I just got a message from our (Minnesota) NSPS governor. ACSM is now finished and NSPS will likely get a new name and a new look. This information is not yet on either the ACSM or NSPS website.
The Text of Today's Message
Dear Fellow Professionals,
At the past ACSM Congress meeting on July 13, 2011, the representatives to the Congress approved the following motion:
It is moved that in the interests of leading toward a viable single organization, the ACSM Congress be disbanded and the dissolution of ACSM begin and in conjunction with the process, ACSM turn over all operation, control, assets and liabilities to NSPS.
And furthermore,
That the NSPS immediately proceed with a realignment into a unified organization made up of individual members with equitable representation that encompasses the broader definition of surveying to include professional surveyors, geodesists and other geospatial professionals; that the realigned organization adopt the following mission statement: "The mission of the organization shall be to represent and advance the sciences and disciplines of surveying, geodesy, cartography, and related fields through education and communication, in furtherance of public good."; that the realigned organization adopt a structure similar to that of NSPS; that the realigned organization take immediate action(s) to reduce administrative costs; that the realigned organization immediately develop a plan to attract new members in all of the disciplines of surveying, geodesy, cartography and related fields, and develop a marketing strategy.
In response to this motion, the Presidents of the three Member Organizations are prepared to work diligently to create this new "unified organization". Already the process has begun to appoint members from all MO’s to a new Strategic Planning Committee to conduct a Financial Operational Analysis of the organization, including review and recommendation of Membership Categories and Rates. Shortly, we will charge committees to review and recommend member benefits, and develop a marketing plan for our "new" organization.
There are going to be unknown challenges in creating this new organization, but with each other’s trust and determination we can succeed and create an organization that will reach out to all members of what is called the “geospatial” community: Licensed and non-licensed, boundary surveyors and construction surveyors, geodetic surveyors and mapping surveyors, GIS specialists and photogrammetrists, machine control and LiDAR specialists, cartographers and drafters, and any other related disciplines.
We ask your support and continued involvement in making this an organization that will grow and represent all of us in the future.
Sincerely,
William R. Coleman, President - NSPS
Curtis L. Smith, President – AAGS
Coleen M. Johnson, President - GLIS
What was the original reason the NSPS split from ACSM?
> What was the original reason the NSPS split from ACSM?
In a nutshell - over 90% of the membership of ACSM were surveyors while having 1/4 of the control.
More to it than that. Check with your NSPS state governor.
> More to it than that....
Indeed. There is a price to pay for brevity.
Noticed long ago that there was a large difference in those who teach and those who do. ACSM seemed to be the forum for the learned to get published with little interest in day to day surveying. At least that was my first impression on the first journal I looked at years ago. I don't know if we yet have a true organization without their imprint being hidden at the core. I don't get very excited with any organization that has existed very long, the ones who seem to serve the best for the doers of the world are the new ones and usually they outlive their usefulness just as quick as it takes them to want to expand and be recognized by those they were never intended to impress.
jud
Back in the 80's I quit ACSM specifically because they reported info that was just patently false when compared to our State rep reports. I will not fund liers.
I will wait and see what comes of this. Show me an effective surveyor's org and I will consider become a member again, but you got to show me action, not lip service.
So.... What will happen to the "ALTA/ ACSM LAND TITLE SURVEY" now that there will no longer be an ACSM?!?!
For the next ten years we'll be constantly explaining to lawyers, title people, etc. that it is now called an ALTA-NSPS survey.:-D
They will probably come up with a new name to promote unity. Something like "EarthMetrics".
It would save a lot of future conversations if they would just call it "American Council of Surveyors and Mappers".
Now is the perfect opportunity to form a National Organization that represents the surveying community. There are going to be changes in NSPS with the end of ACSM, let's make the changes positive. I suggest that each of your contact your NSPS Governor and get involved in the new organization. Volunteer to serve on a committee, attend the meetings and talk to your representative. Sometimes you may not be able to attend the meeting because it is in a far corner of the earth, but talk to your representative about what you expect from the organization so they can speak up for you.
A suggestion to all
When contacting your representative: Use Spellcheck. It would also be wise to have an associate read your message to determine if you have written what you meant to convey.
The Text of Today's Message
Does anyone know what will happen to Curt Sumner through all of this? I've always enjoyed his classes and talking with him at conferences, and just wondering what will happen to him.
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The Text of Today's Message
NSPS (or whatever the "new" organization is called) will still need an executive director. I expect Curt will still be around, if he wants to be.
A suggestion to all
What's Spellcheck?
> Back in the 80's I quit ACSM specifically because they reported info that was just patently false when compared to our State rep reports. I will not fund liers.
>
> I will wait and see what comes of this. Show me an effective surveyor's org and I will consider become a member again, but you got to show me action, not lip service.
I'm not critisizing TP, but I've always been told that the grass is the greenest where you water it. Maybe the surveyor's org needs you to take some action to get it moving.