Attachment A-1

National Speleological Society

Department of the President's Report

March 23, 2002

Table of Contents:

President's Report
AGI Outreach Liaison
Awards Committee
Board Arrangements Committee
Bylaws Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Government Liaison Committee
International Secretary
Legal Committee
Logistics Committee
Membership Committee
National Cave and Karst Management Symposium Coordinator
Nominating Committee
NSS/KWI Liaison Committee
NSS/NCKRI Liaison Committee
NSS/TNC Liaison
Planning Committee
Public Relations Committee
Recording Secretary
Secretary to the Board
Show Caves Liaison Committee
Youth Groups Liaison Committee
Board Meeting System Ad Hoc Committee
Spring Hill Cave Lawsuit Ad Hoc Committee
NSS License Plate Ad Hoc Committee
NSS Library Ad Hoc Committee
Geo-Caching Ad Hoc Committee

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Mike K. Hood
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368

937 252-2978
president@caves.org

There are 26 committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). In this report, I provide the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the chair of each committee or organization, followed by their report. The committee and sub-committee chairs have provided the information in this report, although I’ve made some spelling, formatting, and minor editorial adjustments. If necessary, my comments are provided in Italics following the committee’s report.

Plans:
A president-elect will be selected at this meeting and I will immediately start working with him or her for a smooth transition at the 2002 Convention.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as president and I want to thank every member of the Board of Governors for their support and assistance. The president’s job is a busy one and I couldn’t have done it without the support and input from the board. While I didn’t get everything done I would have liked to, I still feel we’ve made giant strides in several areas and the NSS is growing and getting stronger. I plan to stay involved in committee work and hope to have an opportunity to chair a committee sometime down the road.

Progress:
Spoke at various grotto meetings, civic group meetings, and attended regional caving events.

Participated in a press conference in Nashville, TN, concerning the Spencer, TN waste water treatment plant and Rumbling Fall Cave.

Responded to various interview requests about caves, Karst, and the NSS.

Problems:
Re/Max in Georgia violated the NSS Copyright for the Members' Manual by using the membership without our consent. The NSS Legal Committee is considering what action we should take. There is more information in the Legal Committee report found in this report.

AGI OUTREACH LIAISON:

Carol Zokiates (Liaison)
620 McDaniel Drive
Christianburg, VA 24073-3872

540 382-5437
zokaites@usit.net

The Earth Science Outreach Advisory board for AGI meets in the late spring so we have not had another meeting. I did just find out there is a workshop for planning earth science week I think I can attend in April. There is a planning meeting in Texas I will not be able to attend.

Earth Science Week Planning Meeting
AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas
Monday, March 11, 2002, 2:00-4:00 P.M.
Arboretum I-II, Hyatt Regency Houston

Earth Science Week Outreach Workshop
Monday, April 22
U.S. Geological Survey Headquarters
Reston, Virginia

Plans:
To attend the Earth Science Week Outreach Workshop on April 22. Advisory Board meets once a year in the late spring.

Progress:
Continue to work with AGI on cave and karst education opportunities.

Problems:
None so far.

AWARDS COMMITTEE:

Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064

765 778-3259
wtozer@aol.com

Committee Members:

Plans:
The AC will provide recommendation for the 2002 awards to the BOG at the Spring meeting. After the BOG meeting, the AC will begin preparing the awards program for the 2002 Maine convention. Plans are to have photos for all recipients so that they may be displayed with a PowerPoint program.

Progress:
The 2002 award nominations are in and look very good. The award nominations have been submitted to the AC for evaluation. The nominating material for OS and HM will be distributed to the board so that they may select these awards at the Spring meeting.

Problems:
There are no problems at this point. The process is moving along according to schedule.

BOARD ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE:

Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628

908 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com

Information packets have been sent to Montana, Utah and Michigan grottos. The only response I've had is from Michigan, which has indicated a representative will be at the meeting to submit a bid for the Fall 2002 meeting.

Since one of the board members is involved, I strongly suspect a bid from Utah may also be expected.

There are no problems.

BYLAWS COMMITTEE:

Vacant.

This committee opening will be announced in an upcoming NSS News.

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE:

Ted Kayes (Chairman)
8031 Whittington Dr
Richmond, VA 23235

(H) 804 272-4310
(W) 804 346-3697
tckayes@earthlink.net

Plans:
1. Continue to urge the membership to support the Stash Your Cash program.

2. Increased mailings touting the NSS credit card which is the commercial endeavor that provides a significant return to the Society. The Society makes money even if members just take out a card, which has no annual fee. If they use the card the Society receives more.

