Attachment A-1
President’s Report
Annual
Report Committee
Awards
Committee
Board Arrangements Committee
Bylaws
Committee
Fund
Raising Committee
Government Liaison Committee
Grants
Committee
International Congress of Speleology
International Secretary
Legal
Committee
Logistics
Committee
Membership
Committee
National
Cave and Karst Management Symposium Coordinator
Nominating
Committee
NSS/KWI
Liaison
NSS/NCKRI
Liaison
NSS/TNC
Liaison
Planning
Committee
Public Relations Committee
Recording Secretary
Secretary to the Board
Show Caves Liaison Committee
Ad
Hoc Committee Office Software
Bill Tozer (765) 778-3259, president@caves.org
There are 23 committees, commissions, publications, etc in the Department of the President (PRES). In this report, I provide the name, 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.
For detailed address information of any committee chair, please refer to the NSS Members Manual or go to: http://www.caves.org/nss-business/bog/table-4d.html#President.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Memoriam of Understanding was officially signed at the Bellingham convention. This agreement outlines the working relationship with the BLM. NSS cavers have been contributing many hours in caves managed by the BLM. It has been good for the cavers and the caves.
We also have received a letter from Patrick H. Reed, Superintendent Mammoth Cave National Park. He thanks the NSS volunteers for service over 18 years and 62,000 hours valued at $930,000. To quote the letter; "What we cannot calculate is the value of the special care exercised by NSS Volunteers to preserve cave resources while engaged in restoration work. The NSS volunteers effort and the accomplishments achieved over time is priceless."
The Society will receive recognition from the National Park Service in late October for our contributions to the caves and karst. Hazel Medville will represent the Society at the presentation in Washington, DC.
When we first started the limited member category, we discussed the possibility of given them an issue of the NSS NEWS on occasion. We are exploring the cost of this with the intention of making it a reality. The purpose is to broaden the exposure of the Society and hopefully to encourage some of the limited members to become regular members.
There are four committee chairman positions to fill in the president’s department.
Hazel Medville has asked to step down as Government Liaison. Scott Fee also wished to step down as Fundraising Chairman. Eric Weaver is stepping down as membership chairman. Dawn Ryan has been recommended to replace Eric Weaver, who will continue as a member of the committee. At present the Planning Committee is without a chairman. See the report on the Planning Committee. Progress is continuing, but a chairman is needed. All positions were advertised in the October NSS NEWS.
Karen Dennis has been appointed chairman of the Office Software ad hoc committee. See the committee report.
The board asked me to report on the membership recruitment policy. Membership is described in the Bylaws, acts of section 28 Membership General, and section 72 Membership. Five acts refer to recruitment, they encourage the recruitment of active cavers and to be accepted for membership the applicant must indicate support for the goals of the Society and the NSS Cave Conservation Policy. Membership recruitment practices, which tends to glorify and create interest in caving as a sport shall be avoided.
Strategies to promote and advertise NSS Membership by any committee of the NSS in non-caving publications must be approved by the Board of Governors before implementation.
Recruitment: Act 72-239, Act 72-352, Act 72-583, Act 72-757, Act 72-766
The membership committee report discusses the present activity.
Kristine Deveny, Chairman, 702-870-1618, kmdeveny@earthlink.net
Progress: I have sent out letters to all of the grottos requesting information for the annual report and received a half dozen replies so far. I have also requested a Financial Statement from Peri Franz.
Plans: Continue collecting information for the report. The draft report will be written upon receipt of the additional data.
Problems: None
Scott Fee Chairman, 205-914-7487, scottfee@caves.org
Committee Members:
Barbara am Ende, Mike Bachke, Gale Beach, Evelyn Bradshaw, Bill Bussey, Carolyn Cronk, Donald G. Davis, Michael Dyas, Dr. Daniel Fong, Jr., Mike K. Hood, Roy Jameson, Pat Kambesis, William Mixon, Gary Moss, Dr Diana Northup, G. Thomas Rea, Geary M. Schindel, Gordon L. Smith, Jr., Linda Starr, Lee Stevens, Bill Tozer, Dr. George Veni
Progress: The NSS 2006 awards were presented at the Bellingham, Washington, Convention. A power point presentation was used to project photos of the recipients. The call for 2007 nominations was published in the September NSS News. An article listing the award recipients will appear in a future NSS News.
