Attendees:
Marty Abercrombie, Carl Anderson,
Brent Aulenbach, Nancy Aulenbach, Rodney Bradford, Sharon Brewer,
Steve Brewer, Obadiah Brooks, Eric Crisp, Jenny Crisp, Debra Guy,
Lin Guy, Margie Haven, Dave Hughes, Tim Kamsay, Angelina Lee,
John McMacken, Tom Moltz, Jonny Prouty, Jerry Wallace, Tom Whitehurst,
Brian Williamson
Nancy Aulenbach called the meeting to order
at 10:30 a.m.
Special thanks were extended to the SCCI and E.T. Davis for their
support.
The Chair (Nancy Aulenbach), Vice Chair (Brian Williamson), Treasurer
(Brent Aulenbach), and Secretary (Sharon Brewer) were introduced.
Members Meeting Minutes-last year
The minutes from the previous year
were given to everyone present and to avoid reading out loud what
everyone could read for themselves, we moved on to more pressing
issues. Near the end of the meeting, Carl Anderson motioned to
accept the minutes. Jenny Crisp seconded. The minutes were approved
and accepted.
2007 Bulletin
Brian Williamson was commended for
his excellent work on the 2007 Bulletin. It was a well done and
kudos all round for Brian. He encouraged everyone to send in articles
and photos for next year. Larry O. Blair helped with a monetary
contribution to help offset printing costs. We also received a
discount from Kinkos on the printing costs. We had 150 bulletins
printed instead of the 100 because the price dropped considerable
when we ordered 150. Errors and typos can easily be changed while
the Bulletin is in the editing process, so if the author of articles
finds a mistake before we got to print, it can easily be changed.
We also were made aware of the fact that a copy needs to be mailed
directly to Rays Reviews. We mailed one this year and will continue
to do so in the future.
Archives and Electronic Archives
Archives are stored at the Aulenbach
home and open to any member who would like to access them.
Carl Anderson has scanned all of the archives into electronic
format but the index has not been completed. Carl is in charge
of the electronic data and does a wonderful job.
If anyone needs to turn in new caves, update locations, or send
in entrance photos with dates, this can be done electronically
to Carl Anderson. Six new caves were turned in this past year.
Brent Aulenbach receives the Most Caves Turned In Award for 2007.
The last four cave locations are blank on the print out but are
visible on the disk. Carl is not sure why but they are not suppressed.
The glitch just happened. When anyone turns in a new cave or updates
a location, the format or datum format needs to be recorded as
well. Carl will be adding an owner relation update form on the
website. This information will be forwarded onto Jerry Wallace.
Cave Owner Relations
Jerry Wallace handles landowner
relations. Cards to turn in Cave owner information are available.
-Glory Hole is undergoing changes in access. Tom Moltz is now
the consultant on the cave. There are three different people who
can lead groups or grottos into Glory Hole. Liability issues have
become a concern. Anyone who desires more information needs to
contact Tom Moltz. It was also said that Glory Hole is beautiful
but filling in with sediment rapidly.
-Hurricane Cave lower culvert entrance is closed. The upper entrance
is very dangerous and rescue is not likely. Anyone who wishes
to visit Hurricane Cave is advised not to do so. There are plenty
of other caves to visit.
-Johnson's Crook is totally closed and off limits.
The Georgia Department Of Transportation
Eric and Jenny Crisp mentioned that
the DOT has expressed an interest in the idea of interfacing with
cave groups to avoid planning difficulties. The G.S.S. responded
with concerns related to releasing locations of caves with blank
parameters. It was decided that we monitor the situation without
releasing locations as a whole.
80's Bulletin Compilation
Jenny Crisp will be taking over
where Holly Bunch left off. Holly has done quite a bit of work
in the Word program and the completion difficulty will depend
on how easily the conversion process progresses. If the typing
can be scanned and reformatted it will be faster. If the typing
is not sufficient, Optical Character Recognition will be the option.
Brent has been trying to work on the graphics, but it can be tedious.
Word to PDF will probably be the final format. Dave Hughes suggested
that Photo Books in Atlanta could be useful. Once the 80's Bulletin
Book is completed we plan to publish 150 copies. After the 150
books sell, we can post it on the website for viewing. The 70's
Bulletin Book left descriptions but omitted locations. Acrobat
does a wonderful job of allowing the smudging of numbers. Brent
can help with that process if it is needed.
