Mid-Appalachian Region of
the National Speleological Society
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
February 26, 2005
The meeting was called to order by MAR Chair, Bob Gulden at 1:39 PM at the home of Jay Herbein, Harrisburg, PA.
Secretary's Report:
Baltimore Grotto made a motion to accept the 2004 Business Meeting minutes as published in the April 2004 Breakdown. Nittany Grotto seconded the motion.
Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer's Report was read by treasurer Bette White. Printed copies were distributed.
MAR Breakdown:
Send any articles for publication to Karen Bange. Material can be in hardcopy or sent electronically to riverbat@localnet.com.
George Bange maintains the MAR mailing list database for the Breakdown. All changes to mailing addresses and all MAR field meet registrations should be sent to George at riverbat@localnet.com.
2004 Spring Field Meet:
The event was hosted by York Grotto at Raystown Lake Campground in Huntingdon County. 135 people attended the event. Many cave trips took place throughout the region. Keith Christenson did a presentation Saturday night on Bats, Bugs, Bones and Bootie: Caving in the Caribbean.
2004 Fall Field Meet:
The event was hosted by Buffalo Valley Grotto at Woodward Cave in Centre County [Their 1st field meet]. 84 people attended the event. Guest speaker was Kevin Patrick speaking about his newly published book, "Pennsylvania Caves and Other Rocky Roadside Wonders".
MAR Web Site:
The MAR webmaster, Christopher Catherman, continues to keep the website up and running. The listserv is up and going and continues to get new members. There are 56 listserv members as of the meeting.
MAR Bulletins:
Will White reported the following:
- CCLUM (Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Union, and Montour counties):
Will is using Keith Christenson's data to compile the Mid Susquehanna Valley (CCLUM Bulletin).
Huntingdon County:
Garrett Czmor continues to work on the revised Huntingdon County Bulletin.
Kooken / Tyrone Area:
Will is working on a bulletin for the Kooken / Tyrone area.
Pennsylvania Cave Database:
Keith Wheeland reported there are 3 new caves in the database. [1,590 entries in the database, including commercial caves, gated caves, mines and 11 fictional caves]
Pennsylvania Game Commission:
Dale Ibberson continues to be the liaison between the MAR and the PA Game Commission. There is a new contact person with the Game Commission. Everything else is status quo.
MAKC:
Kerry Speelman gave an update on the activities of MAKC.
MAR Incorporation:
Keith Wheeland read the proposed changes to the MAR Bylaws drafted by the MAR Incorporation committee. A draft of the proposed changes can be found [as an attachment at the bottom of this page]. At the 2006 MAR Business Meeting there will be a vote on accepting the proposed changes. Further discussion on incorporation is on hold until the proposed bylaw changes are approved.
2005 Spring Field Meet:
The Spring MAR Field meet will be May 13-15 at Rupert Cave. Co-hosts for the event are Seven Valleys and Nittany Grotto. Flyers were available at the meeting. There is a site cleanup scheduled for April 23rd [2005].
2005 Fall Field Meet:
Pennsylvania Inner-Earth Grotto (PIG) will be hosting the event on September 16-18th at Lincoln Caverns. Details to follow in an upcoming Breakdown.
2006 Spring Field Meet:
Franklin County Grotto will host the event in honor of their 25th anniversary. They are looking at May 12-14, 2006.
2006 Fall Field Meet:
Bald Eagle Grotto is hosting the event in honor or their 20th anniversary. Details to follow.
2007 Fall Field Meet:
Philly Grotto is considering about hosting the event in honor of their 60th anniversary.
New Business:
Nature Conservancy:
Rocky Gleason, an inventory ecologist with the Pennsylvania Heritage Program, spoke to the group about an inventory project that is taking place in Mifflin, Juniata and Snyder counties. The purpose of the inventory is to collect, identify and document cave invertebrate. The data will be used to help with county planning and development. The group reviewed a list of caves of interest for inclusion in the inventory.
Greater Allentown Grotto is having a 25th Anniversary celebration November 5th. Details will be announced in the future. They also had 25th Anniversary stickers available at the meeting.
On June 18th there will be a 75th Anniversary celebration at Lost River Cavern in Northampton County. There will be a cleanup of the cave on March 12th at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome.
Cleversburg Sink Caves:
Ken Jones reported there is a management policy in place. There will be one key distributed to each grotto. The township has made improvements around the cave including a walking trail.
Copies of "Pennsylvania Caves and Other Rocky Roadside Wonders" by Kevin Patrick were for sale at the meeting.
Upcoming Events:
The Spring VAR is April 29th – May 1st. Bubble Cave LLS is hosting the event in Lewisburg, WV.
The NSS Convention is July 4-8th in Huntsville, Alabama. Check the NSS website for more information.
Spring NRO is scheduled for May 20-22nd and WVASS has a Spring meeting planned for April 9th in Unus, WV.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM.
The next MAR Business meeting is February 25, 2006
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Bange
MAR Recording Secretary
Representatives at the MAR meeting:
Attachments:
MAR Constitution and Bylaws
(Draft Revision 2005)
Click "Here" for the February 26, 2005 minutes of the PCC Meeting (Winter) that took place immediately after the MAR Business Meeting.
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