Just a thought, but would it not be a responsible act to do, for the State Society to comment on any decision issued by the State Board on Surveys?
I realize this is off topic, but could be discussed?
Keith
Obviously, the ideal situation would be (as some states have done) is to have the surveying societies become active in identifying and defining the standards of practice and standards of care, instead of leaving those important functions to a group of individuals with little or no professional expertise in doing so.
In Maryland representatives of the state society attend every board meeting and the board frequently turns to the society for input regarding changes to regulation.
The process is currently in place to revise the Minimum Standards of Practice and the draft revisions the board will use as a starting point will come straight from the society.
> In Maryland representatives of the state society attend every board meeting and the board frequently turns to the society for input regarding changes to regulation.
>
> The process is currently in place to revise the Minimum Standards of Practice and the draft revisions the board will use as a starting point will come straight from the society.
Assuming that the licensing board is not exclusively made up of licensed surveyors, and the society is, wouldn't it be a reasonable presumption that the society would have (or should have) a better grasp of the minimum standards, practices, and laws affecting the profession?
I agree.
> >
> 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.
Jared, that list of expenses also does a good job of covering a list of reasons to be a member. Especially "legislative watch dog group or member to track, report on and decide action for pending legislation that would affect the society or members".
I have been a member of the state society for a number of years. I would attend the chapter meetings (sometime infrequently) and think I was doing my part by just being there and paying my dues.
In the past couple of years, I have been a chapter chair. In performing the duties of the chapter chair person, I have really started to see the behind the scenes work that the state society (at least in Kentucky) does - to the benefit of all surveyors in Kentucky. Especially in regards to legislative initiatives.
If you want your voice heard on such issues, it is often best done as a collective group. At the state level that is the state organizations and at the national level would be NSPS. Now I may not always agree with the direction of the next legislative issue to be addressed, but I do have a say by voicing my opinions at the local level.
Point being - make it to your local meetings and make sure that your local representative is passing as much information as possible along from the state level. Be informed of what is going on and make your opinions a part of the discussion.
There are folks that have really put forth a good deal of time and effort into making our (KAPS) organization into something useful for the licensed land surveyors in the state. But there needs to be more participation from others to better serve the entire group.
I agree. All "Professionals" should do that, and it will open some eyes. It did mine.
Keith
The Kentucky Board requests feed back from the Kentucky Association of Professional Surveyors (KAPS) frequently. Example:
KAPS was asked for input on the 2010 standards changes. I know some of the input from KAPS influenced the final changes.
Recently KAPS was asked for input on the matter of the 2 HR state specific exam once the NCEES exam goes computer based. I believe that the KAPS opinion on that matter will be influential in the final decision.
KAPS is asked to have members participate and work on a question bank for the state specific exam as needed.
Our state board really works with the state surveying society on getting feed back on issues that will affect Kentucky licensees. While one licensee can always contact the board directly, it would be a full time job to keep up with any matter that you might want to address. KAPS fills that gap by keeping members up to date on what is going on at the Board level.
Edit to add - our Board covers PE and PLS. So as Brian indicates, the input from the state society really comes more from a surveying perspective.
That is great!