UnderGroundEarth wrote:I stand corrected, corrected by my self... I searched further (apparently I wasn't looking for the right key words)....
From NSS Board of Governors Meeting Minutes July, 2011 v5 9
15) Repeal of Electronic Publishing of Members Manual Act
Putnam moved: Act 84-817 (Electronic Publishing of the Members Manual) is repealed.
Cole seconded.
VOTE: In Favor: Majority
Opposed: Liebman
So there you have it... Our BOG has spoken and it seems they do not want to make it electronic.
Without knowing the original act, you've gotten it backwards and assumed the worst!
The act that was rescinded forbid the electronic publishing of the MM. By rescinding the act, the Board removed the "legal" obstacle to doing so.
The text of Act 84-817 was: "The Members Manual shall not be published electronically."
The MM is the responsibility of the Executive VP -- he/she is responsible for making a pdf version happen.
The NSS is looking for (very much needs) candidates for EVP the election this summer. Please help us find qualified, willing, and competent candidates who will take initiative and lead the department. (Otherwise a warm body may be elected to fill the position!) The EVP is responsible for all our pubs, including periodicals, Caver Digests, and books. More info:
http://www.caves.org/info/execsearch/ If you would like to see changes of any kind in our pubs, or simply be involved to help make a difference in the area of NSS publishing, then this is your chance.
We also need (as far as I know)
a new editor for the Members Manual. After years of doing a terrific job, Meredith has stepped down. Changing the format of the MM will also need a willing and capable editor to work with the IT Committee and EVP on an electronic version.
As you may have read in the announcement on CaveChat, the IT Committee has begun the rather large project of redesigning and reorganizing the NSS Web site, thanks to a few members who have volunteered for the project. The new version will have a secure sign-in system for members, which is the first necessary step before offering electronic versions of current publications--and even books--including the MM, through the website. It will also allow other functions on the site that we can't now incorporate for security reasons.
Things usually get done in the NSS simply because one person or a small dedicated team has the vision, desire, and dedication to make them happen, and then does what is necessary. The NSS is always looking for--or certainly needs-- those people, for the success, development, and future of the Society depend on them.
Cheryl