President’s Report

National Speleological Society, Inc.

Board of Governor’s Meeting

June 23, 1997

President’s Comments

In addition to the reports of the committees, included below, I would like to draw you attention to three specific areas.

Board Manual on NSS Homepage

During the past month the Board of Governors Manual has been added to the NSS website. By taking this action we hope to garner two improvements to the Society:

1. Improved communication. When I was elected as NSS President in San Diego, I promised that I would work toward opening up the "process" so that any member, with an interest, would be able to access the same information as directors, officers, and committee chairs. In the past three years we have developed the NSS Homepage, and added Officer Reports, Board Meeting Agendas, and Minutes to the site as a partial effort to make the workings of the NSS more available to members. Additionally, with the change of editors of the Administrative Memo came a push to encourage individual subscriptions so that members would have access to material that seemed to languish in Grotto mailboxes. We’ve marketed the Memo subscriptions at $2.00/annual, a price below the cost of publication.

Adding the Manual to the website is a major step. Currently, about 80 people (directors, officers, committee chairs, and office personnel) have copies of the Manual. Distribution of the Manual has been restricted due to the cost and logistics of keeping individual copies up-to-date. This necessary restriction of availability has made the Manual the "ultimate" insider's information. Now, with the adding of the Manual to the website, anyone with minimal computer skills will be able to read the Manual from their PC or library computer.

2. Improved Cost. During the past two years, the cost of the Manual has been excessive (due to major changes in the EC and to the deletion of several acts). Once Vince has mailed the current updates, it is our intention to provide hard copies in the future to Board members and to those committee chairs that do not have web access. In the President’s Department, that would take the number of maintained Manuals from twenty to three.

Getting the Manual on the web site has been a strong desire and I would like to thank Josh Abdulla, Vince Kappler, and Tom Rea for doing all the leg work.

Legal Issues

Sadly, it seems almost every one of my reports concerns some legal action (or potential legal action). I guess it’s part of national societal conditions

In a letter to the Board in February, I reported a complaint had been filed against us, under FELA, alleging we owed compensation for compensatory time paid to two former employees. On May 23, 1997, Camille reported the NSS had been informed, by the investigating agent, that we did not owe any additional compensation. There were minor suggestions relating to our current practices, which we will implement. Those changes will be reported by the appropriate officer.

During the past two meetings there has been discussion of threatened action involving an allegation of plagiarism with On Rope II. The Legal Committee believes the allegation is without merit. Joel suggests Dave McClurg’s’ advice to seek accommodation is prudent, but our legal position is solid if that outcome is not possible.

Issues associated with Barton Hill Karst Preserve appear to be moving off dead center. A proposed land swap has been suggested by the Baumann’s for land on one side of their property in exchange for our road running through their property. While there are numerous problems to be resolved, it may be that we are beginning to see potential for a reasonable settlement of this problem.

Cave Fee Demonstration

In January, 1997, I appointed Ray Keeler to head an ad hoc committee to investigate a Forest Service proposal to implement fees in Lincoln NF, NM. and Coronado NF, AZ. Ray’s report may be found in the ad hoc committee reports below. Based on e-mail and phone conversations, the proposed fee demonstration has generated considerable controversy and hostility in the southwest. Based on volume of interest, this seems to be the "hottest" item we’ve faced in the last three years.

At this point, no agenda items have been proposed for your consideration. However, I think it is highly likely that you will be "lobbied" during convention and that there will be an agenda item related to this matter on the Friday agenda.

As the discussion goes forth, it seems that we (as a Board) need to consider user fees as conservation management tools and as revenue enhancement tools. It is likely the Board will be asked to establish an NSS position on user fees as they relate to these potential tools.

Respectfully submitted,

David Luckins, President

Reports of the Permanent Committees

The committee chairman, their address, and e-mail address are provided. Reports were requested in the P₃ format: Plans, Progress, and Problems. While P₃ does facilitate a common, short, reporting format that makes reading easier for Board members, its most important asset is that it encourages committees to see their task as setting plans in place and then working to accomplish those plans. Committees with well formulated plans find it much easier to get their plans reflected in the budget than those who do not engage in forward planning.

Administrative Memo

Jean DeVries
2370 Chippewa
Jennison, MI 49428-9135
<devriesj@aol.com>

Plans:

Not many issues were sent out this year due to lack of material. I plan at least two more issues this year, and will make an earnest effort to solicit material from many avenues.

Progress:

One issue has been published this year, and due to its small size was sent out with other monthly mailing items from the NSS Office.

Problems:

No problems at this time.

