INTRODUCTION
AWARDS COMMITTEE
BOARD ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
BYLAWS COMMITTEE
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
LEGAL COMMITTEE
LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
NATIONAL CAVE MGMT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NSS/NPS LIAISON
NSS/TNC LIAISON
PLANNING COMMITTEE
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECORDING SECRETARY
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD
SHOW CAVES LIAISON COMMITTEE
YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE
AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR BOARD MEETING
SYSTEM
CAVE USE FEES AD HOC COMMITTEE
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE SPRING HILL CAVE
LAWSUIT
PRESIDENT'S SECTION
There are twenty-one committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). A twenty-second item has been added here to cover information relevant to the President's activities.
In this report a numbered block of information is provided for each of these items. In each block the position or committee is first identified, followed by the name of the person assigned the task and their most recent mailing addresses and phone numbers. The names of other committee members deserving recognition (as supplied by the committee chairmen themselves) are listed next. Each report then follows a format called P3, that is Progress, Plans, and Problems.
Under the heading Progress is given information about progress the committee has made since the previous report. This includes items covered under Plans in the previous report, as well as items not anticipated in the previous report. Progress is normally written in the past or present tenses.
Under the heading Plans is given information about progress the committee intends to make between the current reporting period and the next reporting period. Plans will normally be written in the future tense. Many (perhaps most) of the plans will end up being mentioned under Progress in the next report to the Board of Governors.
Under the heading Problems is given information about actual problems which prevented more progress and anticipated problems which will impede the plans. Typically these are problems with which the committee needs help. Normally encountered, everyday problems with which the committee is used to dealing will not normally be mentioned here.
Background information may be included under any of these headings, but will normally be included under the heading where a subject is first introduced.
The information given under Progress, Plans, and Problems is supplied by the committee chairman, although it may have been edited. These headings appear for all committees whose chairmen supplied reports.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 W
Pendleton, IN 46064
Phone: (765) 778-3259
E-Mail: wtozer@aol.com
Committee Members
Gale Beach William J. Stevenson Outstanding Service Award and
Honorary Member
Evelyn Bradshaw Member at Large
Bill Bussey Certificates of Merit
Donald G. Davis Member at Large
Michael D. Dyas Member at Large
B. Scott Fee Spelean Arts & Letters Award
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
Godon L. Smith, Jr. Best Paper on a Show Cave Award
Linda Starr Member at Large
Lee Stevens Member at Large
George Veni Science Award
Progress: The awards committee has circulated the nomination packages for the 2000 awards to committee members. Currently the committee is in the evaluation stage and will make recommendations to the BOG at the March meeting. Nominations for the outstanding service and honorary member have been forwarded to the BOG members. New Honorary Member and Outstanding Service certificates have been printed for the new century. The old certificates were labeled 19__. OurY2K problem solved.
Plans: The award recommendations will be distributed to the BOG members in advance of the March meeting. Once the awards have been finalized, the recipients will be notified so that they may attend the convention to receive their award. A power point presentation with photographs will be presented with the awards program at the awards banquet.
Problems: There are no problems at this time.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
Progress: I have a couple of bids in hand they continue to dribble in. I haven't had to beat anyone over the head yet.
Plans: I'm in the process of pulling teeth to see if one or two of the older, unsuccessful bidders are still interested. Decision by committee is usually impossible. If I don't get any answer I'll pull the bid.
Problems: There's nearly always a choice. No problems at present
PRES Comments: There is a motion on the Agenda to hold the Fall 2000 meeting in Arkansas.
Jim Borden (Chairman)
7 Marron Lane
New Paltz, NY 12561
Home: (914) 255-4663
Work: (914) 433-2892
E-mail: jimborden@ibm.net
or jborden@us.ibm.com
Progress: My committee is experiencing the same level of traffic as last fall... Doesn't seem like the kind of job where I can shake the bushes, unless I pro-actively look for flaws in bylaws. Fortunately for you guys, things have been in such good hands, it would be hard pressed to find a lot to fix.
