Attachment A-1
Table of Contents:
President's Report
AGI Outreach Liaison
Awards Committee
Board Arrangements Committee
Bylaws Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Government Liaison Committee
Grants Committee
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
Spring Hill Cave Lawsuit Ad
Hoc Committee
NSS Library Infrastructure Ad
Hoc Committee
2009 International Congress Bid
Ad Hoc Committee
Scott Fee
(phone) 205-437-9076
(e-mail) president@caves.org
There are 24 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 chairman of each committee or organization, followed by their reports. The committee and sub-committee chairmen 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 chairman, please refer to the NSS Members Manual or go to: http://www.caves.org/nss-business/bog/table-4d.html#President
Alternatively, you may contact me directly and I will furnish you with the appropriate contact information.
Plans:
Per the October 2003 NSS Board directive, the Government Liaison
Committee and the Legal Committee had been developing a
"proposal" for the possible loaning of some of the NSS
Library books to the NCKRI. In consideration of the Huntsville
Library Development Commission report, the Congress of Grottoes
resolution, and the Friends of the Library petition, I have
prepared a motion for the agenda to clarify the Board’s
intention.
Another $5,000 matching grant for Great-X is in the works.
We recently received a generous, yet unusual donation of 30 high-end cell phones. I have found a volunteer to test the eBay market for one of each kind.
I am relocating back to Birmingham, Alabama.
Progress:
I have continued to manage the new process whereby I am posting
Board Motions as they are placed on the draft agenda to the NSS
Forum (Discussion Board). This gives the membership more time to
review proposals and comment on them if they are so inclined.
A "President’s Message" appeared in the September NSS News. Tom Rea posted the PDF file to the NSS Business web page.
The Great Expectations Cave pledge page (www.greatx.caves.org) is up to $71,000 (36%) as of September 13th. Over $5,000 was raised at convention in addition to Dick Blenz’s $5,000 matching grant. The NSS News is running a monthly graphic depicting a caver crawling toward the end of the tunnel (paying off the debt). The survey of the property was completed. As we anticipated, the cave entrance was very close to the southern boundary. The adjacent landowner has verbally agreed to the suggested boundary modification and Bob Montgomery is currently pursuing a revised deed to complete the legalities.
In addition to the monthly meeting of the Central Indiana Grotto (CIG), I have attended the following caver functions during this reporting period: Dayton Underground Grotto’s Wormfest, Quarterly meeting of the Indiana Karst Conservancy (IKC), and the CIG/IKC Picnic.
Ad Hoc Committees:
Jim Olsen resigned from the NSS Office Software Ad Hoc Committee.
Per the August Board meeting, the 2009 International Congress Bid Ad Hoc Committee was created with John Moses and George Veni as co-chairmen.
Problems:
The Internet postings for both the Fund Raising Chairman and
Membership Chairman have no responses.
Nothing more than what life throws at you! (In August I accepted a new position whereas I would relocate back to Birmingham, Alabama. The initial move is expected to be completed the weekend of September 20th. Finding a more permanent place to live and subsequent moving is expected to occur no earlier than January.)
Carol Zokiates (Liaison)
(phone) 540-382-5437
(e-mail) zokaites@usit.net
Plans:
to stay in touch with the AGI group.
Progress:
The NSS and Project Underground worked together to have a karst
activity in this years Earth Science Week Teacher's Guide. The
"Sinkholes In a Cup" activity is a hands-on lesson that
shows how sinkholes are formed. NSS web pages were included as
additional resources. Many thanks to Amy Bern who made this
happen. Amy attended the outreach education committee meeting
which was held in Denver.
Problems:
none
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
(phone) 765-778-3259
(e-mail) wtozer@aol.com
Committee Members:
Barbara am Ende, Gale Beach, Evelyn Bradshaw, Bill Bussey, Donald
G. Davis, Michael Dyas, Scott Fee, Dr. Daniel Fong, Jeanne Hill,
Dr. Cato O. Holler, Jr., Mike K. Hood, Roy Jameson, Pat Kambesis,
Charles V. Larson, William Mixon, G. Thomas Rea, Geary M.