Awards Committee

Mike Hood
23 Wells Ave.
Dayton, OH 45431-1420
<mhcaver@aol.com>

PLANS:

Bob Liebman resigned from the committee at the Spring Board of Governors meeting. Dr. Bill Elliott has also resigned from the committee due to time constraints. The new Outstanding Service and Honorary Member certificates are ready to go to the printers as soon as the budget is loaded for this fiscal year. The reprint will cost approximately $160.00. The Board of Governors has selected/ratified the award recipients for 1997 (attached). I've decided to step down as the committee chairman effective immediately after the 1998 Tennessee Convention. By then, I'll have served four years and feel it's time for someone else to take the reins.

PROGRESS:

Bill Tozer has been appointed to the committee as a member at large, replacing Bob Liebman. Dr. Dan Fong has also been appointed to the committee to replace Dr. Elliott. The Awards Committee Home Page is now up and running on the NSS Home Page. I've asked Dave Bunnell to run the call for nominations notice for two months in the NSS News. Hopefully this and the home page will increase the number of nominations we receive for 1998. All award recipients have been notified of their selection. The Power Point presentation for the awards banquet is ready and I'm waiting to receive slides of the award recipients. The awards presentation program will be simple and in the same format used at the 1995 Blacksburg convention. Missouri will not be attempting anything like was done in Colorado.

PROBLEMS:

None to report at this time.

Board Arrangements Committee

Tom Pollock
21 Kingsley Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
<tjpollock@aol.com>

PROGRESS:

No activity at the present time.

PLANS:

Immediately after convention revise the BOG Mailing list and get a copy to NY. I have the additions suggestions from the Pitt. BOG and will combine them with the new electees and recent changes made by the Board.

Will also begin to look for 1999 BOG hosts.

PROBLEMS:

None at this time.

Bylaws Committee

Bill Mixon
14045 N. Green Hills Loop
Austin, TX 78737-9229
<billmixon@worldnet.att.net>

I have not heard of any proposed amendments to the NSS bylaws.

I reminded the Chairman of the Legal Committee that we were supposed to be looking into the question of our legal relationship with Internal Organizations by an email message on 29 March, but I have heard nothing from Joel. My message quoted the existing statement about independence (IO Policy paragraph 3). I suspect he feels that this is as good as we can do.

I think it will be best to follow the usual practice of having the Chairman of the Bylaws Committee be a director. A board member is in the best position to watch for things in reports or agendas that may conflict with the bylaws or suggest the need to consider amendments to them. A director is also better placed than other NSS members to hear promptly about proposals for changes from any source. Hence I recommend that you consider a new appointment to this position at the convention this summer, when I will no longer be on the board.

President’s Comments: I have elected to "ignore" Bill’s resignation at this time. He has agreed to continue.

Fund Raising Committee

Greg Glazner
7689 West Frost Drive
Littleton, CO 80123
<ad574@freenet.uchsc.edu>

Plans:

Some of the financial information needed to build a picture of how fund raising is doing has been received. I am compiling a report detailing the status of all NSS fund raising activities along with some history to show where we have been and what we can expect to achieve. It will include measurable goals, strategies and workable tactics. As an example, a goal might be to increase our regular contributor base. A strategy to do this might be by offering contributors something of value other than a thank you and publication of their name. One possible tactic would be offer a periodic newsletter to contributors only informing them of current progress in projects they help fund (e.g. international exploration).

Progress :

I was gratified to learn from Dave Luckins that Ted Kayes and RASS had taken the initiative to establish an NSS Endowment Fund by starting it with a RASS donation of $2,000 and offering matching funds of $5,000 for contributions through the end of the 1997 Convention. This will certainly benefit the future of the Society. I have submitted Dave's article to the NSS News. It will appear in the June issue. An announcement has also been sent to the Cavers Digest. I've written to Ted to thank him for his efforts and have contacted the 1997 Convention Committee with some ideas to build this fund in Sullivan.

I've contacted MBNA Financial Services to determine if our arrangement can be improved and am looking at alternatives. I have not yet contacted other services e.g. Alamo and Travel Time.

Problems:

Lack of feedback is probably the biggest problem. It's a challenge to stay motivated. I don't mind doing most of the work, but it seems time to get some other people on board. I'll work on this. More coordination is needed in our fund raising efforts and this is part of my job. I don't want to do anything to interfere with established relationships and successful ongoing efforts, but rather develop new programs that meet the needs of our members. It's sometimes difficult finding out who's doing what. I will try to remedy this by setting up an email advisory bulletin for those that have been engaged in fund raising activities in the past and who want to continue to be active. I don't think anyone is working at duplicative or cross purposes, but it would be nice to know!

International Secretary

Dr. John Holsinger
Department of Biology
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529-0266
< JRH100F@viper.mgb.odu.edu >

PROGRESS:

An International Participation grant for the sum of $1500 was awarded to the "China- USA Project" in early March 1997. A check from the NSS treasurer was sent to the applicant, Don Coons. Don has agreed to furnish the Society with a report after completion of the work this summer. This is the second grant awarded by this office in the last two years and, as with the first one, I believe it will contribute to the funding of a significant undertaking.