Plans: The committee encourages everyone to submit nominations. Nominations are due by November 15, 2006. The awards selection process will begin with the nomination deadline. All committee members participate in the selection of each award. The OS and HM awards are selected by the Board.
Problems:.
As always, good nominations are needed for all awards. Otherwise no problems.
Peter M Hauer Spelean History Award: Tom Lera, NSS 14821,
James G Mitchell Award: Robin Reger
"Diversity Comparisons between Microbial Mats and Endosymbiont Gut Communities Associated with the Cave-dwelling Androniscus dentiger (Isopoda: Oniscidae) from the Frasassi Caves, Italy"
NSS Fellow:
Gordon Birkhimer, 42778
Kristine Deveny, 32821
Dr. Malcolm Field, 26915
Dave Gerboth, 23551
William Hunt, 37109
Lawrence Ireland, 43399
Jon Jasper, 33710
Cheryl Kayes, 11104
David Larson, 13906
Eleanor Burns Larson, 14907
Doug McCarty, 46205
Harry Moore, 7638
Allen Mosler, 12940
William Orndorff, 28413
William Rennaker, 29030
Lynn Richardson, 38259
Robert Schroeder, 10819
Beverley Shade, 39894
Bob Vandeventer, 28054
Ron Zuber, 14283
Certificate of
Merit:
1) Virginia Region: The Regions efforts at Grand
Caverns in Grottoes VA.
2) Germany Valley Karst Survey (GVKS) and Gordon
Brace: For their remarkable work in Germany valley in
reestablishing land owner relationships and involving many cavers
in the continued exploration of this historic karst area.
Spelean Arts and Letters: Urs Widmer, #21702
Science Award: Dr Ira D. Sasowsky #19531
Victor A. Schmidt Conservation Award: John George Vargo, Jr #27872
Lew Bicking Award: Mike & Andrea Futrell. (#25101 & #18484)
Honorary Member: John Gunn
Outstanding Service: Steve Hudson #11444
Mike Hood ,Chairman, mhood@caves.org
Plans: I will continue to seek hosts for meetings by posting announcements on the various e-mail groups, NSS Discussion Board and NSS News. I will also stay in frequent contact with those groups hosting meetings to make sure they are moving along and to assist them if needed.
Progress: The Escabrosa Grotto will host the spring 2007 meeting on March 17th, in Tucson, AZ, and Philip Moss will host the fall 2007 meeting on October 13th, in Waterloo, IL. The next open meeting is spring 2008, so I have plenty of time to find hosts. The Board of Governors has postponed the bid from the Williams Canyon Project to host the spring 2009 meeting at Cave of the Winds, near Colorado Springs, CO, until the 2007 convention meeting
Problems: None.
Tom Rea, Chairman, 765-653-4423, tomrea@caves.org
Progress: Nothing has been referred to the Bylaws Committee during this period.
Plans: To respond to inquires in a timely manner.
Problems: none
Scott Fee (Interim Chairman), 205-856-9177, scottfee@caves.org
Progress: During the 2006 NSS Convention, the Richmond Area Speleological Society (RASS) agreed to donate 50 cents to the Great X Acquisition Fund for every dollar donated to the NSS; up to $5,000. In addition, Dick Blenz agreed to donate dollar for dollar to the Great X Acquisition Fund; up to $10,000. I am pleased to report that both challenge grants were met thanks to an anonymous, last minute credit card authorization of $1,426.50 that was received during the Convention Banquet. As of September 22nd, I am excited to report that we have established a payoff amount of $7,742.43 which includes interest through December 31, 2006.