3. Focus more attention on the Endowment fund and work to get it over $100,000.

Progress:
During calender year 2000, the Society received $33,012 in donations, without including the special gift of $70,000. The $70,000 deserves a special report which is why it won't be covered in detail here.

The Stash Your Cash program has had its ups and downs, but is working. During the year $5,800 was received under this program and that amount is included in the total above. Participation is still pretty thin among members, so the potential is great. If you are not participating in the Stash Your Cash program, consider doing so.

Problems:
A shortage of time.

GOVERNMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE:

Hazel Medville (Chairman)
11762 Indian Ridge Road
Reston, VA 20191-3525

703 860-0134
Hazelm@patriot.net

Plans:
Review all the NSS agreements with government agencies; continue to act as a go-between for the Library Futures Committee and NCKRI on the possible co-residence of the NSS Lirary with the NKCRI Library in New Mexico.

Progress:
The National Park Service MOU was approved at the fall BOG meeting and signed by the NSS President. Most of my government contacts have been with NCKRI concerning the NSS Library. There were also some informal talks with Ron Kerbo about the Oregon Caves Task Force. Dr. William R. Halliday continues to carbon copy me on his correspondence with the NPS and USFS on EIS, cave names and other issues.

Problems:
I have not made a point of having other NSS Committees who work with government agencies include me on their correspondence list.

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY:

John L. Moses (Secretary)
6900 Hueco Tanks #1
El Paso, TX 79938

(H) 915 921-0535
(W) 915 857-1135
(F) 915 856-3556
johnmoses@excite.com

Eleanor Larson (Committee Member)
Tom Lera (Committee Member)

Plans:
Prepare press release for NSS News publicizing the award of the NSS International Participation grant to NSS group in Montana organizing vertical training exchange with Polish Mountaineering Association.

Solicit individual to chair ad hoc, informal committee to test waters for a 2009 International Congress of Speleology to be hosted in USA by NSS.

Progress:
As previously noted, the NSS International Participation Grant committee reviewed a proposal prepared by NSS member, Joe Oliphant of Frenchtown, Montana to establish an exchange project with the Polish Mountaineering Association. The project would initially bring several Polish vertical/rescue trainers to help conduct a workshop in the US. The total budget would be about $8,000 and the grant committee awarded a challenge grant of $2,000.

Based on information from Betty Wheeler and Dean Wilder (University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse), prepared a brief tribute to Dr. George Huppert for the International Union of Speleology (UIS) Bulletin. Dr. Huppert was the only member of the UIS Bureau from the United States.

Also, answered various correspondence addressed to international secretary or sent to NSS relating to international issues.

Problems:
Need to clarify whether UIS constitution allows for naming of successor to Dr. Huppert between International Congress meetings.

LEGAL COMMITTEE:

Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3406
(H) 828 669-0126
(W) 828 255-7703
(F) 828 254-1793
cavelaw@bellsouth.net

Plans:
I am making inquiries to see if there is a Society member who is an attorney in Georgia that can help with the MM problem. I will continue to monitor the matters mentioned in the first paragraph and will be available for advice if needed.

Progress:
It has been quiet and there is nothing of immediate consequence to report. I like that. I have responded to questions regarding the misuse of the Members Manuel and to the steps to take in regard to the 2001 Convention non-payers. The Convention matter appears to be under control - letters will be sent to the offending members requesting payment [again] and informing them of the consequences of non-payment. I have examined a proposed contract between the Society and the Korean group that is sponsoring a cave exposition in Samcheok City, Korea, and have advised the President of potential problems with liability if we can't or don't participate, the possibility of being stuck with open-ended expenses and my total ignorance of Korean jurisprudence.

Problems:
The misuse of the MM is bothersome. Retaining counsel will probably cost more than we will get if we win, but there may be a chance to have the court award attorney fees. We will need the advice of an intellectual property lawyer on whether there is a reasonable chance of obtaining an award of attorney fees. Even if there is, the collection problem will remain.

The 2001 convention non-payments is a vexing matter because if they don't pay, the cost of collecting the money will be greater than what we sue for, and even if we get a judgment we will still have to collect it. If there is no satisfactory reply on the Convention non-payments, we can consider turning the matter over to a collection agency - if we can find one interested in small amounts that are probably scattered over several states.

