BLUE RIDGE GROTTO

Meeting Minutes

July 15, 2011 at 7:30p – Vinton Fire Department

Attendance:

Pat Sims	Carl Cornett	David Socky
Aaron Moses	Alan Staton	Al Stewart
Susan Burr	Mary Sue Socky	Marian McConnell
Trish Geiger	Tillie Millen*	Nicole Smith*
Dusty Gulden*	Rebecca Frederickson*

*Guests

1. TRIPS:

· On June 18, BRG trip was to Boar Hole; Mark was the “leader” but seemed to get lost. Pat, Susan, Trish, Mary Sue, and Dave went and it was a great trip.

· On June 25, July 2, and July 9, Aaron Moses went to Memorial Day Cave and Shovel Eater Cave to do exploration and surveying.

· On July 13, Carl and Marian took a 10 summer camp kids to Island Ford Cave. All did very well.

· On July 2, Mary Sue went to Fountain and Grand; they heard that in the bottom of the maze a “vault” opened up and formations were found laying in the trail. Carol and Mary Sue worked on conservation of the old commercial trail.

· Alan Staton reported that per Dr. Steve Mossberg, 14-15 cavers who participated in this year’s NCRC weeklong in Puerto Rico developed histoplasmosis; including Alan. Alan was very sick; not sure which cave(s) he picked it up in – often found in dry, dusty caves and affects the lungs (respiratory).

· July 16 – BRG trip will be to Maxwellton Cave.

· August 20 – BRG trip will be to Smokehole and Links Caves.

· A BRG trip to Giant Cave will be held at a later date.

2. PROGRAM: “Nullabor Dreaming” (cave diving in Australia) – first half.

3. TREASURER’S REPORT:

Petty Cash $ 100.00

General $4901.44

Conservation $ 266.59

Equipment $ 246.12

Cave Bucks $ 143.30

TOTAL $5,657.45

4. NEWSLETTER: July/August went out. Artwork and articles are always welcome.

5. MEMBERSHIP: No news.

6. ROCKS: No News.

7. SAFETY & TECHNIQUES: No News. Dan is still in Ft. Benning, GA through August.

8. MEMBERSHIP PROPOSALS: None.

9. OLD BUSINESS:

· Updating info on Roanoke Outside website – pending.

· Updating BRG Rescue list – Mary Sue will send out.

· Cave Rescue Communications Streamlining – pending.

· Celebrate Catawba on August 13 from 10a-3p – Marian will do; thanks to Mary Sue for creating new display boards.

· Pool Party – was changed to August 21 (Sunday); bring a dish (pot luck).

· No BRG meeting on August 19.

· Fall VAR – no news.

10. NEW BUSINESS: None.

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· 2011 Convention in Colorado July 18-22. Sockys are going.

· OTR will be August 27-30; anyone who wants to attend who needs more info should contact Mary Sue.

12. ADJOURNED: 8:18P.