caving community. Several grottos have
been either present at or provided NSS literature at IMAX showing
of Journey into Amazing Caves.
Progress:
Two of the open positions have been filled. Plans are in the
works to get any members of the Membership Committee attending
the Kentucky Convention to meet with the I/O Committee to form a
plan for next year.
Problems:
Still need coverage for the Kentucky/Ohio area. I will be placing
a second ad in the NSS News looking for volunteers to
fill this position.
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
Will chair the meeting of the NCKMS Steering Committee on Tuesday
morning of Convention, and continue to work with the 2001
Symposium organizers as necessary.
Progress:
The 2001 NCKMS is on track for October in Tucson.
Problems:
None.
Barbara Ann am Ende (Chairman)
18912 Glendower Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1833
Phone: (301) 216-0932
Baa0500@aol.com
Below are the results of the election. I have listed the number of votes next to each candidate including the write-in candidates. The highest vote-getters are listed first.
Note there are two sets of numbers. The first are the number of votes received by the technical deadline of being received by June 15th (1867). I got a few more ballots (15) on Saturday the 16th and Monday the 18th (1,882). The late ballots were, however, postmarked between June 11th and June 14th. Note that Jim Olsen had a few votes less that Bill Tozer (911 to 915). Jim gained more votes during the late-ish votes and is tied with Bill (922 each).
| Dave Jagnow | 1005 | 1010 | 3 year term |
| Dave Taylor | 981 | 990 | 3 year term |
| Thom Engle | 962 | 972 | 3 year term |
| Bill Tozer | 915 | 922 | 3 year term |
| Jim Olsen | 911 | 922 | 2 year term |
| Gary Moss | 899 | 903 | 1 year term |
| Bill Klimack | 762 | 768 | |
| Bill Stringfellow | 770 | 776 | |
| Michael Steed | 572 | 578 | |
| Joe Levinson | 500 | 505 | |
| George Dasher | 8 | 8 |
Plans:
I will present the ballots to the Board at the 2001
Convention. I believe I will not continue to be chair of the
committee for a second year. I am just a little to busy to have
time for another year. I thank Bob Hoke for his help in printing
and mailing the platforms/ballots.
Progress:
Board election completed (see above details)
Problems:
I suggest for future elections the deadline be something
such as: Must be postmarked by June 10th and received
by June 15th. That would help resolve the problem
described above regarding changing results based on
"late" ballots that were postmarked theoretically early
enough.
Bylaw IV A(2)(b) states that all ballots must be received by the deadline. Therefore, the 15 votes received after the deadline can't be counted and the first column of numbers should represent the official results of the voting. George Dasher is the only one to receive more than two write-in votes. All other write-in candidates have been deleted from the report.
Vacant
Dr. Penelope J. Boston (Chairman)
7097 Redwing Place
Longmont, CO 80503
(W)(303) 530-2661
pboston@complex.org
I went to the recent NCKRI working group meeting in Albuquerque that was concurrent with our regional GSA meeting. Since I was in the middle of a proposal deadline, I didn't make it to their first day (1 May) but did go for the second day (2 May).
Things seem to be accelerating with the organization of NCKRI and small amounts of money are appearing. They are beginning to make serious motions about a building.
I had lunch with Zelda and we chatted about a number of issues, both potential NSS activities that might be relevant to NCKRI and vice versa. We also discussed various aspects of the possible structure of NCKRI. Things are still fluid, not surprisingly.
I have two specific things that I am working on and when they come together I will present them in a formal manner. In the meantime, just wanted to let you know that I was functioning in my newly official role.
I may not make it to convention this year. I am trying to keep my extensive travel down to a dull roar and I will have only gotten back from two back to back meetings, the last in Scotland, by a week when convention starts. On the other hand, I have about 10 things that would be good to do at convention. I'll decide closer to the time if I can maybe fly in and stay for just a couple of days and get everything done.
Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
2805 Gladstone Ave.
Ann Arbor MI 48104-6432
Phone: (734) 995-2678
Fax: (by prior arrangement) (734) 995-0289
ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
The TNC/NSS Liaison has nothing to report this time. The web page is out of commission because of the server move (at a time I wasn't intending to service it). But that'll come up eventually. Also, the TNC Liaison person, Tina Hall, is overwhelmed in her new job as a district director for Michigan’s UP. But the whole thing is primarily LONG TERM, not "day to day," so we'll get it sorted out in time.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
(H)(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
Plans:
New look for the new millennium. Meeting to be held at the 2001
convention. New focus on NSS direction. New look at NSS
Facilities. New, expanded (focused) committee. Suggested make-up
of committee previously forwarded to NSS President.