The Richmond Area Speleological Society (RASS) has agreed to donate 50 cents to either the Great X Acquisition Fund or the endowment fund, for every dollar donated to the NSS; up to $5,000, during the Fall Fund Raising Letter campaign.
I have coordinated with Stephanie, NSS Operations Manager, to insure we have sufficient supplies to produce the letter on schedule.
Plans: Make sure the Fall Fund Raising Campaign Letter is submitted to Stephanie so that it can be mailed on time.
Problems: Unfortunately, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) notified us that our designated donor’s code was incorrect as previously reported. Therefore, we hit the internet groups and NSS Discussion Board with the corrected information. I have also provided a blurb for the NSS News. The CFC identification number donors must use is 9356 to designate their contribution to our organization. Naturally, whoever the old number belongs to may be the recipient of donations intended for our beloved Society.
The committee needs a permanent chairman.
Hazel Medville, Chairman, 703-860-0134, Hazelmedville@verison.net
Progress:
BLM MOU signed at Convention
Reception instead of a session for meeting the government cave specialists this year (cost $164.95)
Plans: NPS giving the NSS an award for service to the Park Service at the GSA (Geological Society of America) meeting in Philadelphia on October 25. We will make sure photos are taken and a write up is sent to the NSS News. Jay Arnold can contact me in Reston after October 18th for details.
Problems: Ron Kerbo is retiring in March 2007; NPS is not sure if they can hire a full time person to replace him; they may need to have the person also care for another resource such as archeology.
Still need a replacement chairman. (See President's report for details.)
Hazel A. Barton, chairman, 859-572-5303, hazel@cavescience.com
Progress: So far the website is finished and I’ve spoken to the caves.org webmaster about putting the page up. I’m in the process of recruiting members for the committee and I’ve got my eye on a couple of folks.
Plans: I’ve developed a website that should be able to go on the main NSS website. It may be necessary to break the grants section on the website down, into NSS grants and NSS Grant Writing committee. The website clearly indicates that the role of the grants committee is not to write grants, but to identify funding sources and help facilitate interested NSS members with the grant writing process. I also aim to develop the NSS boilerplate (standard information about the NSS that funding agencies will want to know) as well as some kind of grants/contracts process, such that if the NSS commits to projects, there is a chain of responsibility. I’d also like to develop some kind of reporting system, so that the NSS can see how well this process is working.
When everything is up and running, I’m hoping to put an article into the NSS News to explain the grant writing process and how we can help folks work toward getting funding.
Problems: Absolutely no time. This summer has been particularly busy. I have decided to clone myself, the clones will have to argue over who caves and who works.
George Veni, Chairman, 210-558-4403, gveni@satx.com
Progress:
1) Two traveling displays
for the Congress have been created and are traveling in Europe to
various cave and karst conferences. In
September 2006 they were at one conference in Spain, one in the
UK, and two in Greece. Sue and Urs Widmer are coordinating their
transportation and display at the various events, as well as
distribution of leaflets and European sales of 2006 ICS
promotional T-
shirts.
2) The first in an annual series of pre-ICS T-shirts was printed and sold at NSS Convention, Europe, and via the Congress website through the assistance of Emily Davis and Mike Warner. The purpose of the shirts is to advertise the ICS and help generate a small supplemental revenue. All members of the NSS BOG are especially encouraged to go on line and buy one (www.ics2009.us)!
3) Contract negotiations with Schreiner University are continuing smoothly. No major problems are currently foreseen.
4) We currently have a tentative major financial commitment from a sponsor. Details will be provided when everything is confirmed.
5) The Texas Speleological Survey will provide and install a networked bank of computers, scanners, and related equipment for Congress registration, saving the Congress about $2,000 in rental fees.
Plans:
1) Complete translations of the website into German and
Spanish are nearly complete and should be posted in October 2006.
French and Italian should be complete by the end of October and
posted in November 2006.
