EVP's Report

ATTACHMENT B1, Advertising Policy for NSS Publications (3-1-00)
ATTACHMENT B2, The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

There are twelve committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the Executive Vice President (EVP). A thirteenth item has been added here to cover permissions to reprint from NSS publications.

The Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (JCKS) Kartchner issue was published in October 1999 in time for sale at the Caverns’ opening. The additional costs for 3,000 extra copies, color, printing, shipping, etc. were expected to be about $6,500 above budget and were to be covered by a grant by Arizona Conservation Projects, Inc. (ACPI) of up to $7,000. The actual costs were approximately $9,231. The over budget costs were covered by under budget expenses in the Members Manual Committee. A JCKS special issue on the caves of the Guadalupe Mountains is being planned for August 2000. Making this come to pass will depend on obtaining adequate outside funding to the tune of $10,000. This is being pursued.

I have selected Maureen Handler for the Members Manual Chair. She is actively working on the Members Manual now. A motion is on the agenda. The Members Manual will be a high visibility item publication considering the problems of last year. We are communicating regularly. It will be published before the 2000 Convention.

An Advertising Policy for NSS publications is attached this report (Attachment B1) for the motion is on the agenda. It has some changes from what was sent out to the BOG for review in December 1999.

American Caving Accidents for 1996-1998 will be published in March 2000. It is over due. I will hold the editor to this date.

The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (Hazel Barton) has requested Non Research Project status. The Project summary is listed below as Attachment B2.

Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers is being submitted to the printers as this summary is written. The page count was 530, not 496 (7% over) as proposed. However, David McClurg has assured me that we will not exceed the budgeted amount of $26,500. This number included a 10 percent contingency. The book store reports 325 copies have been presold.

(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE

Committee Members:
Louise Hose
John Gookin
George Dasher
Dave Hughes
Butch Feldhaus

Phone: 770-822-0003
Fax: 770-682-5536
Cellular: 678-234-0566
Email: putnam@scci.org

Problems: Work and personal demands kept me from publishing ACA in December. I have made changes which have reduced my other responsibilities to allow me to focus more on ACA. These changes took effect in January, and I am working hard to get ACA 96-98 completed as quickly as possible.

Progress: Since the last report, the advertising rate schedule and arrangements have been finalized. The advertising solicitations have been sent to every current and recent NSS advertiser I can locate, plus several large manufacturers and distributors who have not previously advertised with the NSS. I am in the process of contacting them all to follow up. I expect to have all the advertising settled by the end of February. I will then send the manuscript to the reviewers for comments and incorporate their suggestions. It should be ready for printing by mid-March. I am beginning work on the 1999 material for the next issue.

Plans: Complete manuscript layout including advertising, have final manuscript reviewed by committee members, and publish by 31 March.

EVP Notes: I am holding Bill to the "ready for printing by mid-March" deadline. ACA is way over due.

(2) AAAS REP-BIOLOGY

Kathleen H. Lavoie
Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and
Professor, Biology Department
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI. 48502-2186

Not much of a report. I do not plan on attending the AAAS meeting. There did not seem to be any sessions of particular relevance or interest to NSS, although I could have been entertained by several topics. I have not been in contact with Dan Chess about possible joint ventures.

(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY

Plans: I will be attending the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington DC from February 17-21. I will be staying at the Marriott Wardman Park Conference Hotel. The Geology and Geography Section (Section E) will be holding their Business meeting on Friday the 18th from 12:30PM to 3:30PM. The Biology Section Business meeting is also on Friday but much later in the day, 7:30PM to 10:30PM. Both meeting are at the Marriott.

The geology sessions are very few this year. There are a number of good environmental sessions and what I call fun science. One of the fun science ones that I plan to attend is The Science of Baseball and Chocolate: Modern Science Investigates an Ancient Medicine.

Progress: The Section Secretaries are:
Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges (Geology/Geography)
1367 Canada Road
Woodside, CA 9462-2452
(650)851-7264
cahodges@worldnet.att.net
(This is a new address for Carroll)

Dr. Marjorie L. Reaka-Kudla (Biology)
Dept. of Zoology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-6944
reaka@zool.umd.edu

The AAAS Web Site http://www.aaas.org has about a dozen job opening posted. Some of the postings are for entry level folks. The jobs would probably be of best interest for NSS folk in Virginia or Maryland. I noticed the NSS was listed in the affiliates section. The NSS web server link works well.