Progress:
Know better after convention.
Problems:
None.
The Planning Committee will be undergoing a reorganization to make it more proactive in the planning of the NSS over the next 10 years. The committee’s functions and responsibilities will be expanding and Tom will likely be looking for volunteers. A better idea of the committee’s direction should be known after the convention meeting.
Jay Jorden (Chairman)
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
Home and manual fax: (972) 382-2458
Work: (972) 991-2100
jjorden@texoma.net
David McClurg (Committee Member)
Jack Hissong (Committee Member)
Sandra Hissong (Committee Member)
Plans:
(1) Work continues on updating the background sheet that
accompanies news releases and responses to media organizations,
along with (2) restructuring of a “press kit” and
committee files. Development time and input are necessary. (3)
The committee is working on an outline for a PR workshop at the
next convention, as well as (4) an NSS News article.
Progress:
Members of the NSS Public Relations Committee have
fielded additional member inquiries in the four months since the
last report. Press information distributed by the committee has
promoted the Society's safety and conservation goals. Committee
members also have helped the Society's Cave Conservation and
Management Section's publication efforts and contributed to the
Society's Conservation and Management Section newsletter.
Details: The committee provided information to The Dallas Morning News for a feature spread on the IMAX presentation, “Journey into Amazing Caves,” which had a premiere at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The committee also followed up with letters to media contacts provided by Hazel Medville regarding the film and the Society's work.
Reporters for dailies working on caving articles, freelancers and researchers for publishers and the electronic media continue to dominate contacts by letter, telephone and e-mail.
Feedback: Clippings from earlier efforts continue to come in.
The committee plans to
work with a media columnist for the NSS News.
Problems:
As always, please let me know of any specific PR
concerns or needs, either from the officers or the board.
Lee Stevens
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147
No report received.
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371
(H)(973) 579-2116
vkappler@nac.net
Plans:
It has come to my attention that some (several, many?)
permanent committees do not have a corresponding Act of the Board
that authorized them or describes their function. I will work to
identify these “orphan” committees. The Board may want
to consider action to formally establish the committee and
describe its duties.
I will work on a new manual index and section title pages to reflect the changes that I have made over the past year. I will phase them in over several mailings to minimize cost.
Progress:
The manual revision for the April meeting was mailed on
June 16, 2001, without an updated Personnel Section (page
4.25-4.39). It was only 41 pages. As discussed in my last report,
I have been working closely with Tom Rea to get any personnel
changes posted to the web ASAP. The paper revisions that were
prepared and mailed in the past were often out of date before
they were received. I have requested the officers email changes
as they occur.
I continue to maintain the complete manual (or “old version”) on disk and provide a hard copy of all changes to the office, the archives, and to the recording secretary.
I have printed three new manuals in anticipation of new directors coming on board (I will print more if necessary) and will mail them when election results are available.
Problems:
None.
Gordon Smith (Chairman)
9850 N. Skyline Dr.
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
Home & Work: (812) 945-5721
Fax: (812) 945-6891
glstis@aol.com
Plans:
Attend National Show Cave Convention this fall in
Tennessee.
Progress:
Have visited show caves from Howe Caverns in New York to
Ice Caves in Grants, New Mexico in the past few months. No
problems to report. National Caves Association is now located at
Diamond Caverns with Susan Berdeaux about to be new
Treasurer/Secretary of NCA.
Problems:
None that I know of.
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256
(H)(317) 841-0687
Plans:
We will continue to respond to the calls and letters we
get. We also may have an informal but scheduled gathering at the
Kentucky convention to share our stories and ideas about youth
group caving.
Progress:
The main thing we do is to respond to letters and phone
calls from NSS members or the general public who involved with
groups. The groups we hear from the most are Boy Scouts units,
although there is a minority of Girl Scouts, church groups, youth
camps, nature centers, school classes, or anyone who may have an
interest in caves. The interest or inquiry can be on any level
like:
Referral to a show cave in their area.
Information about bats.
Request for some type of slide show.
Seeking advice on equipment or safety, or rules.
Formal request for cavers to take them wild caving.
In this information age, we find over the years that they are usually able to find solutions to the first four, so the questions we get in modern time have to do with wild caving trips. The questions are answered over the phone or by letter attaching some names of resources or brochures. But, some trip request items need some hands-on local assistance. This is where my loose network of friends and cavers all over the country come in. We can go to someone who has shown a willingness to work with Scouts in the past, which is in their local area, and these people take it to the next step.
