Conference Suggestions

I'll second the first idea. Love it.

Maybe we can put that on as a PLSO Central Chapter Workshop/Symposium?

In defense of the "lackluster" presentations, PLSO is pinching pennies big time, cost of speakers was cut way back (so I heard a few months ago) to keep costs to the organization down, maybe low cost = low quality, just saying....

I don't think JB or Lucas are going to come for free, BUT I might be wrong.

SHG

Yes, that's exactly the case. We asked many high profile speakers for prices and they were very expensive. So we did what we could with what we had to work with. Especially after last year's financial woes. Some were willing to work with us and gave us good deals, so we went with them.

That was my understanding too, like anything else I suppose you get what you pay for, I don't fault the PLSO in the hard times we are in, we as members just have to be aware that if we cut expenses we may not get as high of quality of services.

SHG

Wendell,

This isn't meant to be an indictment of the quality of our conference.
I realized going in that the members of the conf. comm. had a limited
budget to work with and did the best they could.

However, one instance of a total waste of time (again, no fault of
your committee) was a FEMA employee taking 45 minutes explaining
the merits of various ENGINEERING formulas/methods to determine the
BFE in an "unnumbered A zone".
What part of Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon did that
guy not understand?

Scott

Yeah, I heard about that from several folks. Seems the guy didn't get the memo (you know, the one you wouldn't think you'd have to send). 😉

Scott,

I took your post to be light hearted and friendly and asking for contributions for ideas for future presentations.
The ones you suggested would certainly be enlightening as well as amusing.

I'm trying hard to come up with some suggestions of my own here, but I keep getting stuck on Tommy Young and the Civil War.
Who would be counter point and who would moderate?

Keith is certainly a good idea for a presenter, but let's pair him with Kent.

"Keith and Kent, who will relent?" That would be good theater, don't you think?

What are some others, let's see.

O.K. I'm striking out after a long day.

Anybody?

Don

TDD and anybody.

> After attending many lackluster presentations last week
> at our annual conference here are a couple of ideas
> for future sessions that would be both informative and entertaining.
>
> Have Earl Morris and Jeff Lucas speak about the
> the "Quasi-Judical functions of Land Surveyors" with
> John Stahl as the Moderator.
>
> Keith Williams and Ron Scherler could speak about
> the "Bogus Theory of Subdividing Sections in the PLSS"
> with Loyal Olson as Moderator.
>
>
> Does anyone else have any ideas?

Scott,
I'll take ALL suggestions and concerns for improvements as I have the privilege of being the head volunteer in charge of the committee next year.:-D Shoot me an email. We will meet once a month starting in March.;-)

Myself and the conf committee heard about the Fema blind side at our closeout meeting friday.o.O As far as I know that presentation and speaker was a last min request by the original Fema speaker. I don't know much more about it other than that.:-/

I love your suggestions for a debate as those gents seem to split paths on some key points for surveyors. Usually the audience is split one way or another as well so a lively event would most likely ensue. I think the best thing about most Nat speakers is they know the things to say to get the surveyor to think! Their ideas are usually not meant to be followed verbatim but they want us to think about their suggestions when we get to a crossroad that may be influenced by a rule of law, or another chapter of "The Manual."

I heard lots of great comments in favor of the conference in general but many of those seemed to lack the specific details needed to recreate the things that worked. I would prefer to hear detailed constructive criticism and suggestions that can be worked on to make improvements as you did here so thank you!!!

I did receive great feedback about Gary Kent's classes, but I didn't attend them because I have seen Gary before and was running around elsewhere. I also got some suggestions to have more local speakers and or local case studies. I am going to try and work hard over the next year to get people who are willing to present on local topics. Obviously the Nat speakers do command the room as they're presentations are vetted and well practiced, this comes at a cost and finding the happy mix of high cost and low cost presenters is a fun game of juggling chainsaws. Ultimately we make suggestions to the board about the conference, and it goes from there. Most of them are followed and some are not.

Cheers my friend, it was good to see you and Lady D Wednesday night of that week but as always a bit too short.

> "Keith and Kent, who will relent?"

I like that Don!:-)

> TDD and anybody.

Maybe a few years ago, when his topics of discussion were more survey related.;-)

I love history; I've been thinking about putting together a bio on the first surveyors in my county:

• Where did they come from?
• What was their back ground; what did they do before they became surveyors?
• Where did their family come from; what influence did that have on their survey careers?
• Did they develop styles or did they consistantly use a certain survey method?

Does something like this sound interesting?

Our chapter hosts the refresher course for those wanting to sit for the exam; PLS or LSIT. We offer 10, 3 hour classes, Thursday night for 10 weeks, at a community college in Olympia. The cost is $15 a class or $30 if you are licensed. It used to be $15 for everyone until this year.

The current enrollment was below expectations and we stood to lose about $600, so they talked about canceling the classes. Then someone asked if we were in this just to make money? Are we an orginization committed to the advancement of our profession; or are we trying to make money.

I like to see a fat bank account as much as anyone, but the contribution we make to the community is more important.

Doug

Scott

How about a member(s) of your State BOR? Someone from the State Archives with what is available and how? Someone from the GLO/BLM, National Forest Service, et.al. (as long as you don't beat up them too badly)? A forester for a demonstration of tree identification with handbooks from State forestry service?

Andy

Hold the Conventions in Bend or Redmond, they have the facilities available and those towns are centrally located. Getting the cost down for attendance and making it easier to get to, should increase the attendance. It is attendance that pays the bills and preserves the PLSO. Most people with something to share, that is worth sharing, usually are not on the speaking circuits, covering expenses for those people should draw some of them, unless pride gets in the way of asking. I have long felt that a permanent central location for holding these Conferences and a reasonable fee would increase attendance.
A professional Conference should be about the exchange of information and knowledge, that does not require an expensive or prestigious location, it requires a location that is adequate, centrally located and reasonably priced. Only when those things are in place and producing a consistent revenue should the employment of an expensive speaker be considered.
A Central committee made up of Chapter representatives could be the organizers of each conference and some of the proceeds dispersed back to the Chapters using a percentage scale.
Thanks for providing the opportunity to present my opinion.
jud

Shopping for lowballers? You get what you pay for.

> After attending many lackluster presentations last week
> at our annual conference here are a couple of ideas
> for future sessions that would be both informative and entertaining.
>
> Have Earl Morris and Jeff Lucas speak about the
> the "Quasi-Judical functions of Land Surveyors" with
> John Stahl as the Moderator.
>
> Keith Williams and Ron Scherler could speak about
> the "Bogus Theory of Subdividing Sections in the PLSS"
> with Loyal Olson as Moderator.
>
>
> Does anyone else have any ideas?

Check out our line up in KY. You can find info at kaps1.com