Attachment B

National Speleological Society, Inc.
Executive Vice President's Report

9/17/2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY *
(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE *
(2) AAAS REP- BIOLOGY *
(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY *
(4) AGI DELEGATE *
(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE *
(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE *
(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE *
(8) SPELEO DIGEST *
(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE *
(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES *
(11) NSS NEWS *
(12) MEMBERS MANUAL *
(13) BIENNUAL REPORT *
(14) PERMISSION TO REPRINT *

ATTACHMENTS
B-1

INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY

There are thirteen committees, and publications etc, in the Department of the Executive Vice President (EVP). A fourteenth item has been added here to cover permissions to reprint from NSS publications.

Progress:
The AAAS team is developing an article for the NEWS about the AAAS and the NSS's relationship with it. Harvey DuChene is working on getting speleology represented in a new high school environmental textbook. The process of replacing the Journal editor has started. Louise will continue to be very active with the editing to insure a smooth transition. Dave McClurg will be stepping down as Special Pubs chair, but desires to remain on the committee as a member concentrating on ad development.

Plans:
I still plan on trying to clarify the various scientific grant programs once I understand them.

Problems:
None, other than the 28-hour day has not been invented. My main concern is the upcoming budget problems that I anticipate with increased insurance costs and not wanting to decrease member services.

Respectfully submitted,
Don Paquette speleo@reliable-net.net

(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE

Bill Putnam (Chairman)
1865 Eagle Summit Ct
Lawrenceville GA 30043-6669
(phone) 678-234-0566
(fax) 770-682-5536
(e-mail) putnam@scci.org

Committee Members (ACA 99-01 Reviewers):
Richard Breisch
Diane Cousineau
George Dasher
John Gookin
Kris Green
Dave Hughes
Buddy Lane
Anmar Mirza
John Punches

Progress:
ACA 1999-2001 was delivered to the membership in July 2003. There were 11,050 copies printed, with 9,819 mailed domestically, 326 mailed to foreign addresses, 50 copies delivered to the Editor, and the balance delivered to Huntsville for the bookstore. The copies delivered to the editor are used in correspondence with known and potential information sources including rescue teams and cave managers, as well as for potential advertisers.

Total expense for publication and distribution of the 1999-2001 issue was $10,954.27. The budgeted amount for the issue was $10,500.00. The overage of $454.27 was due to increases in postage rate and membership.

A final invoice in the amount of $7,946.74 for printing and mailing services was submitted by EBSCO Media and was approved for payment. Express mail charges for shipping photographs and manuscripts totaled $96.33. Domestic postage was $2,528.61 and foreign postage was $382.59, for a total postage cost of $2,911.20. There is a balance of $382.59 in our postage account with the USPS at the Birmingham entry point.

I am now working on the manuscript for the 2002 issue to be published at the end of this year. The file contains 30 reported caving incidents, 4 cave-diving incidents, 8 caving-related incidents, and 8 prior-year previously unreported incidents. I expect the issue to be 32 pages, including cover.

The 2003 file contains 23 caving incidents and one cave diving incident to date.

Plans:
Publish ACA 2002 in December.

Problems:
None

(2) AAAS REP- BIOLOGY

Kathleen Lavoie
101 Hudson Hall
Plattsburgh State University of New York
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(work)518-564-3150
(home)518-562-1154
(fax) 518-564-3152
(e-mail) lavoekh@plattsburgh.edu

Progress:
I completed the proposed article for the NSS News (attached). Waiting for feedback from Dan Chess.

Plans:
Will participate in visioning activity for NCKRI (October 4-5 2003).

Problems:
None

(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY

Daniel L Chess
19 Tavano Road
Ossining, NY 10562
(home) 914-945-2479 tieline 862
(e-mail) DLCHESS@us.ibm.com

Progress:
The AAAS Annual meeting is in Seattle, Washington from February 12 to February 16. The Geology Section Business meeting is 12 PM on February 13. If anyone has any ideas for a session please contact me.

Plans:
I finalized my travel arrangements for the AAAS Annual meeting.

