In response to the rampant misinformation being propagated by well-meaning but grossly misinformed persons we have decided to post the facts about certain issues rather than allow incorrect information to be perceived as factual.
This is NOT a thread so please do not expect an online response or debate. If you have questions please feel free to contact a board member or attend the next meeting.
- The CDS did not sell Cow or Waynes World.
- The CDS sold Cathedral to someone that contractually agreed to permit CDS members to dive there, maintain the property and install a memorial to Sheck Exley.
- Cathedral was sold because we need funds to pay ever increasing legal fees.
- A CDS cave student is not required to join the NSS or the NSSCDS or any other organization to receive their certification.
- The CDS BoD has no desire to break from the NSS and is not anti NSS
- The CDS BoD is attempting to make membership in the NSS optional as a way of attracting new members who do not wish to join the NSS because they believe they are divers and not dry cavers.
- The proposed amendments are in compliance with our constitution. The members will decide, NOT the Bod.
- The BoD happens to believe in our members and are confident they will choose the right path, whatever that may be. This BoD will support their decision.
- The CDS BoD is very concerned about matters of conservation.
- Alachua is an NSS property, NOT a CDS property.
- The CDS successfully lead the fight to conserve and protect Alachua on behalf of the NSS.
- The CDS manages Alachua on behalf of the NSS
- Alachua is still a guided dive.
- The School Sink lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 8th
- If the CDS “wins” the School Sink litigation it will still have a huge debt which it is not currently able to pay.
- If the CDS “loses” the School Sink litigation it will most likely have an award to the plaintiff to pay out.
- If the CDS BoD is not able to present a viable payment plan to our attorney, the plaintiff and the court they can and probably will force the liquidation of the CDS and all will be lost.
- The CDS presently keeps about $2.25 of your dues money after the expense of publishing UWS
- Eliminating UWS will cost us members because many folks maintain membership to stay informed via that publication. They want it in printed form.
- In the event of a trial and / or an adverse judgment we will need to be able to raise dues. The NSS dues restructure effectively hurt our ability to do this and remain competitive for membership as a cave diving organization.
- It is a known fact that there are those who have not joined the CDS because they either cannot or will not pay the higher dues. The optional NSS membership will be attractive to these people.
- It is an unreasonable expectation to believe anyone will help us if we do not help ourselves. Prayers only work when you take action, not when you sit idly by.
- Other sources of CDS revenue are the annual workshop and the registration fees generated by instructor / student registrations.
- The CDS BoD must concern itself with CDS finances before those of another organization and would be remiss if it did not take the steps necessary to avoid potential bankruptcy should the School Sink lawsuit render an adverse judgment.
- The instructors do not control BoD decisions. There is no conspiracy to make the CDS a “student generator” for instructors.
- Contrary to popular but uninformed opinions, the CDS instructors are such because they are instructors who want to set the bar as high as possible. They can all teach for agencies which require lower standards and yet they choose to teach to a higher standard.
- We cannot set the standards for others to emulate for something we do not do.
- The primary duties of the CDS Board are to be custodians of the CDS and to respond to member wants and needs, not ignore them at the behest of folks who do not, will not, or cannot see the entire picture.
Respectfully,
Joe Citelli, Chairman NSSCDS