LOGISTICS COMMITTEE:

Roswell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036

(H) 412 367-3522
wrj4822@sgi.net

The committee will be sure that the voting machine will be in Dayton in time for the spring meeting. Also I think that we should have a discussion on the sale of the video projector, as to how we can get the best return.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:

William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT 06498-7809

carbidekid@prodigy.net

Colin Gatland: Canada, TX, OK
Ernie Coffman: NV, HI, CA
Marty Brown: AR
Hal Joerin: MI, IN, WI
Bill Klimack: PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC
Bob Liebman: Member At Large
Marge Nelson: CA
Jerry Zimmer: AK, WA, ID, OR
Ryan Brown: CO, UT, WY
Melanie Coleman: CO, UT, WY
Robert J Hall: NY, NJ
Bill Karpowicz: NY, New England

Plans:
None

Progress:
N/A

Problems:
Still need coverage for the Kentucky / Ohio area.

Bill and I both agree that a new direction for the Membership Committee needs to be explored. With the use of the Internet, prospective members can now browse the NSS and grotto websites to find information about joining. This has significantly reduced the role of this committee. At this time, there is no concrete idea on restructuring the committee.

NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR:

Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102

Phone/Fax: 703 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com

Plans:
The 2003 NCKMS will be hosted by the NSS Cave Diving Section, and held October 13-18 2003 in Gainesville, Florida.  Symposium co-chairmen are Michael Poucher and Steve Ormeroid.

Progress:
1.  The 2001 NCKMS in Tucson was a great success, with a record attendance of over 160 people.
2.  The 1999 NCKMS Proceedings have been published, and are available from the NSS Bookstore, Speleobooks and ACCA bookstore.

Problems:
None

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Montana Autumn Spencer (Chairman)
PO Box 2102
Collegedale, TN 37315-2102

Phone/Fax: 423 396-4521
Cavrbab@earthlink.net

Plan for 2002 Board Election:
Build a Nominating Committee of at least three members per the Bylaws. Personal goal is to have representation from all regions of the U.S.

Publish announcement in the NSS News advising prospective candidates of contact information and submission deadlines, etc. at least forty-five days prior to the deadline for nominating petitions per the Bylaws.

Solicit enough candidates to fill the five vacancies for the 2002 Board of Governors Election. It is recommended to have twice the number of candidates to vacancies.

Provide detailed guidelines for submission of election material in a timely fashion to all interested candidates.

Confirm eligibility of candidates with the NSS Office.

Collect photograph, biographical summary and platform statement from each candidate.

Compose and layout the 2002 NSS Board Election Ballot and mailing.

Submit ballot for printing and mailing no later than three weeks before the mailing deadline, forty-five days before the ballot receipt deadline.

Compose and submit article to the NSS News for inclusion in the April or May issue encouraging membership participation in the election and stressing the importance of exercising their voting rights.

Receive and account for all valid ballots on tally sheets by the deadline.

Recheck count with supervision from the Verification Teller.

Notify NSS President and all candidates two weeks before the NSS Convention.

Notify the NSS Board of Governors at the NSS Convention. Have on hand all ballots and final tally sheets for inspection by the candidates. Submit same to the NSS Archivist.

Notify the membership of election results via an NSS News article in the August 2002 issue.

Progress on the 2002 NSS Election:
Working Committee in place with Bylaw requirements exceeded. Still seeking two region representatives to assist in soliciting broad-spectrum representation.

Current NSS Nominating Committee Members:

Solicitation of candidates announcement successfully published in the NSS News December 2001 issue meeting NSS Bylaw requirements.

Eight candidates secured for nomination to the membership to fulfill five open Director seats on the Board of Governors. Twenty-eight additional members were contacted and declined the nomination for this year.

Guidelines for submission of election material sent to all candidates prior to deadline for receipt of it. Also answered several other requests for information including requirements of Directorship, samples of past ballot submissions, and contact links for personal inquiry of past and present Directors and Officers.

Eligibility is pending reply from the NSS Office. I don't anticipate any problems.

All photos, bios and platforms have been received.

Ballot draft is complete as of this writing and final composition should be submitted for printing and distribution seven to ten days ahead of schedule.

Problems associated with the 2002 NSS Election:
None at this time.

Problems associated with Future NSS Elections:
Would like consideration to be given to the lack of interest by the membership in serving the NSS in Director and Officer positions. As is often the case, those who are highly sought after and bring many desirable qualifications, talents, and experiences to their volunteer efforts, are often already over-extended or previously committed in other organizations and unavailable to accept another commitment. In addition, the lack of appeal when Speleopolitics is mentioned causes many of the remaining prospectives to decline stating they would rather pursue their passion than run and be tied up in paperwork. How do we effectively solicit the interest of qualified candidates in an on-going manner to insure the success and forward movement of the Society? Solution: Better networking from the national level to the regional and local level.

