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SERA Winter Business Meeting 2004

Minutes for the 2004 SERA Winter Business Meeting 3/01/04

The 2004 SERA Winter Business Meeting was held at the Best Western Tree City Motel in McMinnville Tennessee. The Athens Speleological Society who did a fine job hosted it.

Chairman Lynn Roebuck called the meeting to order at 10:05 Central. Also present were Vice-chair Mark Joop and Sec/treas Jim Wilbanks.

Lynn thanked ASS for hosting the meeting and announced a get-well card would be at the rear of the room for former SERA chair, Rob Robbins.

Grotto introductions were next. Tim Curtis Mark Joop and Bill Walters reported for Spencer Mountain Grotto about mapping projects in Paradox Cave. Brian Roebuck reported that the Southport Chronic Cavers were rebuilding and working on mapping projects. Don Hunter reported that Athens had been working on the SWBM and a mentoring program for the University of Georgia outdoor program. Brent Allen of Appalachian Grotto reported most of their activities were on the upcoming SERA Cave Carnival. Kristen Bobo of Upper Cumberland Grotto reported on cleanup efforts in Ament Cave. Gerald Moni reported that the Nashville Grotto hosted its fiftieth anniversary party and is involved in surveying all the caves in Cedars of Lebanon State Park and Swirl Canyon Cave. He also reported on the Central Basin Grotto’s efforts managing Snail Shell Cave for the SCCI. Sharon Faulkner reported on the Birmingham Grotto’s efforts on the Scottsboro Mountain cleanup, helping host the TAG Fall Cave In. She also reported the grotto was hosting both the SWBM and SERA in 2005. Alicia and Dan Henry reported for the Flittermouse Grotto. They talked about surveying in North Carolina caves and working with the US Fish and Wildlife service doing bat counts. They also manage Rumbling Bald cave for the Nature Conservancy. They are surveying Carson/Campbell Cave in Tennessee and helping the Appalachian Grotto with SERA. Lee Trowbridge reported the East Tennessee Grotto was supporting the East Tennessee Cave Rescue Squad. They are working in Gap Cave and Big Salt Cave. Michael Gilbert of Central Alabama Grotto reported the grotto is surveying Rickwood Caverns and is working on a cleanup of Manitou Cave. Glenn Mills reported the DCG is working on the new TAG site. He described the layout. Martha Mills reported on the Board of Governors. She encouraged all members to communicate directly with the board. Jim Wilbanks reported on the Chattanooga Grotto. He stated the grotto was growing and attributed large turnouts at meetings to food. He also reported on the state of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, stating they were committed financially to current purchases and would need further support if more were to be made.

Brent Aulenbach reported on the SERA Map salon. Brian Roebuck presented the latest SERA newsletter. Debby Johnson reported the next TCS meeting would be held at Sewanee on April 3^rd.

Curtis Ellison reported on SERA preparations. He gave a presentation on the proposed site and the logo. Appalachian Grotto seems to have the preparations well in hand.

Jeanne Trowbridge commented on a presentation put together by Jack Thomison on the Rich Mountain Blow Hole gating project, which SERA supported last year.

Chris Walters reported on local eating establishments and the meeting was adjourned for lunch.

The afternoon business meeting was reconvened at 1:25 Central. The role call of grottos revealed the represented grottos. They are: Birmingham, Central Alabama, Chattanooga, Dogwood City, East Tennessee, Flittermouse, GSS, Huntsville, Nashville, Smoky Mountain, Southport, Spencer, TCS, Tennessee Central Basin, Upper Cumberland, ACS, and Athens.

The minutes for the 2003 SWBM were read, corrected and adopted. The treasurer’s report was read and approved. Jim Wilbanks reported SERA had $720.97 with $204.92 in outstanding bills.

Debby Johnson reported on the SERA Karst Task Force. She stated the committee had run cleanups at four different caving events. She reported all of the $100 set aside had been spent and only part of the money allocated for Stephen’s Gap. She reported that the committee wants to be an NSS Conservation Task Force. A discussion ensued and a consensus was reached that there were no reasons not to apply. Several cavers had experience with the process. A resolution authorizing the SKTF to apply was passed unanimously.

Brian Roebuck reported on the SERA Newsletter and asked for articles. Jim Wilbanks reported the SERA Awards Committee had not met and promised to submit a report by next year.

John Hoffelt asked for an update on the NSS Library. Jim Wilbanks reported on the letter sent to the BOG and Martha Mills reported the issue had been tabled and there was no sentiment to move the library.

Officer elections were then held. Vice Chair Mark Joop moves to Chair for next year. Peter “Mudpuppy” Michaud was elected Vice Chair by acclimation. Jim Wilbanks was re-elected secretary/treasurer by acclimation.

Lynn Roebuck appointed Brent Allen to be Webmaster.

Sharon Faulkner and Avis Van Swearington reported on the efforts to host an NSS convention in Alabama. Debby Johnson (TCS) and Sharon Faulkner (Birmingham) introduced a resolution, which passed and said: “SERA supports an NSS convention in the Southeast in 2005.” The vote was 14-3 with Central Alabama, Dogwood City, and Upper Cumberland voting no.

Don Hunter (ASS) moved and Lee Trowbridge (ETG) seconded that SERA support the Glory Hole gating project with $200 of SERA funds. The motion passed unanimously. Concern over the lack of participation in the 2003 SERA Cave Carnival, which only put $317 dollars in the treasury, was voiced. Joe Douglas announced he would pass the hat and match any donation up to $100. $183. was collected and Joe wrote a check for $100 for a total of $283.

Mark Joop and Dan Henry reported on the Carson/Campbell cleanup scheduled for SERA. They showed pictures of the cave and the garbage. Jim Wilbanks talked about the Rocky River cleanup scheduled for Sunday.

John Hoffelt announced an up coming cleanup at Snail Shell Cave being run by TCBG.

Award Committees were announced:

Francis McKinney: Chris Kerr, Brian Roebuck, Glenn Mills

Richard Schreiber: Jim Wilbanks, Dan Henry, Eric Crisp

Larry Adams Landowner: Shane Stacey, Myrna Attaway, Jeannie Trowbridge

Alexis Harris Conservation: Kristen Bobo, Martha Mills, Sharon Faulkner

The meeting was Adjourned at 3:03.

Awards Committees met with the following results:

Francis McKinney:  Don Lance

Richard Schreiber: Carey Frost

Larry Adams: Agnus Caughorn

Alexis Harris: Jim Whidby

A banquet was held in the same room catered by Charlies Barbeque. Chris Anderson of Dark Light Imagery presented a slide show on big room photography and his collection of flash bulbs.

Respectfully Submitted;

Jim Wilbanks

 

2004 Southeastern Regional Association Treasurer's Report

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