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
Mike K. Hood
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368
(937) 252-2978
president@caves.org
There are 25 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:
I will continue to push the long-range planning of the NSS by
working with the Planning Committee to develop our 10-year plan.
I will stay engaged with the NSS Library Ad Hoc Committee (See Dave Luckins’ report). This is arguably one of the largest projects we’ve undertaken in the Society’s history.
As this is my last term as President, I will begin to get my records in order to pass along to the next President when my term ends at the 2002 NSS Convention.
PROGRESS:
Through the work of Tom Lera, eBay has changed its policy
concerning the sale of speleothems on their web site and now no
longer allow it.
Spoke at various grotto meetings and attended regional caving events.
Responded to various interview requests about caves, Karst, and the NSS.
The NSS Library Ad Hoc Committee is functioning under the leadership of Dave Luckins. His report sums up his goals and he is enthusiastically working this project. I suspect you’ll see this project move rather quickly, as well it should.
I contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to see if we could somehow assist with the rescue efforts in New York after the terrorist attack. I was told by FEMA that they had enough volunteers at that time (5000+) and also that they were only allowing those who were certified in confined space rescue to crawl through the rubble. None the less, FEMA did take my name and telephone number and promised to call me if they needed our help.
PROBLEMS:
Due to the terrorist attack, I was not allowed to travel to
attend the Fall Executive Committee meeting held in Ashburn,
Virginia, September 22, 2001. It’s this very nature of my
profession that led me to decide not to run for a third term as
President. I suspect my job will only get more interesting over
the next few weeks.
The satellite library to be located at the University of Puerto Rico (and part of the Memorandum of Resolution with Dr. Tom Miller) has hit a snag. Joel Stevenson’s Legal Committee Report explains the details.
Carol Zokiates (Liaison)
620 McDaniel Drive
Christianburg, VA 24073-3872
(540) 382-5437
zokaites@usit.net
Plans:
Karst poster in earth science week packets. Also, I will
continue to serve on the Earth Science Advisory committee (we
only meet once a year).
Progress:
Great Karst book and introduction to Karst science to
teachers across the country.
Problems:
None - This is a great partnership for the NSS.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-3259
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
Gordon L. Smith, Jr., Best Paper on a Show Cave Award
Linda Starr, Member at Large
Lee Stevens, Member at Large
George Veni, Science Award
Plans:
The committee encourages everyone to submit nominations.
Nominations are due by November 15, 2001. The committee is
developing new wording for the OS and HM award certificates.
Hopefully this will be implemented with the 2002 awards.
Progress:
The NSS 2001 awards were presented at the Kentucky
Convention. The list is attached. A power point presentation was
used to project photos of the recipients. The digital
presentation allows recipients to use prints, slides and digital
pictures. The power point program with photos is stored on a CD
for future reference. The call for 2002 nominations has been
submitted to the NSS News for the October issue.
Problems:
As always, good nominations are needed for all awards. Otherwise
no problems.
Awards presented at the 2001 NSS Convention. Honorary Member: Dr. Paul Williams Outstanding Service: Dave Jagnow (8177 CO, FE) Bicking Award: Phil Lucas, Virginia, ( 4820 Cm, FE) Conservation Award : Jim Nieland ( 7455 FE) Science Award: James Reddell (26195 FE) (Original number NSS 4897) Spelean Arts and Letters: Tom Rea (5683 OS, CM, FE) Certificate of Merit: Scott Fee NSS 19797 - Bringing the NSS Speleo Digest Series Up-to-Date VPI Grotto - Field Support to Document Karst Resources in Southwest Virginia at the request of area landowners. Randall Blackwood NSS 18101- Production of the Video "Caves, Critters, and Speleology." NSS Fellows 2001: Stan Allison (27656) Barbe Barker (33397) John Benton (10689) Sam Bono (24760) Jeff Bray (31706) John LaMar Cole (35457) Al Collier (14546) Joe Douglas (20059) Gary Fielden (27795) Stephen Fleming (13727) Dick Garnick (26101) Bill Greenwald (9146) Roger Haley (29236) Andy Harris (25342) Dave Haun (24672) Jill Heinerth (42907) Paul Heinerth (21481) Al Hughes (23724) Werner Jud (15377) Jean Krejca (33083) Dave Lester (33900) Bill Meyer (2354) Barbara Moss (13678) Tom Moss (22017) Andy Niekamp (29094) Randy Paylor (24524) Tom Pollock (19540) Merrilee Proffitt (19760) Julie Schenck (30493) Cyndie Walck (24176) Tim White (26949) Jim Wilson (27405) Hauer Spelean History Award: Robert H. Thompson (29476): Mitchell Award: Molly Jean White (48563)
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold NJ 07728-1628
(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
Working on Fall 2002. Have sent three packages. No answer as yet.