Plans: none
Problems: none
Tom Kayes
8031 Whittington Dr
Richmond, VA 23235
Home: (804) 272-4310
Work: (804) 346-3697
E-mail: tckayes@richmond.infi.net
Progress: The 1999 annual campaign raised $14,955 for the Society on an expenditure of $1,078. It went to 3,000 members. The 1998 annual campaign letter raised $4,595 at a cost of about $800; it was sent to only 1,000 members. Another difference is that the 1999 campaign had the incentive of a 50% match by RASS. Many of the donors chose to make their gifts to a fund that did not receive matching funds. The credit card campaign material that Cheryl Jones developed has gone to the NSS News. The NSS office is waiting with some trepidation for the first returns from that, which are expected in March. Four individuals and two organizations have been identified as qualifying for the Stephenson Group prior to the year 2000. An initial article has been prepared for the NSS News.
Plans: We are talking to MBNA about a campaign to increase the use of the NSS credit card. Their point of contact is very new and he is still sorting out what he can do and should do. We want to run a spring fund raising campaign at convention. We need a need! The endowment fund is always a possibility, but perhaps you have a better idea. What need does the Society have around which a campaign can be built?
A pin to designate individual members of the Stephenson Group is being developed.
An informal proposal has been made to the National Wildlife Federation that they mail their Christmas Card catalog to NSS members. Then if a significant number of NSS members buy cards, they split the profits with the Society. No idea at this time if anything will come of this idea, but they are working on the Christmas card program, so the timing is right.
The 2000 Annual Campaign will go to all life and regular Society members.
Problems:
Insufficient time to pursue other opportunities.
John L. Moses (Secretary)
15807 River Roads
Houston, TX 77079
Home: (281) 597-1494
Office: (713) 858-9016
Fax: (713) 243-8028
E-mail: johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member)
Tom Lera (Committee Member)
Progress: 11/99 NSS International Participation Grant Application Turkey Gypkarst from John and Susan Bozeman - NSS #13175-13176.
Plans: In order to provide seed money for the Brazil 2001 International Congress, advance funding from the NSS International Fund could be provided under a joint agreement between the NSS President, International Union of Speleology (UIS) Secretary General, and International Congress organizers. The advance would be secured by pre-paid registrations for American delegates to the Brazil Congress. The initial contact with organizers was made. Discussions with UIS will be initiated in the fourth quarter of 1999.
To update the (1996) list of foreign caving clubs maintained by the NSS by yearend.
To submit an article to NSS News regarding applications for International Participation Grants, for publication during the first quarter of 2000.
To attempt to develop a framework for international caver exchange programs by midyear 2000.
Problems: Following the two grant awards, the additional cash available from the International Participation Fund is very limited. The grant committee could, however, for a sufficiently meritorious project, draw on additional fund income. There is a precedent for such an action.
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3406
Home: (828) 669-0126
Office Voice: (828) 255-7703
Office Fax: (828) 254-1793
E-mail: cavelaw@wnc.com
Progress:
1. I have responded to several e-mails regarding the Spring Hill lawsuit. Nothing of much note - suggestions as to wording on the letter to the landowner from the Society, reviewing the article for the News. Chuck Mangelsdorf, the NSS caver/Tennessee lawyer is actively involved in the defense of the suit, and that has made it unnecessary for me to spend a lot of time on it.
2. I responded to an e-mail inquiry from the Chairman of the NRO regarding the advisability of incorporation and what "guarantees" there are that the NSS would pay costs of defense, or any judgment against NRO officers in the event of a lawsuit. I answered the general questions that were posed regarding incorporation, but, as to the question as to whether or not they should incorporate I advised them to seek legal counsel in their jurisdiction, and explained that the Legal Committee can not give legal advice to individual members or IOs. As to "guarantees" of indemnification, I told them that there are no guarantees, and that, if there was a lawsuit, the BOG would be the forum for deciding whether there would be any indemnification. Because of the questions regarding indemnification, I forwarded a copy of my response to the President Pro Temp.
3. I responded to an inquiry from the Pinkney Area Grotto as to the steps necessary to incorporate by directing them to the proper state office for forms and instructions.
4. I responded to an inquiry from a cave owner/NSS member regarding liability releases. I directed him to the materials in Caving Basics and advised him to obtain the advice of a lawyer licensed to practice in his state. I also mailed him a copy of the Release I have prepared for my grotto, which I had just revised and expanded.
