National Speleological Society, Inc.
Department of the President Report
27 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO
(2) AWARDS COMMITTEE
(3) BOARD ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
(4) BYLAWS COMMITTEE
(5) FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
(6) INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
(7) LEGAL COMMITTEE
(8) LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
(9) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
(10) NATIONAL CAVE MGMT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR
(11) NOMINATING COMMITTEE
(12) NSS/NPS LIAISON
(13) NSS/TNC LIAISON
(14) OUTREACH COMMITTEE
(15) PLANNING COMMITTEE
(16) PROJECT UNDERGROUND REPRESENTATIVES
(17) PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
(18) RECORDING SECRETARY
(19) SECRETARY TO THE BOARD
(20) SHOW CAVES LIAISON COMMITTEE
(21) YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE
(22) CAVE USE FEES AD HOC COMMITTEE
(23) PRESIDENT'S SECTION
There are twenty-two committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). A twenty-third 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 committee is first identified, followed by the name of the committee chairman (editor, coordinator, whatever) and the most recent mailing address that I have for that person. Additional communications information (Phone, FAX, and E-mail) is also included. 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. For those not familiar with this format, let me explain.
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 (Board).
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 entirely by the committee chairman, although it may have been edited. These headings appear for all committees whose chairmen supplied reports.
The last item in the block has the heading President's Comments under which I occasionally add some additional information not provided by the committee chairman.
Jean DeVries
2370 Chippewa
Jenison, MI 49428
Phone: (616) 457-9664
E-mail: DevriesJ@aol.com
Progress
I have made no progress in finding articles to justify
publishing a new issue of the Administrative Memo.
Plans
At this time I have no plans to publish another
Administrative Memo. I have solicited material from all NSS
Committee heads with E-mail (almost all of them) and received
absolutely no response. I continue to believe that the
Administrative Memo has lost its effectiveness as a communication
tool.
Problems
Just the usual--no material, despite a solicitation of
material from all committee heads of the NSS.
PRES Comments
We need to access whether or not the Administrative Memo
serves any useful purpose and if not, abolish this committee.
(2) AWARDS COMMITTEE
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
Dr. Daniel Fong Member at Large
Jeanne Hill Conservation Award
Dr. 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
Dr. George Veni Science Award
Progress
The awards committee has been working through the nominations
for the 1999 convention awards. Each award sub-chair has
submitted the nomination list to the committee for evaluation.
Plans
The committee will present its recommendations to the Board
for the March meeting. The information will be distributed prior
to the meeting.
Problems
There are no known problems at this time.
(3) BOARD ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
NO REPORT
(4) BYLAWS COMMITTEE
Vacant
NO REPORT
PRES Comments
A new committee Chairman has been selected and his
confirmation is on the agenda.
Vacant
PRES Comments
In accordance with Board Act 40-498 this position was advertised in the NSS News.
Nobody has responded to the advertisement. In addition, nobody I
have talked with about taking the job wants to do it. I will
place another announcement in the NSS News.
John L. Moses (Secretary)
15807 River Roads
Houston, TX 77079
Home: (281) 597-1494
Office: (713) 243-8000
Fax: (713) 243-8028
E-mail: johnmoses@excite.com
Tom Lera (Committee Member)
Progress
I initiated contact with the Brazilian Speleological Society
concerning the Brasilia 2001 International Congress of
Speleology. Clayton Ferreira Lino, President of the Speleo Brazil
2001 Organization Committee, provided basic information on the
Congress and advised that the first circular would be provided in
December 1998(?).
I prepared an announcement which appeared in both the December 1998 NSS News and on the Cavers Digest concerning the availability of NSS International Participation Grants. There are $1,873 available for this fiscal year. I responded to requests for information regarding the grants and sent one application form.
I applied for and received a donation of $500 for the NSS general fund from my employer's "Volunteer Involvement Program". These awards are made to non-profit organizations in which an employee volunteers more than 50 hours each year.
I submitted a Fiscal year 1999-2000 budget request for the International Secretary Committee.
Plans
Review any potential (one was promised for February)
submittals for the International Participation Grants. Approve or
reject in a timely manner.
In order to provide seed money for the Brazil 2001 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 Congress organizers. The advance would be secured by pre-paid registrations for American delegates to Brazil Congress.
