|
|
|
|
History
In the fall of 1961, three members from the tourism section of the "Worker's Sports Club, Resita" (CSM), entered the Poiana Gropii Cave for the first time. That same year, the group "Speo Resita" was created after a suggestion from Dr. Stefan Negrea, a scientist from the Institue of Speleology Emil Racovita. Later, the club was transformed into the Club of Speleological Explorers Restia ( ER ), an affiliate of the Agency of Tourism for Youth in Caras Severin.
In the year 1975, the club (ER) became a member of the speleological section of the Romanian Federation of Alpine Tourism. Two years later (1977), the club then became a member of the new Romanian Federation of Speology and participated in all the activities of this federation.
In 1991, after the fall of communism in Romania, the club became an official association under the new law, becoming the Association of Speleological Explorers in Resita (ASER). The association, ASER, participated as a founding member of the Banat Speleological Society.
In the year 1994, ASER became a member of the newly organized, non-governmental Romanian Federation of Speleology (as the original federation was under governmental influence and lost connection with national and international non-governmental organizations).
Beginning in 1996, ASER became a part of the management team of the Foundation for Youth in Caras Severin. Also, along-side the "Salvamont Team" (mountain rescue team), ASER also created a new team specializing in cave rescue operations, "Salva-Speo," financed by the Caras Severin County Counsil.
ASER, along with other NGO's and local authorities, created the Banat Tourist Club in 1998.
In the year 2001, ASER created and began to apply the first strategic plan of the organization. (Note: within the next few years, ASER became ASE in the hopes of expanding beyond Resita.)
2005 brought on a radical modification in the statute and regulations of the association because of the changes in Romanian society. (Note: ASER also changed its name and became ASE, removing Resita officially from their title, in the hopes of expanding affiliates beyond the city they were founded in.)
The first period of the organization existed between 1961 and 1989 (president Gunther Karban). This period is characterized by a number of discoveries of caves and vertical shafts primarily in the karstic area within Caras Severin county and neighboring counties of Timis and Mehedinti. During this time, studies of bio-speleology and hydrology were reflected in the diverse articles or informative bulletins produced by the club. Protection of caves was an important component of the club at this time, and thus, steel doors were placed at the entrance to the most precious/fragile caves within the Caras Gorges.
The second period of the organization existed between 1990 and 1995 (presidents Alfred Balogh, Oprea Stefan, Mihai Suru and Victor Nania). This period is characterized by a few variations in the style management, however these shifts affected current activities very little. Otherwise, outside of the discovery of new caves and the protective action of these caves, the association began to amplify their energy in precisely locating caves and vertical shafts during this period (using professional surveys). Other energy was focused on re-mapping the principal karst systems within the northern perimeter of the Resita-Moldova Noua karst region.
A third period of the organization began in 1996 and runs through the present (president Bogdan Badescu). This period is characterized by institutional development, diversification of activity and professional management. Projects created within this period have had varied focuses within the field of speleology: protection and conservation of protected areas, protection of water and soils, promotion of concerns affecting the natural environment to increase the awareness of these issues, etc. The number of members in the association is reaching 50 volunteers annually, of which 1-5 people work professionally in the association which has averaged 25,000 Euro annually in donations and grants.
The key to success for ASE has been the passion, perseverance and professionalism of the members and the growing number of partnerships with other NGO's and public institutions, all of which has led to the successful relationship with financers which believe in what we do.
|
|