Daniel Chess, P.E.
Advisory Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineering and Operations
Research Division
(914) 945-2479

(4) AGI DELEGATE

Progress: I agreed to work with George Veni to edit the manuscripts for the AGI Environmental Awareness Series publication tentatively entitled "Living on Karst." (The name will change because there is already a publication with that name, but we haven't decided on a new title). The format required by AGI has been evolving over the last year, but it appears that they have settled on a format, and we will endeavor to match it. Our time table is to have the edited version in the hands of the AGI editor no later than April 1, 2000. AGI continues to pressure all member societies to participate in its Earth Science Week initiative. The program was a big success last year, and they would like to have more Societies, including NSS, participate this year. If NSS is going to participate, a representative with a teaching background is needed to work with AGI.

Plans: Finish the AGI manuscript edit on time. If time permits, I will attend the Spring meeting of AGI during the American Association of Petroleum Geologist's meeting in New Orleans.

Problems: I still need to find someone to share the workload for AGI with me. Preferably, this person should be an earth scientist or have a strong interest in the subject. I'm not planning to abdicate - I just would like some help!

(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

Home: (918) 333-5761
Work: ((18) 336-9170
Fax: (918) 336-6407
E-mail: oksteele@aol.com

Committee Members:
Don Broussard - Austin, Texas
Dave Black - Georgetown, Indiana
Scott Davis - Flagstaff, Arizona
Jim Smith - Rex, Georgia
Tom Shifflett - Bluemont, Virginia

Plans: The committee is finalizing a standard set of criteria for grant requests.

(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

Progress: Grants have been given to three groups of American cavers in the past 2 months. The Cheve Project, working in Oaxaca, Mexico was awarded $400; Keith Christenson, who is organizing a Dominican Republic expedition, was granted $300; Steve Knutson, now working in Peru, was granted $340. This uses up most of the grant money for 2000.

Problems: I will be out of the country on the 2000 Borneo expedition and for some other travelling from January 26 until May 15.

EVP Notes: International Exploration donations have been less than $100 during the last year. There is very little left in the NSS restricted fund. There is no NSF restricted fund generating money for International Exploration as with many other areas needing regular donations. A motion is on the agenda to split the 2000 Convention Auction proceeds between International Exploration and Education to restore those spent during the last few years.

(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Aldemaro Romero, Ph.D.
Chair, RAC
Environmental Studies Program and Biology Department
Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105-1899
USA

Committee Members:
Donald G. Davis
Carol Hill
Thomas C. Kane
Fred G. Luiszer
Donald A. McFarlane
Allen D. McCrady
Thomas Poulson
Philip Reeder
Carol M. Wicks, Chairman, Ralph Stone Award

Progress: The Committee membership was reconstituted eliminating unresponsive members and expanding it by including experts from nay different areas. A web page was designed and is now up and running. Its URL address is http://www.macalester.edu/~envirost/nss

"The Phantom Menace: Temporal and Spatial Components of Perceived Predation Risk and Their Impact on Cave Cricket Foraging Strategies" by Kurt Helf of the University of Illinois at Chicago ($750)

"The Human Use of Caves in Madagascar" by Joe Hobbs of the University of Missouri at Columbia ($500), were awarded research grants.

Plans: To increase the visibility of the grants by publicizing opportunities, winners, and projects.

EVP Notes: I spoke with Al by phone on February 13th. We are in agreement that the NSS has several examples of "Projects" but no criteria or definition to go by. Also, there is no policy listed for terminating NSS approved projects. We are working on both.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS SCIENCE RELATED SMALL GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE. Get on the RAC web page above to see the process application criteria.

(8) SPELEO DIGEST

Editors and Desktop Layout (DTP):
1990: Scott Fee & Tom Willett (DTP)
1991: Tom Rea (DTP), Eileen C. O’Malley, & Scott Fee
1992: Mark & James Adler
1998: Kyle Crider (DTP) and James & Shelley Reyome
1999: Scott A. Parvin

As you will see in following paragraphs, the committee volunteers have made significant progress. It is possible that the following Speleo Digests will be on sale at the West Virginia NSS Convention: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999. (Yes, we would be caught up if that actually happens!) I feel strongly that the 1991, 1998, and 1999 will be available at that time; however, I am not as confident regarding the 1990 and 1992 Speleo Digest.