Attempt to develop framework for international caver exchange program.
Add one additional member to International Secretary Committee (US far west?)
Problems
Please note change in E-mail address.
(7) LEGAL COMMITTEE
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801
Home: (704) 684-0127
Work: (704) 255-7703
FAX: (704) 252-0698
E-mail: cavelaw@wnc.com
Progress
(1) I reviewed the proposed contract for the computer
cataloging of the NSS Library. No changes were recommended.
(2) I am reviewing liability releases that are presently being used. As far as generic releases go, they seem to be fine. I still have the concern that a generic release may not work equally well in all jurisdictions, but the only way to address that concern is by hiring an attorney in each state in which we own or manage cave property.
(3) I have spoken by telephone with the Society's attorney [Chuck Dworkin] in the Barton Hill litigation in New York. He tells me that there has been no response to a letter he sent last fall outlining a settlement proposal. He also tells me that a meeting has been held with the plaintiffs, and that the hard feelings may be healing over. He says he is in contact with Thom Engel in regard to the property and that he plans to contact the plaintiff's lawyers and let them know that we will be doing work on the property this spring.
Plans
I will continue to respond to any inquiries.
Problems
None of which I am aware.
Rosewell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
Home: (412) 367-3522
E-mail: wrj4822@sgi.net
Progress
Because I was unable to attend, I mailed the voting machine
and tape recorders to Pasadena, CA for the 07 November 1998 Board
of Governors Meeting. They have been returned.
Plans
Bring the equipment to the March 27, 1999, Board Meeting in
Indianapolis, Ind.
Problems
None.
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
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
Ernie Coffman -- NV, HI, and CA
733 N. E. Oregon Ave.
Grants Pass, OR 97526-3562
Phone: (503) 471-1202
Marty Brown -- AR
P.O. Box 547
Johnson, AR 72741
Phone: (501) 582-0285
E-mail: mbrown@rhs.nwsc.k12.ar.us
Elaine Hackerman -- KY and OH
4701 Utah Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 298-5929
Hal Joerin -- MI, IN, and WI
28287 Red Leaf Ln
Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (313) 569-5007
E-mail: 76016,401@compuserve.com
Bill & Mary Klimack -- PA, NJ, DE, MD,
VA, WV, NC, and SC
6303 Ashley Meadows Ct.
Dayton, OH 45424
Phone: (513) 235-2532
E-mail: klimackmw@aol.com or wklimack@afit.af.mil
Jay Landt -- GA and FL
4321 Meadowood St.
Orlando, FL 32812
Phone: (407) 851-2409
Bob Liebman -- Member At Large
P.O. Box 441s
Lewisburg, WV 24901-0441
Phone: (304) 772-5049
Marge Nelson -- CA
1942 Lombardy Drive
La Canada, CA 91011
Phone: (818) 248-6546
Jennifer Pinkley Bennett -- AL, MS, LA, and
TN
1120 Joshua Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35803
Gayle Smart -- NM
1116 Zena Lona, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Bill Karpowicz -- NY and New England
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT
Phone: (860)873-1623
E-mail: William.Karpowicz@us.ms.philips.com
Progress
None as of yet.
Problems
I still need to fill three positions, (New York / New
England), (Missouri / Kansas) and (Colorado / Utah / Wyoming).
We, as a committee, still need to find a niche, much of the work
that was done by the committee is now being done out of the NSS
office.
PRES Comments
Perhaps the Membership Committee could take over the
functions of the Outreach Committee.
(10) NATIONAL CAVE MGMT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
Mclean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
E-mail: cherylj@erols.com
Progress
The plans for the 1999 National Caves and Karst Management
Symposium, "Living with Caves and Karst", are
progressing well, and a call for papers is being issued in March.
SCCI, the host of the event, has planned an outstanding program,
and a good response is expected. A web site,
www.caves.org/ncms99, has been set up to provide information and
updates.
The name of the symposium has been changed by adding "karst" to the title. This gives the event wider appeal and links the inseparable in the symposium and the public eye. The result is expected to be increased participation in the event, with people from a broader range of professions and organizations.
