To the CDS BOD:

I understand that the board has recently taken action in the John Jones and
the Anonymous Email Episode. I note from the your website that Mr. Jones has
been removed from the Board pending a review of the matter. Should the
review confirm with any certainty that Mr. Jones did send the email in
question, I hope that the Board will stand by its action.

I quit the CDS in recent years because of actions or I should say,
non-actions by the CDS Board of Directors. There were two incidents of
embezzlement and the Board failed to take any action at that time to perform
a thorough audit, which I and others had called for after the first
incident. After the second incident of embezzlement of member monies, I once
again called strenuously for a thorough audit and once again the board
demurred and refused to do so. I was told later, second-hand, that the Board
finally did some kind of audit, although I have never been privy to the
results. What should have been done was an independent audit by a
professional accountant not related in any way to the CDS. The audit should
have included all properties, money, income and debts, equipment loaned and
salaries and who the salaries were paid to and for what. Once done, the
results should have been published in the newsletter and prominently on the
website.

An organization without the taint of scandal and with a good reputation
might not have to take such steps, but the CDS, in my opinion, does not
enjoy a good reputation at this time and extraordinary steps ought to be
taken to recover that reputation. This recent action is a step in the right
direction.

I would also like to see the Board review its instructor requirements,
instructor health requirements, its whole training regimen including some
consideration of a mentor-based learning regimen and the basic fitness
requirements of all of its instructors.

Not being a member, I don't expect the same consideration of my thoughts as
a member, however I was a long-time member, an active volunteer and
supporter of the CDS from 1990 until 1998 and I am an active member of the
cave diving community. If the CDS is to restore its reputation among cave
divers around the world, it can't be business as usual, strong measures must
be considered and taken.

Sincerely,

-- 
Joel Markwell
736 Ponce de Leon Terrace
Atlanta, GA 30306-3708

404-876-3705 (Office)
404-229-3455 (Wireless)

joeldm@mi*.co*    

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