NSS-CDS Project Guidelines

 

The NSS-CDS recognizes the benefit of promoting and funding projects from its membership.  Projects help to further the goals of the NSS-CDS by promoting the conservation, exploration, and study of underwater caves, which is the primary reason for the existence of the CDS.  It is a substantial benefit of membership in the organization and the ability of members to participate in, and learn from projects, enhances their enjoyment of the sport and helps to develop new leaders within the organization.

Recognition by the NSS-CDS as a project allows members to use the reputation and prestige of the third oldest conservation organization in the United States to lend credibility to their project.  As a tax-deductible organization under section 501c.3 of the Federal Tax Code, projects may accept charitable contributions through the NSS-CDS and participants in the project may realize a substantial tax benefit also.

Project status is determined by the CDS Board of Directors using the information supplied by the group in a Project Proposal. Project Proposals are submitted in writing, and will generally be discussed at the next Board of Director's meeting following receipt of the proposal.  The Board meets four times a year.  The applicant will be notified of the time and place of the meeting and is encouraged to attend if at all possible.

 

Project Proposals will be sent to:

NSS-CDS Administrative Office

ATTN: Project Approval
2109 W US Hwy 90, Suite 317

Lake City, FL 32055

 

The following items must be addressed in the Project Proposal.  If project funding is also being requested, the additional items under Funding must be submitted as well.

 

Required Items:

 

1.      Scope:  Include a brief description of the scope of the project and the intended goals of the project.  A timeline for completion of major goals and the overall project must be included.

2.      Benefits: Projects must reflect the objectives of the NSS-CDS to promote the conservation, exploration and scientific study of underwater caves and education for increased awareness, safety and skill in cave diving. The application must clearly state the benefits to the NSS-CDS which generally fall under one or more of the following topics:

a)      Original subterranean exploration leading to substantial new knowledge of a given region or cave system.

b)      Scientific field research leading to substantial new knowledge of the process of formation, the indigenous fauna and flora, the history and ecology of a cave system or karst region, and the performance and behavior of man in the subterranean environment.

c)      Field testing of new apparatus and techniques which offers significant promise for extending the capabilities of subterranean explorers and researchers.

d)      Conservation projects leading to new knowledge of the impact of human activities on the cave environment or to increase the awareness of the public regarding karst environments.  Cave clean-ups are also included.

1.      Deliverables:  A project must have a tangible benefit to the NSS-CDS in the form of articles, photographs, maps, videos, or reports. At a minimum, a written report on the findings of the project will be received for publication in Underwater Speleology within one calendar year of the completion of the project. If appropriate, publication is also encouraged in the NSS NEWS or The Journal of Karst Studies. More complete documentation of the project is, of course, welcome for publication and/or inclusion in the cave files.

The project proposal must include a list of deliverables the NSS-CDS can expect from the project and a timeline for receipt of the materials.

On-going projects must submit yearly updates on the progress of the project to the NSS-CDS Board. 

2.      Recognition: The NSS-CDS logo will be used and the support of the NSS-CDS will be acknowledged as a sponsoring institution in any publications, reports, maps, videos, or other tangible results of the project.

3.      Membership: Membership in the NSS-CDS is highly encouraged for all participants within a project, but there is no absolute requirement, as substantial benefits to the organization could be realized by participation of even one member. Expeditions comprising a majority of NSS members will receive priority consideration and project participants should be encouraged to join the NSS-CDS whenever possible.

An initial listing of project members is required with the application, and a contact person or persons should be noted.  It is recognized that project participants will change over time and on-going projects should provide an updated list of project participants with the yearly report.  If the contact person should change, the NSS-CDS Board of Directors should be notified as soon as possible, at the address above.  Failure to provide a contact person could result in loss of project status.

4.      Qualifications:  The project application must outline the team's abilities and resources to accomplish the goals of the project and to produce the intended deliverables. Cave diving requires specialized training and, at a minimum, the certification level and experience of the participants must be stated in the application. The NSS-CDS wants to encourage projects within its membership and recognizes that many times these projects will be a learning process for those involved. 

5.      Other Sponsorship: A list of any other sponsoring agencies or individuals and funding amounts, if any, should be included in the application.  Anonymous donors may be listed as such.  Any sponsors and funding obtained after NSS-CDS Project status is obtained will be included in the annual project status update.

 

Funding:

 

The NSS-CDS will consider funding projects on a case-by-case basis. Funding is dependent on available funds within the NSS-CDS and may be withdrawn at any time.

1.      Eligible expenses: Funding is normally for consumable items such as transportation expenses, guideline, batteries, breathing gases, and presentation materials. Capitol items or gear purchases are not normally funded but may be individually justified.  The NSS-CDS may require the return of such items to the section at the completion of the project.

2.      Budget: Funding requests must include a budget showing anticipated costs. A full accounting of costs incurred is expected at the completion of the project.

3.      Matching Funds: Greater consideration for funding will be given to those projects that have acquired other donations of cash, goods, or services as listed under Other Sponsorship above.

Ethics

Projects are an extension of the NSS-CDS, and as such, the conduct of its members reflects back on the organization as a whole.  Members are expected to conduct themselves accordingly and at a minimum:

1.      Projects should show cave diving in general and the NSS-CDS in particular in a positive light.

2.      Projects, and individual members, must conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner that reflects positively on the NSS-CDS.

3.      The name of the NSS or the NSS official sponsorship status is not to be used in any manner that would detract from the professional standing of the Society.

 

Termination of Projects

The following are grounds to terminate project status.  These are guidelines only. Termination of a project is at the discretion of the NSS-CDS Board of Directors and individual circumstances may warrant deviations. As a volunteer organization, which is dependent on volunteer labor, we cannot always hold to strict timetables and reasonable efforts will be made by the NSS-CDS to contact projects regarding status.  Projects are expected to make reasonable efforts to meet their deadlines and obligations to the NSS-CDS.  The following are reasons to terminate project status:

1.      The project goals are completed and all deliverables are received by the NSS-CDS.  In this case, a formal request by the applicant should be made to NSS-CDS Board of Directors to terminate the project.

2.      The project fails to file an annual update report.

3.      Violation of ethical standards.

4.      Falsification of information contained in the Project Proposal.

5.      Failure to produce deliverables promised in a reasonable time-frame as put forth in the project proposal.

In addition, projects that have received funding, and are terminated due to failure to abide by the above requirements, may be asked to re-pay monies extended by the NSS-CDS.