Fall 2001 - Phoenix, AZ
Spring 2002 - Dayton, OH
Summer 2002 - Camden Maine
No Problems.
Jim Borden (Chairman)
1604 Greensbrook Pl
Louisville KY 40205
502-253-9443
jimborden@attglobal.net
No report received.
Ted Kayes (Chairman)
8031 Whittington Dr
Richmond VA 23235
(H)(804) 272-4310
(W)(804) 346-3697
tckayes@richmond.infi.net
Plans:
The committee is preparing the annual fund raising letter. Last
year a member critically reviewed the 2000 letter, saying it was
poorly written and he would be available to assist. He will be
given an opportunity to do so. An inclosure to the fund raising
letter will be a Stash Your Cash form for those who may prefer
that method of payment.
Progress:
Bill Stringfellow and Cheryl Kayes devoted much of Convention to
the Stash Your Cash program. As their guidelines were informal,
though they checked most things with office staff personnel, some
of the 100+ members they signed up effectively asked too much of
the program; e.g., dues to be taken out before the Society would
have collected sufficient funds, etc.
Problems:
The Stash Your Cash program has to be formalized so that the
Society gets the benefit of an excellent means of fund raising.
Clearly, if it can be arranged so that members can pay their dues
while donating another $20 or $30 dollars each year, the NSS will
benefit.
A policy for how to manage this program is being worked on and will include the method of paying membership dues. I’m working with Scott Fee, Operations Vice President, on this.
Hazel Medville (Chairman)
11762 Indian Ridge Road
Reston VA 20191-3525
(703) 860-0134
Hazelm@patriot.net
Plans:
Activate the NSS NPS MOU. Get a copy of the NSS USFWS
MOU for Shelta Cave, Alabama. Review the progress reports from
the NPS/NSS/PU/ACCA Education project and the Conservation
Division in the AVP Department for government interactions;
attend the NCKMS in Tucson.
Progress:
The National Park Service MOU was sent to Washington by
Ron Kerbo just before the NSS convention. It was supposed to go
to the NSS the week after convention. Mike Hood did not receive
it. Ron Kerbo is trying to track it.
Problems:
The NPS MOU delays. I have not gotten the various NSS
committees, which also work with the US Government to carbon me
on their communications.
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 NSS
International Participation grant program and explaining the
selection criteria.
Progress:
The 13th International Congress of Speleology was held at the
National Convention Center in Brasilia, Brazil, July 15 - 22,
2001. Approximately 20 NSS members attended. The International
Secretary attended and served as the voting delegate of the NSS
at the Congress.
Following are the election returns for the International Union of Speleology (UIS) Bureau from the 13th Congress of Speleology:
President: Jose Ayrton Labegalini (Brazil)
VP (2): Andy Eavis (UK)
Alexander Klimchouk (Ukraine - honorary NSS)
Secretary General: Pavel Bosak (Czech Republic)
Adjunct Secretary (8): Roman Hapka (Swiss)
George Huppert (US - NSS)
Andrei Mihevc (Slovenia)
Fadi Nader (Lebanon)
Armstrong Osborne (Australia)
Lin-Hua Song (China)
Abel Vale (Puerto Rico - NSS)
Claude Mouret (France)
Athens, Greece, was selected as the location for the 2005, 14th International Congress. The following resolution was presented to the UIS congress and passed by vote (I was the only "no" vote) of 38 or the 39 voting delegates:
"1) The UIS urges all their Bureau members and National Delegates, that if they know of any expedition being organized aimed to foreign countries, to immediately contact and inform the National delegate of the target country.
"2) If a member of the UIS Bureau discovers a violation of its Code of Ethics regarding a foreign expedition, it will contact the delegate of the expedition's country of origin suggesting that the expedition findings and reports shall not be accepted in their official publications, nor shall they be accepted in any UIS sponsored publication or event.
"3) For expeditions organized by countries of high speleological development to countries of lower speleological development, the expedition group shall do its best to offer transfer of knowledge and promote local speleological activity."