Progress: I have currently selected 697 article/graphics for the 1999 Speleo Digest, and have received approximately 400 via e-mail. I have scanned and/or OCR'd approximately 100 of the articles/graphics not submitted by e-mail. Richard Honebrink (NSS 27570) has graciously and expediently typed over 100 articles and returned them via e-mail.

Desktop publishing work has also begun. A few chapters have been finished and several chapters are nearing completion.

Plans: Complete the scanning of maps and graphics not submitted.
Begin distribution of completed pages to proofreaders.
Continue desktop publishing in-hand articles.

Progress: Rough layouts have been completed. All article text has been proofed and corrections entered. Final arrangement of articles and "polishing" is in progress, including numerous re-scans of photos and graphics in an attempt to improve quality.

Plans: To complete the 1998 Speleo Digest layouts by March 1, 2000. The manuscript would then be re-reviewed by the Series Editor (two weeks) before shipping to the printer. Thus, it could be on sale as early as April 15th. However, the Series Editor has a "hunch" that the manuscript may be light. If that is the case, this could move the publication back by 60 days.

Problems: Weekly or bi-weekly out-of-state business trips have hindered what should have been a wrap-up shortly after the New Year. The poor quality of many graphics is requiring significant amounts of time re-scanning and "tweaking" from original sources in order to improve quality. The lack of standardization between newsletter articles also is requiring a great deal of time formatting reference lists, measurements, punctuation, etc. according to NSS guidelines.

Plans: I need to print it out and give it a look, fix any glaring errors and print it out and send it off. I anticipate having this done by February 15th. If this occurs as indicated, the proofreader should be able to finish by March 15th. Tom would probably need at least two weeks to incorporate the changes, create the Table of Contents and related indicies. Therefore, I should have final copy by April 15th. If we are able to maintain this timetable, we will ship to the printer by May 1st and have the book available for sale by June 1st in time for convention.

Problems: Tom’s business still continues to demand a significant portion of his available time.

Plans: Have the book finished by the end of February. After the Series Editor reviews the manuscript, it is expected to go to press by March 15th; therefore, it could be ready for sale at the NSS Bookstore as early as April 15th.

Progress: A new editorial team was assigned the 1992 Digest on January 1st, 2000. Thus far things are going pretty well. We had a pretty decent response to the plea for more articles. It looks like the Digest may actually have some quality content! Thus far we:

1) Have completed the selection process. It is possible that some articles will still be cut and others could potentially be added, although instances will be rare.

2) Are working on a layout and design. I'm currently playing with several fonts and layout schemes in PageMaker. I hope to have that finished by February 15th.

Plans: We are ready to begin scanning graphics and OCR'ing the articles. We hope to have minimal problems with the OCR process. If we do, we'll use a typist to prepare the text of the articles.

General Plan:
1) Finalize Layout: February 19.
2) Scanning: February 11- 28. I'd like to have the scanning done by the end of the month, but that may be pushing it.
3) Begin Layout: February 19.
4) Send sample chapter to Series Editor: February 21.
5) Finish Layout: May 1.
6) Final Edit Complete: May 15. (If they are able to provide final copy by May 1st, this Digest might make convention - again allowing two weeks for review, corrections, and shipping would have it to the printer by May 15th.)

Problems: As reported in the last update, the previous editor was not making documentable progress and the newsletter materials were returned in October. The previous editor was unable to provide any electronic files by December 31st; therefore, the new editors have started from scratch.

(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Special Publications Committee Report
For March 2000 Board of Governors Meeting

David McClurg
104 Graves Ct.
Vallejo, CA 94591

Tom Rea (Committee Member)
Gale McCoy (Committee Member)
Janet McClurg (Committee Member
George Moore (Committee Member)
Elizabeth White (Committee Member)

Progress: We have made all author corrections and prepared the PageMaker files in final form. These were sent to the printer in late February on 250 MB Zip disks. With a few exceptions, the corrections were minor, but very time consuming to make. Production schedule required to print and bind the book is estimated at five to seven weeks.

As part of the prepress process, several files from the equation heavy chapters were sent to the printer for preproduction tests. (These tests were run at no cost to the NSS.) Some minor compatibility problems were found, which the printer and this committee were able to resolve.

