[PBSS] NSS Convention in New Mexico?

[J. LaRue Bills]

I'm sending this on from the NM remailer--looks like we'll be having a 
meeting right before they pitch their idea to the BOG meeting March 17th. 
Let's put a discussion about helping them out with something on our March 
agenda, and if we do decide to help out we can tell Sandia before they give 
their presentation.

Just a thought, an agenda item, not a commitment. Jacqui

>   Dear SWR Cavers,
>       The Sandia Grotto is planning to introduce a Grotto proposal  for a 
> Sandia Grotto-hosted 2011 NSS Convention in New Mexico at the  Spring SWR 
> and opening discussion to the Southwestern Region.  The
SG has decided to make a preliminary proposal noting SWR  endorsement, 
support and participation has been requested.  We are still in the draft 
stages of the Grotto proposal as some of the details have been delayed from 
our proposed site, NM Tech in Socorro.
>       We feel, however, that it has become important to "jump the  gun" 
> slightly and to present a preliminary Sandia Grotto proposal at  the NSS 
> Board of Governors meeting in Tucson on March 17.  Some of  you may be 
> aware that a Colorado NSS convention proposal will also be presented at 
> this meeting.  In order to have our proposal  received for consideration 
> on equal footing, rather than be "Johnny  come lately," we feel it is 
> necessary to present the Sandia Grotto  NM NSS Convention 2011 proposal at 
> the same time.
>       At an October 2006 Sandia Grotto meeting, the idea for a New  Mexico 
> convention was proposed by a Sandia Grotto member.  It was   announced as 
> being a Sandia Grotto proposal, with SWR endorsement  and support 
> requested.  The Sandia Grotto believes that it is the oldest and largest 
> NSS internal organization in the region and we maintain that we are a 
> strong organization, with an active   membership large enough to host an 
> NSS convention.  At this meeting,  the grotto authorized a planning 
> committee to meet and explore  options.  Therefore, a convention planning 
> committee agreed to meet  in early November; this committee proposed Linda 
> Starr as  chairperson and settled on NM Tech in Socorro as a site because 
> of   its centrality to cave, historical and natural history resources and 
> its notoriety as a scientific institution and facilitator of the National 
> Cave and Karst Research Institute.  Blake Jordan offered to be treasurer 
> as he is bonded and has financial and accounting  background and 
> experience.  In the meantime, several of us had  reviewed the NSS 
> Convention Planning Manual and worked with the NSS  Convention Planning 
> Committee to have our proposal placed on the agenda of the next NSS Board 
> meeting, Mar. 17 in Tucson.  We decided  to announce our plan to the 
> region at the Spring SWR after we had  more information to round out the 
> proposal.
>        During e-mails with the NSS Convention Planning Committee, it  was 
> also determined that Colorado cavers are gathering resources  for  a 
> Colorado convention proposal at the March 17 meeting in  Tucson.   The 
> Sandia Grotto planning committee was reluctant to wait  until  2013 or 
> later to make a convention proposal because it was  felt that  six years 
> is a long time to wait.  If our proposal is not  favored by  the board 
> over a Colorado convention, we will try again  for a later  time.  Because 
> of the necessity of presenting our  proposal at the  March BOG, it was 
> necessary to bypass regional   approval of the  Sandia Grotto convention 
> proposal until it can be  discussed.
>       To continue, in late January, a Sandia Grotto convention  leadership 
> team met with a convention services representative at NM  Tech to present 
> a list of convention facility needs and we toured  possible facility 
> sites.  We also talked about possible dates and  such delicate subjects as 
> use of alcohol.  Then we agreed that the  week of July 4-8, 2011 would be 
> an opportune time since student  population at Tech is low.  Also, since 
> Socorro and NM Tech host a  huge 4th of July celebration, we thought this 
> would make a fabulous  Howdy Party arrangement.   After touring Tech 
> facilities, we agreed  that it meets convention needs and the NM Tech 
> representative seemed welcoming and enthusiastic about having a Caves and 
> Karst  Convention, even to the degree of setting up a one-time photo of 
> the  marquee at the Macey Center announcing "Welcome, National
> Speleological Society Cavers" for use with our proposal.
>       At the January 29th Sandia Grotto meeting, a motion to authorize the 
> Sandia Grotto convention proposal be made to the BOG  passed by a solid 
> majority.  The Sandia Grotto is on the March 17   BOG agenda to present 
> our convention proposal.  Several of us are  journeying to Tucson to 
> present it.
>        Incidentally, the NSS does not vote to accept or reject  convention 
> bids at the same meeting as the initial proposal.  We  will be refining 
> our proposal for a presentation at the 2007  Convention in Indiana and the 
> BOG will vote at this time if no other  proposals are forthcoming.
>        Members of our Sandia Grotto NM NSS Convention planning committee 
> are eager to make a presentation of our proposal at local  caver 
> gatherings throughout the region to better acquaint you with
> our plans.  We can travel to a few caver locations prior to the BOG 
> meeting in March during the week.  Please let us know when we can  arrange 
> for this to happen.  You can e-mail Linda Starr,
> lstarr at hubwest.com or call 505-255-6037.
>
>       We would like to have time devoted at the Spring SWR to  present the 
> Sandia Grotto-hosted 2011 NSS Convention proposal to the   Region and ask 
> for Region endorsement.
>
>   Convention Pros:
>   * It has been 20 years since there was a convention in New Mexico.
>   * NM Tech is a large college campus with plenty of meeting room  and 
> lecture hall capacity, a large performing arts center, informal  gathering 
> space, food service, 2 gymnasiums, campground (athletic  field), 
> dormitories and it is a center of science.  Tech also  facilitates the 
> National Cave and Karst Research Institute.
>   * Socorro is in the heart of New Mexico caving country with accessible 
> caves within a 200-mile radius in almost any direction.
>   * Socorro is a place of history and abundant natural resources and 
> scientific attraction.
>   * Socorro is a thriving community with widely available resources 
> hospital, hotel & motel, restaurants.
>   * NM Tech is enthusiastic about having a cave and karst convention  at 
> this state university.
>   * We do not expect a hundred-year flood (like in '86) in Socorro! 
> Earthquake ?
>   * The Sandia Grotto will be celebrating it's 50th anniversary in  2008 
> as an affiliated organization of the NSS.  We have a strong,  viable and 
> moving-ahead membership to draw upon for convention  staffing.  The NSS 
> website award has gone to the Sandia Grotto for
> the last 2 years in a row.  Many active members from our grotto have 
> attended numerous NSS conventions in the past and been recognized  by  the 
> NSS for their contributions to caves and caving.  The 2011  NM  Convention 
> Chairwoman has been attending NSS conventions since  1971  and was 
> involved in the 1986 NM NSS Convention planning and  operations.  For the 
> past 2 years she has directed a local music  festival with ~3000 attendees 
> and >30 committee managers; she
> coordinated with city government officials and private agencies to 
> further the goals of the festival, which is going into its ninth  year in 
> 2007.
>
>   Convention Cons:
>   * Cave Impact:  The Convention planning committee will be  notifying 
> federal, state and private land managers of the proposed  event.  We will 
> be requesting the land managers to make NO special  adjustments to their 
> existing cave management policies.  Caving on Native American lands is 
> trespassing without pueblo or tribal
> government approval.  The convention planning committee expects to  make 
> pre- and post-convention cave trips available as well as caving 
> opportunities during convention week.  Sandia Grotto will certainly  be 
> requesting regional support in leading and monitoring cave trips.
>
>   Cave Softly,
>   Linda Starr
>