2) Develop a detailed schedule for every member of the Organizing Committee that outlines all major tasks and deadlines for their completion.
3) Develop a display for travel in the Americas.
4) A promotional video for the ICS is currently being filmed in Texas by Dave Socky. I’m out of town at the moment but will meet and assist him in two days and get his estimated completion date.
The above are just some key immediate plans. A complete list of goals and deadlines as required by the International Union of Speleology guidelines are available upon request. When the work schedule for the Organizing Committee is completed, it will also be available upon request.
Problems:
1) Developing a detailed schedule for every member of the
Organizing Committee that outlines all major tasks and deadlines
for their completion is moving slower than anticipated. It should
be complete in October 2006.
John Moses,
Secretary, 915-781-2161, johnmoses@excite.co
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member) Santa Barbara, Calif
Tom Lera (Committee Member) Falls Church, Va
Progress: The Karst Research Group at the University of South Florida, sponsored by NSS member Lee Florea, conducted field work jointly with speleologists in Romania during May and June 2006. An NSS International Speleological Participation Grant provided a portion of the funding for the ongoing research there. An article is planned for the NSS News.
Replied to various international correspondence.
Plans: Provide assistance with visa invitations for UIS (International Union of Speleology) Bureau members attending 2007 meeting in Puerto Rico.
Problems: Dr. Alexander Klimchouk reports that a fire that recently destroyed his personal residence in Kiev, Ukraine, also destroyed his karst and cave library. Klimchouk is the editor of the international online journal "Speleogenesis and Evolution of Karst Aquifers."
According to Dr. Klimchouk, this library was one of the largest karst/cave libraries in the ex-USSR countries. It was collected during almost 40 years and contained over 10,000 volumes of specifically karst/cave literature. Although privately maintained, it served for many years as a central speleological library in the Ukraine and was extensively used by many researchers and cave explorers. With the recent establishment of the Ukrainian Institute of Speleology and Karstology (UISK), this library was to be transferred to UISK to form a core of the Institute's library. Dr. Klimchouk has requested the assistance of the international speleological community in donating duplicate copies of available journals, books and newsletters to UISK.
Joel B. Stevenson, Chairman, 828-669-0126, cavelaw@jbs-law.com
Progress: It’s been a quiet three months. The progress on revising the Society’s copyright policy was interrupted over the summer due to conflicting travel/vacation schedules. Documents are being reviewed and revised and should be ready for submission by late fall.
Plans: I will continue to work with the revisers of the copyright policy and will be available to respond to any questions on legal issues
Problems: There are no problems to report.
W. Roswell Jones, Chairman, 412-367-3522, wrj48221@comcast.net
Progress: The recordings of the Bellingham Board meetings have been burned to CDs, and a copy was sent to Janet Thorne and a copy was sent to Lee Stevens. The voting machine has been checked out and is fine.
Plans: The voting machine will been in Virginia for the next Board meeting.
Problems: The only problem is the repair needed on the NSS laminating machine, I haven’t been able to find the part I need. I may have build it my self.
Eric Weaver, Chairman, weaverem@uc.edu and Dawn Ryan, dwn_ryan41@yahoo.com
Progress: The committee has been very active and productive. An ongoing project currently, is to make contact and to promote membership with cavers who are not NSS members, through all the regional caver events. The cooperation of each event’s coordinators has been very helpful to make this work. At each event's registration area, the cavers were asked if they were NSS members as part of the check-in process. If they were not, an NSS membership application was given to the caver. The membership applications were sent to the event coordinator in advance, from the NSS office, and in two cases, as part of an incentive and because of the size of the event, NSS bookstore bags and other NSS brochures were sent, to be added as part of the registration package.