PLANS:

There is nothing in the works at the moment, except that I plan to resign as NSS International Secretary effective 1 September 1997. I have asked the NSS President to find a replacement and he has agreed to look for a volunteer for the job. My recommendation is John L. Moses, depending of course on his current interests and availability. John has been a member of this committee for several years, and if I'm not mistaken, he once expressed an interest in being Secretary.

I plan to be at the 12th ICS in Switzerland and am willing to attempt to answer questions on behalf of NSS members about past congresses and/or what to expect from the forthcoming congress. However, this congress appears to be well organized (as one would expect in Switzerland) and I don't anticipate too many problems.

PROBLEMS:

A copy of the materials from the UIS meeting in Colorado last August has never been received by this office, and after waiting for it for over seven months, I seriously doubt if there was anything of importance in it anyway.

President’s comments: At the current time, there are two candidates to replace John. Additionally, an ad has been placed in the June NSS NEWS. I anticipate nominating John’s replacement at the Fall meeting.

Legal Committee

Joel Stevenson
1509 BB&T Building
Ashville, NC 28801
<cavelaw@wnc.com>

Plans:

No change from last report. Will continue to monitor what I'm blessed with.

Problems:

Don't deal with anything but problems, that's the nature of the business. However, no problems - yet - in dealing with the current matters.

Progress:

[1] Barton Hill: I have written Dworken. Have not heard back from him. I will follow up with a phone call, probably next week. If he does not respond, then I will consider that I have a problem.

[2] FELA - I have spoken with Mack Casey and told him that he is free to see what ever records we have that he needs to see. Also told him that if he finds that anything is owed I want to review his findings with him, not as an attorney but as a member of the Society who, unfortunately, has some experience in dealing with his agency. He said he will contact me after he makes his preliminary findings. I will let you know when that happens.

President’s comments: As you’ll observe from my introductory comments, Joel’s report has been OTBE (over taken by events as Fred likes to say). Joel will have an orla update in the Monday session.

Logistics Committee

Roswell Jones
1951 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
<wrjones4822@worldnet.att.net>

No Report--Jonesy is at the meeting.

Membership Committee

Bill Karpowicz
24 Beebe Road
East Haddam, CT 06423-1010
<william.karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com>

Plans:

After talking to Dave Luckins the following plans are to implemented by the Membership Committee.

To increase the NSS membership first by contacting previous NSS members who let their membership lapse over the past 2 years. A letter will be drafted and reviewed by the Membership Committee. This letter will be sent to 200 dropped members to get an idea of the success of such a program will have in the future. Of those 200, all inquiries not providing a positive result, i.e., renewal of membership, will be sent a questionnaire to get feedback as to why they didn’t renew.

The second bullet item is to get those cavers that belong to grottos but don’t belong to the NSS to join the NSS. A program should be put in place to get the grottos to help here by offering a either a break on their grotto membership or even a two for one deal, join the NSS and get their grotto dues waved for that year. This should be in conjunction with some kind of award for the grottos that are willing to make the sacrifice

Progress:

Very little has been done to go after new cavers and reinstate dropped members. Hopefully this will change with the above mentioned projects

Problems:

None to report

National Cave Management Symposium Liaison

Janet Thorne
411 Marney Dr.
Coraopolis, PA 15108-3137
<wesbike@aol.com>

President’s comments: I rec’d Janet’s report only to lose it in a computer crash. It’ll be handled by supplement or orally at the meeting.

National Park Service Liaison

John Scheltens
303 N. River Street
Hot Springs, SD 57747
<102370-2314@compuserve.com>

John reports no activity during this period. He also indicates a desire to step down when a replacement can be found.

Nominating Committee

Ted Kayes
8031 Whittington Dr.
Richmond, VA 23235
<tedkayes@richmond.infi.net>

Plans:

Plan to count the ballots after 19 May and report at BOG in Sullivan.

Progress:

Ballots for Board of Governors went into mail on 4 April with 10 nominees for 5 vacancies.

Problems:

None at this time.

Outdoor Group Liaison

Matt Joerin
PO Box 61873
Vancouver WA 98666

No Report

Planning for the Future of the NSS

Tom Pollock
21 Kingsley Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
<tjpollock@aol.com>

PROGRESS:

Currently working on the questions for the panel discussion to be held at the convention this year. Am also developing my short list for the panel members.

PLANS:

Following this panel discussion, the responses from all the panel discussions will be reviewed and analyzed with a view toward defining a direction for the Society.

PROBLEMS:

None at this time.

