Carroll Cave Conservancy - July 22, 2001 -
Meeting Minutes
The 12th meeting of the Carroll Cave Conservancy convened at 1:30 p.m. at
Truman Lake Long Shore Shelter House. The meeting was called to order by Rick
Hines. Members were asked to sign the attendance sheet. The attendees were
as follows:
Greg Buckley, Wayne Burnett, Bill Copeland, Terry DeFraties, Travis
Eastburn, Kay Hines, Rick Hines, Kristin Kyle, Eddie Simmons, Kathy Sumner
Kathy Sumner summarized the minutes of the last meeting.
Wayne Burnett reported that there is just over $4,600.00 in the Treasury.
Committee Updates:
Fundraising - Bill Copeland reported that plans are being set for CCC to
host
the next Spring MVOR in Dallas County as a fundraiser. MVOR plans were
discussed in greater detail later in the meeting (see "New
Committees").
Bill asked members for input on a proposed letter to be sent to grottos
around the nation explaining the goals of CCC and requesting cash donations.
CCC will fill out the proper form with the post office to receive the lower
postal rates available to non-profit organizations.
Bass Pro has declined to assist CCC with fundraising.
Bill found out by checking with State authorities that non-profit
organizations don't need to fill out any forms or obtain special permission
to hold raffles for the purpose of fundraising.
The Fundraising Committee continues to submit grant applications. Many of
the entities awarding grants seem to give preference to conservation efforts
on the east and west coasts. However, the consensus was that CCC will
continue to pursue grant applications regardless of how many times we are
turned down because we won't ever get a yes if we don't ask. We can also
apply for the same grants the following year if we are turned down.
Bylaws - In accordance with the bylaws, three additional directors have
been
appointed, Marty Griffin, Ron Lather, and Carl Wagner.
Membership Committee Chairperson, Bryon Carmoney, was not able to attend.
Rick reported that the original spreadsheet he started to keep track of
members still needs to be merged with the info being gathered by the
treasurer for new members. Some members paid extra dues so they could receive
CCC info via USPS vs. e-mail, and so far this hasn't happened. A procedure
for keeping the membership list updated needs to be developed.
Landowner Relations - Rick would like to plan a work weekend to help Greg
Fry
with whatever misc. chores we may be able to do as a goodwill gesture. Greg
Buckley has helped with some mowing recently.
Entrance Hardware - Parts of the 16' diameter silo have been dismantled.
(see
"Plans").
Cave Rescue Pre-Planning - Chairperson, Greg Miller was not able to
attend,
but has been communicating via e-mail. Terry DeFraties reported that he
sent
Greg an e-mail suggesting that he may want to start contacting agency people
now to let them know that CCC will be hosting a rescue orientation class in
the area once the new entrance to Carroll Cave is created. Terry has found
in his experience that the Missouri agency people seem to need a lot of lead
time in order to commit to attending a rescue orientation.
New Committees -
Excavation - On July 28 at the dig, Rick is planning to meet with Dr.
Paul
Worsey, Director of the Explosives Research Lab at University of Missouri at
Rolla, to discuss opening the 9" hole with explosives. Dr. Worsey has
access
to explosives as well as the experience and credentials to obtain the
necessary permits, etc.
Rick has also been communicating with John Ackerman who has created 20 or 30
manmade entrances in Minnesota using det cord and taking material out of the
top, including a 30" by 55' hole
Danny Schupbach (Jurnagan in Springfield) has offered to help with electric
or pneumatic drills to drill holes for charges.
At some point Rick will need help making phone calls to gather information on
excavating/blasting.
School House Restoration - Terry DeFraties will make a trip soon to look
over
the school house so he can advise members on the tasks and budget necessary
for restoration.
MVOR - Eddie Simmons gave a preliminary report and received member input
on
plans for the Spring MVOR CCC is hosting as a fundraiser May 3-5, 2002 in
Dallas County, (right on the Niangua River):
The landowner would receive $1.00 per attendee. MVOR would receive $1.50
per
attendee. Chris St. George has expressed interest in catering the banquet.
CCC should realize a profit of approx. $3.50 per banquet ticket sold. The
"Howdy Party" will cost approx. $350.00 unless we can get food, etc.
donated.
The band who was well received at the last MVOR has expressed interest in
performing at CCC'sMVOR. Eddie assured members that this band has a
professional attitude and knows how to please the crowd as well as the event
organizers.
Eddie has obtained a very good price for printing the guidebooks, and he will
be doing much of the labor himself. We can also sell ad space in the
guidebooks.
The Missouri Artists' Council gives $1,000.00 grants for hosting art shows
featuring Missouri artists -Such a show could be incorporated into the MVOR.
Trash removal will cost approx. $290.00.
Port-a-potties will cost $1,000.00 for 20 including one cleanout.
There are showers on site but no plumbed toilets.
Wood for the bonfire may or may not be an expense.
The picnic license for beer is $30.00.
The consensus was that CCC wants to make money on the beer and not just break
even. Several members are opposed to selling a "bottomless" beer cup
for
reasons of profitability as well as to avoid the promotion of irresponsible
drinking. Several members suggested selling "script" for beer at
the
registration table as opposed to handling cash at the beer booths. Different
color bracelets for under and over drinking age were also suggested.
Past experience has shown that decent door-prizes/raffle items should be
budgeted at $2.00 per attendee. Experience has also shown that astute
organizers should purchase such items from vendors as well as asking them for
donated items.
T-shirt profits will depend on our cost of the shirts vs. the selling price.
We can obtain a nice tie-die shirt from Frick & Frack with one-color, one
side printed for $10.00 each. Some members suggested having a
map of Carroll Cave printed on the T-Shirt (possibly on a solid color
T-shirt? - although experience has shown that tie-dye T-shirts sell better).
A security company will be hired for Saturday night. The consensus was
that
attendees need to understand that overly obnoxious behavior will not be
tolerated.
Members suggested that the "loud" and "quiet" camps need to
be sufficiently
far apart so that noise does not carry over into the quiet camp.
Members also suggested that signs and site maps be utilized to avoid
confusion for the attendees. Further suggestions were that posted
schedules
of events would include the location of the events and that events should
start on time and in the proper location. Members discussed the
possibility
of using a PA system.
Members agreed that CCC would like to emphasize guest speakers and field
trips relating to caving in order to have a well rounded caving event as
opposed to "just a party".
A proposed cave list has been prepared and Eddie reported that much of the
approval process is already well under way. Members agree that trips
should
all be led and start at the posted times. Some members suggested that
attendees could possibly pre-register for trips when they send in their
registration forms.
Plans/Work Projects
We now have electrical power at the drill site. The only remaining task is
to install the receptacles. Greg Buckley volunteered to do this.
The air compressor for the jackhammer has been worked on by Greg Buckley,
Gerry Gattenby, and currently by Gerry's dad. The work has included a valve
job and new carburetor. If all goes well it can be moved to the site on
July
28.
The silo will be further prepped on August 5. The date for the crane to
pick
up the dismantled sections is August 11.
New Business
Eddie Simmons asked members if they think CCC should ask the owner of a 70'
pit for a formal arrangement allowing CCC to use the pit for vertical
workshops.
Note
Rick has confirmed with the National Historical Landmark Society that Carroll
Cave is a National Natural Landmark.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be for the purpose of MVOR planning on Sunday,
September 30, at noon at the Truman Lake State Park Shelter House.
Submitted by Kathy Sumner