Schindel, Gordon L. Smith, Jr., Linda Starr, Lee Stevens, Dr.
George Veni
Progress:
The NSS 2003 awards were presented at the Porterville Convention.
The list of recipients 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 2004 nominations has been
submitted to the NSS News for the September issue.
Plans:
The committee encourages everyone to submit nominations.
Nominations are due by November 15, 2003. 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.
Awards presented at the 2003 NSS Convention:
Honorary Member: James R. Goodbar (9715)
Outstanding Service: Hazel E. Medville (8772)
Lew Bicking Award: Jim Chester (6946)
Conservation Award: Larry King (31508)
Science Award: Dr. Paolo Forti (46644)
Spelean Arts and Letters: George Dasher, NSS 16643
Certificate of Merit:
1) Nashville Grotto for "Effort to Save Spencer Mountain
Caves."
2) Annette and Mark Long for "Relief from Mining Impacts to
Manatee Spring Cave."
3) Peter Bosted for "Work in Mapping Lilburn Cave,
California."
2003 NSS Fellows:
Bob Alderson 14667
Mark Bowers 28911
Faye Bowersox 33828
Rick Bowersox 19885
Bambi Dunlap 31728
Annette Engel 31319
Joey Fagan 10666
Brian Galbraith 38821
Kevin Harris 16868
Eric Hendrickson 43633
Bob Jefferys 16516
Peter Jones 11412
Jo Ellen Kimmel 23605
Rick Lambert 12496
Brian Leavell 21862
Roger Mortimer 26529
Bill Overton 40961
Bob Pape 13765
Megan Porter 38171
Andy Reeder 27559
Pat Shaw 15815
Mark Skove 35896
Jerry Trout 4279
Mike Warner 27876
Jim West 35652
Clarence Williams 16992
The Peter M. Hauer Spelean History Award winner is Dan Snyder, NSS 27181.
The James G. Mitchell award went to Katie Schneider, NSS
52155.
Mike Hood (Interim Chairman)
(e-mail) mhood@caves.org
Plans:
I plan to continue to contact internal organizations about
hosting meetings. I’ll do this via e-mail, articles, posts
in e-mail groups and message boards (i.e. Cavers Digest), and
regular mail. I’m developing a database to help me keep
track of the meetings, hosts, and contacts. I’m also
developing a database of potential hosts. I’m also looking
to appoint another member to the committee, mainly to operate the
committee while I’m in the Middle East for four months (Nov
03 to Mar 04).
Progress:
An article about hosting meetings will be in the October NSS
News. I’ve also posted messages in various e-mail
groups and the NSS Discussion Board. I’ve received replies
from three internal organizations about possibly hosting the Fall
2004 or Spring 2005 meetings. I’ve also been contacted by a
grotto for information about hosting a future meeting, but no
specific time or year has been indicated. I’ve contacted the
hosts for the Fall 2003, Spring 2004, Summer 2004 and Fall 2005
meetings to let them know of my appointment and offer any
assistance they may require.
Problems:
My four-month deployment to the Middle East will be a minor
problem. However, I’ll have e-mail there and I hope to have
another committee member to assist in running the committee
during my time there.
Tom Rea (Chairman)
(phone) 765-653-4423
(e-mail) tomrea@caves.org
Progress:
No bylaws were presented for review.
Plans:
Respond when my cage is rattled.
Problems:
None.
Vacant
Progress:
The Great X shirts were delivered to convention. A 35-foot-long
map was displayed along with various posters. The Dick Blenz
$5,000 matching grant was met without considering the NSS Auction
Proceeds. John Sheltens created a plaque to be awarded to every
donor who contributes at least $1,000.
NSS Member Dave Hughes has donated 30 cellular phones in their original packaging to the NSS. He has stipulated that all the proceeds to the "NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund."
Plans:
Make NSS members more aware of the "Buy a vertical foot of
Great X campaign," the new $5,000 matching grant, and
advertise the complimentary Great X T-shirt for those who
contribute $100 or more.
I am working with the OVP to place one phone of each type on eBay so we can see how to price this product. NSS Member Bobby Hopkins has offered his expertise in the cellular phone industry in addition to eBay. Once we have sold one of each model, we can decide how to fund-raise the remaining units.
