William Putnam Consulting, Atlanta, GA (2026)

06/22/2025

Field testing of the Gotnopod (TM) floating focal anchor system. Sadly, a critical (or should I say central?) component was the UFO 3D Rigging Plate (more accurately, a rigging cube), which is no longer available.

06/26/2021

I had an opportunity to spend some time at the NSS Headquarters earlier this week, doing pro bono IT work in support of the computer systems and networks there. Before we got down to work, I was given a tour of the facility. I continue to be amazed at the ongoing transformation of the facility and property into a world class speleological library, museum, office, and conference center.

The business office is also impressive, and provides a very professional environment for conducting the business of the Society, as well as the day-to-day operational activities necessary to support the many services that the NSS provides to its members.

It is also worth noting that the HQ has become a substantial profit center for the Society. Rentals of the auditorium have generated more than $60,000 per year in recent years, (pre-pandemic) and are expected to generate approximately that amount of revenue in 2021, despite the pandemic, now that the vaccine is widely available. Income from the venue rentals covers the maintenance and operating costs of the HQ, including a large portion of the staffing expense. Bookings for the remainder of this year are rapidly filling the calendar, and 2022 bookings are starting to come in as well.

I understand that we are only about $40K away from retiring the $1.2M mortgage on the property. We expect to make the final payment before December 2021. To date the Society has raised more than $1.8M to buy and renovate this facility, and has done an outstanding job, using volunteers to reduce costs and still paying off the 20-year mortgage in less than 8 years.

Please consider making a donation in support of the project to help pay off the last little bit of the mortgage. Also, please feel free to visit the HQ at your convenience to see what has been done, learn what is under way, and hear about the great things to come.

Camping on the immaculate grounds is excellent, encouraged, and free for members and their guests. The Library is quite impressive and professional, and is the only one of its kind in North America. The museum is also worth a visit in its own right.

I am so proud of what has been accomplished, and of the dedicated members and volunteers who are making it happen!
https://www.facebook.com/NSSHQ

Located in at 6001 Pulaski Pike, Huntsville, Alabama, the NSS HQ and Conferencet Center is paving the way to a better and stronger NSS!