Attachment B-1

Summary of proposed Cooperative Agreement with NCKRI

The National Cave and Karst Research Institute has offered to engage in a joint venture to split the costs for publishing and distributing the "Journal of Cave and Karst Studies." This effort will be established by a Cooperative Agreement between NCKRI and the NSS.

Although many of the details of the agreement are still being worked out, the highlights and general philosophy of the agreement are summarized below.

The NSS agrees to a $45,000 annual budget, with an annual 3% COL increase, for 5 years, which will be divided 50/50 with NCKRI. For example, the NSS and NCKRI will provide $22,500 the first year. The agreement may be modified annually or as necessary as determined by radical changes in NSS membership and/or subscriptions.

Since the NSS has the mailing permit and the quantity mailed is determined by the NSS, the NSS will pay the mailing costs. The amount for mailing will be deducted from the amount to be transferred to NCKRI. The balance will be paid to NCKRI on a schedule to be determined by the individual fiscal years and the best fund transfer mechanics. These details will be worked out by the specific financial people.

The NSS and NCKRI will be jointly responsible for the publication contents.

The title will remain the "Journal of Cave and Karst Studies." The cover credit will be "A Publication of the National Speleological Society and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute."

The masthead will contain contact information for both the NSS and NCKRI.

If the Editor needs to be replaced, the new Editor will be selected by the Journal Advisory Board and be jointly approved by the Board, through the EVP, and NCKRI. The Editor will be an NSS member.

The Editor will report to the Board through the EVP.

The Agreement will be available for Board review prior to the 3/20/04 meeting.

2/23/04