Problems:
No responses to date to this vital volunteer position.
Hazel Medville (Chairman)
(phone) 703-860-0134
(e-mail) Hazelm@patriot.net
Progress:
Three National Parks Service staff members took advantage of the
complimentary Convention day pass offered by the Government
Liaison Committee. The NCKRI Director asked that the plans for an
MOU and any library negotiations be shelved until NCKRI has
better defined its mission and goals.
Plans:
I plan to attend the NCKRI Vision Workshop October 5-6 in
Shepardstown, West Virginia.
Next year the committee will sponsor a lunch time activity rather than a session to allow the government cave specialists a chance to meet cavers and answer questions. Attendance at the panel session has been light for the last several years. I don't know whether I'll send out invitations to national and local level supervisors for convention day passes.
While NCKRI defines its mission and goals under the new Director, there will be no action on the NCKRI MOU or library. I don't expect any action in this area before late winter.
Problems:
None.
Donna Cobb, Interim Chairman
(phone) 205-987-0872
(e-mail) dndcobb@bellsouth.net
Committee Member: Jennifer Pinkley, 931-425-6972, jpinkley@vallnet.com
Plans:
We are continuing to research possible foundation funding.
We have requested multiple foundation, government organization, and granting bodies applications and are ready to go when we obtain the required information.
We are currently working with a professional graphic designer to develop a marketing package folder and/or brochure to supplement the existing NSS literature in an effort to introduce and market the Society to foundations and granting organizations.
The Grant Committee continues to grow with the addition of several experienced grant writers.
The viable funding opportunities are:
We are currently organizing our "attack" to fund any or all of these areas.
Now that we have a good idea of what information we need to move forward with grant proposals, we would like to start working with the Board and Executive Committee to get the very specific information required to proceed. The information needed includes:
To obtain short-term (three to five years) and long-term (five years and beyond) goals and objectives for:
To appear professional, innovative and to stand out from the hundreds of applicants, the NSS Grant Committee needs clear and concise long and short- term goals for every grant application submission.
In addition, we are required to explain why we need additional funding. As you will read in the grant application example section, we must show foundations that we have a viable volunteer base and have expanded our goals and objectives to include important new projects that deserve funding. Foundations and granting organizations look for applicants with imaginative short- term goals, and solid long-term plans in place that will allow them to achieve their goals. We are beginning the task of obtaining a list of objectives and goals for the future of the NSS. We encourage any and all committee members, the BOG and executives to contact us concerning the types of funding they need. If we aren’t aware of what the needs are, we can do nothing to help and we are here for you!
Progress:
To highlight these points, Jennifer has created a sample
questionnaire based on the "typical foundation"
application offering money in the range of $40,000 to $80,000.
This sample should clarify what it is that the Grant Committee
needs to obtain the level of funding necessary to finance our
society objectives:
What are the general, long-term goals of your proposed project (or program, or organization)?
Within these goals, what are your specific, short-term, measurable objectives against which you will be able to compare and evaluate actual results at the end of the grant period?
a. That is, recognizing long-term measures may not be feasible by the end of the grant period, what are your projected short-term measurable benefits, outcomes, or impacts? For example, 50 percent or more of the individuals served will be helped.
And, if applicable, what are your budget-based, unit-of-service costs or other projected efficiency measures? For example, the program costs $5.60 per participant.
To achieve these goals and objectives, what specific activities are planned?
What data collection and evaluation procedures do you have in place or plan to utilize?
Attach a detailed explanation of the proposed use of the requested grant, including the dollar amount for each separate purpose, if more than one, and your expected time of expenditure. If the proposed grant is made, the grantee organization hereby agrees to expend the grant in the exact manner indicated.
Additional thoughts and ideas based on Grant Committee discussions:
We understand that most people do not have a clear vision of what it takes to obtain funding and hope this example helps to clarify what we need from the various committees and why. Given the detailed example of what exactly is required for the application process, we hope that the Board, Executive Committee and other committees will help us to develop a list of the Society's goals and objectives for the future as it relates to how the Grant Committee can best help. That is what we are here for- to help the NSS, but it requires all of us working in tandem if we hope to obtain the level of funding we are striving for within the Grant Committee.