Also, answered various correspondence addressed to international secretary or sent to NSS relating to international issues.
Problems:
None.
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:
[1] I will be available to advise as needed concerning the
University of Puerto Rico matter.
[2] I will continue to monitor the Members Manuel matter and will
be available as needed.
[3] I will advise the representative of Snowshoe Mountain to seek
the advice of West Virginia counsel and will suggest that she
have that counsel contact me for additional information.
Progress:
There has been another unauthorized use of the Members
Manual, this time by a real estate agent in Georgia. Don Paquette
has sent her a strongly worded cease and desist letter with a
deadline for her reply. If she does not give a satisfactory
response I will contact the supervising broker in her office. If
necessary, I will investigate the advisability of legal action.
I have received an inquiry from a representative of Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort concerning advice on liability issues in connection with an "adventure caving" program that they plan to implement. I will advise her to seek the advice of West Virginia counsel and will suggest that she have that counsel contact me for additional information. The inquiry was directed to me by the NSS Office.
Problems:
[1] The proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the University
of Puerto Rico concerning the establishment of a satellite
library at the University has been returned by the University.
They have made substantial changes in the MOU as authorized by
the Board. Their changes, in legal effect, are a rejection of our
offer and a counter offer by them.
I have provided the Vice President for Operations with a discussion of the changes. In a nutshell, the changes are unacceptable and we have the option of treating them as a rejection and telling the University to take it or leave it, or we can try to agree on mutually satisfactory wording - if they will do that.
[2] The unauthorized use of the Manual will become a problem if we do not get a satisfactory and timely response.
Roswell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh PA 15237-1036
(H)(412) 367-3522
wrj4822@sgi.net
The voting machine will be in Phoenix for the next board meeting. And if all goes well I will be there with it. I have just started to drive long distances.
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT 06498-7809
Colin Gatland: Canada, TX, OK
Ernie Coffmans: 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:
Grottos are still showing up at IMAX showings of
"Amazing Caves" And providing literature. The committee
still plans on working with the I/O committee to gather
information for the 2002 reports.
Progress:
N/A
Problems:
Still need coverage for the Kentucky / Ohio area.
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
Progress:
The 2001 NCKMS is on schedule for Oct 15-19 in Tucson. The NSS is
again a co-sponsor of the symposium. Many thanks to Arizona and
New Mexico cavers who are providing significant organizational
support to the USFS, the Symposium hosts.
Vacant
Connie Hillenbrand is being nominated to chair this committee and is on the agenda for confirmation.
Vacant
NSS/National Cave and Karst Research Institute LIAISON Committee:
Dr. Penelope J. Boston (Chairman)
7097 Redwing Place
Longmont, CO 80503
(W)(303) 530-2661
pboston@complex.org
Plans:
The NSS liaison with the National Cave and Karst
Research Institute is slowly shaping up. I am in continuous
contact with Zelda Chapman Bailey, NCKRI Director. She is
providing us with all monthly reports and working group meeting
minutes. We have discussed three separate areas of cooperation
and collaboration over the past few months.
Progress:
The first area of NSS/NCKRI potential
collaboration, library matters, has now been taken up by others
more central to the NSS library collection. The second,
recommendations for a science issues panel, is under active
development. The third activity, formation of a science advisory
task force to produce a white paper dealing with cave science
issues and the context of speleological studies in the overall
context of the scientific community is also under active
development. I attended one of the working group meetings this
past year and plan to attend the first one of the next calendar
year.
Problems:
The only problems we are currently having involve
recruiting and scheduling participation of potential task force
members. The proposed face to face first meeting of the forming
white paper task force has been put on indefinite hold until we
have a better idea of the feasibility of air travel under the new
national circumstances. We have decided to go ahead and begin to
work on the task force issues by electronic means to hammer out a
preliminary strawman agenda.
If my travel plans don’t get changed by world events, I plan to meet with Ms. Chapman Bailey at the NSS Office on October 26th.
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)
Our plans remain the same (eternal...): to respond to inquiries and provide information related to NSS-TNC cooperation.
After some delay because of the move of the NSS web server and local problems with computer equipment, the nss/tnc site is about to return to the web.
We are working through the sudden greatly increased job responsibilities of Tina Hall (TNC liaison to NSS, my counterpart) with TNC.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold NJ 07728-1628
(H)(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
Curently developing data on Current library location. Will forward to Dave Luckins when complete.
