I.  AFFILIATION WITH THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Blue Grass Grotto is an internal organization of the National
Speleological Society, and shall follow the policies and principles of
the N.S.S.


II.  NOVEMBER MEETING

In addition to the election of officers, Bylaws may be introduced and
voted upon, and any other business of The Blue Grass Grotto may be
conducted at the November meeting.


III.  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The PRESIDENT serves as chief business officer. He is primarily
responsible for directing the everyday business of The Blue Grass
Grotto and serves as the official representative in conducting
business with other organizations.  The President presides at The Blue
Grass Grotto meetings.

The VICE-PRESIDENT serves in the absence of the President.  In
addition, he may serve as a committee chairperson or may perform other
duties voted by the membership or delegated by the President.

The SECRETARY maintains the written records of business for The Blue
Grass Grotto, and may perform other duties voted by the membership or
delegated by the President.

The TREASURER maintains the financial records of The Blue Grass
Grotto, and must report the financial status at each meeting.

The LIBRARIAN receives inventories and maintains control of exchange
publications and Blue Grass Grotto maps and related data.

Should a Blue Grass Grotto officer resign before the end of the term,
the remaining officers     will arrange an election at the next Blue
Grass Grotto meeting, to fill the vacancy.


IV.  DUES

All individual members will pay dues of $10.00 per year; family
memberships are $12.00 per year. Payment of dues provides privileges
of membership for the next 12 months.

V.  THE OHIO VALLEY REGION OF THE N.S.S.

The Blue Grass Grotto is a member of the Ohio Valley Region of the
National Speleological Society, and shall appoint a Blue Grass Grotto
member to attend and act as the BGG representative at OVR meetings and
events.  Both financial and supportive commitments to the Ohio Valley
Region may only be made by a majority vote of the attending quorum at
a Blue Grass Grotto meeting.


VI. EQUIPMENT

The Blue Grass Grotto may purchase equipment for novice training
trips, cave rescue practice and training, and cave rescues. Equipment
is to only be used under the direct supervision of a member in good
standing of The Blue Grass Grotto during an event sanctioned by the
BGG.


VII.  CAVE RESCUE

The Blue Grass Grotto shall maintain a Cave Rescue Call-Out List,
which includes rescue equipment owned and maintained by The Blue Grass
Grotto, along with personal skills, training, and equipment maintained
by individual members.  Utilization of this data may only be made upon
request from or confirmation to the Kentucky Disaster Emergency
Services duty officer, or its designated agent/representative.
Equipment owned by The Blue Grass Grotto will be made available for
cave rescue when requested by KY. D.

The President shall appoint a member in good standing, to maintain the
BGG Cave Rescue Call-out List.

The Blue Grass Grotto shall encourage each member to gain cave rescue
skills and knowledge through the N.S.S. Cave Rescue Section and
training sanctioned by the National Cave Rescue Commission.  Each
member should have knowledge of and practice self-rescue.


VII. CONTRIBUTIONS

The Blue Grass Grotto may make either financial or manpower
commitments of contribution to any cave related project upon a
positive vote of three fourths (75%) of a meeting quorum, provided
that the contribution and recipient do not conflict with the Articles
of Incorporation.


IX.  NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

A New Member Orientation Committee is created and a chairperson
appointed from among the membership, by the President.  The purpose of
this Committee will be to:

1.  Act as the BGG Liaison to potential members.

2.  Instruct new members in safety rules and their importance.

3.  Answer questions about the history, organization, goals and
ongoing projects of The Blue Grass Grotto.

4.  Give guidance to new members on the sources of, and how to obtain
proper/safe-caving equipment.

5.  Assist new members with learning safe caving techniques.

6.  Assist new members with learning the importance of practicing cave
conservation.


X.  DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Members may be expelled from The Blue Grass Grotto or officers removed
from office by a three fourths (75%) majority vote of a quorum of
members present at a meeting. Causes for disciplinary actions are, but
are not limited to, the following:

1.  Persistent or flagrantly unsafe behavior while participating in
Blue Grass Grotto activities.

2.  Failure to follow cave conservation principles of the National
Speleological Society or violations of any state or local cave
conservation laws.

3.  Violation of laws or other behavior while participating in BGG
activities that causes an embarrassment to The Blue Grass Grotto.

4.  Use of any assets/equipment of The Blue Grass Grotto for personal
gain, financial or otherwise.

5.  Use of Blue Grass Grotto membership for personal gain or
misrepresenting the Blue Grass Grotto.

An expelled member may not reapply for membership for one full
calendar year from the date of expulsion.  Acceptance of reapplication
for membership will be made by a three-fourths (75%) majority vote of
the quorum of a meeting.


XI.  HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Honorary Life Membership may be awarded by a two-thirds (66%) vote of
the members present at the November meeting.  Honorary Life Membership
may be awarded to an individual or family that has made significant,
long-term contributions to The Blue Grass Grotto. Dues are waived for
Honorary Life Members.


XII.  NEWSLETTER

The Blue Grass Grotto may publish a newsletter.  The Editor must
volunteer and be confirmed by a simple majority of a quorum at a
meeting.  The newsletter is titled THE KENTUCKY CAVER, and is
published quarterly.  The Editor will publish all announcements from
the officers and may publish articles, proposed Bylaw changes and
advertisements from the members.


XIII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER and DIRECTORS make
up the executive committee. The executive committee is responsible for
the day-to-day business of The Blue Grass Grotto.

Activities which are sponsored by The Blue Grass Grotto, or which
involve grotto members as representatives of The Blue Grass Grotto,
must be previously approved by at least five members of the executive
committee.

If a member of the executive committee misses three consecutive grotto
meetings, the executive committee may call a special election to elect
a replacement. If a member of the executive committee moves out of the
area, or for some other reason cannot regularly attend Blue Grass
Grotto meetings, he/she is encouraged to resign so we can elect a
replacement in a timely manner. In either case the replacement will
serve for the unexpired term-of office.


* Bylaws adopted May 8, 1988.
* Bylaws amended November 10, 1994:
  - Changed section IV, Dues
  - Added Section XIII, Executive Committee.
* Bylaws amended September 21, 1999:
* Changed section IV, Dues

Updated November 10, 1994 by John Barnes.
Updated September 21, 1999 by Michael Harper.
Visual format changed September 23, 1999 by Michael Harper.