Problems: None. Of course the Spring Hill lawsuit is a problem, but one over which we have little control other than to continue to support the landowners. There has been no action of the Bauman lawsuit in New York, and our counsel has advised that he is comfortable with the present posture of the litigation.
Plans: I will continue to respond to inquiries.
Rosewell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
Home: (412) 367-3522
E-mail: wrj4822@sgi.net
Progress: I don't have any thing new to report. I don't think that I will get to the Denver meeting, I hope to but I'm still healing and may not be able to make the trip. The voting machine will be there. I'm still waiting to get an address to ship to.
Plans: I don't think that I will get to the Denver meeting, I hope to but I'm still healing and may not be able to make the trip. The voting machine will be there. I'm still waiting to get an address to ship to.
Problems: None.
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT
Phone: (860) 873-1623
E-mail: William.Karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com
or carbidekid@prodigy.net
Committee Members -- Their Assignments
| Colin Gatland -- Canada, TX, and OK 325 Dellsing Drive Vandalia, Ohio 45377-1344 |
Jay Landt -- GA and FL 4321 Meadowood St Orlando, FL 32812 Phone: (407) 851-2409 |
| Ernie Coffman -- NV, HI, and CA 733 N E Oregon Ave Grants Pass, OR 97526-3562 Phone: (503) 471-1202 |
Bob Liebman -- Member At Large PO Box 441s Lewisburg, WV 24901-0441 Phone: (304) 772-5049 |
| Marty Brown – AR PO Box 547 Johnson, AR 72741 Phone: (501) 582-0285 E-mail: mbrown@rhs.nwsc.k12.ar.us |
Marge Nelson – CA 1942 Lombardy Drive La Canada, CA 91011 Phone: (818) 248-6546 |
| Elaine Hackerman -- KY and OH 4701 Utah Avenue Nashville, TN 37209 Phone: (615) 298-5929 |
Jennifer Pinkley Bennett -- AL, MS, LA,
and TN 1120 Joshua Dr Huntsville, AL 35803 |
| Hal Joerin -- MI, IN, and WI 28287 Red Leaf Ln Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: (313) 569-5007 E-mail: 76016,401@compuserve.com |
Gayle Smart – NM 1116 Zena Lona, NE Albuquerque, NM 87112 |
| Bill & Mary Klimack -- PA, NJ, DE,
MD, VA, WV, NC, SC 6303 Ashley Meadows Ct Dayton, OH 45424 Phone: (513) 235-2532 E-mail: klimackmw@aol.com or wklimack@afit.af.mil |
Bill Karpowicz -- NY and New England 291 Willard Avenue Westbrook, CT Phone: (860)873-1623 E-mail: William.Karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com |
| Jerry Zimmer (AK,WA,ID,OR) 28387 S. Needy Road Canby, OR 97013 Phone: (503)651-2711 |
Progress: All projects are planed and no progress has been made as of yet
Plans: The Membership Committees role in the NSS has been stagnate over the 2 plus years. The role of responding to letters sent to the NSS office has been taken over by the NSS office and has left the committee without any real direction. My goal over the next few months is to put the committee to work, contacting non-NSS sponsored event coordinators, get permission to have a presence at those events and have someone at that event to represent the NSS.
Problems: Still need to fill three positions, (New York / New England), (Missouri / Kansas) and (Colorado / Utah / Wyoming). Contact the committee members, get their backing for contacting the non-NSS event coordinators. Look into exposing the public to the NSS by posting NSS pamphlets in outdoor shops and state parks.
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
E-mail: cherylj@erols.com
Progress: The 14th NCKMS, held October 19-23 in Chattanooga, was an roaring success, thanks to the outstanding efforts of the organizers, the Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SCCI). Close to 60 top-quality papers were presented, and 160 folks attended. The program included a session on cave conservation and management for agency staff, jointly sponsored by USFS and the NSS, which attracted many federal and state employees whose responsibilities include aspects of cave and karst management.
The Proceedings of the 1997 NCKMS have been published and are available from the NSS bookstore.
The Steering Committee welcomes Bat Conservation International as a new member of the committee.
