MAR -Annual Business Meeting Minutes: Feb 28, 2009

Mid-Appalachian Region of
the National Speleological Society

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES

February 28, 2009

The meeting was called to order by MAR Chair, Bob Gulden at 1:35 PM, February 28, 2009, at the home of Jay Herbein, Harrisburg, PA.

Secretary's Report:
A motion was made to accept the 2008 Business Meeting minutes as published in the April 2008 Breakdown. The motion was seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer's Report was read by treasurer Bette White. Printed copies were distributed.

MAR Breakdown:
Send any Breakdown articles for publication to Derek Flaig. Material can be in hardcopy or sent electronically to derekcaver2000@yahoo.com.

George Bange maintains the mailing list database for the Breakdown. All changes to mailing addresses and all MAR field meet registrations should be sent to George at riverbat@statecollege.com. George requested people write neatly when registering for MAR field meets as the database is maintained from the registration forms.

2008 Spring Field Meet:
The event was hosted by Commander Cody Caving Club in Hazelton, WV, at the Pine Hill Campground. The write up of the event can be found in the August 2008 Breakdown.

2008 Fall Field Meet:
The event was hosted by Nittany Grotto in honor of their 60^th anniversary. The write up of the event can be found in the January 2009 Breakdown.

MAR Web Site:
The MAR webmaster, Christopher Catherman, continues to keep the website up and running. Christopher reminded grottos to send MAR field meet information to him in a timely manner for posting on the MAR website. Historical MAR information continues to be added; email Christopher if you have anything to share.

MAR Bulletins:
Will White reported four bulletins remain in the works:

Huntingdon County

Mifflin County -Todd Hancock continues to gather updated information on caves in the county;

Juniata Valley -focus on updating information on Kooken, Tytoona, and the Sinking Run area;

Upper Susquehanna Valley (CCLUM) -work on this bulletin continues.

Pennsylvania Cave Database:
No report

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC):
Dale Ibberson asked everyone to contact their local senators to voice their support of SB66, the Stony Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Dale and Judi Stack will be visiting senators in the near future to help support this amendment. Information can also be found at the Stony Creek Valley Coalition website.

MAKC:
Kerry Spellman announced Hesston Cave map is complete. The cave will be open this summer. Contact Kerry for information. Kim Metzer announced that the MAKC cave preserves will be open this summer.

Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy (PCC):
Meeting to follow the MAR Business Meeting.

MAR Incorporation:
Keith Wheeland continues to work on the bylaws for incorporation which includes proactively setting the stage for 501(3)c status. Keith is exploring pro bono work from the law school at PSU.

NSS Youth Group:
Allen Maddox, via email, introduced the NSS Youth Group Liaison Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to introduce organized youth to NSS caves to help them learn safe and ethical caving. Allen is the Regional Youth Group Coordinator. Information can be found at the NSS Youth Group website.

2009 Spring Field Meet:
No grotto or individual volunteered to host the Spring Field Meet.

There was discussion about holding the event once a year following a set schedule for grottos to host the event. No action was taken. MAR flyers will be available at the upcoming Spring VAR for those wishing to pay for the Breakdown.

2009 Fall Field Meet:
York Grotto is hosting the event in honor of their 50^th Anniversary. The event will be at Rupert Cave, Mifflin County, PA the weekend of October 3, 2009. More information can be found on the York Grotto's website and in the Field Meets section on the MAR website.

2010 Spring Field Meet:
No takers [at this time].

2010 Fall Field Meet:
No takers [at this time].

2011 Spring Field Meet:
Franklin County Grotto volunteered to host the Spring 2011 Field Meet.

New Business:

Keith Wheeland and Carol Tiderman will be on the NSS ballot for the upcoming elections.

ERNCRC will be May 1-9, 2009 in Harrisonburg, VA.

Dale Ibberson has 1998 York Grotto MAR guidebook for sale.

Kim Metzger presented the idea of a website for WNS status in PA. Kim volunteered to develop the website which would be a tool to check on the status of WNS. The site would have the cave name, county, dated checked and whether there was any evidence of WNS. Information can be directed to Kim.

Charlie Eichelberger reported that the PGC is facing budget constraints in its efforts to work with WNS. There are still a lot of unknowns.

Next year will be the 45th anniversary of the MAR Business Meeting at Jay Herbein's home. The MAR decided to do some type of recognition in honor of the anniversary. [The Herbein's began hosting the annual meeting in 1965.]

Meeting adjourned
The next MAR Business meeting is February 27, 2010

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Bange
MAR Recording Secretary

Representatives at the MAR meeting:

Baltimore Grotto
York Grotto
Nittany Grotto
Greater Allentown Grotto
Franklin County Grotto
Philly Grotto
Commander Cody Caving Club
Seven Valleys Grotto
MAKC
Buffalo Valley Grotto
Bald Eagle Grotto
Central NJ Grotto

Click "Here" for the February 28, 2009 minutes of the PCC Meeting (Winter) that took place immediately after the MAR Business Meeting.