Minutes of the Board of Directors
Appalachian Cave Conservancy
Perkins Cave Preserve Field House - Washington County, Virginia
12 July
2008
Call
to Order
Attending:
Ellen Hofler, Jason Lachniet, Tony
McGee, Tanya McLaughlin
John K.
Matthews, Jonathan Rossi, John M. Wilson
Don Feathers,
Gary Fielden, Joel Stevenson, Mary Wilson
Bill James,
Emily Lachniet, and Mark Little
Reading
and/or approval of minutes of last meeting
The minutes
of the last meeting were approved as printed.
Executive
Committee Reports
Appointment
of a temporary Secretary
Mary Wilson
volunteered to take minutes for this meeting
John asked if
there was anyone attending the NSS Convention and Cave Conservancy Round Table
on 15 August 2008 who would be willing to represent ACC. Joel and Ellen said they would be attending
and expressed willingness to represent ACC.
John Wilson will also be available. John Wilson Suggested ACC board
members may want to participate in the combined International and NSS
Convention in Kerrville, TX, July 2009. John discussed the advantages of ACC
visibility on Facebook. It is a significant networking site and can be a means
of increasing visibility for ACC. If
everyone sets up an account with links to ACC, this will help with visibility
as well. Ellen mentioned that the NSS has a caver’s link site on its website
and recommended that members check into it.
John Matthews
announced that Tanya resigned as treasurer. John announced that there has been
a transfer of ACC funds into Wachovia Bank from the Bank of Marion. Total
assets were $2458.25. There has since
been $215 collected from membership dues and Greg McCoy recently donated $50.
bringing the total to $2723.25. Also, $500 from CAVES region has been
transferred to ACC
ACC
stewardship caves- Bill announced that he has been making contact with cave
owner and trying to maintain good relationships with the. There have been no problems and all caver
owners seemed to be pleased with results so far. He will plan on continuing to visit them,
taking a program and ACC t-shirt to them on his next visit. It was also
suggested that ACC members e-mail Bill when they are planning to visit any of
these caves, in order to keep a record of visitations. Cave signs – Tony McGee-
he is continuing to work on getting the necessary materials for construction of
the signs
Gilley Cave-
There is a delay in transferring the Gilley Cave property to ACC because due to
family dispute over who owns the property.
Mr. Moore’s will was said to be unclear and there are four relatives who
claim ownership of part of the property.
At least one member does not want to cooperate with property transfer to
ACC.
Other Reports
He has received $300 from SERA and $150 from VAR to help defray the costs
of the SERA-VAR meeting. He loaned $6000
of his own money to pay the $15,000 registration fee. Several grottos have expressed interested in
donating. So far, Mountain Empire has
donated $2,000 and Flittermouse has given $500. He will continue to request
donations to help recoup the funds. He
recently received a copy of the Cave Encyclopedia, which was donated to use as
a means of raising some money. A motion was made to pay Don Feathers $1000 help
reduce the loss. Motion passed.
Old Business
Joel made a
motion to draft a management agreement with the controlling owner/owners of
Gilley Cave property, such negotiations being directed toward the
implementation of the stewardship ACC management agreement. Motion seconded by Don and carried with one
abstention.
New Business
A.
Motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Robert Spiegel from the ACC Board and as
Secretary. Motion carried
B.
Motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Tanya McLaughlin as Treasurer. Motion
carried
The
effectiveness of board email system and the high cost of transportation provide
some incentive to reduce the need for as frequent ACC board meetings.
Each
candidate for a directorship must promise to use email communication as part of
their director duties prior to their election. Establish conditions for removal
from office for repeated and consistent failure to participate in the ACC board
decision making process. Direct the ACC
president to draft a by-law amendment to accomplish these items. Joel made a
motion to develop a by-law that required officers and board members to have
access to email and provide a means by which non-productive board members can
be removed from position. Toney requested that “recommend” be substituted for
“require” in the above motion. Joel accepted the substitution. Motion passed.
TM made a
motion to substitute the word “at” for “attending” in the first sentence of
Article VIII elections. Motion approved
and unanimously.
I.
Motion to refer establishing procedures for determining key access to
restricted caves to the Cave Management Vice President.
A.
Acceptance of nominations to vacant officer and board positions. Mark
Little was nominated for this position.
Mark introduced himself. He lives in Cary, NC and is a former cave
diver.
Motion to elect him to fill the term vacated by
Robbie was passed.
Ellen
suggested that ACC consider having a booth at OTR. A motion was made that ACC authorize Ellen to
set up a booth at OTR, she is delegated to get supplies for the event. John Mathews and Tony will help. Motion seconded and passed. A t-shirt auction
was discussed.
John Wilson
suggested that everyone send him agenda items ahead of time when he sends out a
request for motions and ideas.
Adjourn Board meeting
–12:45
Perkins Cave
Management Committee meeting-
start 12:47
Perkins cave
mapping - - Jason Lachniet, DOM mapping
project, November. Jason reported that
there have been 30 survey trips, 11,393 feet surveyed; 9704 feet are cave
length, 1.84 miles total. There have
been 37 participants, Robbie has gone on 13 trips and is responsible for 5,000
feet. Jason has his notes scanned and
they are available on CD upon request.
He wishes to make revisions to survey standards and welcomes comments.
Entrances
climb ladder report – John Wilson, instillation is progressing, and one ladder
is done.
Additional
ladders needed – John Wilson
Other
improvements needed – John Wilson, Forest Trail cord placement – John Wilson-
It is important to mark the Forrest Trail in order to lessen future caving
impact. This should be a priority.
Cave gate
improvement report – Tony McGee, final stages of gate improvement. Tony suggested placing a post at entrance
which will enable hand line placement for ease of getting out of cave.
Modification
of Torn Peter Tube is complete – Don Feathers
Recommend
people visiting the Perkins Cave Preserve notify the John Wilson, Cave Manager
by email prior to the trip. This is for documentation not approval purposes.
Perkins Cave
activities today – Check for alternative bypass route around First Discovery
Adjourn
Perkins Cave Management committee meeting.