PROOF Volunteers- Dave Hughes, Jonny Prouty, Brian Williamson,
Obadiah Brooks, Stephen Brewer, Tim Kamsay,
Marty Abercrombie, Jerry Wallace, Brent Aulenbach (Nancy backup)
Treasurer's Report
Brent Aulenbach reviewed the financial
statement that was printed and distributed to the members at the
meeting. Itemized reports are available upon request. A few medium
sized T-shirts remain. We also offer books for sale. We purchased
a couple of different books for a wholesale rate of $12 and resale
at a minimal profit ($16 to members and $20 to non-members). Any
donations are helpful and appreciated. The treasurer failed to
follow through with the donation of $100-$150 to the Pettijohns
brochures project but will do so in the near future.
Frick's Cave Report
Brent informed everyone that the
latest numbers for Frick's Cave now extend to 2.65 miles. There
is still going passage but some tight squeezes to get there. The
map has the last part that was surveyed drawn in line plot. Details
of the Frick's Cave project are in the Bulletin. Future teams
will need wetsuits. Quiet and low lights are required when the
team approaches the bat room area.
Byers Cave Report
Foxy Ferguson has given all the
books she has on Byers Cave to the G.S.S. with the agreement that
unless the cave is gated, the material will not be published nor
distributed. Jonny Prouty has agreed to type in all the data for
Byers. A new survey with technologically advanced instruments
for Byers was discussed, and the members agreed that the project
is too big for one person. Brian Williamson and Jonny Prouty discussed
collaborating together with mapping programs such as SurveyX and
the possibilities for incorporating the Byers Cave with the program.
The programs will need consistent style on such a big project.
Bumper Stickers
Allen Padgett and Jerry Wallace
are still working on the bumper stickers project.
Instruments
Marty Abercrombie has the G.S.S.
survey instruments at this time. There is no tape, but the instruments
are still there. Laser measuring instruments were discussed, and
Eric Crisp encouraged everyone NOT to purchase the sonic instrument
by mistake. The sonic version interferes with and confuses bats.
Apparel Opportunity
Nancy Aulenbach has agreed to handle
orders and communication with an embroidery apparel company just
down the road from her house. Eric Crisp motioned that we set
it up as a markup fee and make the project a fundraiser to compensate
the startup fee. Carl Anderson seconded. The members passed it.
The catalog was passed around and several people signed a sheet
of paper expressing interest. Jerry Wallace will put together
a logo for the apparel company after May. The logo will be posted
on the website for everyone to see what is offered.
Website maintenance
Brent and Carl work to keep the
website up to date and user friendly. Jenny Crisp agreed to help
them.
Activities Cordinator
Marty Abercrombie volunteered to
take the position. As the meeting progressed and elections were
held, the Activities Coordinator responsibilities were shifted
to the Vice Chair responsibilities. Marty had no objections with
the decision. One suggestion for an activity was a ridgewalk to
Dean's Gulf in order to look for Hidden Rock Cave.
Cave Trip Reports or Projects
Eric Crisp mentioned a survey trip into Airport Cave and Parker
Cave, a resurvey of Slygo Cave, being run off by hunters, and
Richmond Gulf.
Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
Kris Green was at the meeting representing
the interests of the SCCi. He voiced appreciation for the care
and conservation practices during the Frick's Cave project. He
also thanked everyone for support and donations. The property
taxes are always a concern. Nancy Aulenbach motioned that the
G.S.S. donate $200 to the SCCi. Jenny Crisp seconded the motion.
The members voted and passed the motion.
Sera Karst Task Force
Sera Karst Task Force Clean-up days
are supported and funded from a variety of sources. Sometimes
owners and sometimes counties road department donate dumpsters
and other necessities involved in the expenditures. Nancy Aulenbach
motioned that the G.S.S. donate $100 to the SKTF. Jerry Wallace
seconded the motion. The members voted and passed the motion.
Elections
For Chair: The members voted
for Nancy Aulenbach after her nomination by Brian Williamson.
For Vice Chair: The members voted for Jonny Prouty
after his nomination by Brian Williamson.
For Secretary: The members voted for Margie Haven
after her nomination by Sharon Brewer.
For Treasurer: The members voted for Brent Aulenbach
after his nomination by Jerry Wallace.
Appointed Positions
Bulletin Editor: Brian Williamson
G.S.S. Archives: Brent & Nancy Aulenbach
Electronic Archives and Files: Carl Anderson
80's Bulletin Book: Jenny Crisp
Landowner Relations: Jerry Wallace
Adjournment
Restaurant choices were briefly
mentioned, and the meeting was officially closed at 12:27 p.m.
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Last modified: Thursday, 24 April, 2008 bta