Appalachian Cave Conservancy

Meeting Minutes

Abingdon, Virginia

24 January 2004

This meeting of the Appalachian Cave Conservancy (formerly the Perkins Cave Conservation and Management Society) was held at the Days Inn, I-81 Exit 19, Abingdon, VA. The following group convened at 10:00 a.m.:

John Wilson Robbie Spiegel Pam Rice Charlie Rice

Tanya McLaughlin Tony McGee Jason Lachniet Bill James

Renee Gaskins Gary Fielden Don Feathers Terri Brown

The meeting was called to order by John Wilson. As there were no minutes to read, we proceeded directly to committee reports.

Committee Reports

Don Feathers reported on conservation conversations with the owner of Daniel Boone Cave. Don and Bill had reviewed a draft management agreement with the landowner, who had some questions about wording and the definition of terms such as “natural conditions”. Feathers and James will continue to pursue the agreement and have several other potential leads in the vicinity.

Terri Brown reported on the Land Trust for Southwest Virginia, a newly organized non-profit dedicated to forest, open space and family farm preservation. While the scope of the Land Trust is broader than that of cave conservancies, it will collaborate with cave conservancies to manage caves included in its holdings. The Land Trust is still addressing exactly how it will co-hold easements with various partners and have not yet taken on any projects. Articles of Incorporation have been filed, and the Land Trust hopes to launch a membership drive before year’s end.

Joel Stevenson was not present to discuss the ACC’s participation on the NSS Cave Conservancies Committee, however, it was agreed that someone from the group should attend the Cave Conservancies Forum in April (Lewisburg, WV).

Renee Gaskins relayed Paul Gaskins’ report on the re-survey of Perkins Cave. Presently, Paul and Tony are wading through old notes and SMAPS printouts. Data appears to be missing, however, so Paul suggested that the original sketchers be contacted just in case anyone kept copies of their old notes. Right now, the prospect of entering the entire old survey in to Compass looks somewhat bleak due to the lack of original data. We may just have to start over at the entrance with an entirely new survey.

Old/Unfinished Business

1. BYLAWS: The previous Board amended the number of members on the Board from 8 to 16 (ARTICLE IV: Management). The current Board concurred.

2. The following were unanimously elected as the Board of Directors.

Terms end in 2008: Tony McGee, Jason Lachniet, Tanya McLaughlin

Terms end in 2007: John M. Wilson, Renee Gaskins, Rickey Shortt

Terms end in 2006: Joel Stevenson, Don Feathers, Mary Wilson, Gary Fielden

Terms end in 2005: Terri Brown, Bill James, Paul Gaskins, Robert Spiegel

3. Officers were elected as follows:

John Wilson, President

Tony McGee, Vice President

Terri Brown, Secretary

New Business

1. After some discussion, the motion to change the purpose of PerCCAMS was approved as follows:

The purposes of the Society shall be to provide proper and effective cave conservation and management practices for caves in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee.

2. A motion was approved to change the name of the Society to Appalachian Cave Conservancy (ACC).

3. A motion was passed to incorporate the ACC.

4. The Bylaws were amended by adding a section IV to Article VII:

The Treasurer shall manage the ACC’s financial accounts and perform the usual duties of the office of treasurer as described in Robert’s Rules of Order.

5. Tanya McLaughlin was elected as Treasurer.

6. Article V of the Bylaws was amended to delete Section II.

7. The Bylaws were amended to add more committees, as follows:

The Board of Directors shall establish cave management committees responsible for the management of each cave managed by the ACC. Committee names may recognize traditional names and are not required to include the word, “committee”.

General Discussion

Renee Gaskins pointed out the need for fund-raising and reporting to meet SCC obligations for incorporation.

The group discussed the need for a finance or fund-raising committee.

The Bylaws need revision and should be addressed by a Bylaws Committee. John Wilson suggested that folks look at the current bylaws on the PerCCAMS website.

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 1 p.m. Board members ate lunch together and some headed to Wilson Farm for a short cave trip.

Respectfully submitted by Terri Brown, February 25, 2004