I posted the following recently to the International Congress of Speleology e-mail list and am repeating it here. Feel free to post this on other list servers, newsletters, or to anyone you think may be interested. For all of the details on the Congress, visit www.ics2009.us
George ------------------------------------------------ Dear Friends, Most of you realize that the 15th International Congress of Speleology (ICS) is being organized entirely by an international team of volunteers. The ICS Organizing Committee has 88 people, not including their assistants. However, in hosting an estimated 2,000 people and offering dozens of trips, meetings, and special activities, more help is needed. I have no doubt that many of you will arrive and offer to help in whatever way is needed, but for some tasks we need to know very soon if you will be able to help us in Kerrville. Below is information on some items where we need help. We welcome help from anyone, from inside or outside the U.S. Even if you can only donate a few hours of volunteer time, it will be very much appreciated, and you will often find it fun. If you are interested in volunteering, please read the information below and contact the people listed below. Thank you, George George Veni, Ph.D. Chairman, 15th International Congress of Speleology Adjunct Secretary, International Union of Speleology Executive Director, U.S. National Cave and Karst Research Institute ---------------------------------------------------------- ICS Security: Mike Frazier ([email protected]) is organizing our security team. We don't expect any problems, but the security team will watch the entrances to the university to make sure that only ICS and people with university business will enter. In many ways, security will mostly serve to help people at the ICS and make the ICS as easy and convenient as possible for everyone. ICS Daily Trips: Travis Scott ([email protected]) and Joe Mitchell ([email protected]) are organizing daily caving and non-caving family trips. They have several trip leaders and assistants but need a few more to meet our estimated demand for trips. We need to reserve vans well in advance of the ICS and will only reserve vans for the trips that have leaders. Many of you will come to go caving or see some tourist destinations anyway, so consider taking charge and leading others. Also, trip leaders and assistants (one leader and one assistant per trip) will not pay trip fees! (The fees are to cover the cost of the vehicles, fuel, etc.) This invitation is not limited to cavers in Texas. If you have time before the ICS to go to Texas and learn a cave or tourist destination so you can lead others there, please consider doing so. Contact Travis and Joe soon. Other Volunteer Needs: There are more volunteer opportunities for the ICS than I have space to describe here. If you would like to know what they are, please contact Nancy Weaver ([email protected]). Also, send her information on your skills, interests, and time available, and she will try to match you with the most suitable opportunity.