The Grant Committee is ready with our applications and willing to work with the various offices to make our quest to help the NSS a more efficient and viable process. We have excellent funding resources and are ready to go once we have a set of clearly laid out plans and objectives in place.
Please feel free to contact the Grant Committee to share your needs, goals and hopes and we will do our best to meet and exceed them.
Area of Concern:
Great X. Once debt is incurred; most foundations are not
interested in paying them off. We are continuing to research
opportunities and will not give up, but this area is a challenge.
John L. Moses (Secretary)
(phone) 915-921-0535
(e-mail) johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member) Santa Barbara, California
Tom Lera (Committee Member) Falls Church, Virginia
Plans:
NSS President Scott Fee appointed Dr. George Veni and John Moses
to co-chair an International Congress (ICOS) 2009 Bid Ad Hoc
Committee. This will be a separate entity from the International
Secretary Committee.
Progress:
An International Participation Grant for $1,000 was awarded to
Amitava Chowdhury, Lecturer in Archaeology, Faculty of Social
Studies and Humanities, University of Mauritius, Reduit,
Mauritius, Indian Ocean, to enable his participation and
presentation of his research at the NSS Convention in
Porterville. Unfortunately, Mr. Chowdhury was unable to travel to
the U.S. and he returned the grant.
A handout was given to NSS Convention registrants in Porterville asking for their input and willingness to participate in an ICOS. The informal survey response was about 90 percent in favor of hosting the event. Later that week, a luncheon workshop attracted a substantial group to discuss pros and cons of NSS bidding for 2009 ICOS. The results were reviewed with the NSS BOG and a Board resolution was passed calling for the formation of ad hoc NSS committee to prepare a bid for presentation at 2005 Athens, Greece ICOS.
Problems:
Prior to the NSS 2003 Convention, an invitation was extended to a
Cuban speleologist, Professor Pedro Pablo Gonzalez Castro,
inviting him to attend the meeting. A letter was sent on behalf
of the NSS to the U.S. consular service asking for their
assistance in issuing the visa. Despite initiating the U.S. visa
application process late in 2002, no entry visa was issued to the
Cuban in time for the meeting. In mid-August, the International
Secretary received a letter from the U.S. Consul General in Cuba
expressing regret that they could not issue a visa until
". . . a complete Homeland security review
has been concluded." They could not estimate the time
involved.
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
(phone) 828-669-0126
(e-mail) cavelaw@jbs-law.com
Progress:
Responded to an inquiry from an individual Society member
regarding cave related liability questions.
Had two conversations with Ken Hill regarding concerns regarding the need for a management plan for the Mill Creek Sink property. Referred him to the Cave Preserves Committee.
Reviewed a proposed liability release for the Mill Creek Sink property, pointed out problems with the document as drafted and recommended that drafting be done by a licensed Florida attorney.
Problems:
Apparently I missed two e-mails due to the change of my e-mail
address on June 1.
Plans:
I will continue to respond to inquiries.
Roswell Jones (Chairman)
(phone) 412-367-3522
(e-mail) wrj48221@attbi.com
Plans:
The voting machine will be in Florida for the Board meeting.
Progress:
The voting equipment arrived and was in place on time for the
California convention meetings.
Problems:
The software volunteer for the proposed voting machine has
withdrawn from the project. Otherwise, none at this time.
Vacant
Plans:
Get a replacement chairman.
Progress:
None.
Problems:
Lack of volunteers interested in this vital position.
NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR:
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
(phone) 703-442-8499
(e-mail) cheryl.caver@verizon.net
Plans:
2003 NCKMS in Gainesville, Florida, hosted by the NSS Cave Diving
Section, Oct 13-17.
Progress:
A bid by the Northeastern Cave Conservancy to host the 2005 NCKMS
in Albany, New York, was accepted by the NCKMS Steering Committee
at its August 5 meeting.
