We had a really good turn-out at the conference this year.
There were a number of new courses being offered.
Two big highlights being Dr. Willis' "Surprising Technology at Minimal Cost" and "Un-manned Aerial Vehicle & Close-Range Photogrammetry" which were well received by everyone who attended. If you are planning a conference, I would highly recommend contacting Dr. Willis, he makes an excellent presentation.
We had a good presentation on the Kentucky/Tennessee boundary which included some discussion of the current work on recovery and referencing of the monuments.
There was a presentation on Kentucky 811 (call before you dig service) and upcoming changes as pertains to design surveys.
We had the gentleman who designed the current KAPS website present on "Building an Effective Website". That one generated some good discussion and was actually presented twice with pretty good turn-out each time.
"Wilderness First Aid" was a good one that made me realize how much about first aid I have forgotten over the years. A more in depth refresher course might be a good idea.
This past fall, our chapter hosted a seminar on "Getting to Know Machine Control". It was so well reviewed that KAPS asked Glenn Etienne to present it at the conference. There was good attendance and comments to that one as well.
The Carlson folks presented "Least Squares Adjustment De-mystified". From what I have heard, there was some lively discussion in that course.
One that I did not hear about was "3-D Mapping: Past, Present, & Future". If any of the posters attended that one, I would like to hear how it went.
A local chapter member presented on "The County Surveyor in Kentucky". He raised some very good points and there was good discussion. Perhaps some of the discussion generated can lead to the betterment of the County Surveyor role in Kentucky.
Bud Salyer, presented on "Using the Case Law Reference Book". That is a very handy book to have for Kentucky Surveyors. If you do not have a copy, get in touch with the KAPS office and get you a copy.
Each year, we have a Licensure Board Panel Discussion. It is really good to have and I really appreciate those board members in attendance. Each time, I have learned just a little more about exactly what the board can and can not do.
Saturday's session was the requisite standards of practice and ethics. This one always generates several questions and discussions. I wonder if Mr. Rajkovich has ever had the time to get completely through his slide presentation as there is always so much discussion.
KAPS Conference Recap Post 2 General Info
A couple of events from the conference. Each year, we have several things going as fundraisers for the scholarship fund. I do not know the final tally, but from all appearances, there should have been a good bit of money raised.
We do have a door prize raffle. This usually includes some prizes provided by some of the exhibitors as well as prizes provided by the individual chapters. This one is just for fun and is part of the conference sign-up.
We then have several raffle items going on.
This year, there was a drawing for a couple of bean bag toss game boards that were hand made and painted by a KAPS member. He sure did get a hard time for painting them in UK colors when he is a diehard UofL fan, but you got to market to the masses.
There was a drawing that included several winners with prizes being software from Carlson, a handheld GPS unit, and the final draw won an iPad.
There was a silent auction going on that had several prizes donated by various chapters and individuals.
Finally, there was the notorious "reverse raffle" that was a scheme concocted by Richard Montgomery. It is a great deal of fun and generates some good funds for the scholarship program. This year Richard's company provided a HP touchscreen all-in-one PC as the prize.
There were several scholarship recipients in attendance at the Friday evening banquet. It is always nice to see these young people in attendance.
I will make note that the luncheon and banquet meals were really above par this year. Being a little big around the mid-section, I won't just rely on my thoughts on the matter. It was actually commented on by several people.
After the Friday Banquet, another Beer Leg poster (Tom Bushelman) put on a bluegrass show along with a band. Maybe Tom can fill in some of the details of the band. It was a really good show. There was a lot of talent on that stage.
KAPS Conference Recap Post 3 Important Decisions
At the general membership meeting, we had a few items for discussion. One of the more important ones being if KAPS was going to participate in the NSPS 100% membership initiative. There was some discussion on the matter. A few of the concerns were very easily resolved as these items had been discussed in the board of directors meetings and at the NSPS level ahead of time.
In the final vote, KAPS has decided to become one of the states joining the 100% membership initiative. The way our state society intends to handle the fees is that the $40 cost of membership will result in a $20 increase in dues with KAPS covering the other $20 from current membership dues rates.
What are the changes for Kentucky 811?
Sorry, I was not in that particular course so details are lacking. From what I gathered, there is going to be an option for getting locate information for design surveys (maybe boundary surveys as well) since we often need to excavate for corners or set rebar.
If any posters attended that seminar, perhaps they will provide details.
KAPS Conference Recap Post 2 General Info
just one question from a poster who doesn't get out too often ---- What is a "reverse raffle"?
KAPS Conference Recap Post 2 General Info
Brian
In this instance, it is a very convoluted scheme to raise funds for the scholarship program. The rules were posted and there was still many questions as to exactly how it would work. It works this way:
Richard had a board laid out in a grid of numbers 1 through 60. He also had the numbers 1 through 60 as individual slips of paper.
For $50 you purchase a number and write your name across that number on the board. Richard placed the purchased number slip in the drawing box. Looks good so far - a 1 in 60 chance at a $800 computer for only $50.
Now the drawing begins.
The first number drawn loses the chance at the computer (but they did win a nice looking KAPS logo raincoat).
The 2nd through 14th, 16 through 29th, 31st through 44th, 46th through 55th numbers drawn lose.
The 15th, 30th, & 45th numbers drawn win their $50 entry back (this is usually donated back into the scholarship fund).
So essentially what appears to be happening is that the last number drawn is the winner (hence reverse raffle).
The only problem is Richard throws in a twist (published in the rules and very easily read when purchasing a ticket).
The last five numbers in the draw have to be defended by their owners at auction. Only those who purchased a ticket originally can bid, but the last five numbers get auctioned off. Most often the original purchaser pays a little more to keep the now 1 in 5 chance of winning. As an example, I purchase a ticket at $50 and am in the last five. During the auction, I have to bid $80 to protect me ticket. Since I was the original purchaser, I will have to pay an additional $30 for my ticket.
The last numbers are drawn with the final number being the winner of the prize.
As you might imagine, the bidding portion leads to some friendly picking at each other.
This year, it came down to a ticket I purchased under the chapter name and a ticket another chapter purchased. The other chapter won. They turned around and auctioned the PC off again as just a straight auction and added another $500 to the money already raised.
KAPS Conference Recap Post 2 General Info
Thanks,
That sounds fun and interesting. I'll pass this on (with your permission) to a member of our scholarship auction committee.
