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SERA Winter Business Meeting '95

Minutes for the 1995 SERA Winter Business Meeting

The 1995 Southeastern Regional Association Winter Business Meeting was held on March 11, 1995, at the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Around fifty cavers attended the meeting which was hosted by the East Tennessee Grotto.

Chairman Ned Littell called the meeting to order at 1:45 PM. The roll was called with sixteen member organizations represented. Secretary/Treasurer Bill Bussey reported $519.95 Total Income and $1463.54 in Expenses, including a $500 loan to the 1995 SERA Cave Carnival, for an Ending Balance of $539.02.

SERA Newsletter editor Shari Lydy will be leaving the southeast this year. Shirley Sotona, 2466 Drew Valley Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30319, (404) 315-1872, has volunteered to become the new editor. Shirley asks that clubs send her their newsletters.

The East Tennessee Grotto was thanked by the group for hosting a fine Winter Business meeting in a very nice facility.

The Birmingham Grotto will host the 1996 SERA Summer Cave Carnival on July 19-21, 1996 at Camp Jackson, Scottsboro, AL. The Chairman is Dave Howell, (205) 591-5127. Contact Scott Fee (205) 854-7487 for registration info.

The Flittermouse Grotto will host the 1996 SERA Winter Business Meeting April 13, 1996 at the Community Building in Marion, NC. Special trips to world famous Bat Cave will be available. Contact Susan Holler at (704) 724-9651 for registration info.

Cato Holler sadly announced that Russ Gurnee, former President of the National Speleological Society, passed away in February. Russ was a friend to many SERA cavers. He is missed...

In grants reports, Ned Littell reported that the Chattanooga Grotto received $200 to go toward the gating of Mystery Hole in Chattanooga, TN. The gate had already been built when they received the grant, so the money went to defray expenses.

The NSS Contemporary Cave Use Study (CCUS) received a $200 grant from SERA. John Wilson, who was running the Study at the time, passed along thanks to SERA. Since the CCUS is now a budgeted item with the NSS, dedicated donations are now handled through the Society. SERA is a longtime contributor to the CCUS. Please keep signing those registers.

Kenneth Huffines, on behalf of Allen Padgett, asked for a SERA grant for a Biological Inventory on the caves in and around Pigeon Mtn. They need $4000 total to hire two graduate Biology students for three months this summer. The Department of Natural Resources would provide them with housing, a vehicle, and caving equipment. The grant money would pay for lab fees and salary for two students. The last Biological survey was done in a few hours in the late 1960s. They found a new salamander and an isopod found only on the mountain. Asking for $500; however, would be happy with anything SERA would give.

Birmingham moved $50 for the Biological inventory. Nashville amended $250. With a vote of 16 in favor and one opposed, the motion to grant $250 to the Georgia Department. of Natural Resources for a Biological Inventory of the caves of Pigeon Mtn. was approved.

Carl Anderson reported the following winners of the first SERA Map Salon:

Winners of the 1995 SERA Map Salon

Electronically Drafted: Jack Thomison, Westwing Caverns, TN

Small Cave: Brent Aulenbach, Bud's Valentine Cave, TN

Horizontal & Multidrop: Alan Cressler, Hunter's Well, Redemption Pit, TX

Shirley Sotona asked for interest in a SERA Photo Salon. There seemed to be some interest. Ned Littell pointed out that many clubs do this already, and perhaps the grotto winners could be forwarded to SERA for judging and display at the Winter Business meeting. For further information on how to enter, contact Shirley Sotona.

Under SERA Bylaws, the Vice Chair becomes Chair after each meeting. Thus, John Hoffelt of Nashville and Don Hunter of Athens were nominated for Vice Chair. In the election, John Hoffelt was elected SERA Vice Chair. He will become SERA Chair in 1997. Bill Bussey was re-elected SERA Secretary/Treasurer.

SERA Award Committee members for 1996 include:

Francis McKinney Award - Bill Putnam, Gerald Waddle, Jim Whidby.

Richard Schrieber Award - Mike Doughty, Shari Lydy, Don Hunter.

Larry Adams Landowner Appreciation Award - Mike Bose, Fred Callicott, Alan Cressler.

Conservation Award - Bill Bussey, John Hoffelt, Mike Bose.

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 PM.

At the banquet that evening Jack Thomison was presented the Francis McKinney award. Mike Rogers was awarded the Richard Schreiber award. The SERA Conservation Award was presented to John Hoffelt. And Dr. Ralph M. Sheppard, owner of the Scottsboro Mtn. caver camping area and several caves was honored with the SERA Larry S. Adams Landowner Appreciation Award. All awards committees are requesting nominations for future awards.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Bussey, Secretary/Treasurer

1995 Southeastern Regional Association Treasurer's Report

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