Problems:
None

(4) AGI DELEGATE

Harvey R. DuChene
7216 East Bentley Circle
Englewood, CO 80112
(home) 303-694-3472
(work) 303-292-0949 x101
(fax) 303-292-3901
(e-mail) hduchene@earthlink.net

American Geological Institute Representative's Report

Progress:
In my last report, I informed the Board that AGI has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop an environmental science textbook for high-school students over the next three years. The new textbook, Environmental Science: Understanding our Changing Earth, will be written in collaboration with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), and high-school teachers, It will focus on the relationship between humans and their geological surroundings. In my last report, I noted that the tentative table of contents for the book did not mention karst and caves. Since that time, Barbara Moss has attended planning meetings for the book. Thanks to the efforts of Barbara and other NSS members, AGI has agreed to incorporate information about caves and karst in the text. Amy Bern, NSS Education Division Chief, is in the process of forming an Ad Hoc Committee of NSS scientists and educators to review pertinent chapters as they are prepared. I have agreed to serve on this committee; Barbara Moss, Doug Medville, George Veni, Geary Schindel, Hazel Barton and Paul Burger have also been invited. Recent outlines of the text contain examples of cave- and karst-related features and problems, such as sinkholes, karst hazards, water quality and waste disposal. The author of the text is Travis Hudson, with whom I have an excellent working relationship.

George Veni recently attended a karst seminar in Guatamala and reports that he has received several inquiries expressing a desire for a Spanish version of Living with Karst. Cynthia Perera, of the International Affairs Office of the Department of the Interior, was at the seminar and said she might be able to get the booklet translated. Jason Pielemeier with USAID, who is stationed in Guatemala, organized the karst seminar, and on a daily basis witnesses the need for the information. George is presently communicating with AGI regarding the feasibility of producing a Spanish language version of the book, and is investigating sources of funding for the publication.

Plans:
The next AGI meetings will be held on November 3-5 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in Seattle, Washington. Joan Mylroie will attend the Member Society Council meeting on my behalf.

Problems:
None

(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

C. William (Bill) Steele, NSS 8072, Chairman
1716 Glen Valley Dr
Irving TX 75061
(home) 972-785-2422
(e-mail) Oksteele@aol.com

Committee Members
Dave Black, NSS 15419, Indiana
Don Broussard, NSS 9514, Texas
Jim Chester, NSS 6946, Montana
Scott Davis, NSS 15937, Arizona
Tom Shifflett. NSS 14207, Virginia
Jim Smith, NSS 14529, Georgia

Progress:
One $250 Sara Corrie Fund Grant awarded to Bluegrass Grotto, Louisville, Kentucky, to purchase cave survey gear, August 2003.   One grant request denied in period due because it was not to aid cave exploration, September 2003. Others under consideration by the committee. Chairman considering adding a member to the committee.

Plans:
To continue as we have been.

Problems:
None

(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

Joel Despain
HCR 89 Box 211
Three Rivers CA 93271
(day) 559-565-3717
(evening) 559 561-4972
(e-mail) joeldespain@wildmail.com

Committee members:
Carol Vesely
Kevin Downey
Cyndie Walck
Rebercca Jones

Progress:
One grant was given this summer — $300 to Dr. William Halliday for work in Gilf Kebir, Egypt. This was the second grant of the year. The remaining budget for the rest of this fiscal year is only $350.

The Committee met for the first time at the NSS Convention. Significant progress was made on grant criteria, the web page, and operating procedures for grant approvals, and additional fund raising to endow the fund further.

Plans:
More of the same

Problems:
None

(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Donald A. McFarlane
Associate Professor,
W. M. Keck Science Center, The Claremont Colleges
925 North Mills Avenue
Claremont CA 91711-5916 USA
(phone) 909-607-2564
(fax) 909-621-8588
(email) dmcfarla@jsd.claremont.edu
(web pages) http://jsd.claremont.edu/faculty/mcfarlane/index.htm
Extinct Mammals of the West Indies Website:
http://jsd.claremont.edu/bio/extinct/extinctmammals/
National Speleological Society Research Advisory Committee:
http://jsd.claremont.edu/bio/nss/

Committee Members:
Joyce Lundberg PhD
Joe Troester PhD
William White PhD
Donald Davis

Progress:
There are no updates since my summer report; except to say we have one grant application under consideration.

Plans:
Continue

Problems:
None

(8) SPELEO DIGEST

Scott Fee
PO Box 380473
Birmingham, AL 35238-0473
(home) 205-914-7487
scottfee@caves.org

2001 Digest
Editorial Team
Mark & James Adler (Editors)
Tom Rea - Layout
Julie Morgan - Proofreader

(In Capital Budget)

Progress:
The selection is complete (based on the materials we have been given). We have scanned approximately 2/3 of the articles, clipart, and accompanying graphics. About 2/3 of what we have scanned has already been sent to Tom for final proofing and layout.