Plans: The annual meeting of the Steering Committee will be held during the NSS Convention. Following on the success of last year's agency panel discussion, the committee will sponsor a similar session again at the 2000 convention.
Problems: None
Kim L. Kehs (Chairman)
1426 Ash Lane
Quakertown, PA 18951
Home: (215) 536-8153
E-mail: edandkim@easy-pages.com
Progress: I have 11 Candidates Bill Bussey, Scott Fee, Maureen Hander, Doug Medville, Gary Moss, Bill Klimack, Joe Levinson, Robert Stucklen , Tom Rea, J.Kevin Smith, and Pat Seiser.
Plan: Bob Hoke is taking care of the printer and the mailer. He has a NSS Bulk Mail permit. The Ballots will be in the mail by April 25 and back to me by May 20. I will have a count by May 25 and call all the candidates by May 26( Do you need to be call First?)
Problem: Need platforms from Tom Rea, J.Kevin Smith, and Pat Seiser.
vacant
Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
2805 Gladstone Ave
Ann Arbor MI 48104-6432
Phone: (734) 995-2678
Fax: (by prior arrangement) (734) 995-0289
E-mail: ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Progress: The Nature Conservancy Liaison Committee had their display at the 1999 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium and NSS Board Meeting, and it will travel next to an upcoming regional meeting of The Nature Conservancy. An inquiry was received about opportunities in Kentucky for cavers to assist The Nature Conservancy, but no specific NSS-TNC projects in Kentucky are known, in part because of the high level of activity in Kentucky of the American Cave Conservation Association, with whom NSS grottos cooperate and, through ACCA, with The Nature Conservancy and other organizations and agencies.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
Progress: There has been no activity over this past period.
Jay Jorden (Chairman)
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
Home and manual fax: (972) 382-2458
Work: (972) 991-2100
E-mail: jjorden@texoma.net
David McClurg (Committee Member)
Jack Hissong (Committee Member)
Sandra Hissong (Committee Member)
PROGRESS: In the three months since the last report, the NSS Public Relations Committee has continued its task of fielding media inquiries and promoting the Society's safety and conservation goals. It also is aiding the Society's Cave Conservation and Management Section's publication efforts and contributing to the Society's Conservation and Management Section newsletter.
Details: The committee has sent material to journalists, prospective authors and publicists by letter, telephone and e-mail. Reporters for Texas dailies working on caving articles, freelancers and researchers for publishers and the electronic media continue to dominate the contacts.
Feedback: Some clippings from earlier efforts continue to come in. The committee will work closely in the future with a media columnist for the *News*.
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.
PROBLEMS: Please let me know of any specific PR concerns or needs, either from the officers or the board. On the home front, I'm finalizing construction of a new house and our premature son, Liam -- born 2 ½ months early -- is home on oxygen, heart/respiration monitors, and an oximeter.
Lee Stevens
5964 Seabright Road
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
Home: (703) 451-7663
E-mail: leestevens@erols.com
Progress: Minutes of the October 99 Board meeting were circulated and corrected.
Plans: To continue to attend Board meetings and to prepare the minutes in a timely fashion.
Problems: None
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371
Home: (973) 579-2116
E-mail: vkappler@nac.net
Progress: Only twenty-five (25) copies of the updates from the fall ’99 meeting were printed and mailed in late November. Six committee chairs did not respond to my 10/99 request to confirm their continued need for a hard copy of the manual. They were deleted from the mailing list. This represents a 20% reduction from previous mailings with a substantial saving in postage. The local vocational school again donated their services and did the copying for me.
The annual "checklist of manual pages" was included with the last mailing. I replaced missing and/or obsolete pages for three users. Thom Engel compiled an index of Section 3, Acts of the Board. I sent a copy of Thom’s work to the Directors and Officers asking for their feed back. An index could be a valuable tool and a worthwhile addition to the manual. Thom also proofed the Act Section as posted on the web. He compiled seven pages of corrections, mostly spelling and typos. (Acts from as far back as 1969 were corrected!) I made the corrections to my master disks and will reprint the pages over the next several updates. The corrections were also sent to Tom Rea to be posted on the web.