Plans
To publish the proceedings from the 1997 symposium before the
1999 NSS Convention.
Problems
None
(11) NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Vacant
PRES Comments
In accordance with Board Act 40-498 this position was advertised in the NSS News.
Nobody has responded to the advertisement. In addition, nobody I
have talked with about taking the job wants to do it. I will
place another announcement in the NSS News.
Ted Kayes is handling this year's Board Election and everything appears to be going smoothly.
(12) NSS/NPS LIAISON
John Scheltens (Liaison)
303 N River Rd
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Home: (605) 745-4366
Work: (605) 745-3135
FAX: (605) 745-5180
E-mail: 102370.2314@compuserve.com
NO REPORT
(13) 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
E-mail: ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Progress
The joint NSS-TNC display is currently being updated - bigger
text that is laminated. The schedule right now for it for 1999 is
- NSS convention, National Cave Management Symposium, and TNC WV
annual meeting. Tina Hall of the WV TNC chapter and Liaison to
NSS maintains, upgrades, and arranges transportation for the
display.
A web page on the NSS site has been established, and announced on the Cavers Index. We continue to search for joint NSS (member) projects that have web pages to which to link, or at least to describe, in order to help TNC find caver volunteers and NSS members find needs for people with cave expertise.
I have appointed Rob Robbins of Columbia TN as a committee member to assist our liaison with TNC in the Southeastern Region of the NSS.
Plans
To keep doing the great things we have been doing.
Problems
I would not call it a problem, but reality is that it will be
slow going to stimulate more joint projects between NSS members
and TNC because they depend upon the existence of both TNC cave
projects and nearby NSS members with interests in volunteering.
(14) OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Vacant
PRES Comments
In accordance with Board Act 40-498 this position was advertised in the NSS News.
Nobody has responded to the advertisement. In addition, nobody I
have talked with about taking the job wants to do it. I will
place another announcement in the NSS News.
(15) PLANNING COMMITTEE
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
Home: (908) 294-6634
E-mail: TJPollock@aol.com
NO REPORT
(16) PROJECT UNDERGROUND REPRESENTATIVES
Dave Jagnow (Representative)
901 18th St. #11300
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Home: (505) 662-0553
Office: (505) 662-0553
E-mail: djagnow@roadrunner.com
Barbara Moss (Representative)
7713 Shreve Rd.
Falls Church, VA 22043-3315
Phone: (703) 573-1068
E-mail: ke4bvq@amsat.org
Carol Zokaites (Representative)
620 McDaniel Dr.
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 381-8234
E-mail: zokaites@usit.net
Progress, Plans, and Problems
See the AVP Department Report.
(17) PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
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 four 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 publication efforts and contributing to the
Society's Conservation and Management Section newsletter.
Details: Journalists, prospective authors, and publicists received material by letter, telephone, and E-mail. Inquiries were made by several reporters for Texas daily newspapers working on caving articles, a freelance writer, and a researcher for a television show. The committee is also helping with publicity for the upcoming IMAX film on caving and stands ready to provide support for the effort toward an NSS annual report.
Feedback: Clippings from earlier efforts continue to come in. The committee will work closely in the future with a media columnist for the NSS News.
Plans
(1) Work continues on updating the background sheet that
accompanies news releases and responses to media organizations.
(2) I am restructuring a "press kit" and the committee files. Development time and input are necessary.
(3) The committee is working on an outline for a PR workshop to be held at the next NSS National Convention
(4) The committee is also working an NSS News article.
Problems
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or
needs, either from the officers or the board. No problems come to
mind.
(18) RECORDING SECRETARY
Lee Stevens
5964 Seabright Road
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
Home: (703) 451-7663
E-mail: leestevens@erols.com
Progress
The minutes of the November 1998 NSS Board Meeting have been
published and posted on the NSS web site. A note of thanks is due
Hazel Medville for her efforts as Recording Secretary during the
meeting. I was recovering from back surgery and was unable to
attend.
NSS Office Manager Camille Mueller responded to my request for information on the current distribution of the Board Meeting Minutes and attachments. Approximately twenty-five copies of the minutes and attachments are duplicated and distributed for each meeting. These go to the officers and directors and several other cavers who have requested them. Three or four cavers routinely request copies of the attachments only. They are charged a fee of $10 to cover duplication and mailing costs.