As another way to promote membership to cavers and grotto members who are not NSS members, we decided to contact them as directly as possible. To do that, a one page advertisement was made by Eric Weaver and myself, with Society membership information, a brief explanation of the benefits of the Society, the different levels of membership and dues. This advertisement was emailed to all grotto contacts to be posted in grotto newsletters, websites and to use as a handout. This was well received from the response of the many grotto contacts that replied. I received a few phone calls from grotto members and new cavers who saw the advertisement and inquired about membership in the Society. The inquiries prompted some questions:
Expanding on the first question; we believe it is important to find out how these new members are learning about the NSS. Are they being referred by the grottos, are they finding the NSS via the NSS website, or some other group's website? Perhaps they are joining because of the efforts of the Membership Committee or some other place we aren’t aware of. We want to learn what is working and what is not, and hopefully discover some other sources of members that we were unaware of.
Question number two addresses another issue; how can we keep these new members? To answer these questions, Ernie Coffman and I have been emailing new members using the monthly membership report information. An email is sent to the new members welcoming them to the NSS, asking them how they heard about the NSS as well as asking them if they have any questions or if there is anything we can help them with. We are now learning how a good majority of our new members found out about the NSS. It is also giving this new person a point of contact. For instance, one new member asked, "Now that I am a member, how can I get involved?" After finding out where they lived, the grotto representative was contacted and in turn the new member was invited to the grotto’s next event. The Guide to Responsible Caving has been mailed to some new members and many other questions have been answered for new members.
Another project that was completed is a repeat of last year’s membership packet distribution. Ernie Coffman worked on this at the Washington convention. He assembled 100 packets that included the Guide to Responsible Caving, Bats and Caves a Fragile Wilderness brochures and a NSS membership application. These packets were distributed during the convention by Ernie. The idea of that packet is to give the grotto representative a tool to not only promote membership for their grotto and the NSS, but also to introduce the new caver to responsible and safe caving from the start. As an example, since the convention, the Colorado Grotto representative has asked for more packets stating she had 11 new members come to a meeting to which she distributed this information. That is 11 new cavers who have learned about the NSS and safe caving. And that is just from one grotto.
Plans: To sum things up, we feel that direct contact with cavers is a very fruitful way to promote membership and may make a difference in retaining members. We plan to continue our efforts in this manner. We have not run into any problems.
Problems: None
Respectfully
submitted,
Dawn Ryan
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator, 703-442-8499, Cheryl.caver@verizon.net
Progress: Plans for the 2007 NCKMS (St. Louis) progress.
Files of 2005 session papers finally have been received and the Proceedings are near completion.
Plans: The NCKMS will co-sponsor, with the UIS Department of Protection and Management, an International Cave and Karst Management Symposium during the 2009 International Congress. The Texas Cave Management Association will conduct the field trip.
Problems: None
Montana Autumn Spenser, Chairman, 260-982-7792, Cavrbab@earthlink.net
2006 NSS Nominating Committee Members
Brent M Grist,
50247SU; David D Seng, 2437 RE
Verification Teller Committee Member
Progress: Delivered all ballots and tally sheets to Convention for inspection by the candidates and/or filing by the NSS Archivist.
Plans: Begin solicitation of candidates for the 2007 election. Include in this list all write-in candidates whose eligibility has been confirmed with the NSS Office and all committee chairmen to the best of my ability.
Problems: None at this time.
Kelly Norwood chairman, 770-723-9040, Kelly_norwood@dnr.state.ga.us
Progress: The KWI has completed working on the Benchmark book, which features many of the ‘pioneering papers’ in karst science from the past 50 years and more. The book should be available through Speleobooks.
The annual KWI meeting was held directly before the banquet dinner. The NSS has been approved as a affiliate; however, the NSS is not yet posted on their "affiliates" page on the KWI web page. I will research this and try to get it posted before the Spring NSS Board meeting.
