CDS BOD Meeting Minutes
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Cave Country Dive Shop
705 N West Santa Fe Blvd
High Springs FL
Call to order – 4:00 pm EST
Attendance: Gene Melton, Forrest Wilson, Bill Huth, Tom McMillan, Bill Dunn, Tony Flaris
Guests Gwen Wyatt, Jim Wyatt
Old Business
1 Secretary Minutes of BOD Meeting May 26, were approved through electronic vote.
2 Treasurer’s report
3 Semi-annual Financials
4 Leadership reports Steps at Alachua Spring need to be modified
A section is missing guard rails Rick Robinson replaced the gate at Cow and sent the bill to the NSS-CDS.
5 Training Certification Report
o 87 new certifications
Additionally one Instructor Institute/Crossover was held during this period with 2 candidates. Both candidates were given provisional status pending completion of paperwork requirements and remedial work.
o No historical Data for last year certifications.
o Certification numbers are increasing.
o 5 new NSS-CDS Instructors. Training Committee report
Old business NSS-CDS was contacted by R.A.I.D. expressing interest in taking the NSS-CDS program and incorporating it into R.A.I.D.’s current online training program. In addition RAID wanted co-copyright of all NSS-CDS material. Any legal discrepancies would be resolved under Swedish Law. At this time the Training Committee declined the offer from R.A.I.D.
New Business Discussing the required number of dive sites required for certification completion. Currently it is at 5 sites.
6 Vice Chairman’s report 2012 Workshop was successful. 2012 Congress of Governor’s Board request to convert all paper magazines to digital format. Currently the NSS-CDS as per the May BOD meeting is working to convert all old publications to digital format. Discussion to reproduce digital publication CD’s either through a vendor or within the NSS-CDS Business Manager, Bill Huth or Forrest Wilson. Forrest sent an email to Chris Wickman concerning status of 2013 Social. Has not received a response from him yet. Website is still on the old server. The progress has been slow due to Website Programmer,
James, being tied up with other projects including converting the UWS to digital. The website’s current software is out of date and the newer version of the software is not compatible. Therefore transitioning to new site and software is less work and most beneficial to the NSS-CDS. No target date as of today. Action Item: Forrest will discuss with Website Programmer to determine an approximate transition date. By-Law vote ended on Weds night Aug. 15 2012. Only 90 votes were received. It is believed that there was a software glitch that prevented some participants from voting. The cause of the glitch and the frequency could not be determined but is being investigated.
7 Chairman’s report Discussion to resolve issue with NSS concerning directing online participants directed to proper area (NSS, CDS, etc) No issue with Membership reporting from NSS. Receiving membership report every month. Request made to send Membership report to all the Board Members. This is import to aid Stewards of NSS-CDS property who are current members. No additional information concerning Wakulla opening access. Deposition next month concerning School Sink Incident. Initial legal funds are spent. Currently working off of NSS donation of $5000.00. NSS-CDS Cave Diving manual update:
o Working on getting graphics updated.
o Expected to get material out to Training Committee in the next few weeks for review.
o Process about 50 percent complete Suwannee River cleanup requested $500.00 in lieu of the $250.00 dollars originally approved by the board. Due to scheduling of Board meetings, the deadline has been missed to have the NSS-CDS name listed in the brochure. Board agrees to donate the original amount $250.00 for the clean-up. Non-disclosure Agreement for Board/Staff Members or those having access to sensitive material needs to be developed. Bill Huth will investigate locating a template that can be modified to meet the needs of the NSS-CDS.
New Business Kelly Jessop contacted Gene Melton prior to board Meeting concerning a partnership with the NFSA/NSS-CDS/NACD/Vendors/Other Training Agencies to create a safety/conservation/Land Owner video. The Board contacted Kelly Jessop by phone during meeting to discuss his concept. All Board Members are in favor and would like more details as well as a dollar amount. Received complaint from Kelly Jessop that Safety Brochures that were translated to foreign languages were never printed or distributed by the NSS-CDS. Discussion to have By-Law Voting in the next issue of the UWS. One option is to include a post card in the UWS. Another option is to wait to the next election to have By-Laws approved. Gene Melton is suggesting publishing a notice on the cover of the UWS. Lamar Hires recommended a Mini-Safety Workshop in the Wakulla Area to help promote access to Wakulla Spring. The Wakulla Dive Club President John Spicer agreed to assist in putting on the event by gaining access to the O/W area at Wakulla Springs. The suggestion is to have the event in Feb. to prevent conflict with other NSS-CDS events. The swimming area in Feb at Wakulla is not busy. It was suggested to offer a Sidemount Work Shop on President’s Day. This still needs to be approved by the Park. Marissa Lasso will assist on behalf of the NSS-CDS in organizing the event. Bill Huth is discussing a proposal to create scientific water quality sampling/data in Cow
Springs. This would include using underwater sensors to create a baseline data for Cow Spring. This issue ties in with the discussion to create a Scientific Diving Specialty. The training would include proper calibration and usage of sensor gathering equipment. Discussion of creating a Scientific Diving Sampling Protocol training process. Motion by Forrest Wilson to develop a Physical Resource management Plan for all NSS-CDS Property and Scientific Diving Sampling Training
Second: Bill Dunn.
All in favor: Unanimous. Discussion concerning the Web Store and Membership Growth Planning. Discussion of branding of additional new items that can be sold through the web store to promote the NSS-CDS. Business Manager will submit by email a new product or idea for logo material with current dollar value to the Board. Current by-law allows this without a motion or vote. Business Manager will work on improving web store layout. Discussion of Business Manager Responsibilities and duties to establish continuity for future Board Members and the continued operation of the NSS-CDS. Discussion for the NSS-CDS to purchase an online copy of Quick Books for up to 5 users has been tabled. Motion by Tom McMillan to renew to D&O Insurance
Second: Bill Dunn.
All in favor: Unanimous.
Discussion and. Discussion concerning discipline for banning NSS-CDS members who violate property management guidelines from accessing properties Bill Huth will deliver Gold Line to Gregg Stanton. The NSS-CDS will donate several items to the NFSA Springs Safety Day. Motion by Gene Melton to donate $500.00 NFSA for the Cultural Historical Kiosk
Seconded: Bill Dunn.
All in favor: Unanimous. Discussion to create a proposal to determine the location if the 2014 NSS-CDS Social could be held in High Springs, FL. Next Board Meeting: Nov. 10 Location: TBD Time: TBD
Closed Section: Motion:by Gene Melton to adjourn meeting
Seconded: Tom McMillan.
All in favor: Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 7:15 pm.
