Mid-Appalachian Region of
the National Speleological Society
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
February 28, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM at the home of Jay Herbein, Harrisburg, PA.
Secretary's Report:
A correction to the minutes was made by Greater Allentown Grotto to reflect the amendment in the by-laws regarding elections at the Fall meet: (If an election is not held at the Fall MAR Meet, the slate of candidates shall be distributed to the Regional Council by mail for a main-in election.) Second correction made by Nittany Grotto to reflect the Eyeless Gammarus amphipods were discovered in the resurgence of Sugar Valley. Pennsylvania Cave Legislation Trust Fund moved to accept the minutes with the above corrections. Nittany Grotto seconded. Motion passed.
Treasurer's Report:
Printed copies were distributed. Nittany Grotto moved to accept. Greater Allentown Grotto seconded. Motion passed.
MAR Breakdown Report:
Two errors were noted in the current Breakdown. The time of the 1998 Business Meeting was omitted and the Fall MAR Meet is incorrect. The Fall MAR Meet will be October 2-4, 1998. Deadline of submission of articles is the end of March. A call was made for articles.
Field Meets:
Spring 1997:
Hosted by Franklin County Grotto, good turnout despite chilly weather; lots of caving including trips to Baker Caverns and Williamson Cave; the cave mapping did not go as projected.
Fall 1997:
Philly Grotto reported 153 people attended the meet (grotto's 50th anniversary celebration). Many grotto members from the 1960's & 1970's were present. Saturday's night festivals included a catered pig roast, slide show, door prizes, guest speakers, and a bonfire. Special thanks to the owner of Woodward Cave for opening the cave to wild caving Saturday night. The MAR will send the owner a thanky you note. dale Ibberson noted appreciation for the morning coffee and doughnuts and hopes this will be a tradition with all future MAR meets.
Spring 1998:
Greater Allentown Grotto will host on May 15-17, 1998 at the Old Dutch Mill Campground, including caving, guidebooks, speleo-history tours, and surveying classes. Local caves to be open include: Onyx, Driebilbis, Pinnacle, and possibly Schofer. T-shirts will also be for sale.
Fall 1998:
Nittany Grotto will host, in conjuction with their 50th anniversary, on October 2-4, 1998 at Mountain Acres Lodge. Lots more information to be printed. Information can also be accessed off the Internet at Nittany Grotto's website.
MAR Bulletins:
Will White reported:
No new bulletins this year.
CCLUM (Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Union, and Montour counties):
Almost finished. Keith Christenson added it is halfway through. 50 caves in the project and 44 descriptions are written (not all descriptions are caves). The last fluoroscene dye trace has been done. Help is needed to map small, wet caves.
Fayette County:
Kim Metzgar has been in contact with Jim Kennedy after a dozen new caves found. Pittsburgh Grotto has initiated ridge walking.
Centre County:
Recently restarted by Nittany Grotto. Will be re-issued some time in the future.
Blair County:
Sadly out of date. No action.
Huntingdon County:
Sadly out of date. No action.
York County:
John Rosenfield reported that field work is completed. Goal is to be finished with written work by next year.
A break was given to allow Judi Stack time to distribute the Pennsylvania Game Commission access to caves on State Game Lands so everyone could review and comment on the proposed agreement.
Old Business:
Hosterman's Pit:
Nothing new.
Hillside Quarry:
Kim Metzgar reported that the quarry and neighbors are still at odds.
Pennsylvania Cave Database:
Still adding caves to the list; no current total given. Discussion followed regarding the article, "The Official List of Pennsylavania Caves" in MAR Breakdown, Vol. 12, Number 3. Summary of discussion: all caves are put into database including existing caves, caves no longer existing, and rumored caves (caves put into publication). Individuals interested in further refinement of the cave database are encouraged to meet and discuss the matter.
Cave Conservation:
Signs are available at $10. 40-50 signs are in stock. 1 sign still available courtesy of Baltimore Grotto. Signs in 36 caves. Signs are to promote the conservation message.
Cave Register:
No report.
ER-NCRC:
Nittany Grotto reported an Extreme Measure Course is being held in March 21 & 22 in conjunction with Pleasant Gap Fire Department. May 8-10th, a basic NCRC Cave Rescue class will be in Franklin, West Virginia, contact John Hoover (301) 890-6932. Greater Allentown Grotto reported a week long intensive rescue training course on June 20-28 at the OTR site.