Problems:
None.
Lee Stevens (Chairman)
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147
No report received.
The new voting system may be available for testing at this meeting.
Cheryl Jones (Chairman)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
Stay informed as the case progresses.
Progress:
The March trial date was postponed until October 10, 2001. Mrs.
Beckner now has two lawyers representing her at the expense of
Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. We're advised that
the defense intends to file a motion for summary judgment on the
applicability of the Tennessee recreational use statute as a bar
to this cause of action.
Problems:
None.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-3259
wtozer@aol.com
Cheryl Jones (Committee Member)
Dave Lester (Committee Member)
Doug Medville (Committee Member)
Gary Moss (Committee Member)
Plans:
A motion will be made at the convention Board meeting to
accept this policy. The policy will serve to guide all travel
reimbursement.
Progress:
A written policy was presented to the Board at the
spring meeting. Unless additional work is required, the task will
be finished.
Problems:
No major problems at this point.
The motion to approve the policy is on the agenda. If the Board of Governors passes it, this committee will be dissolved.
Phil Roke (Chairman)
(H)(540) 752-1148
(W)(202) 366-5884
Plans:
Same as before.
Progress:
Delayed.
Problems:
Major computer crash of my PC hard drive due to virus.
Hope to have data available within the next month.
Mike Hood (Chairman)
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368
(937) 252-2978
president@caves.org
Colin Gatland (Multi-Projector Slide Show)
Don Conover (Multi-Projector Slide Show)
Jen Smith (Convention Liaison)
Plans:
Host the 60th Anniversary celebration at the
Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve campground Tuesday evening, July 24th,
beginning at 8:00 P.M.
Several events are planned for the evening to include recognition
of several long time members and past presidents, cave ballads,
and a six-projector slide show.
This ad hoc committee will be dissolved upon conclusion of the celebration Tuesday night of convention.
Progress:
A lot of planning and work has gone into this event and
should be a fun evening. Scott Fee has procured limited edition
patches available through the NSS Bookstore.
A big “Thank you” to those who helped with this program: Rob Coomer for the logo design, Colin Gatland and Don Conover for putting together the six-projector slide show with me, Jen Smith and Bill Carr for assistance from the convention staff side, and Scott Fee and Stephanie Cothran for procuring the commemorative patches.
Problems:
None.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL K. HOOD
President,
National Speleological Society, Inc.
Attachment 1
Section 9
President’s Policies
July 23, 2001
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY FOR
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING AGENDAS
This policy is established in accordance with items 9 and 10 of the November 7, 1998, Board of Governors meeting.
1. The President will put the call out for agenda items to the Board of Governors a minimum of nine weeks before the next Board of Governors meeting. This call will include a deadline for agenda items to be received by the President one month after the call for agenda items.
2. The published agenda will be prepared and distributed to the Board of Governors a minimum of one month prior to the meeting. A copy of the agenda will also be sent to the NSS web master to be posted on the NSS web page. Copies will also be sent to the Chairmen of the Internal Organizations Committee and Conservation Committee, editors of the NSS News and Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, and Secretary to the Board. The President will publish revised agendas as changes are made to all those indicated in this paragraph.
3. The President will include all agenda items received. The President will contact the author of those motions that the President believes are contrary to the Constitution or Bylaws, detrimental to caves and karst, or not in compliance with the goals of the Society. The President will communicate with the drafter and attempt to resolve the discrepancy. If the drafter wishes the item to remain on the agenda, the President, at his or her discretion may place a note on the agenda, with the motion, indicating the motion appears to fall in one of the above categories.
4. Every effort should be made to submit agenda items before the deadline, and at all times before the start of the meeting. Practical motions that could have been placed on the agenda in regular order should not be introduced as new business, but reserved for the agenda of a subsequent board meeting. Appropriate matters to introduce in new business are motions arising from board discussions of previous motions or discussions and questions that were not placed on the printed agenda as new business, but which the board believes are relevant to the agenda. In this case, the motion may be introduced as new business following completion of the items on the printed agenda.
5. All motions on the published agenda will include the name of the board member introducing the item. If a proxy represents the board member, the motion will still carry the name of the board member and not the proxy. The exception to this rule is if the proxy is granted full proxy privileges and introduces a motion as stated in paragraph 4. In this situation, the proxy’s name will be given with the motion he or she introduces.