Plans: Produce the manual updates as quickly and accurately as possible while keeping costs to a minimum. Survey Officers, Directors, and other manual users for suggested changes to the manual that would make it a more useful resource.
Problems: None.
Gordon Smith (Chairman)
9850 N. Skyline Dr
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
Home & Work: (812) 945-5721
Fax: (812) 945-6891
E-mail: glstis@aol.com
Progress: Attended the National Caves Association Convention in Bermuda in November. Several caves such as Natural Bridge in Texas and Blanchard Springs in Arkansas are starting guided "natural" (wild) tours of their caves. These are two of the most significant cave operations in the US and I am working with them to make sure that they do it right. At the meeting I encouraged the use of NSS resources to help in cave operations. For example having Linda Heslop do a drawing of a cave, or having Peter Jones do some photography, or Art Palmer a geologic guide, etc. I explained how I was going to take advantage of the resources of the NSS and encouraged other caves to do so. I attended the National Cave Management Symposium in Chattanooga. Also visited several show caves in Missouri.
Plans: I will be visiting several show caves during my travels this spring and summer and will see if I can uncover some opportunities (or problems). I will try to get to Smoke Hole and Seneca Caverns in West Virginia to discuss the upcoming NSS Convention in Elkins.
Problems: None that I am aware of.
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Home: (317) 841-0687
E-mail: none
Progress: Over the last several months has responded to letters and calls from 2 classes of people:
Society members seeking advice on how to handle a youth group request for a caving trip, a program or information presentation to a group or class, or what the current national policy is for Boy Scouts going caving.
The public who are leaders of Scouting units or other youth groups who want to go caving or include some training or safety or resource ideas into their program.
Some recent more specific activity has been:
Referring Scout Troops to their nearest show cave for a guided standard tour or wild tour.
advice on how to get packs, helmets, and adequate light sources without investing a lot of money
Introducing myself as a resource person at BSA Council meetings and District Round Tables in the Midwest
Distributing copies of the revised "Cave Exploring by Scout and Exploring Groups."
Assisting the Greater Huntsville Council AL develop criteria and training modules and book resources for their new Venturing program. This is a high adventure national program for co-ed 14-23 year olds which has caving as one of its 17 focus areas. This is similar to the Explorer Scouting, but a hyped up branch leading to a Ranger Award, and separate from vocational focus.
Continuing correspondence with the leadership of a Kansas Boy Scout Troop who researched and developed the outstanding video many of us saw at the 1999 NSS convention "A Scouting Approach to Wild Caves."
Plans: We will continue to respond to inquiries and letters, much the same as was outlined in Progress. Whenever an individual or project needs some special on-site attention, I will use my network friends on an "as needed" basis locally.
Problems: None
Lee Stevens (Chairman)
5964 Seabright Road
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
Home: (703) 451-7663
E-mail: leestevens@erols.com
Progress: Lee Stevens developed a set of criteria (requirements) for voting machine and asked Paul ____of Phoenix, AZ for a proposal. He showed the Executive Committee a prototype of the machine in February. We hope to have a working model at the BOG meeting in March. The estimated cost is $800-1,000.
Plans: The cost of the machine is in the President Department budget for 00/01.
Problems: The system will interface with an overhead but the viewer to connect to the second laptop will cost over $2,000.
Ray Keeler (Chairman)
22354 N. 68th Drive
Glendale, AZ 85310-5239
Home: (623) 561-2917
Work: (623) 436-6585
E-mail: rkeeler@pcslink.com
Progress: There has been no evidence that the Forest Service has any intentions of initiating Cave Fees in the last year. There is no evidence that the Forest Service intends to initiate Cave Fees in the foreseeable future. The efforts coordinated by NSS cavers documented for 1999 (so far) total over $194,000 in Volunteer Value efforts. I have not completed the data entry. In addition, both a standardized field logging form and, an electronic data entry program (Excel spread sheet) have been implemented.