Plans:
We plan to have the rest of the materials scanned and sent to Tom by mid-October (end of October at the latest).

Problems:
We have had difficulty getting response from some of the grottos and original authors (typical problem). We continue to solicit items (especially photographs and maps) and will let you, Scott, know of specific problems with which we need assistance. Tom has indicated that, due to many other commitments, he is unsure about when he will actually be able to complete the layout.

2003 Digest

(Not In Capital Budget)

Progress:
Two Internet based ads have been circulated to identify an editorial team for the 2003 Speleo Digest.

Plans:
Find a qualified volunteer to lead the 2003 team.

Problems:
The size of the project intimidates most potential candidates.

(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

David McClurg
104 Graves Ct
Vallejo CA 94591
(Phone and Fax) 707-642-5528
(e-mail) dmcclurg@planeteria.net or dmcclurg@value.net

Tom Rea (Committee Member) ( tomrea@ccrtc.com )
Gale McCoy (Committee Member) ("gmccoy"< tmathey@concentric.net >)
Janet McClurg (Committee Member) ("jmcclurg"< dmcclurg@planeteria.net >)

BOOKS IN PROGRESS

The Taming of the Slough––
The Exploration of Peacock Springs

Sheck Exley

Edited and Expanded by Sandra Poucher

Progress:
Final corrections received from the editor have all been made with the exception of one item and one photograph.

Plans:
By the time this report is published, we expect to have completed the last couple of changes and to have sent final corrected layouts to the editor. We also should have received the final OK on the corrected layouts by then. If all goes well, the book should be completed in time for sale before the Christmas holidays.

Also, we’ll be sending two complete printouts of this book’s layouts—including the color covers and 16 page color section—to the two library review journals: Booklist and the Library Journal. See the section below under Book Promotions for more details and other promotional planned items.

Problems:
None.

Techniques of Cave Conservation and Restoration

Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Editors

Progress:
All materials except for a few final illustrations have been received for this book. Layouts for about 40% of the book have been completed. The remainder is being prepared now.

Plans:
We expect to complete the production of the book have printed copies before the end of the year. Promotional plans include a mailing of layouts to the two library journals and other items similar to those shown below under Book Promotions.

Problems:
None.

NCRC Rescue Seminar Manual

Members of the NCRC

Progress:
No news had been received since our last report, but we understand that the project is at a temporary standstill and a new editor is being selected.

Plans:
It all depends on the progress made by the cave rescue folks.

Problems:
As stated earlier, we can’t establish a budget for this book––whether it’s to be printed conventionally or using the newer Print-On-Demand technology––until we get an accurate character count and the number of illustrations.

General Comments—Committee Matters

I had stated earlier that for reasons of advancing age (I’ll be 74 in October) and minor health problems I would probably wish to step down as chairman of this committee when the books now in production are completed. My hope would be to remain as a committee member, primarily to continue to design and layout the ads and promotional items for NSS books and symbolic devices that I’ve been doing for many years.

(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES

Louise D. Hose (Editor)
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
1400 University Drive
Carlsbad NM 88220
(work) 505-234-5561
(home) 505-234-2972
(e-mail) LHose@cemrc.org

James A. Pisarowicz (Production Editor)
Wind Cave National Park SD 57747
(home) 605-673-5582
(work) 605-745-4600
(e-mail) pisarowi@gwtc.net

BOARD OF EDITORS
Steven Taylor (Life Sciences)
Julian Lewis (Conservation)
Vacant (Exploration)
Greg McDonald (Paleontology)
Ira D. Sasowsky (Earth Sciences/Journal Index)
Marion O. Smith (Social Sciences)
Patty Jo Watson (Anthropology)
Ernst Kastning (Book Reviews)

ADVISORY BOARD
Malcolm Field
John Ganter
Chris Groves
Dave Jagnow
Donald McFarlane
Diana Northup
Art Palmer
William White

Progress:
Volume 65, number 2 (August 2003) currently (0/9/03) sits at the printer and will be mailed a couple of weeks late. This resulted from several temporary problems, including the Production Editor dealing with a broken wrist and the busy summer season for NPS employees. The August issue includes advertisements for a new Editor and a new Associate Editor for Exploration. Two people have expressed interest in helping as Editor on a temporary basis, but I am not aware of anyone willing to take the job on permanently. One well-qualified person has already expressed interest in the Exploration editor position. Work has begun on the December issue.

Scientists within the Society have received the news that the Journal has been accepted into the ISI database with great enthusiasm.