Problems:
At current, we are experiencing significantly low registration
and am trying to identify the expected attendance.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
Montana Autumn Spencer (Chairman), 513-735-Mudd, Cavrbab@earthlink.net
Joseph D Marchese, 48495RE, Verification Teller
David D Seng, 24371RE, Committee Member
Plans: Revamp 2004 election time line to coincide with new Bylaw notification standards.
Progress:
Mailed all ballots and final tally sheets to Convention for
inspection by the candidates and submission of same to the NSS
Archivist.
Notified NSS President, all candidates, and NSS Board of Governors of election results. Notified membership via an NSS News article in the September 2003 issue.
Compiled list of tentative candidates (45) with contact information and will begin calling folks in October. I am fairly confident that I have seven strong definite maybes already not included in my list of 45 potentials.
Completed draft of Call for Candidates 2004 article for December 2003 NSS News.
Problems:
None at this time.
Kelly Norwood (Chairman)
(phone) 770-723-9040
(e-mail) kelly_norwood@dnr.state.ga.us
Plans:
Upcoming KWI sponsored events include: Interdisciplinary
Workshop on Epikarst, to be held in Shepherdstown, West
Virginia on October 1-4, 2003; the National Cave and Karst
Management Symposium, to be held in Gainesville, Florida on
October 13-17, 2003; and a session entitled T66. Karst
Hydrology and Geomorphology in North America Over the Past Half
Century and a special reception to honor two esteemed karst
scientists – Derek Ford and William White – in Seattle,
Washington, at the Geological Society of America annual meeting
on November 2-5, 2003. The KWI has also sent an announcement for
the Sixth International Conference on Geomorphology, in Zaragoza,
Spain, on September 7-11, 2005. The conference will feature a
special session on evaporite karst.
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. I also want to promote environmental research by getting KWI sponsored conferences and workshops posted on EPA conference, session, and continuing education web boards/lists.
Progress:
In July I posted information about the Interdisciplinary
Workshop on Epikarst on various caving web and email
discussion boards including the NSS Discussion Board on the NSS
web page, Cavers Digest (private), and TAG-NET (private).
Recently, I forwarded the KWI announcement email regarding the
Geological Society of America annual meeting and the
Geomorphology conference in Spain to the same message boards. I
did not announce the National Cave and Karst Management
Symposium since another NSS member had already announced the
event to the appropriate groups.
I attended the Ninth Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, in Huntsville, Alabama, on September 6-10, 2003. While there, I met several NSS karst scientists and engineers. Dr. Ira Sasowsky of the KWI presented one of the many scientific papers at the conference. I did not get a chance to meet with Dr. Sasowsky about any KWI issues during the conference.
In August, one of the KWI representatives contacted me about the KWI publications listed in the NSS 2003 Catalog. Three KWI publications were listed in the catalog, and two of these publications were not listed under the correct name. I researched the correct names and sent the information to Stephanie Searles, NSS Office Manager, and Colin Gatland, NSS Operations Vice President. I received an e-mail from Stephanie stating that due to the size of the 2004 catalog, the KWI publications would not be listed; however, she would make the changes to the NSS web page listing and to the NSS inventory items.
Since my last report, I have not had any new discussions with Dr. Carol Wicks, NSS-KWI Liaison for the KWI, and there is no new progress to announce.
Problems:
As stated in my last report, I need to research other caving
e-mail groups and web discussion boards for posting conference
information. As this has been a particularly busy season for me,
I have not done any more research on this front.
David Jagnow (Interim Liaison)
(phone) 505-898-3100
(e-mail) David@Jagnow.com
Progress and Activities:
Louise Hose, Director of the Institute made several excellent
presentations to the NSS at the Porterville Convention in August.
Dave Shaver, Chief of the Geologic Resources Division, NPS, also
participated in discussions. The Institute is soliciting the
vision and hopes from the NSS to help better define the mission,
goals, and future direction of the Institute.
I have gathered input from individual NSS members, the Conservation & Management Section, Geology & Geography Section, and will be summarizing the vision and comments from NSS members for President, Scott Fee, in the near future. I hope to have these comments summarized and available to the Institute by their October meeting.