We have prepared a mailing list of about 450 ground water hydrologists derived from the current AGI Directory of Geoscience Departments. This group had been pinpointed by Professor George Moore of Oregon State University-and confirmed by the editors and others in the field-as a prime market for this book. We already have a list of university and research center libraries.

Plans: As part of the proofing process, we will receive what are called blue-line proofs from the printer. These proofs are made directly from the lithographic film. They serve as a final check before that film is used to make the offset printing plates. Careful proofing is required because of the nearly 400 illustrations and hundreds of mathematical expressions.

As to the number of copies needed, this book predated the recently mandated market research committee. But we have some guidelines from several sources. For example, the NSS Bookstore reports that we have orders for about 325 copies. Added to this are the 140 complimentary copies to editors, contributing authors, and reviewers. Possible sales to geologists, groundwater hydrologists, plus universities and libraries were conservatively estimated by Derek Ford, Art Palmer, George Moore and others to be 250 to 350. That makes a crystal-ball total of about 750 to 800. With firm prices for a range of quantities from 500 to 2,000 from the printer, it will be decision time for the Executive Committee. (It might boil down to how much difference there is in price between 750/800 and 1000 copies.)

We have prepared a set of labels for an early March mailing of the color fliers describing Speleogenesis and Cave Minerals of the World to our lists of groundwater hydrologists, and university/research center libraries.

A Final Comment on This Book and NSS Books in General
Speleogenesis is a technical book for professionals and students in geology. It is not—nor was it ever intended to be—a book for the average caver. It will never be a big seller. But if we print just enough to fill the demand, we will more than break even and will probably make a few bucks.

I think it's time to stop expecting that every book we publish will sell 50,000 copies like On Rope and will generate profits to help finance the Society for years. Every publisher—including the giants in the business—will kill for a book that sells 50,000 copies. (Selling 10,000 is break even and better for most commercial and popular books.) We were lucky with On Rope. But lightning isn't going to strike twice.

In the meantime, the Special Publications Committee believes the Society should publish—in addition to our "how to" books like On Rope, Caving Basics, and On Station—technical and scientific books on cave related subjects (particularly books as authoritative as Speleogenesis). We see this as part of our broad educational goal to increase the knowledge and understanding of caves and karst.

Techniques of Cave Conservation and Restoration
by Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Editors

Progress: The editors report that they have received about 90% of the text from the many contributing authors.

Plans: Editing and review by the editors will take place this winter and spring. The editing phase is expected to be completed by June or July 2000.

This committee should receive a character count of the text in March. From this we will make some preliminary layouts, figure out the page count, get some printing estimates, and prepare a Specification and Estimate sheet.

EVP Notes: The Werkers and I have agreed that they have a hard deadline of having ALL text written and submitted prior to the 2000 Convention.

Progress:
The editors have received and done their final editing of 95% of the text and illustrations.

Backgound
This book has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster. It was originally conceived back in 1994 by Tom Rea. His vision was to have it become part of our series of how-to books for cavers like On Rope, Caving Basics, and On Station. After several fits and starts, the present editors took it on in August 1996 and reenergized the contributors. Soon after, Fred Wefer, who was then Executive Vice President, specifically instructed this committee to make a careful comparison between the now firm outline for On Caves and Cameras (it was called On Film then) and the newly released book by the noted British cave photographer, Chris Howes. (He's the one who consistently wins the Photo Salon b/w print competition with his photos of cavers in wet suits pushing river passages in your typical British cave.) Wefer was concerned that our book might be just all f-stops, or worse just duplicate what Howes had already done.

This committee made a thorough comparison and reported that the NSS photo book did not duplicate the British book. Certainly, both books are about cave photography. But at risk of sounding jingoistic, OC&C is about American caves and American cave photography. Compared to the British Isles, we have a wider variety of caves. Our rooms and passages vary more in type, size, and amount of water. We have a broader range of speleothems. Our pits are more numerous and more photogenic. Simply put, our photos and photo techniques are different because our caves are different.

OC&C is centered on color photography using transparency film. Howes' book includes color photography (though it has only a handful of color illustrations). But it's no secret that his specialty is black and white and it's safe to say the book at least leans that way. It might also be noted that Howes has written the introduction to On Caves and Cameras, and one of his photos is the frontispiece.

As far as I know no one else had studied both books as this committe has, even though any number of people have repeated the idea that the NSS book just repeats the British book But—as they say on TV—you don't have to take my word for it. If anyone would like to make just such a comparison, this committee and the editors would welcome it.

