Organization for exploration, conservation, and study of caves in the United States
National Speleological Society
Abbreviation
NSS
Formation
Bill Stephenson, January 1, 1941; 84 years ago (1941-01-01)
Purpose
Dedicated to the scientific study of caves and karst; protecting caves and their natural contents through conservation, ownership, stewardship, and public education; and promoting responsible cave exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves.[1]
TheNational Speleological Society (NSS) is an organization formed in 1941 to advance theexploration, conservation, study, and understanding ofcaves in theUnited States. Originally headquartered in Washington D.C., its current offices are inHuntsville, Alabama. The organization engages in the research and scientific study, restoration, exploration, and protection of caves. It has more than 10,000 members in more than 250grottos.[2]
Since 1974 there has been a cave diving section of the society.[3][4]
The Speleological Society of the District of Columbia (SSDC) was formed on May 6, 1939 by Bill Stephenson. In the fall of 1940, the officers of the SSDC drafted a proposed constitution that would transform the SSDC into the National Speleological Society. On January 24, 1941, Stephenson sent a letter to all members of the SSDC announcing that "on January 1 the Society was reorganized as a national organization."[5] The New England Grotto was the first NSS Grotto. It was chartered in 1941 with Clay Perry as president andNed Anderson as vice president.[6]
On February 6, 1974, a pioneering cave diver namedSheck Exley became the first chairman of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society.[4][3] The new section began with 21 members in 10 different states.[4]
The organization is currently divided into 11 regions:
Arizona Regional Association (ARA)
Mid-Appalachian Region (MAR)
Mississippi Valley-Ozark Region (MVOR)
Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO)
Northwest Caving Association (NCA)
Rocky Mountain Region
Southeastern Regional Association (SERA)
Southwestern Region (SWR)
Texas Speleological Association (TSA)
Virginia Region (VAR)
Western Region
Within these regions are local chapters known asgrottos. The grottos carry out the local-level recreational and conservation-related business of the NSS. They generally function as the local NSS chapter/club. Many Grottos however operate in areas outside of their local area, with many operating in several states.[7] Most Grottos also participate in Regions that are loose associations of Grottos.[7] Regions are also an internal organization of the National Speleological Society.[7]
Grottos are required to meet certain organizational requirements as outlined by the National Speleological Society. These include:[8]
A constitution and bylaws that are submitted to, and approved by, the NSS.
A minimum of at least five members of the Society.
It is NSS policy that full membership in a Grotto requires NSS membership. However, in practice, this is often not the case.
^abKendrick, DF. Pollock, NW (ed.). Science of the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD): Water Quality, Hydrogeology, Biology and Psychology.Diving for Science 2009. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) 28th Symposium (Report). Dauphin Island, AL.