Expanding sections and tasks for NSS 2010.
No Problems.
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)
No report received.
Lee Stevens
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn VA 20147
No report received.
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton NJ 07860-5371
(H)(973) 579-2116
vkappler@nac.net
Plans:
I will continue to work on a new manual index and section
title page to reflect the changes that I have made over the past
year. I will phase them in over several mailings to minimize
cost.
Progress:
The manual revision for the July meeting was mailed on September
15, 2001. The update was 53 pages that included a completely
reformatted and cleaned up Appendix C. The revised manual takes
less time to prepare and saves considerable postage.
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.
Four manuals were printed and mailed to the new members of the Board.
Problems:
None.
Gordon Smith (Chairman)
9850 N Skyline Dr
Floyds Knobs IN 47119
Home & Work: (812) 945-5721
Fax: (812) 945-6891
glstis@aol.com
Plans:
Attend the National Caves Association Annual Convention
in Chattanooga in October.
Progress:
Nothing specific to report, too busy this summer to get around to
very many other show caves.
Problems:
None that I am aware of.
YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE:
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis IN 46256
(H)(317) 841-0687
No report received.
BOARD MEETING SYSTEMS AD HOC COMMITTEE:
Lee Stevens (Chairman)
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147
No report received.
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
No changes from the last report. The court date is October 10, 2001.
NSS LICENSE PLATE AD HOC COMMITTEE:
Phil Roke (Chairman)
(H)(540) 752-1148
(W)(202) 366-5884
proke@hotmail.com
I'm still working on the computer problem. I expect to have data by the next reporting cycle. Sorry for the delay.
Dave Luckins (Chairman)
3683 Oakleaf Dr
West Bloomfield MI 48324
(810) 575-1521 (work)
dave.luckins@gm.com
Plans (for 2001):
1. Develop clearly defined Committee Objectives (complete by
OTR)
2. Define key committee personnel (complete by Fall Board)
3. Initiate Requirement Definition Process (initial rough draft
by 12-31)
4. Develop and Publish High Level Timing Plan (circulate for
committee review by 11-15)
Plans (for 2002):
1. Complete High Level Requirement Definition Process and hold
public discussions at convention
2. Refine Requirements based on public discussions
3. Complete Site Requirements Study (have location
recommendations ready)
4. Initiate Funding Studies based on refined Requirements.
5. Obtain Preliminary Board Approval to Proceed (Fall Meeting?)
Plans (for 2003):
1. Final Requirements Defined
2. Final Board Approval (Summer Meeting?)
3. Site Selection Complete
4. Initiate Funding Efforts
5. Construction Plans ready for review
6. Site Preparation
Progress (for 2001):
1. Objective Defined (Attachment 1 to this report)
2. Some key committee personnel in place (attachment 2 to this report). This is an on-going activity and the list presented in this report will be out-of-date by the Board Meeting. Caving Digest and NSS NEWS ad will have appeared seeking a member architect and member general contractor to serve as. Actively seeking a member with skills in defining "site requirements" and in defining a "site selection process." As you can imagine, we will need to work through this discussion in logical, non-emotional, manner. I’d like to have a NSS member who is a professional in this arena, on the committee, to guide the process.
Problems:
None. The key task at the moment is to find skilled motivated
members willing to take on the effort. Project
seems to be well received.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL K. HOOD
President,
National Speleological Society, Inc.
Attachment 1
Objectives
The objectives of the Library Ad Hoc committee shall be:
1. Assess the suitability of expanding the NSS Library.
2. If expansion is desirable, develop appropriate detailed scenarios for Board of Governors selection and approval.
3. Work with, and solicit input from, the Operations Vice President, Library Committee, Planning Committee, and National Speleological Foundation.
4. Lead the implementation of Board of Governors approved plan.
Attachment 2
Library Ad Hoc Committee Personnel
Requirements Team |
Execution Team |
Methods and Communication Team (Trackers) |
|||
| Participant | Functions | Participant | Functions | Participant | Functions |
| Gurnee, Jeanne | Scheltens, John | Pollock, Tom | Planning | ||
| Downy, Richard | Librarian | Jagnow, David | Funding | Luckins, Dave | Chairman |
| Davis, Emily | |||||
| Hobbs, Horton | |||||
Last Revision: 08/17/2001