Connie Hillebrand legally changed her name to Montana Autumn Spencer.

NSS/KWI LIAISON COMMITTEE:

Vacant

NSS/NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIAISON:

Dr. Penelope J. Boston (Chairman)
7097 Redwing Place
Longmont, CO 80503

(W) 303 530-2661
pboston@complex.org

No report received.

NSS/TNC LIAISON:

Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
2805 Gladstone Ave
Ann Arbor MI 48104-6432

Phone: 734 995-2678
Fax: (by prior arrangement) 734 995-0289
ranecurl@umich.edu

Rob Robbins (Committee Member)

Plans:
Discuss liaison functions with the new TNC Liaison to the NSS (see Progress); meet at the Maine NSS Convention and have our picture taken for the NSS-TNC web page.

Progress:
Re-established contact with TNC with their new Liaison to the NSS, Heather Garland, Cave Program Coordinator, The Nature Conservancyof Tennessee.

Problems:
Tina Hall, TNC Liaison to the NSS, stepped down.

PLANNING COMMITTEE:

Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628

(H) 908 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com

Progress:
I don't believe the entire board has ever received a copy of the proposed study design that outlines the structure of a plan for the year 2010. I have included a copy (as much as I could figure out how to include) as a part of a DRAFT interim planning report (attachment 1 to this report).

There are two critical elements to pursuing and completing the NSS Plan for 2010:

A: An advisory committee (defined within the Study Design) to help create a task list and provide steering and policy guidance as the plan progresses.

B. An enlarged planning staff with particular expertise. This kind of plan quickly becomes complex. Additional help is necessary not only to lighten a workload, but to provide a sounding board for ideas and possible policy proposals.

Problems:
To date no advisory committee (official, ad hoc or otherwise) has been created. No additional "staff" personal have been added to the planning committee. I do not know how the committee is to be created, or do I just draft personnel. I do not perceive that being a long-lasting entity.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE:

Jay Jorden (Chairman)
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527

Home and manual fax: 972 382-2458
Work: 972 991-2100
jjorden@texoma.net

David McClurg (Committee Member)
Jack Hissong (Committee Member)
Sandra Hissong (Committee Member)

Plans:
Work continues on updating the background sheet that accompanies news releases and responses to media organizations, along with restructuring of a “press kit” and committee files. Development time and input are necessary. The committee is working on an outline for a PR workshop at the next convention.

Progress:
The Public Relations Committee has fielded several requests for information since the last report. The committee distributed press information promoting the Society's safety and conservation goals. Efforts also include distributing a “conservation flash” with news of interest to newsletter editors and others from the Cave Conservation and Management Section. Details: The committee provided information for a National Geographic magazine article in progress regarding Texas caving.

In the wake of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, a number of inquiries from both print and electronic media have been received concerning cavers' work on rescue crews. Reporters for The Dallas Morning News, The New York Times and other publications received contact names and information along with NSS background. A reporter for a CBS affiliate wanted data on caves in connection with Osama bin Laden's terrorist network in Afghanistan and war strategies. Research also involved “Tunnel Rats” during Vietnam and Army/Marine Corps efforts.

Background info was provided to a producer at ABC News/Good Morning America who wanted to feature the Rumble Room below Fall Creek Falls State Park on a segment. Some tentative inquiries were received from an agency scouting for locations for a Nissan commercial. Reporters for the Los Angeles Times and other dailies were also working on caving articles. Not as many freelancers and prospective book authors surfaced during this period.

Problems:
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or needs, either from the officers or the board.

RECORDING SECRETARY:

Lee Stevens
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147

leestevens@erols.com

Plans:
To continue to produce the Board of Governors meeting minutes in a timely way.

Progress:
The draft of the October 2001 Board meeting minutes has been circulated and no corrections were received. After approval of the draft by the Board in March 2002, they will be posted on the NSS web site.

Problems:
No further word received on the status of the new voting machine for Board meetings. I will ask the person who volunteered to develop this if he wishes to continue to work on the project. Subsequent action will depend on his response.

SECRETARY TO THE BOARD:

Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371

(H) 973 579-2116
vkappler@nac.net

Plans:
Re-numbered sections will be printed and mailed as they are revised by Board actions.

Progress:
The manual revision for the fall meeting was mailed on December 24, 2001. The update, only 20 pages, was the shortest in recent memory. The mailing included a new index that represents the revisions that were phased in over the past year. An end of year checklist was also prepared for users to verify current pages.

