NORTHEASTERN CAVE CONSERVANCY, INC.
Board Meeting Minutes
Submitted by Christa Hay
09/07/02 Five Rivers Environmental Center, Voorheesville, 2pm
Meeting called to order at 2:15
- Introduction and greetings - President Bob Addis
- Attendance:
Officers: B. Addis, B. Folsom, J. Levinson, C. Hay
Trustees: J. Allison, C. Cantello, V. Kappler, E. Lucas, P. Murphy (arrived 2:20), T. Rider, S. McLuckie, M. Warner, A. Lehmann (arrived 2:20).
- President's Report - Bob Addis -written - Attachment A.
- Vice President's Report - Bill Folsom -written- Attachment B
- Treasurer's Report - Joe Levinson - written - Attachment C
- Secretary's Report - Christa Hay - written - Attachment D
- Acquisitions Committee Report - Chuck Porter.
- S. Bethelhem - have not heard anything - Callahan lawyers busy with land deals
- Terrace Mt. - contact at Schoharie Land Conservancy has been busy
- Westfalls- owner wants written material - Warner to pull information from land trust manual and send over
- Fortuin Entrance to Skull Cave - Folsom, Addis, Porter spoke to owner on Sept. 7, many issues to consider. Porter to check if the Bushes are still owners of the land with Skull Cave entrance
- Joober Hole - Davis thinks that the time is right - Porter will contact owner
- Knox Cave Preserve Report - Emily Davis - written - Attachment E
- Onesquethaw Cave Preserve Report - Thom Engel
- Regular use - has been a dry year - no closures from the County
- Neighbor continues to mow around edge of field
- Sellecks Karst Preserve Report - Jon Allison - written - Attachment F
- Publications Committee Report - Christa Hay
- Website Subcommittee Report - Bill Folsom
- Looking for help with the website
- Office Committee Report - Mike Warner - written - Attachment G
- Land Trust Liaison Committee Report - Mike Warner
- Not had time to attend meetings
- Spoken with some members and they would like to work with the NCC on easements
- Legal Committee Report - written - Attachment H
- Thanks to Anne Tocker for the research
- Addis moved to open the Committee of the Whole. The Vice President will preside.
2nd by Levinson
Passed unanimously
- Bob Simmons - Chairman of nominating committee- asked who was willing to stay on the Executive board and has sent out an email seeking officer and committee chairs.
- Bob Addis - land near Knox Cave has newer For Sale sign up- Possibility of Ella Armstrong being on property - will research.
- Thom Engel - Thatcher Park caves - given permission to survey the caves.
- Joe Levinson - New Jersey Cave Conservancy would like to align with another conservancy - needs resources- Addis, Kappler & Levinson will meet with them Nov. 8 at Ed Sira's.
- Discussion on another possible entrance for Skull cave.
- Vince Kappler - NCC should try to get a "prize cave" or a cave that is known to a larger group than just local area caves - need to attract attention for the NCC
- Thom Engel - NSS is moving towards the thought that local conservancies should own the caves.
- Folsom moved to close the Committee of the Whole. Items from this meeting will be introduced as new business.
2nd by Levinson
Passed unanimously
- Hay moved to accept the minutes of the June 7, 2002 meeting.
2nd by Allison
Passed unanimously
- Bylaws change from June 7, 2002 meeting; 30 days notice given to membership..
- Kappler moved to substitute for Article X:
2nd by Cantello
- Permanent Committees
- Permanent committees shall be established by an act of the Board of Directors to accomplish the work of the NCC. The duties of each committee shall be to study, promote interest in and work toward the advancement of all matters pertaining to its field of activity. Any question of conflicting jurisdiction of committees shall be resolved by the President. For administrative purposes, the Board of Trustees may divide the permanent committees into groups and will designate an officer to supervise the activity of the committee(s) within the group.
- The chairman of a committee shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees.
- All committee chairmen shall be current members of the NCC.
Amended by Kappler to add the underlined wording.
2nd by Warner
Amended motion Passed unanimously
Vote on Bylaws change includes members
For - Rest, Abstained - Martecello
Passed
2) Folsom moved to add to Article X of the Bylaws:
2nd by Kappler
Section 12 Conservation Committee. Add to the description section: The purpose of the Conservation Committee is the protection and preservation of the cave flora and fauna, clean up of caves and karst features, and related matters. This will be on the properties of the NCC and elsewhere.
Vote on Bylaws change includes members
For - Folsom, Abstained - Levinson, Opposed - Rest
Failed
3) Addis moved to add to Article V of the Bylaws:
2nd by Levinson
Section 9 Proxies. Add the following: An Officer or Trustee may appoint a proxy to serve in their absence at any meeting. The Proxy must be a current member of the NCC, Inc. The appointment must be made to the Secretary in writing, electronic mail, or by telephone. In the Secretary's planned absence, the President will receive the proxy designation. The proxy notification must specify if the proxy has limited or directed power to vote or if the proxy may vote unimpeded. Unannounced Board absences may be filled at the discretion and selection of the President Board of Directors.
Ammended by Cantello to add underlined wording
2nd by Folsom
Amended motion Passed unanimously
Vote on Bylaws change includes members
For - Rest, Abstained - Engel
Passed
- Addis moved the NCC request in writing an exclusive dig site adjacent to the entrance to old Howes Cave from its owners, Cobleskill Stone Products (CSP). The purposes of this dig will be to:
- assist CSP in their efforts to restore that portion of Howes Cave for future visitation,
- conduct a meaningful archeological excavation and offer advice,
- maintain a presence for the NCC in this endeavor.
The Executive Committee will appoint a Dig Leader subject to Board confirmation at the following meeting.
2nd by Lehmann
For - Rest, Abstained - Allison
Passed
- Folsom moved that the NCC is willing to consider managing Skull Cave in Albany County, New York if the owner of an entrance approaches the NCC.
2nd by Kappler
Passed unanimously
(Note: Ed Lucas had to leave at 4:50pm - no proxy)
- Warner moved that the committees as listed in Section C of the Board Manual remain in existence.
2nd by Kappler
Passed unanimously
- Folsom moved to add a Conservation Committee with the description: The purpose of the Conservation Committee is the protection and conservation of the cave flora and fauna, clean up of caves and karst features, and related matters. This will be on the properties of the NCC and elsewhere.
2nd by Levinson
For - Rest, Opposed- Allison
Passed
- Cantello moved that the NCC does not host the Spring 2003 NRO.
2nd by Allison
For - Cantello, Abstained - Levinson, Opposed- Rest
Failed
- Folsom moved that the NCC volunteer to host the Spring 2003 NRO. Bill Folsom will chair the event.
2nd by Hay
For - Rest, Abstained - Levinson, Opposed- Folsom, Cantello
Passed
- Addis moved that the Officers will conduct an Executive Committee meeting on November 17, 2002 at noon at Joe Levinson's house.
2nd by Folsom
For - Rest, Abstained - Warner, Cantello, Rider
Passed
- Addis moved that the next NCC Board meeting will be held on December 8, 2002 at Howe Caverns at 10:00am. Back up site Foxwood Nature Center.
2nd by Folsom
For - Rest, Abstained - Cantello
Passed
- Addis moved that the Five Rivers Environmental Center be thanked for their generous donation of facilities.
2nd by Levinson
Passed unanimously
- Addis moved to adjourn.
2nd by Hay
Passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 5:30