The KWI-sponsored "Climate Change, The Karst Record" conference was held on May 26-30, 2006, in Baile Herculane, Romania. They have finished publication of KWI Special Publication 10, "Climate Change, The karst Record IV Symposium Proceedings". For more information about the publication and ordering please see: http://www.karstwaters.org/publications/curpubslist.htm
Plans: The KWI is continuing with preparations and co-sponsoring the "Time in Karst" symposium, which is scheduled for March 14-18, 2007 in Postojna, Slovenia, at the Karst Research Institute. The conference will cover topics such as ‘Age of karst landscapes’, ‘Age of animal lineages’, ‘Cosmogenic dating methods’. ‘Historical biogeography’, ‘Paleokarst’, and ‘Sediment records’. Dr. David Culver is the contact person for this symposium. He is listed in the NSS Member’s Manual. More information is available at: http://www.karstwaters.org/timeinkarst/tikannouncement.htm
The KWI is also continuing with their plans and co-sponsoring the "International Conference on Karst Hydrology and Ecosystems (Karst2007)", on August 13-19, 2007, at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This conference includes papers on some of the latest studies in karst geology, hydrology, biology, etc. and will also serve as a joint meeting for four of the major international karst research entities: the UNESCO International Geoscience Program (IGCP) Project 513: Global Study of Karst Aquifers and Water
Resources; The International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Karst Commission; the International Geographical Union (IGU) Karst Commission; and the Union Internationale de Spéléologie Commission on Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis. Information about the conference can be found at: http://hoffman.wku.edu/karst2007/k2007.html
The KWI is also continuing with their plans and co-sponsoring the "Second Appalachian Karst Symposium", on September 12-15, 2007, in Johnson City, Tennessee. This symposium will focus on and foster communication related to karst systems in the Appalachian area of the United States. More information about the symposium can be found at: http://www.etsu.edu/physics/appkarst/
As always, my plans are to continue to forward all KWI information out to the NSS membership, and to promote open communication between NSS scientists (of which KWI persons are included) about their science projects. As soon as the conferences are announced, I will have the announcements posted on EPA conference, session, and continuing education web boards/lists.
Problems: None.
NSS/National Cave and Karst Research Institute Liaison:
Patricia E. Seiser NCKRI/NSS Liaison, pseiser@plateautel.net
Progress: Things are still in holding at NCKRI. However, three director candidates were interviewed during the past two weeks. The hope is that it will be possible to name the selected director at the Oct. 25 NCKRI Inc meeting to be held during the Geological Society of America (GSA) conference. If all goes well the new director will be on board sometime in January.
Plans: Once the new director is in place, it will be possible to develop a functioning working relationship between NCKRI and the NSS. It may still be months before anything begins to happen as NCKRI moves under day-to-day management of New Mexico Tech (NMT). Despite past events, I feel that it is essential that everyone maintain a positive attitude, NCKRI has the potential to do a lot for cave and karst stewardship, as long as we are willing to believe in its mission. Our support and partnership potentials are critical for NCKRI’s success as far as the caving community is concerned.
Problems: The need to bide our time…
Rane Curl, Liaison, Liaison,734-995-2678, ranecurl@umich.edu
Progress: The Liaison function is operating normally. An inquiry sent to TNC about caves in Washington was forwarded to me and both Heather Garland (TNC) and I were able to respond.
Plans: Heather Garland (TNC) has prepared a revision the the NSS-TNC MOU, which is being reviewed, and will be forwarded for board consideration in the not too distant future.
I have come to believe that the Web site I had maintained for the Liaison function is not particularly useful, and I will probably reduce it to solely a statement of the Liaison function and some links.
Problems: Nothing new.
Chairman (Vacant):
The Planning Committee does not have a chairman. The Society has not stood still during this period. Bill Klimack conducted a member survey and published a summary of the results in the NSS NEWS. Kathy Lavoie has agreed to serve on the committee, but is unable to serve as chairman. The President’s forum was held at the NSS convention in Bellingham, WA. The topic was "What will the NSS look like in the future?" The purpose of this forum was to start thinking about the future. The forum had 7 people on the panel, who presented comments on what the Society should be doing in the future. There were many good ideas, which will be summarized in a future president’s message. It is interesting to note that the conversation turned to membership. Membership is an important issue for the future of the Society.