Based on our report, Wefer asked this committee in 1997, to draft a publishing agreement between the editors and the NSS. After several iterations to incorporate the suggestions and corrections of Wefer and Joel Stevenson (NSS Legal Committee), the contract was duly executed by the two editors and sent to the NSS officers (Luckins, Wefer, Stevens) in February 1998.

Plans: Production by this committee was to have begun in February or March of 2000. However, in late 1999, the Executive Committee decided to postpone production pending a market study.

The editors stand ready to send the manuscript for the entire book to the market research committee to assist in that analysis. The Special Publications Committee will also update the cost analysis including new printing estimates based on the final text and illustrations.

EVP Notes: Based on the lowered book store projections from the Secretary/Treasurer’s Fall 1999 report I informed the Special Publications Committee to stop work on On Caves and Cameras and return all materials to John Van Swearingen. At this point no contract has been signed by NSS Officers that I can locate. It is not in the NSS safe deposit box inventory. I am unwilling to commit the NSS to book that will have a negative financial impact that is not out-weighed by non-monitory advantages

Progress: Technically, this is a reprint with minor changes and vendor updates, not a revision. The authors have completed the changes in the main text and sent them to this committee. They have wisely waited until last to revise the information section (Part 13 Sources of Information). This is the section most likely to change because it has many area codes and phone numbers. Vendors also come and go, thus adding these changes as late as possible makes sense.

Changes in the main text will affect seven pages, in Part 13 nine pages. The authors are well aware that the corrections in Part 13 must not increase the present page count. This committee will make the changes now in the PageMaker files, so as to be prepared when the current stock is sold by the bookstore.

Plans: This committee will get estimates on a reprint with 16 new pages for 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 copies. When the bookstore stock gets down to about one month's supply (about 300 copies), the reprint will be ordered.

Problems: PLEASE NOTE: It is vital that these reprint plans be kept confidential. Nothing will kill sales of our existing stock quicker than an accidental leak about a "new" edition coming in the next few months.

Progress: A report was received from Ronal Kerbo, National Park Service Cave Specialist, that an outline and some text will be received soon for this book. As stated earlier, this book could be very important for us, since it can be sold alongside similar NPS guides in National Park bookstores nationwide.

Underground Wonders will cover the seven major NPS show caves with history, descriptions, maps, and photos. In addition, back country caves open to cavers on a permit basis, such as several at Carlsbad Caverns NP, will be mentioned in a separate chapter.

Plans: When we receive more facts and materials from Kerbo, we will figure out the page count, get printing estimates, and prepare a Specification and Estimate sheet for the book.

Progress, Plans: No report or materials were received, but we understand that some photographs and color prints have been made for possible use in the book. We can't judge the quality of the project until we get some text and photos. If it looks good, we'll get printing estimates and prepare a detailed Specification and Estimate sheet for the EC and Board.

Progress, Plans, Problems: We understood that a new team is supposed to be working on the project. But no report or evidence of activity has been received.

Progress, Plans, and Problems: Despite the fact that this book was once completely outlined, authors committed, and a schedule established, it remains in limbo with nothing new to report.

(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES

Louise D. Hose (Editor)
Department of Environmental Studies
501 Westminster Avenue
Westminster College
Fulton, MO 65251-1299

Home: 573-642-4399
Work: 573-592-5303
Fax: 573-592-5217
E-Mail: HoseL@jaynet.wcmo.edu

James A. Pisarowicz (Production Editor)
Wind Cave National Park
South Dakota, SD 57747

BOARD OF EDITORS
Steve Taylor (Life Sciences)
George Huppert (Conservation)
Andrea Futrell (Exploration)
Ira D. Sasowsky (Earth Sciences/Journal Index)
Marion O. Smith (Social Sciences)
Patty Jo Watson (Anthropology)
Betty Wheeler (Book Reviews)

ADVISORY BOARD
David Ashley
Penelope Boston
Rane Curl
Andy Flurkey
David Jagnow
Doug Medville
John Mylroie
Margaret Palmer
Elizabeth White

Progress: Volume 62, Number 1, is currently being laid out. We are attempting to beat a March 1st when paper costs go up. I have not seen a recent update on the end-of-the-year budget but I believe we came in close to budget by minimizing the final issue of volume 61. The convention abstracts, which had to be delayed due to the cost overrun of the Kartchner issue, will appear in the Spring 2000 issue.