Mike Baca, the Guadalupe, NM District Ranger was once an ardent supporter of cave fees. Since the NSS Proposal in January 1998 of generating the equivelent of $100,000 annually of Volunteer Value efforts in New Mexico and Arizona in lieu of cave fees, Mike has been completely satisfied with the NSS efforts and stated at the 1998 Southwest Regional that he has no intention of pursuing the cave fees issue. The NSS has great reason to be proud. Compiled numbers so far for 1999 are considerable:
The High Guads Restoration Project led by Dave Jagnow this monthly effort is restoring caves so they can be reopened to recreational traffic. The project includes cleaning formations, formation repair, double flagging trails and bat counts and much more. Caves that have been re-opened for recreational caving are Hidden Cave, Black Cave, Pink Dragon (expected March 1, 2000) with more on the way. So far Dave estimates about $80,000 in volunteer value and reports another $40,000 in other high Guads projects.
The Small Caves Project in the lower Guads led by Dave Belski is field checking reported caves made to the Forest Service. They generated approximately $21,000 in Volunteer Value efforts
The Cochise County Cavers have been concentrating restoration efforts Pyeatt Cave on Ft. Huachuca, AZ. and sent 93 pages of reporting data totaling over $17,000 in a huge effort for a small and young grotto.
The Central AZ Grotto, Escabrosa Grotto, and Northern AZ Grotto are working on a number of projects in several different caves generating over $36,000 logged. Projects included in part: surveying, restoration, GPS’ing locations, cave register data entry, USFS interfacing, starting biology inventory, and more. Lisa Wolf of the Central AZ Grotto created an Excel spread sheet for logging the data. It automatically multiplies mileage by the $0.325 per mile rate, multiplies the hours worked and driven by $10/hour and more. We can now sum Volunteer Value efforts by land manager, contributing group, person, by year, etc. The program has been a great help.
Plans: Continue more of the same. After an unorganized start in 1998, 1999 has blossomed in several areas and will be continued in 2000.
Problems: None
Cheryl Jones (Chairman)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
E-mail: cherylj@erols.com
The landowners of Spring Hill Cave in Tennessee, and long-time friends of cavers, have been sued for wrongful death as a result of a fatality in their cave a year ago. On October 29, 1978, 14 year old Jason Bishop suffered fatal injuries in a fall that occurred near the entrance of the cave. The NSS Board of Governors is very disappointed that the family of the young man who slipped and fell in the cave would file a suit that claims the landowners were at fault.
The plaintiffs' attorneys have alleged legal liability against the defendants under the theory of "attractive nuisance" by claiming Spring Hill Cave was a "hazardous and dangerous cave..."; and that the owners had knowledge that children and other people of tender years were attracted to the cave to "search out and explore" it; that the owners "encouraged community exploration of (the cave) by their failure to erect barriers, signage, or create other impediments to entry upon their property and access to the cave"; and "that the cave had developed into a playground for visitors"; and other similar allegations of negligence. The state of Tennessee has a strong landowner protection law that we hope will work in favor of the landowners. (You may view the statute at Http://129.59.102.184/NashvilleGrotto/Cave_Protection/Laws/TN_Liability.html)
The BOG feels strongly that the litigation is unwarranted, and has voted to offer the landowners, Mr. and Mrs. Todd and Ms Beckner, full NSS support. The NSS is committed to assisting in their defense any way we can, perhaps by providing expert witnesses and/or financial assistance through a combination of NSS funds and donations from members. Hazel Medville, NSS President pro tem, has written to the landowners on the Society's behalf, expressing the NSS's interest in the case and offering our support.
Hazel has also set up this ad hoc committee to keep BOG informed as the litigation process develops. The committee includes Joel Stevenson, the NSS Legal Chairman, Alan Spahr of East Tennessee Grotto (the grotto often used the cave for training), Chuck Mangelsdorf, and Dave Irving, NSS Chief Accountant. Updates on the Spring Hill Cave situation will be posted on the NSS Discussion Board, at the NSS web site http://www.caves.org.
Hats off to caver Chuck Mangelsdorf, a Nashville attorney, who is representing one of the landowners at no charge, and to the many cavers in the area who have visited the Todds and Ms Beckner, offering their support.
The outcome of this case is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the TAG area. We hope, of course, that the suit will not be successful, which will then instill confidence in landowners for keeping their caves open and accessible to the caving community. The alternative outcome would no doubt cause access to be restricted to caves in the region. Progress through January has been slow as the lawyers gather facts for their case. Perhaps by the BOG meeting we will have a better idea of the direction the litigation will be taking.