Plans:
Work will soon continue on the development of a Cooperative
Agreement between the Society and the Institute. We are also
researching ways in which we can all benefit from better
organization and development of the NSS Library.
Problems:
None
Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
(phone) 734-995-2678
(e-mail) ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Progress:
No new developments to report.
Plans:
I will continue to try to obtain responses from TNC
Problems:
Not hearing from TNC (but not wanting to "pressure"
them).
David Luckins, (Chairman) deluckins@aol.com
Plan (Short Term):
1. Develop a Planning Vocabulary
2. Develop a "Plan to Develop the Plan."
3. Respond to Board assignment on the Library Fire System
Progress:
1. The need for a Planning Vocabulary came to light in
conversations following the Porterville Board Meeting. It was
oblivious Board members were struggling with some very normal
questions:
a. What is a Plan?
b. What makes a good Plan?
c. Why do we need a Plan?
One problem in the discussions was the lack of a common language—everyone used the same terms to describe very different aspects of planning. Planning has its own language—a language that is fairly precise. What I’ve done is to compile a Vocabulary for that language. It should be a good first step at having a common baseline so that we can begin to understand the elements of a good plan and begin to see how it can make each of you more effective as NSS Leaders. The Vocabulary should be in the Board’s hands before the end of September. In the meantime, http://www.allianceonline.org/faqs/sp_main.html is a good resource for those with an interest in Planning.
2. The Plan to Develop the Plan is simply going to be a road map for gaining member input toward developing various aspect of the NSS plan. Initial steps will involve a fair amount or work on your behalf as you attempt to define the questions you want to ask of yourself and of the membership. This effort is not as well developed at the vocabulary but should be in your hands before the Board meeting. (At least in rough draft form.)
3. Library Fire System. Work has just started on this issue. Please refer to the Problem Discussion
Problems:
The need for a Library Fire Suppression System seems
to be a task more properly directed toward the activities of the
Operations Vice-President and his committees. If I understood the
Board’s direction correctly, my committee should be focused
on activities related to the Strategic Planning process; for
example:
- Identify specific issues or choices that the planning process should address
- Clarify roles (who does what in the process)
- Develop an organizational profile
- Identify the information that must be collected to help make sound decisions.
In retrospect, I anticipate you might want to redirect the Library assignment, but in the meantime I have begun to gather information to provide a recommendation to you or to the committee which might better address this issue.
Jay Jorden (Chairman)
(Phone) 214-202-6611
(e-mail) jjorden@texoma.net
Committee Members: David McClurg, Jack Hissong, and Sandra Hissong.
Progress:
The committee has worked with a number of writers and publicists
during the report period. The work included helping with
publicity at the Porterville, California, convention. The Society
received convention coverage in regional publications, including
the Fresno Bee and The Porterville Recorder.
Also, the committee is updating the draft of a background sheet
that will be circulated to interested board members. Help with
distributing conservation news continues through liaison with the
NSS Conservation and Management Division.
Details:
Because Matt Bowers of Modesto, California, made a strong effort
as publicist for the 2003 Convention and has indicated
willingness to help with public relations in the western U.S.,
it's proposed that he be added to the national committee's
membership. During the report period, committee contacts included
a New York-based freelance writer, a representative of the
Budweiser.com web site, a Wyoming newspaper - regarding a general
caving story, with mention of Great Expectations Cave - and the Los
Angeles Times, concerning a book that featured Emily Davis
and Mike Warner.
Plans:
The committee is working with Melanie S. Peterson in development
of Public Relations Committee pages for the NSS Web site.
Problems:
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or
needs either from the officers or the board.
Lee Stevens
(e-mail) leestevens@starpower.net
Progress:
Kathy Welling did an admirable job of recording, preparing, and
circulating the August 2003 Convention Board meeting minutes. The
Recording Secretary, Lee Stevens, was unable to attend the
meeting. Sincere thanks to Kathy for a job well done.
Plans:
To continue to produce the Board of Governors meeting minutes in
a timely way.