Plans:
I will continue to work with EVP Don Paquette to identify a new Editor and transition out of the job. Everything currently seems on track for the December issue. I hope to have my name off the masthead immediately following the December issue and that the next report will come from a new editor.

Problems:
Financial reports continue to lag months behind expenditures, making it difficult to track on my budget. It appears that production costs (probably paper?) have skyrocketed this year and will almost certainly exceed the amount budgeted. Considering the importance of the Journal (see Will White’s editorial this issue) and its recent recognition by ISI, the board needs to find a way to more strongly provide financial support to this critical part of the Society’s triad mission.

It currently appears that finding a new editor will present a significant challenge. Like several other elements within our Society, the NSS has moved into more and more professional activity but relies of poorly supported volunteers to sustain the efforts. The Journal has a long history of constituting one of the Society’s most fundamental and important products. Much of the Society’s recognition and international standing as more than a hobbists’ club has derived from the Journal/Bulletin. The Journal’s recent achievement of inclusion into the ISI database marks a major milestone for the NSS. It is imperative that the board step forward and find the support necessary to help the Journal continue to thrive. That will almost certainly mean continuing to expand the production budget to meet inflationary expenses and dramatically increasing the financial support for the two primary editors, particularly the grossly under-supported Production Editor.

(11) NSS NEWS

Dave Bunnell
PO Box 879
Angels Camp CA 95222
(e-mail) dbunnell@caltel.com

Committee members:

Conservation
Jim & Val Hildreth-Werker
PO Box 207
Hillsboro NM 88042-0207
(phone) 505-895-5050
(e-mail) werks@att.net

In the Media
Bill Klimack
15B Wilson Rd
West Point NY 10996
(ph9ne) 845-446-5336
(e-mail) BKlimack@aol.com

Technology Reviews
Michael Fraley
(e-mail) cheshire@prairienet.org

Newsletter Review
Bernie Szukalski
1224 Mira Monte Dr
Redlands CA 92373-6542
(phone) 909-798-5986
(e-mail) bszukalski@esri.com

Spelean Spotlight
Bill Steele
(e-mail) oksteele@aol.com

Science of Speleology
Prof. Greg Springer
Department of Geological Sciences
316 Clippinger Labs
Ohio University
Athens OH 45701
(e-mail) laramide@bedrockstreams.org

Techniques & Safety
Dan McConnell
(phone) 540-774-5342
(e-mail) threecavrs@aol.com

Progress:
I'd say "no change" since my last, except that I have scrounged some features and we will have one for October after all.

Plans:
Continue

Problems:
None

(12) MEMBERS MANUAL

Gordon Birkhimer, NSS 42778
45372 Woodlawn Dr
California Maryland 20619
(phone) 301-862-4619
(e-mail) birkhimergl@navair.navy.mil

Committee Members:
Meredith Johnson - Proofreader
Bob Hoke - Database Manager
Melody Eady - Layout and Design
Keith Wheeland - I/O
Evelyn Bradshaw - I/O
Stephanie Searles - Members Listing
David Taylor - Survey Information
Phil Winkler - Database

Progress:
The MM Committee will consist of the same people. Meredith Hall Johnson will be the proofreader, Bob Hoke will be the database manager, and Melody Eady will perform the layout and design.

Bob and I are in the process of preparing professional packages to solicit bids from printers. When all bids have been received from the interested printers, we will officially award the contract for printing to the company with the best offer. The "best" offer will be based on price, quality, and turn-around time. We feel this process will be an improvement over last year because it will be more orderly and fair.

I have begun gathering information for advertising, which I think we can sell more of. Also, I sent you the information and cost ($80.00 per edition) of copyrights if you want to bring that up for group discussion.

Plans:
Our goal this year is to get an earlier start in order to get the MM completed and in the members hands before Convention. We'll probably start requesting information in January, so we can meet our schedule.

Problems:
None

(13) BIENNUAL REPORT

Bert Ashbrook
107 Avonbrook Rd
Wallingford PA 19086-6001
(phone) 610-627-2378
(e-mail) caveman@craftech.com

Progress:
No change since last report

Plans:

Problems:

(14) PERMISSION TO REPRINT

Don Paquette
NSS EVP
3530 Moulton Rd
Martinsville IN 46151
(phone) 765-349-0211
(fax) 765-349-0356
(e-mil) speleo@reliable-net.net

The following permissions/contacts/non-permissions were made for reprinting NSS copyrighted materials and release of NSS Member information:

9/22/03