NSS-CDS Board of Directors

[tmassey]

Thanks for the link. Seems like a decent organization, but the link you provided just furthers my opinion that they, like NSS-CDS have a public perception/marketing problem. Right there on the main page it's talking about stuff that happened years ago as if it's upcoming. They seem like a decent group though so I'll look into them more.

Honestly, the problem is not [exclusively] the organizations. The problem is North Florida. There’s a high density of experienced cave drivers who all see each other regularly and can use the old fashioned grapevine to move information around. And they don’t seem to care about anybody outside of North Florida.

in addition, again being North Florida, focus on technology is a distant afterthought. If you’re only engaging with people you physically talk to, in a limited geographic area, what do you care what the website looks like, or if the information is up-to-date? 80% of people that you consider your target audience are not going to be looking there anyway…

So you end up with a feedback loop: your large local base causes you to discount technology with the farther reach, which keeps you from reaching a bigger audience.

At least my $0.02 as a distant cave diver who visits as much as he can, but still doesn’t have “connections”...

 

[Superlyte27]

Honestly, the problem is not [exclusively] the organizations. The problem is North Florida. There’s a high density of experienced cave drivers who all see each other regularly and can use the old fashioned grapevine to move information around. And they don’t seem to care about anybody outside of North Florida.

in addition, again being North Florida, focus on technology is a distant afterthought. If you’re only engaging with people you physically talk to, in a limited geographic area, what do you care what the website looks like, or if the information is up-to-date? 80% of people that you consider your target audience are not going to be looking there anyway…

So you end up with a feedback loop: your large local base causes you to discount technology with the farther reach, which keeps you from reaching a bigger audience.

At least my $0.02 as a distant cave diver who visits as much as he can, but still doesn’t have “connections”...

You’re being far too nice. That is some of it, but the rest of it is that whenever you put 100 “experts” together that believe this is their baby, many of which never really had any real kids, they hold on to archaic ways of doing things for better or worse (and we all know it’s for worse) and won’t let anything change for fear that their self worth and perceived importance is somehow lessened and diminished. Which is bs. The old man’s club has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. But why don’t we still use an abacus? Because there are better ways to do things now. Calculators are awesome. There is zero reason for me to know how to use an abacus. It’s awesome that you still know how to use one, but completely unreasonable to keep teaching your students how to use them.

At any rate, none of this will change until the very old finally let go of the archaic ways of doing things. You have about a decade to wait, provided they don’t indoctrinate the new/young into buying into their 40 year old methodology.

Be patient, you got no choice but to wait.

 

[greeniguana]

I am on my HOA board.

Simply change the title from NSS-CDS to HOA, and every post in this thread would be equally applicable.

 

[Manatee Diver]

I am on my HOA board.

Simply change the title from NSS-CDS to HOA, and every post in this thread would be equally applicable.

Add Gun Clubs to that list. We had to outlive the fuddies to start making changes at one club.

 

[boulderjohn]

Honestly, the problem is not [exclusively] the organizations. The problem is North Florida. There’s a high density of experienced cave drivers who all see each other regularly and can use the old fashioned grapevine to move information around. And they don’t seem to care about anybody outside of North Florida.

I think the fact that so much of this thread is about NFSA being an effective substitute for NSS-CDS is a sign of this problem. Many cave divers see NSS-CDS as an organization dedicated to actions in a few hundred square miles, a tiny fraction of the real word of cave diving. I don't live in North Florida, and if I take a trip for cave diving, it is usually to Mexico. I don't know where Cow is, and I have no burning desire to find out.

Several years ago I set myself up for automatic renewal in NSS-CDS, and it took this thread to remind me of that, because I am pretty sure that never happened. (Oh, yeah! I'm supposed to be a member, aren't I?) I don't know how many years it has been since I have seen an issue of Underwater Speleology, but what have I missed in those years that would be helpful to me?

 

[ofg-1]

There is zero reason for me to know how to use an abacus. ..

As long as you have your slide rule, I agree.


.

 

[cavedivingwoman]

I'm late to this thread because I don't get on this forum too often. But - would anyone who has not been receiving his or her Underwater Speleology issues please contact me? I am NOT a board member, and I cannot solve the problems being discussed. But I have been able to help some people get back on the mailing list.

Please email me (address below) and I will make sure that you get back on the mailing list. Send me your full name, address, email, and phone.

The Board recently voted to suspend publication of the magazine in hard copy for now, because little revenue has come in during the past year. The magazine will be published in digital format. I am hoping that this will be temporary.

For now, recent issues are up on the web site under the "membership" section. They are open to anyone. You do not need to log in.

Again, please contact me if you have not received your issues. All members should have received one in February/March.

Best,
Barbara Dwyer
Editor, Underwater Speleology
cavedivingwomanSF@gmail.com

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I am happy the magazine is electronic only. The printed version is such a drain on the coffers. I hope to see it stay electronic.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Two more vacant seats on the NSS-CDS BoD - Two resignations happened in the past two days. Bill Main and Robbie Brown have tendered their resignations.