Public Relations Committee

Jay Jorden
11201 County Road 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
<jjorden@texoma.net>

PLANS: Remain the same as last report -- including preparation of a PR article for the NSS NEWS to tie in with the IMAXÒ caving production and assembly of a more proactive publicity kit for the Society

PROGRESS: Publicity inquiries received from freelancer for Diversions magazine who also talked with Ron Kerbo about youth caving. Other questions fielded and materials mailed following inquiries from Outdoor Life Network, AMC Outdoors (Appalachian Mountain Club), International Management Group (TV production), and Terry Coyle of Extra, another production company in California. The committee has also participated in the USFS fee demo project's ad hoc committee.

PROBLEMS: None that I know of.

Recording Secretary

Lee Stevens
5964 Seabright Rd.
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
<lestevens@aol.com>

No Report

Secretary to the Board

Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton NJ 07860
<vkappler@nac.net>

PLANS:

1. I plan to continue investigating ways to reduce the cost of preparing and mailing the Manual updates.

2. Get all Manual users up to date with all current Manual changes.

3. Work with Josh and try to provide him with the updates in a format that will be easy for him to use and post on the home page.

PROGRESS:

1. The Federal Tax ID form I received from the office does not allow me to avoid sales tax at most businesses. Technically I need a NJ tax form, which I have applied for. A vocational school has agreed to print the next update as a class project, I have to supply paper and provide a $20. - $25. donation to the student activity account.

I have e-mailed or postcard most committee chairs to ask if they need a hard copy of each update. I have provided Josh with the disk so that he can begin putting the Manual on the home page.

2. My first mailing (2/18/97) went to officers and directors. With the March meeting just a month away, I didn't want to mail 70+ more and then follow up with another mass mailing with the March changes. The November '96 update is ready to be collated and included with the March '97 for those who need it.

3. Have asked Josh for feedback on what would be the best way for me to provide the changes.

PROBLEMS:

1. Printing is expensive. Printing by the vocational school is not a firm, long term commitment. They are willing to do one printing for me, however, if it proves to be an appropriate project for their class, they will help as often as they can.

With an early June closing, the students may not be of help for the next update. 59 inquiries about the need for every update or ability to pull off the net generated 15 responses - 12 can use the net or don't need regular mailings. I need to get more feedback from current users.

2. Postage.

3. None yet.

President’s Comments: See the my comments at the beginning of this report.

Show Caves Liaison

Gordon Smith
9850 North Skyline Dr.
Floyds Knob, IN 47119-8821

No Report:

The Nature Conservancy Liaison

Dr. Rane Curl
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Dow Building
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136
<rcurl@cyberspace.org>

Rane reports continuing activity but no formal plans.

Youth Group Liaison

Jack Hissong
8716 Quarterhorse Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46256-4327

No Report

Reports of the Ad Hoc Committees

Caver Training

Ed Sira
<aedsira@aol.com>

Progress:

This publication was not finished in time to have funds allocated in the 1997-98 Operating or Capital Budgets so it was decided to " fund Raise " for this project. As of this date $ 1,000.00 have been pledged.

Tom Rea has completed the editing and layout and some photographs have been selected for the publication. I am looking for some additional photographs, especially one that can be used for the cover.

Plans:

It has been determined that $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 will be needed to cover the cost of printing the publication. If color photographs or even a color cover is to be considered, additional funds will be needed. Fund raising is continuing and every effort is being made to complete this project before years end.

Problems:

The main problem I can see at this time is not having the funds to finish this publication in the time desired and get it distributed. Any suggestions as to raising the needed funds will be appreciated.

Speleo Field Camps

John "Chuck" Hempel
johncave@aol.com
Bob Addis

No Report

Cave Fee Demonstration

Ray keeler

The Ad Hoc Committee to address the Forest Service proposal to implement fees in Lincoln NF, NM. and Coronado NF, AZ. has had extreme activity since it's forming in January, 1997. The extent of the activity can be summarized with over 400 email messages, at least six visits to AZ and NM grotto meetings by USFS representatives, a regional meeting and Albuquerque, NM and hours of long distance phone calls. At this point (5/16/97) the following exists

1. A public information packet and comment period is in progress by the USFS. There has been no business plan issued.

2. The Fees Team is promoting a letter writing campaign to both Forest Service and Congressional personnel.

3. The Fees Team has consensus on several items, and divided evenly on a few others.

The largest conflict is proposed "adventure tours" led by forest service personnel. Though the number of people allowed in the caves is limited by current management prescriptions, and there are current USFS led free cave trips, there is a high degree of suspicion that Forest Service will increase the number of their cave fee trips. The conflict is also over how much and what kind of advertising will be done to promote recreational destruction in non re-newable resources.

The comment period ends June 13, 1997, the USFS decision is scheduled for June 31.