Several sections of the manual have been re-numbered to represent the revised index. The revisions were made to the master files only and were not printed because the changes were only to the page number sequence.

I continue to maintain the complete manual (or “old version”) on disk and provide a hard copy of all changes to the office, the archives, and to the recording secretary.

Problems:
None.

SHOW CAVES LIAISON COMMITTEE:

Gordon Smith (Chairman)
9850 N. Skyline Dr
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119

Home & Work: 812 945-5721
Fax: 812 945-6891
glstis@aol.com

Plans:
I will be visiting several show caves in the coming months to see what problems they may have with natural tour issues, etc.

Progress:
I just lead about 30 members of the Louisville Grotto on a two hour tour of Marengo Cave and talked about some of the tradeoffs in managing a cave for the public and keeping it as close to natural as possible. I have visited several show caves over the past several months with nothing specific to report.

Problems:
None that I am aware of.

YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE:

Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256

(H) 317 841-0687

Plans:
We will continue to respond when contacted, and to make ourselves available to Scouts and groups seeking help with programs or activities.

Progress:
Our main role is to answer letters and calls from NSS members and the general public about caving activities for various types of youth groups. Most of these are prompted from inquiries of Boy Scout leaders, although we hear from others as well on a lesser basis. The questions can be as simple as a referral to a show cave in their area to the involvement of my network of NSS friends to make an in-person contact that can lead to a guided trip to a wild cave. We are living in an information age, so it has become quite easy for groups who seek information about caving to find it and make friends with local cavers who can be accommodating to them. So, our role is taking on less importance over the years as we are noticing a decline of inquiries coming to us.

Problems:
None.

BOARD MEETING SYSTEMS AD HOC COMMITTEE:

Lee Stevens (Chairman)
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147

leestevens@erols.com

See Recording Secretary’s report above. I’m concerned that no progress has been made on the new voting machine. We may want to consider someone else to design the new voting machine.

SPRING HILL CAVE LAWSUIT AD HOC COMMITTEE:

Cheryl Jones (Chairman)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102

Phone/Fax: 703 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com

Plans:
To arrange to cover Ms Beckner's costs at an appropriate time.

Progress:
-Although the judge dismissed the lawsuit September 2001, the Bishop family may appeal the ruling.  The Tennessee Court of Appeals is expected to rule this summer, should an appeal be filed.

-I have spoken with the Ms Beckner's daughter, Sharon Todd, and again expressed the NSS's continued interest in the progress of the litigation, and our support for her mother.

-Once the case is finalized, Ms Beckner intends to deed the cave to a conservancy, most likely SCCI.

Problems:
None.

NSS LICENSE PLATE AD HOC COMMITTEE:

Phil Roke (Chairman)
(H) 540 752-1148
(W) 202 366-5884
proke@hotmail.com

Plans:
Original still in place.

Progress:
Slow and delayed.

Problems:
Unexpected hard drive crash due to virus delayed process. Awaiting delivery (soon) of new computer to proceed. Expect report for National Convention in Maine. Sorry for the delay.

NSS LIBRARY AD HOC COMMITTEE:

Dave Luckins (Chairman)
3683 Oakleaf Dr
West Bloomfield, MI 48324

(work) 810 575-1521
dave.luckins@gm.com

Plans:
During the period between the Spring Board meeting and the Convention, the ad hoc committee will focus on two activities. The first will be to assist the Library committee in developing its recommendations for the future of the Library. The second will be to develop Decision Dialogue Process to facilitate the Board developing a plan for the future of the Library.

Progress:
There has been virtually no activity during this reporting period due to the Chairman’s personal and professional travels. (I was away from home for most of December and January and can report California was rainy but the skiing was great in Utah.)

We have received a letter from Dr. Gary Ransdell, President, of Western Kentucky University describing their acquisition of the Old Bowling Green Mall as part of their effort to partner with the private sector and contribute to economic growth in Central Kentucky. The letter invites us to consider their property as an opportunity for expansion or spin-off. Per Mike Hood’s request, I have responded for the Society; describing our on-going study of the NSS Library, indicating our interest, and seeking additional information.

Problems:
Same as everyone; too many commitments—not enough time.

GEO-CACHING AD HOC COMMITTEE:

Dr. Hazel Barton-Olsen
6920 Canyon Drive
Park City, UT 84098

435 649-1598
hazel.barton@uchsc.edu

No report received.

Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL K. HOOD
President,
National Speleological Society, Inc.