Report from Alan Hatcher:
The Nashville Grotto was well represented at the meeting this year by members Kim Fedrick, Julianne Ramsey, Gerald Moni, Chuck Sutherland, Rachel Saker, John Hoffelt, Chrys Hulbert. Zeke McKee, and Alan Hatcher.
Alan Hatcher responded to the Grotto Roll-Call and used the following notes:
- Speleonews published 13 months in a row
- Speleonews Archive Online
- Library Archive Project Underway
- Membership up From ~50 to ~100
- Success in Recruiting Younger Members
- Three new Exec Committee Members Aged 34, 25, 25
- Working on Code of Conduct
- Very Active Facebook Group and Page
- Very Active Trip Coordinator - Lots of Trips
- Vertical Training
- Working On Website Remake
- Jody's Cavern Tavern Reappeared in 2019 - SERA, Convention, TAG
- Numerous Grotto Members volunteered for 2019 Convention
- Jody Bailey Made Honorary Member in Dec
- Conservation Activities 2019
- Nunley MTN
- Godwin Cave
- Cedars of Lebanon
During elections, Zeke McKee was elected as SERA Vice-Chair. Alan Hatcher was elected as Treasurer/Secretary, and Jon Zetterberg from Atlanta will automatically move up to Chair after serving as Vice-Chair for 2019.
John Hoffelt "retired" from being Treasurer/Secretary after 12 years of service and was nominated and received the Meritorious Service Award during the meeting. Another Meritorious Service Award was given to Maureen Handler and all the volunteers for the 2019 NSS Convention, which includes many people in the Nashville Grotto.
Kim Fedrick received the Avis Moni Hospitality award.
Thany Mann received the Frances McKenney Award.
The Richard Schreiber Award was given to Lee White posthumously.
The Larry S. Adams Landowner Appreciation Award was given to Jeff Haston who owns the Blasted Goat Entrance of Rumbling Falls Cave.
Photo Salon
Nashville Grotto Members received 7 of the 15 ribbons awarded in the Photo Salon:
- 1st Place - Ashley Adkins for her photo of Birth Canal
- 2nd Place - Taylor Lynn for photo of salamander
- 3rd Place - Jason Lovvorn for photo of IGP kids
- Honorable Mention - Alan Hatcher for Muddy Hell
- Honorable Mention - Alan Hatcher for Ashley in Catacombs
- Chuck Sutherland also won several but I didn't get pics of them.
Map Salon
Zeke McKee won Best of Show in the Map Salon with his new Chisum Chasm (WH314) map.