Cavers, (My apologies if you receive this message more than once.)
We are all feeling the pinch of high food, gas, and other costs at the present time, but if you happen to have a few extra dollars that you might be willing to part with for worthy causes, I would like to call your attention to two new NSS funds which have just been added to the NSS website's donation page, if you are so inclined to contribute. 1. The first is the fund for the Junior Speleological Society, which provides a comprehensive program of courses, training, and activities for youth at NSS Conventions. The JSS teaches and encourages those who we hope will be some of the cavers and speleologists of tomorrow. Longtime and dedicated Co-Chairs Rick and Faye Bowersox will be stepping down after next year's International Congress, and much of the vertical and other equipment that the JSS has been using over the years is the Bowersoxes' personal property which they have generously lent for use. It is anticipated that funds will be needed to replace much of this equipment. At the instigation of John Fox, Craig Hindman, and others, the Virginia Region passed a motion at last fall's meeting to generously contribute annually to the JSS. This thoughtful VAR donation will go a long way toward supporting JSS programs. I believe the New River Valley Grotto and perhaps other organizations have also recently made contributions, and these are much appreciated. However, for those who have children of their own, or who might want to support the next generation of cavers, this is a fund to which you might wish to consider making a donation. 2. The second addition to the donation page is the White Nose Syndrome Rapid Response Fund, a new fund just created by the NSS Board at this summer's meeting. As all undoubtedly know by now, WNS is a serious situation under intensive study by scientists. Often, there are long administrative delays in dispensing grants for research, and this new NSS fund is intended to provide more timely funding for research into WNS. (The motion provides details which will be posted in the summer meeting minutes, currently being written and which will be placed on the NSS website in the near future.) For those cavers who have a particular interest in helping to further the study of this syndrome, you might wish to consider directing your dollars here. The NSS donations page can be accessed at www.caves.org, and by then clicking on "donate." There are many other funds which are worthy of your donations, but I just wanted to make NSS members aware of these new funds. Thank you to all who have generously contributed to the NSS and its funds in the past, and thank you in advance for your future contributions. Your donations are much, much appreciated! Linda Baker Devine NSS Board of Governors (Permission very gladly given to repost on other caver listservs.)
