It's that time of year again. Can someone tell me what the rationale is to having high dues? Wouldn't it make more sense to cut the dues in half and have twice as many members?
I know that the societies have expenses, but I don't see how more members would increase expenses.
I would think nothing of spending up to $100 per state, but as it is now, I'd be spending over $1000 to join all of the states where I work and am licensed.
> It's that time of year again. Can someone tell me what the rationale is to having high dues? Wouldn't it make more sense to cut the dues in half and have twice as many members?
>
> I know that the societies have expenses, but I don't see how more members would increase expenses.
>
> I would think nothing of spending up to $100 per state, but as it is now, I'd be spending over $1000 to join all of the states where I work and am licensed.
I just rejoined TSPS and in November renewed OSLS. Total cost: $295 50.00 for OK and 245.00 for TX
I do not understand the disparity in dues.B-)
Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors, $100 per year.
Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors, $145 per year.
I haven't sent mine in yet, but probably will this weekend, grudgingly.
grumble grumble grumble. I wonder if it's worth it.
For the first time in many years, I have not paid my state dues. I looked at the value and made the determination that the value for me is to belong to NSPS, and drop the state dues. That is pretty bad whennthebdues are only $65.00. The last few conferences have not had speakers that interest me, and I am exempt from continuing education so I do not see the benefit of membership. I do get a lot of continuing education from other sources.
> For the first time in many years, I have not paid my state dues. I looked at the value and made the determination that the value for me is to belong to NSPS, and drop the state dues. That is pretty bad whennthebdues are only $65.00. The last few conferences have not had speakers that interest me, and I am exempt from continuing education so I do not see the benefit of membership. I do get a lot of continuing education from other sources.
What does the NSPS do that makes you want to pay their dues? I'm just curious, not in defense of either group.
> It's that time of year again. Can someone tell me what the rationale is to having high dues?
Dues should cover the costs of the operating expenses of the renewal year that go in line with the groups goals and needed events. Our state societies expenses consist of:
-chapter events that promote outreach and networking
-legislative watch dog group or member to track, report on and decide action for pending legislation that would affect the society or members.
-educating the public and HS students about the profession and education opportunities.
-Annual Conference to provide PDH opportunities to members and non-members
-scholarship donations for College students in Surveying, or Members kids.
-Executive secretary to help coordinate all of the above and answer phone calls on a daily basis to answer public questions and promote members to the public for surveying needs.
-Maintain cash reserves to operate all of the above in lean times.
If dues have to raise to accommodate the changes then so be it but the increased cost better be justified and shown to the membership.
> Wouldn't it make more sense to cut the dues in half and have twice as many members?
The logic is solid but the follow through is nearly impossible IMHO. Many society's are seeing a drop in membership and participation not only due to the economy but in someways due to the faster pace of Life IMHO. People can't make meetings or choose not too and society as a whole is moving to a more digitally connected method of communication rather than the old school face to face meet and greet. Many individuals have lost the desire to network and socialize in groups unless is adding to their bottom line. I for one feel the state society's are the best form of networking locally and dedicate my time and efforts to them as much as possible.
> I know that the societies have expenses, but I don't see how more members would increase expenses.
More mail, More people to communicate with and assist, more people to pay for and plan for at the annual conference.
> I would think nothing of spending up to $100 per state, but as it is now, I'd be spending over $1000 to join all of the states where I work and am licensed.
I figure the cost of state society memberships should be worked into any company's overhead. If that means you need to add Ten dollars to the cost of every survey then so be it. I personally only actively participate in one state society even though I licensed in three. I would like to do more but I have my limits too.
Good post.
I don't actively participate in any of the societies, but would willingly pay full price in my home state, and would like to pay an out-of-state nominal fee of $50-100 for the others. But that's not always an option.
Instead, I pay full price for three, and nothing to the others.
Also, I'm against the use of dues money for scholarships. If they have money to give away, then they should lower the dues instead.
In my humble opinion, the state society(s) should offer a discount to out-of-state members who show that they pay full price in their state of residence.