Dave Ashley has retired as Associate Life Sciences Editor and continues to help with the transition. Four candidates applied for the position and the job has been offered to a highly qualified biospeleologist. Also, with the new year, we thank Horton Hobbs, Jim Mead, and Jim Nepstad, who are finishing three year terms on the Advisory Board. All three have been valuable advisors to the Journal. David Ashley, Rane Curl, and Andy Flurkey have accepted three year appointments to the Advisory Board.

Carol Hill and Bob Buecher report that the Kartchner Symposium, the book produced within v. 61, n. 2 of the JCKS, has sold 500 copies in the first two months that the cave was open to the public. Although there were some lessons learned and rough spots in our initial attempt at this sort of project, we believe it was a highly successful endeavor for both the NSS and the ACPI.

Plans: Carol Hill is teaming up this time with Harvey DuChene to guest edit another special issue. The summer issue will feature papers on the Speleogenesis of the Guadalupe Mountains and grew out of the special symposium on the same topic at the 1996 Salida convention. Harvey is attempting to raise money in order to produce another "book-within-the-issue" like the Kartchner book. EVP Ray Keeler is negotiating the financial details.

I continue to plan to retire from the position of Editor at the close of the year 2000. I have recommended that the EVP advertise now for a new editor and ask the board to appoint someone at the summer BOG meeting. This will facilitate a smooth transition between the Editors. I have greatly enjoyed working as Editor and in some ways would like to continue. But, I firmly believe that major, volunteer positions should rotate regularly in order to allow new ideas and fresh energy to keep the committee work vigorous.

Problems: There has been some problems apparently resulting from a Director who has never served on any of the publication committees, doesn’t seem to understand much about refereed journals, and has not bothered to do the homework to understand our current policies. One gets the sense that the EVP is experiencing the same problems as President Clinton, political antagonists who are trying to keep him so busy with sniper shots that it is difficult to establish and carry out an organized agenda. I encourage Directors who wish to constructively explore possible changes in the publication policies of the Journal consult the Editorial and Advisory Boards instead of trying to force top-down "solutions." We are glad to explain our current policies and listen to ideas. I, however, do not appreciate or respect a Director trying to micro-manage our committees, especially when the person seems to bring neither experience, research, nor expertise….just "ideas"…..to the table.

EVP Comments: The "Problems" portion of the Journal report concentrated on a Director meddling with Journal policies. If you have questions, ass the Editor or the EVP.

EVP Notes: Steve Taylor accepted the Life Sciences editor position since the report was submitted. An Editor "help wanted" ad has been submitted for the April Journal issue and the NSS News.

(11) NSS NEWS

Dave Bunnell (Editor) (EVP: This address is the previous house)
320 Brook Rd.
Boulder Creek, CA. 95006

Bonnie Crystal (virtual Grotto)
Sharon Bravo (Proofreading)
Scott Fee (Advertising Manager)
Daniel Hazelton (Technology)
Dave Jagnow (Conservation)
Vacant (History)
Bill Klimack (In the Media)
Bob Springston (Newsletter Review)
Bill Cuddington (Techniques and Safety)
Peri Frantz (Down Through the Decades)

Progress: I found a new newsletter reviewer, Jay Kennedy. His first column will be in the April issue. There were many qualified applicants, and I was able to fill two other column positions. Gary Gibula will be doing the Virtual Caving column (website reviews) on a regular basis, and Scott Shaw is heading up a Technology Review column. The concept I have is to solicit numerous people's comments on various caving products, and give a balanced review of them.

My pre-press company, Good Earth Graphics, has invested in color proofing software and hardware. I am now doing the color proofing in-house instead of sending it out. This allows a quicker turnover, reduced cost, and the chance to print out a second proof if color corrections are made.

After some lean periods for article submissions, I have several months' supply of features.

Plans: Several cave diving articles including a major article on Bill Stone's Wakulla project, with some awesome Wes Skiles photos. I've solicited an article on the British work in Vietnam, where they found the world's longest traversible river cave (w/o Scuba).

I'll plan to run four interior pages of color more often since it is only an additional $225 to print the extra color. If I need to skip a month of color occasionally, we still end up with more pages of color overall.