In order that we may offer financial assistance to the landowners, the NSS BOG has set up a Spring Hill Cave Restricted Fund to accept donations to assist the landowners in their defense against the lawsuit. The Board has voted to seed the fund by transferring $1,000 from the NSS Legal Defense Fund. Any surplus money remaining in the fund after this litigation has come to a close will be transferred into a new NSS restricted fund to be established at the March BOG meeting to assist landowners in the future.
The hospitality the Todds and Ms. Beckner have shown cavers for many years is greatly appreciated. We realize that without the kindness and the welcoming nature of landowners such as these, our caving activities would be severely limited. We hope now that the caving community can repay some of that kindness.
Hazel E. Medville (NSS PRES Pro Tem)
11762 Indian Ridge Road
Reston, VA 20191
Home: (703) 860-0134
E-mail: hazelm@patriot.net
Progress:
As with all the NSS Officers, space considerations alone prohibit listing all the activities which constitute progress since the last Board Meeting. Below are listed just a few that may be of special interest to other Board Members and to NSS Members at large.
I chaired the 22 October 1999 NSS Board of Governors Meetings in Chattanooga, TN. During this meeting, the work of two committees in the Presidents Department was assigned to other entities. The Administrative Memo materials will appear in the NEWS and/or the NSS Web Pages; The Out Reach Committee activities will be added to the Fund Raising Committee functions.
I attended the 2-5 February 2000 NSS Executive Committee Meeting at Ray Keeler’s home in Phoenix, AZ. Dave Taylor was the Directorate's observer at that meeting.
In accordance with Act 01-443, I attended the 25 September 1999 Virginia Region Meeting at Throne Creek Campground, Pendleton County, WV; the 9 October 1999 Mid Appalachian Region Meeting at Rupperts Cave, Centre County, PA; the 13 November 1999 Meeting of the West Virginia Cave Conservancy in Lewisburg, WV; the 18 January 2000 meeting of the Hawaii Speleological Survey in Hilo, HI.
In accordance with ACT 43-376, I awarded a Certificates of Appreciation to Trooper Wayne Bush, Pennsylvania State Police for his efforts in the arrest of the Tytoona Cave, Blair County, PA vandalism 26 October 1999; to John VanSwearinger IV for his stewardship of Fern Cave in December 1999; to Kevin O'Classen and the Wallingford Historical Society for preserving the "Skeets" Miller newsreels of the Floyd Collins Sand Cave tragedy in December 1999.
I sent a letter to the owners of Spring Hill Cave, TN expressing the NSS support in their efforts to counter a lawsuit by the family of a spelunker who died as a result of an injury received in their cave on 16 November 1999.
I appointed an ad hoc committee to handle the Spring Hill Cave Owner interfaces. The committee members are Cheryl Jones, Joel Stevenson, Chuck Mangelsdorf, Dave Irving, and Alan Spahr.
Wrote a letter to the American Geological Institute (AGI) explaining our budget cycle and when I would know if the BOG would support a donation for Inside Science.
Appointed Carol Zokiates as the NSS representative to the AGI Earth Science Outreach Advisory Board and Barbara Moss as the NSS coordinator for the NSS display at NASA GSFC Earth Awareness 2000 days (April 18-19, 2000 at Greenbelt, MD).
Answered questions from Pavel Bosak, the Secretary General of the International Union of Speleology (UIS), concerning the NSS organization, publications, and the NSS delegates to the UIS.
Wrote advertisement for a Government Liaison Committee Chairman that will appear in the April 2000 NEWS.
Wrote a letter to Diane Stokes of Teaching Learning Network declining a proposal that the NSS fund a television program on caves to be broadcast on NPR.
Wrote a letter to the US Postal Service supporting the issuance of a stamp honoring Carlsbad National Park.
I sent the Preliminary Agenda and the Final Agenda for the Board Meeting to all Board Members and the editor of the NEWS and chairman of the Conservation Committee.
Plans: To aid the president elect, as needed, to prepare for the convention Board of Governors meeting.
Problems: None
Respectfully submitted,
Hazel Medville, President Pro Tem
National Speleological Society, Inc.