Another problem this can be, is many states are raising their price to accommodate all of their members to be joint members in the NSPS. That's fine for someone like me, but if someone is a member of their "home-state" and a member of three (one or more I should say) other states they are licensed in. In that scenario, that person could potentially have to pay an upped fee to be in the NSPS for each state organization, but only receive one membership for the NSPS.
Anyway, it is hard for an out-of-state member to receive the benefits of in-state members.
> Good post.
>
> I don't actively participate in any of the societies, but would willingly pay full price in my home state, and would like to pay an out-of-state nominal fee of $50-100 for the others. But that's not always an option.
>
> Instead, I pay full price for three, and nothing to the others.
>
> Also, I'm against the use of dues money for scholarships. If they have money to give away, then they should lower the dues instead.
JPH, I agree on the scholarship money and should clarify. Our dues do not go toward that. Our members over the years have built a large fund for scholarships through direct donations and or auctions.
I really like the idea of a lower out-of-state fee and think that may entice some out of stater's to participate more via funding, than not at all. Which is my case.
> In my humble opinion, the state society(s) should offer a discount to out-of-state members who show that they pay full price in their state of residence.
>
> Another problem this can be, is many states are raising their price to accommodate all of their members to be joint members in the NSPS. That's fine for someone like me, but if someone is a member of their "home-state" and a member of three (one or more I should say) other states they are licensed in. In that scenario, that person could potentially have to pay an upped fee to be in the NSPS for each state organization, but only receive one membership for the NSPS.
>
> Anyway, it is hard for an out-of-state member to receive the benefits of in-state members.
I believe there is a provision that you will only pay the NSPS once, if you pay for multiple society dues. I think it has been discussed and clarified on the forum here before.
Wow, what a wide range of cost. I see one is only $65.
Michigan is $300 plus another $27 for local chapter and we are voting on including another $40 for NSPS.
Looking at $367 next year :pissed:
> It's that time of year again. Can someone tell me what the rationale is to having high dues? Wouldn't it make more sense to cut the dues in half and have twice as many members?
>
> I know that the societies have expenses, but I don't see how more members would increase expenses.
>
> I would think nothing of spending up to $100 per state, but as it is now, I'd be spending over $1000 to join all of the states where I work and am licensed.
Florida is $232 plus local Chapter Dues (in my case $35). So a total of $267 per year. So far, I haven't paid this year because I can't afford it (just started on my own). Maybe when I can pay myself a decent paycheck...:-S
The Bow Tie Surveyor
> > For the first time in many years, I have not paid my state dues. I looked at the value and made the determination that the value for me is to belong to NSPS, and drop the state dues. That is pretty bad when the dues are only $65.00. The last few conferences have not had speakers that interest me, and I am exempt from continuing education so I do not see the benefit of membership. I do get a lot of continuing education from other sources.
>
> What does the NSPS do that makes you want to pay their dues? I'm just curious, not in defense of either group.
Not speaking for Steve...but the question might be what ASPS doesn't do. ASPS has had the opportunity to get in on the 'combined' dues for $65+40 for a couple of years. They are still dragging their feet. ASPS seems to be more interested in hosting continuing education than representing Arkansas surveyors.
And before you jump on the 'be a leader in ASPS', both Steve and I have been District Directors and Chapter Presidents...and Steve is the Past NSPS Governor for Arkansas.
DDSM
(also exempt from continuing education but still a member of ASPS)
by the way...come to the next ASPS program and look me up. I would love to discuss the NO COPYRIGHT (Feb. 22, 2012) letter from the State Land Surveyor...
Hey Dan,
Would love to come down to Arkansas sometime, but I don't know when that would happen. It sounds like ASPS doesn't do a lot. These issues about adding $40 for NSPS membership, is controversial and all the state societies know that some of their membership will probably quit if they execute it. They have been on the fence about that here as well. Just because you think it is a no-brainer, that guy over there might be vehemently against it. I don't know about all the states, but I kind of think it is hard to get things done everywhere. It is here. A bunch of guys like you and me who have full-time jobs, and try to figure out what's best with a lot of other board members who may or may not disagree.
