All,
I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to the CBSP Project weekend and
who stuck around for the TSA Business Meeting Sunday AM.
It was a very productive weekend, a great Capricorn Party Saturday night (or so
I heard!), balmy weather (8 degrees Sunday AM), and the falls were spectacular,
with all of the water coming over and the beautiful icicles that had formed
overnight.
It was a sight to behold!
We had an excellent turnout for the meeting, a lot of productive and
constructive dialogue, and some far-reaching decisions were made that should
have a positive and fruitful effect and be beneficial to the TSA in the future.
While Denise is busily transcribing the minutes in detail, I thought I would
post the highlights below:
* TSA Projects - Jim Kennedy
* Current Projects
The CBSP project, headed by Jim, is still the old warhorse and
is still blowing and going! Gov't Canyon project is back up and running after a
brief hiatus while Marvin Miller and his family were in TN. Support this
project and let's see a huge turnout! This is a great park. The TSS Lake
Amistad project is also up and running and looking for volunteers!
* Future Project Ideas
A lot of potential projects are in the preliminary stages.
There's a large piece of property Bill Russell is working on in Hays County,
the Eisenhower Ranch project is getting started, another large piece of
property out near Leakey is interested in getting a project going (pending
family approval), and Rob Bisset is heading up an effort to resurrect the
Devils River SNA project and the Hill Country SNA project.
Lot's of chances to get underground and be sure to post your work weekends on
the TSA website calendar. Contact Butch or me if you need help.
*
Safety and Techniques - David Ochel
A Cave Rescue course is planned for the weekend of February 26th thru the 28th
at CBSP.
$50, plus they feed you! Good chance to acquire some important skills and
knowledge which, hopefully, you'll never need!
Old Business
*
* TSS/TSA/TCMA Trailer Committee report - Rob Bissett
Rob and his committee gave a report on a joint use trailer with the TSS. Motion
made and carried to allot up to $1500 for purchase of a trailer, in conjuction
with and dependant on approval by TSS with monies from them, as well.
Thanks to Rob and Co. for researching this and if you know of a good deal on a
trailer, let Rob know.
New Business
* Two Tiered Membership (Digital newsletter and hard copy membership)?
A lot of good discussion on this issue that was first broached a year ago at
the 2009 CBSP Winter meeting.
Motion made and was approved to create a two-tiered membership: One for those
who prefer a digital TEXAS CAVER and one for those who prefer a mailed version
of the TC.
*
Dues?
More great dialogue and after much discussion, motion made to lower the dues
for digital TC members from $20 to $15 and to raise the dues for hard copy TC
members from $20 to $25.
Digital members can still buy a hard copy of the TC, but will have to pay
enough to cover printing and postage costs.
* Open up the TEXAS CAVER to free access after one year of publish date,
immediately, or leave as is?
Ditto on the dialogue, pro and con, and motion made and approved to allow free
access to all back issues of the TC after one year from publish date to any and
all on the Web.
Much discussion after the meeting of uploading and acquiring newsletters from
previous editors and posting, some of which go back well into the 50's!
Should make for entertaining reading and a good way to attract new members for
the TSA!
* TSA Convention in March
Ellie gave a short synopsis on the upcoming convention in March. Price has been
lowered from the previous $25 to ONLY $15 to attend. Thanks to the Texas Cave
Conservancy for hosting this event, thus enabling the TSA to lower the
attendance fee!
Should be a fun and worthwhile weekend and be sure to attend!
Thanks, again, to all who attended! I appreciate your participation and keeping
all of the discussion on the above, potentially contentious, issues positive
and constructive.
We have great membership and I do believe these changes will allow the TSA to
grow and flourish for years to come.
Thank YOU!
Mark
TSA Chair and TC Editor