Plans
To continue to attend Board Meetings and provide the minutes
in a timely way. The minutes and attachments will continue to be
sent to Tom Rea for posting on the NSS web site.
Problems
There is a need for a more efficient method of recording the
Board Meeting votes and other material related to the agenda. NSS
President Fred Wefer has said that he will research this problem.
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371
Home: (973) 579-2116
E-mail: vkappler@nac.net
Progress
Section 9 - EXECUTIVE POLICIES of the Board Manual has been
expanded to include the new material submitted by the officers.
The section was also reformatted and indexed by department which
should make it much easier to use.
Cross References in several Act sections have been checked and updated for the most recent mailing.
The local vocational school continues to do my printing at no cost to us.
Plans
Produce the manual updates as quickly as possible while
keeping costs to a minimum.
Continue to check and update as necessary the Act section cross references.
Problems
None.
(20) SHOW CAVES LIAISON COMMITTEE
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
I represented the NSS at the funeral of Bob Bogart, owner of
Mark Twain Cave, this past weekend. I have continued to visit
show caves as time and travel permit. Since last Fall I have been
to show caves in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, California, and
Missouri. No specific problems concerning NSS cavers were
uncovered. Opportunities to work with NSS cavers were discussed.
Plans
I will continue to visit show caves to explore areas where
the expertise of NSS members can be of assistance.
Problems
None
(21) YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Home: (317) 841-0687
Work: (317) 872-0083
E-mail: none
Progress
The main work of the committee is to field and respond to
letters and phone calls from:
1. Members seeking advice on how to handle a youth group request for a caving trip, how to respond to their inquiries, or what national policy is towards caving for specific organizations like Scouting USA.
2. Members of the public who are leaders of Scouting and other youth groups who: want to go caving, want to include caving in their programs, seek educational or safety information, want to know where the caves are, or have questions about caving.
The NSS Boy Scout Brochure is now complete except for the photographs. These are being selected to avoid the copyright issues we have with the photographs in the Guide to Responsible Caving. It is expected to be printed and available in April 1999.
Plans
Continue to respond to questions and letters as explained
above.
Problems
None.
(22) CAVE USE FEES AD HOC COMMITTEE
Ray Keeler (Chairman)
22354 N 68th Drive
Glendale, AZ 85310-5239
Home: (602) 561-2917
Work: (602) 561-4309
E-mail: rkeeler@pcslink.com
Progress
On 05 December 1998, at the Southwest Region Winter Technical
regional Mike Baca (USFS Guadalupe District Ranger) announced
that Cave fees were done and not to take place as far as he was
concerned. The following speaker USFS Cave Specialist Jerry Trout
concurred with the position at the USFS level but appeared not
nearly as positive as Mr. Baca.
On 23 January 1999 at the Arizona Region Winter Technical regional Jerry Trout announced that the USFS was waiting for the NSS dollars to the USFS as stated in the January 1998 NSS Cave Fees Proposal. I arrived just as Mr. Trout was finishing his talk and was told of the change by NSS cavers that had attended both regional meetings. I spoke with Mr. Trout immediately following to confirm the interpretation and he repeated it. I instructed Mr. Trout to reread the NSS proposal as it states the NSS will access monies not available to the USFS for management of the caves on USFS lands. It does NOT say the NSS will give the forest service money.
As to the work performed in Region 3 in 1998, we are WELL OVER the $100,000 volunteer value estimate; however, see Problems below.
Plans
This Ad Hoc Committee has gone on too long. The need exists
for the NSS to have a permanent Committee to address Forest
Service lands issues with respect to caves and karst areas. There
is a motion on the agenda.
Problems
The Ad Hoc Committee needs to produce a summary of work
accomplished in 1998 for USFS Region 3. I promised Mike Baca I
would have it by 31 January 1999. I have failed this milestone.
We know the work has been done, the problem is someone collecting
it and writing it up.
(23) PRESIDENT'S SECTION
Fred L. Wefer (NSS PRES)
P.O. Box 47
McDowell, VA 24458
Home: (540) 396-3543
E-mail: fwefer@cfw.com
Progress
Plans
Problems
See plans.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L. Wefer, President
National Speleological Society, Inc.