Jay Jorden, Chairman, (214) 202-6611, jjorden@texoma.net
Committee Members: Matt Bowers, David McClurg, Jack Hissong, and Sandra Hissong.
Progress: The Public Relations Committee has continued to field information request from media organizations, prospective authors and others. We are seeking volunteer resources for updating content on the committee’s Web site. Other projects include working with the 2009 Congress Organizing Committee and the Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission.
Details: The committee has been drafting news releases on convention-related activities. Inquiries from several journalists and writers were answered. The committee provide information on conservation and safety.
Plans: The committee is finalizing a draft of a communications plan for the NSS. It includes working with the Awards Committee, board members and officers to raise awareness to members and to journals and organizations in the communities appropriate for each recipient. Channels include journals and other publications in science and conservation as well as government agencies and media representatives. A media response protocol for cave rescues will be included.
Problems: Please let me know of any specific PR concerns or needs.
Lee Stevens, lee_stevens@comcast.net
Progress: The draft minutes of the August 2006 Board of Governors meeting have been circulated. Sincere thanks go to Janet Thorne who served as Recording Secretary pro tem during the meeting.
Plans: Timely production of the Board of Governors meeting minutes. Draft and circulate an advertisement for the new voting system.
Problems: Although the design specifications for the new voting system for NSS Board of Governors meetings exist, its implementation is still in limbo since no advertisements for someone to build the system have been run.
Vince Kappler, 973-579-2116, vkappler@nac.net
One correction was made to an Act since my last report:
I was advised (and I confirmed through several sources) that Act 18-148, James G. Mitchell Fund, had the wrong middle initial for Mr. Mitchell. Act 18-148 was corrected as necessary in the Web version of the manual. My next mailing of manual updates will have this correction for all other versions of the manual. The corrected Act follows:
18-148 James G. Mitchell Fund 3-23-02, 11-18-72, 6-15-65
The purpose of the James G. Mitchell Fund is to provide income to the Society to be used as a cash award known as the James G. Mitchell Award. The James G. Mitchell Award was established in 1965 to be given for the best scientific paper presented at any of the sessions of the annual convention by a member (or members) of the Society 25 years old or younger who has applied or been recommended for the Award. Selection is made by the Awards Committee. The Fund was established by donors. The fund is managed as a temporarily restricted quasi-endowment fund. Annually the NSS withdrawals 5.5% of the Fund’s total value for this purpose. (See Attachment D of Appendix C in the Board of Governors Manual)
Table 6C, Certificate of Merit winners, was completely revamped. The list now includes a brief description of each recipients’ award winning activity. (Many thanks to Bill Mixon for the data.) The NSS Web pages have been updated and the new Table 6C will be included in my next mailing.
Plans: Prepare and circulate manual updates as quickly as possible.
Problems: None at this time.
Gordon Smith, Liaison, 812-945-5721, glstis@aol.com
Progress: Visited many show caves including: Cub Run Cave, Meramec Caverns, Fantastic Caverns, Talking Rocks, Marvel Cave and others. Also visited some former show caves including Old Spanish Cave (Reed Spring, Missouri), Sequiota Cave (Springfield, Missouri) and Mt. Aetna Caverns (Hagerstown, Maryland). Working with Indiana Grottoes re 2007 NSS Convention.
Plans: I will be representing the NSS at the annual NCA Convention and at the International Show Cave Convention both in Bermuda October 9th through 18th. Will continue working with the 2007 NSS Convention staff.
Problems: None that I am aware of.
Karen Dennis, chairman, 619-504-0306, kidennis@aol.com
Progress: Karen Dennis has been named the chair of the committee. Several pertinent comments have been made as to functions to include in the software requirements. Peri has transferred control of the main document to Karen and she is making changes.
Plans: The committee has no current plans, but one part of Karen's task is to set some deadlines.
Problems: None at this time.
10-13-06