Problems: I understand there are those on the board who wish to cut the expense account for travel out of the News budget, including that for the Convention. This is part of the Miscellaneous category, which has been cut from 2,500 to 1,500 over the last few years already. My attendance at caving Regionals and the National Convention has been very productive in generating material for the News. These events allow me to solicit material from a broader spectrum of the Society's membership, and also to incorporate material of international interest. Recent articles originating from such trips include those on Jewel Cave, Malheur Cave, and Lae'apuki. Moreover, Convention attendance is considered mandatory for the editor. Having this extra money for travel is one of the few "perks" allowed the News editor, and helps me to devote more time to working on the News and less time seeking other sources of income.

(12) MEMBERS MANUAL

Vince Kappler (Board Information)
Evelyn Bradshaw (Grotto Information)
Bill Bussey (Section Information)
David Taylor (Survey Information)
Office Staff (Members Listing)
Al Romero (Project and Study Group Information)

Progress: I contacted individuals responsible for submissions to Members Manual,
prepared Manual’s outline, prepared a schedule through publication to the membership.

Plans: I have started additional contacts for submittals (mostly for advertising), will begin data entry for formatting, and contact printers.

EVP Notes: The Members Manual progress will be watched closely to support and monitor progress. A considerable effort is being made this year to update information that was previously carried over from year to year.

(13) PERMISSION TO REPRINT

The following permissions/contacts/non-permissions were made for reprinting NSS copyrighted materials and release of NSS Member information:

Peter Sprouse Non-Profit	Being worked	Placing a Journal article on the PEP web page. No progress has been made on this since the October EVP report.
Proyecto Espeleological Perificacion (PEP)

John Gookin NOLS 288 Main St Lander, WY 82520 Non-Profit	Granted 10/8/99	Mailing labels for the BOG Mail the 1999 Wilderness Risk Management Conference proceedings to the BOG (EVP note: Did anyone receive this?)
(NCRC Rocky Mtn Regional Coordinator)

Robert Johnson Non-Profit NSS #35023 1933 S. W. Laura Ct. Troutdale, Or 97060-1938 Phone: 503-665-4449	Granted 10/15/99	On Rope paragraph for NSS News, Nylon Highway, and Grotto article (Climbing Systems, page 173)
Email: robert.johnson56@worldnet.att.net

Paul Jorgenson
Non-Profit
Arizona Region
NSS #39382

Granted
11/2/99

Electronic Names/Addresses of Arizona Members
Mail invite to Winter Technical Regional

John Pearson
Non-Profit
NSS cavers in WV
NSS 25731 RL

Granted
12/6/99

NSS Conservation Policy on web page
Bubble Cave Limited Liability Company Greenbrier County

Otis Farmer Non-Profit SERA 2000 Registeration Chairman East Tenn Grotto	Granted 12/16/99	Mailing labels SERA 2000 Cave Carnival
States requested were: Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virgina, West Virgina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi

Jami Boudinot
Daughter

Given
1/7/00

Info to try and locate her father
email of father's girl friend (NSS member in MN). He is apparently in TX, NM, or AZ.

Rodney E. Mulder
Non-Profit
Utah Cave Search & Rescue
caveman@pop.burgoyne.com

Granted
1/7/00

Pictures from Manual of U.S. Cave Rescue Techniques, 2nd Edition
Pictures: redirect, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, counterbalance

George Dasher
Non-Profit
NSS Convention Staff

Granted
1/21/00

Culverwell drawings for 2000 Convention Guidebook
High Line Across the Entrance Room
Climbing up to the Judgement Seat
Traverse Across the Hodag Room

David C. Culver Science Re-pub	Granted 1/31/00	Figures from Journal article Author request to re-publish figures
Figure 1 and 2 of Culver, D.C., H.H. Hobbs III, M.C. Christman, and L.L. Master. 1999 Distribution map of caves and cave animals in the United States. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 61(3): 139-140 For a chapter on subterranean ecosystems which will appear in an edited work published by Academic Press under the title Encyclopedia of Biodiversity.