Incorporation:
Baltimore Grotto made a motion to create a committee to investigate incorporating the MAR as a non-profit organization. Pennsylvania Cave Legislation Trust Fund seconded the motion. Volunteers for the committee are: Dale Ibberson, Judi Stack, and Karen Bange. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
Baltimore Grotto made a motion for the committee to proceed with incorporation if reasonable to do so. Nittany Grotto seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
Greater Allentown Grotto made a motion that up to $300 from the MAR general fund be put towards the incorporation of the MAR. Baltimore Grotto seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
West Virginia Karst Atlas
Bette White announced the sale of the "West Virginia Karst Atlas" for $35.00
Break -2:50-3:10 PM
Pennsylvania Game Commission:
Judi Stack reported she met with the Game Commission August 1, 1997 to discuss management of caves on State Game Lands. Discussion followed regarded the proposal. Caves at issue are Schofer, Askon Hollow, and Strangeford. The Game Commission will hold one set of keys and a representative from a local Grotto (after approval from the MAR officers, Judi Stack and the Game Comission) will hold another key. The keyholder is responsible for all trips into the cave, but need not be on all cave trips. Modifications to the proposal will now be made followed by a Letter of Authorization issued to Grottos from the Game Commission.
Baltimore Grotto made a motion to authorize Judi Stack to sign the Letter of Authorization. York Grotto seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
Kim Kehs commended Judi Stack on her efforts with the Game Commission.
New Business:
New Addesses
Keith Christenson reported he is moving to the Dominican Republic in May 1999, start planning cave trips.
Bette and Will White have moved. Their new address is RR1 Box 527, Petersburg, PA 16669-9211.
Bette also requested Grottos to include the listing of the MAR Bulletins in their newsletters. Bette is putting a mailing address label with her new address on the MAR Bulletins.
Increase in MAR Fees:
Bette White made a motion to increase the registration fee at MAR Meets by $1.00 (to $5.00) starting 1999, with all profits going to the MAR. $4.00 of the fee will go the teh MAR Breakdown and $1.00 will go to MAR. Pennsylvania Cave Legislation Cave Fund seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy (PCC):
The PCC is restarting after a period of inactivity. There will be a meeting after the MAR Business Meeting to elect new officers. PCC formed years ago to conserve Pennsylvania caves.
Cave Bucks:
Nittany Grotto has endorsed "Cave Bucks" and has selected the PCC as the recipient.
COG (NSS-Congress of Grottos):
Craig Hindman asked for call of issues. There were none.
MAR Guide Books
Carol Tiderman requested that guide books from past MAR Meets be given to Bette White or brought to future meets to sell at registration.
PA Cave Slide Show
Judi Stack announced she is redoing the Pennsylvania Cave Slide show and asked for slides. She also thanked everyone with input on the Game Commission and noted it was helpful to represent the MAR at teh meeting.
Westmoreland Bulletin Refund (MAR Bulletin #20):
Kim Metzgar asked if the MAR is interested in refunding the owner of Organ Cave his money for the purchase of Bulletin #20 in exchange for a free copy of a biological study of species in caves. The MAR declined.
Central New Jersey Grotto
CNJG has requested to be part of the MAR. It was agreed to include them in MAR functions.
Bald Eagle Grotto
It was reported that allegedly due to the development of different sections in the NSS they have voted to stay in the NSS but their officers are not renewing their NSS membership. Thus, the Grotto will no longer be represented at COG or recognized by the NSS.
Bert Ashbrook announced there are cave books and signs on the front table for sale.
1999 Spring Field Meet:
Franklin County Grotto will take the idea back to their Grotto and contact Kim Kehs after their meeting to let her know if they will do the Spring meet.
1999 Fall Field Meet:
York Grotto will host the Fall 1999 meet in conjunction with their 40th anniversary. No dates has been set but the meet will be held at Rupert Cave, Mifflin County.
MAR Business Meeting:
Next meeting -February 27, 1999 at 1:30pm at Jay Herbein's house.
Party to follow the meeting at Dale Ibberson's.
Motion to adjourn by York Grotto. Seconded by Greater Allentown Grotto. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 4:10 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Bange
MAR Recording Secretary
Representatives at the meeting:
(30 people signed the attendance sheet)
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