Frankly, I'm sick of the politics of it all and I think I am in Steve's equivalent position.
I guess if Steve was the NSPS governor, I certainly understand why the NSPS would be a priority. I have met a number of people who join one group and not the other. And for the average guy who doesn't go to the meetings, you don't 'see' a lot of the product being delivered to you.
I have a few gripes about how some things are done with the NSPS as well, but I am a poor judge of that. I kind of know that that group is full of a bunch of guys that have other jobs and try to meet once in a while and help steer the direction of the mothership at the same time just like the state groups.
What about that governorship anyway? Does a guy get appointed to governor and then try desperately to hold on to it for life? (I think some do) Do the governors actually effect any changes? Or is going to a governor's meeting just simply kind of a junket and party like meeting a bunch of beer-leggers.
(and I'm not trying to disparage governors either. I don't get exactly what they do. They are not on the NSPS board, and they meet regularly, but I am curious if they make decisions actually get executed.)
Tom,
Come on down to Arkansas...I'll make up a pallet for you. ASPS is well know for the fishfrys and BBQ...
> Frankly, I'm sick of the politics of it all...
I am getting to that point...and dang...my work wardrobe contains the ASPS logo.
> I guess if Steve was the NSPS governor, I certainly understand why the NSPS would be a priority. I have met a number of people who join one group and not the other. And for the average guy who doesn't go to the meetings, you don't 'see' a lot of the product being delivered to you.
While Steve was governor I knew my voice was represented.
> I have a few gripes about how some things are done with the NSPS as well, but I am a poor judge of that. I kind of know that that group is full of a bunch of guys that have other jobs and try to meet once in a while and help steer the direction of the mothership at the same time just like the state groups.
Agreed. Walk a mile in the other's shoes and all that.
> What about that governorship anyway? Does a guy get appointed to governor and then try desperately to hold on to it for life? (I think some do) Do the governors actually effect any changes? Or is going to a governor's meeting just simply kind of a junket and party like meeting a bunch of beer-leggers.
I'll let Steve (or other governors) address if their meetings are as fun as a 'beer-legger';-)
> (and I'm not trying to disparage governors either. I don't get exactly what they do. They are not on the NSPS board, and they meet regularly, but I am curious if they make decisions actually get executed.)
I only mentioned that Steve was a past governor to show that neither of us was 'sitting on the sidelines bitching'.
DDSM:beer:
May have something to do with who is running the show.:-O
I'm paying over $450 each year here in NZ 🙁
and each year I wonder if its worth it 🙁
We raised dues in Idaho last year and this year our membership voted overwelmingly to join NSPS for $40 more a year. We will be around $175/year come April 1st.
We were running in the red for a few years and on the current path we would have been broke in a few more if things hadn't changed. Last year our organization went through a S.W.O.T. analysis and it helped us focus a new direction and everyone seems excited. We are professionals, and as professionals we should expect professional dues.
We harp about the future of our profession that we have many grey hairs and no one coming into the ranks, and yet we don't do a good job of educating the public or taking care of our students. I just got done running the ISPLS scholarship auction and was saddened to see half of the conference attendees not at the auction to show support for our future. If we don't support it then it's as good as dead.
How About No Society Dues ?
PA-PLS, no dues. Typically $10 from a 4 credit CE course goes to cover group expenses.
PA-PLS was formed a few years ago because PSLS dues and continuing ed were too high.
PSLS has since lowered dues to $190 and has now added an "Affiliate" membership at $105. You can be an affiliate member if you are not a PA resident, are licensed in another state and a member of another state's society.
Paul in PA
Congratulations on a successful conference, and especially on raising approx $12000 for our scholarship fund.
Yes our dues have significantly increased over the past few years, which we probably needed. However, our challenge now, IMHO, is to provide an ROI for our dues paying membership. They are the heart of our profession and deserve an organization that is willing to step up to another level from what we have been doing. In other words, lets be sure the dues paying memebership is at least getting their moneys worth, because if they don't, they ain't gonna pay no more. I think we are on the right track, lets keep going.