Don Sanders Science Re-pub	Granted 2/16/00	Poem from NSS News, Jan. 1981
Wesleyan University. He writing a book about how selected volcanic eruptions have affected societies and cultures, to be published next year by Princeton University Press poem, January 1981, NSS News (vol. 39, no. 1, p. 2). under the byline "by Cricket," it was titled "Remember Spirit Lake" (a lake devastated by the Mt. St. Helens eruption)

Attachment B1

Advertising Policy for NSS Publications (3-1-00)

EVP Notes: Below are also recommendations made by Director Cheryl Jones. I distinctly prefer the Advertising Policy I am offering. Mine is from the position that the editors should have the flexibility and pursue advertising within acceptable policy guidelines. Cheryl would prefer much more tightly defined advertising criteria and restrictions. I have included Cheryl’s observations as they are a respectable effort on the subject and show another perspective. I am not however willing to use these as a substitute motion.

Attachment B2

The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

The State of Quintana Roo is on the east (Caribbean) coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Among the numerous cave systems this area presently hosts, are the three largest, surveyed, underwater caves in the world: Nohoch Nah Chich, Dos Ojos and Ox Bel Ha. In the past, the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (QRSS) was responsible for archiving the survey data for the underwater caves of Quintana Roo. This was to ensure the data, that was difficult and often dangerous to obtain, would not be lost when computers crashed, original data was lost or divers left the area. The QRSS was also a group of dedicated cave divers who generated some of the most detailed and accurate maps of underwater caves that have ever been produced.

Our aim is to now re-establish the QRSS in it's original position at the forefront of underwater mapping, while taking advantage of the talent pool of an increasing cave diving population within the NSS.

It is our goal to establish a comprehensive archive of survey for the Quintana Roo region (as defined by the boarders of the State - see enclosed map), while at the same time being sympathetic to the needs and concerns of the cave divers exploring this region. The data here is extremely valuable to both present and future generations, as the encroachment of development threatens to destroy the unique underwater cave environment of the area.

The initial time frame for the project is two years under the following directorship, all of whom are NSS members in good standing:

Hazel Barton - underwater surveyor, cartographer, NSS liaison.
Jim Coke - renowned underwater explorer and surveyor, cartographer.
Dan Lins - renowned underwater explorer and surveyor.
Gary Walten - renowned underwater explorer and surveyor, cartographer.

After two years the directorship will review the progress of the project and if there is a consensus to continue, a status report and submission for continuing project-status will be submitted to the Board of Governors of the NSS.

Aims of the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (QRSS) is a forum to encourage the mapping of the underwater cave systems of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Local politics within the cave diving community require very specific aims of the project to be established, to encourage surveyors to share their information without fear of it being used inappropriately.

1) To encourage the exchange of information between surveyors in Quintana Roo. Such that the valuable survey information may be archived and made available to scientists and other appropriate persons, such as conservation groups and local authorities, with an aim to the protection and preservation of the unique caves and karst hydrology of the region.

The data within the QRSS Archives will not be made available to groups without a valid reason, for example, individuals who wish to use to data for commercial reasons without benefit to the cave environment.

The QRSS does NOT remove any control that individual surveyors have over their own data.

2) The QRSS will encourage the production of quality maps of the underwater caves of Quintana Roo. This will take place by connecting cartographers with explorers/surveyors, making survey techniques and programs available, teaching techniques to those interested in mapping underwater caves to a higher standard, and disseminating knowledge of cartographic techniques.

3) The QRSS will act as a clearing house for any interested cave divers to become involved in surveying the underwater caves of Quintana Roo. This will take place by the production of information packets on surveying methods, standards and locations where survey is required. Data can then be collected and disseminated to the appropriate cartographer.

It is NOT an aim of the QRSS to disseminate the location of leads or to attempt to 'scoop' other persons' projects. Our aim is to provide help, if required, in the larger mapping projects and take advantage of the available pool of interested, enthusiastic cave divers.

The QRSS will ensure surveying takes place without disruption of the line markers that are in place, and as such represent the history of exploration in the area.

National Speleological Society, Inc.
Executive Vice President's Report

March 18, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY

(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE

(2) AAAS REP-BIOLOGY

(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY

(4) AGI DELEGATE

(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(8) SPELEO DIGEST

(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES

(11) NSS NEWS

(12) MEMBERS MANUAL

(13) PERMISSION TO REPRINT

Attachment B1

Advertising Policy for NSS Publications (3-1-00)

Attachment B2

The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

Aims of the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

National Speleological Society, Inc. Executive Vice President's Report

March 18, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Advertising Policy for NSS Publications (3-1-00)

The Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

Aims of the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey

National Speleological Society, Inc.
Executive Vice President's Report