To further pursue development of a computer based method for recording the motions and votes during the Board meetings. An ad will be placed in the NSS NEWS to seek volunteers interested in developing a new computer based method to record motions and votes during NSS Board Meetings. The Recording Secretary will be the point-of-contact for the ad. Selection of the best qualified volunteer will be made after consulting with cavers familiar with computer systems and the NSS President.
Problems:
The plan to pursue development of a computer based method for
recording the motions and votes during the Board meeting remains
a plan. The specs for the system have been written.
Implementation of this project will be a priority this year.
Vince Kappler
(phone) 973-579-2116
(e-mail) vkappler@nac.net
Progress:
I am working on the manual updates from the August 2003 meeting.
I expect to have it finished and to the officers and directors by
the end of September.
An email request to update personnel information was sent to the officers. I have received numerous changes/corrections that were then forwarded to the web master.
Plans:
Costs to prepare the manual have increased dramatically. I will
contact manual users in an attempt to encourage more persons to
use the manual from the web and forgo a paper copy.
After the current mailing, I will investigate the possibility of sending the manual updates electronically. It may be possible for each recipient to print the pages locally and insert them into the manual.
Problems:
I now use a commercial printer to copy the manual updates. This
is proving to be very expensive. (See "Plans")
Gordon Smith (Chairman)
(phone) 812-945-5721
(e-mail) glstis@aol.com
Progress:
Not much to report in the short time since the NSS Convention. It
has not been a good summer for most show caves and many are just
holding on.
Plans:
I will be attending the NCA Convention in Lake Shasta, CA in
October and will also be visiting several caves in CA while I am
there.
Problems:
None that have come to my attention.
Cheryl Jones (Chairman)
(phone) 703-442-8499
(e-mail) cheryl.caver@verizon.net
Plans:
Continue to stay in touch with Sharon Todd, the landowner's
daughter, to arrange to cover Ms. Beckner's outstanding legal
bills.
Progress:
None.
Problems:
No progress by Sharon Todd in discussing our offer for
reimbursement with her mother, in spite of several phone calls.
As of this report I am trying to get in touch again with Sharon
Todd for my promised September phone call.
Paul Stevens (Chairman)
(home) 703 724-7642
(e-mail) paulstevens@adelphia.net
Progress:
See http://www.caves.org/committee/library/
Continued to edit and augment the Index database. Currently it
covers the 1954-82 NSS News, the 2000 Journal of Cave and Karst
Studies, the1940-84 NSS Bulletin, the 1956-87 Speleo Digest,
Caving Basics, On Rope, On Station and Speleogenesis. I am
working on the index for Cave Minerals of the World now.
Plans:
Continue to build the index of NSS publications and convert NSS
publications to Adobe ebook format. When we have an inventory of
ebooks ask for Board approval of a $5K capital budget for Adobe
Content Server (http://www.adobe.com/epaper/ebooks/main.html)
so we can loan ebooks to NSS members over the web. Longer term:
build an inventory of cooperating-grotto publications for the
on-line library.
Problems:
None
George Veni and John Moses, Co-Chairmen
Plans:
Based on a meeting at the NSS Convention of about 30 people
interested in the International Congress, the first step in
organizing a bid is to get some feedback from the international
caving community. Since George Veni will be attending the UIS
Bureau meeting and the 3rd Symposium on Cave Archeology and
Paleontology in Athens, Greece, in October 2003, he will poll the
attendees on if they like the idea of a US-based ICS. He would
also inquire into what parts of the country would they like to
see it held in, and any suggestions for things they would like or
would like to avoid. When Veni returns to the U.S. in November,
he will report his findings to Moses, who has list of the 30
people who attended the convention meeting, and with that
guidance in hand they will begin to organize the committee and a
bid.
Progress:
Veni has notified the UIS Bureau by e-mail of the above plans and
has received the following feedback to date. Representatives of
Australia, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland have responded and
tentatively support a U.S. bid. South Korea will probably bid in
2005, as might Malaysia. The representatives' concerns are the
currently difficult U.S. visa policy for non-EU nations, an ICS
was previously held in the U.S., and anti-American sentiment due
to the current political situation. None of these concerns seemed
major, but the trip to Greece will be vital in better gauging
their importance.
Problems:
None.
9/23/03