Suggestions Requested

hard to find reference materials, rifle, dip needle, metal detector, antique instruments, duckway, etc.

Even though for a surveyor gathering, survey tools and items may be popular, personalized and/or engraved event items like fish cookers, BBQ pits, shotguns and knives are a big hit.

B-)

Maybe a couple of suggestions. Getting a vendor to donate something for a great cause would help. I don't know if it would be right to select one vendor over another....or whether all of the sponsoring vendors donated something? A free ticket to the next conference might be of value to some of the guys that have to pay their own way. Or a free one-year's membership. Maybe even someone like the acsm (I mean NSPS) would be willing to give a one-year free membership. Sometimes adding $5 to the cost of coming to the workshop might be a way to cover the cost of a prize in addition to the ones who participating in the drawing.

Just some thoughts.

I don't know how it usually works, but if you have several prizes, some of the guys might get some of the lesser prizes with the winner getting the 'grand prize'.

You would be surprised what some organizations might give you for a prize just for the asking. Especially if it gets there name plastered up there as the donator; especially if it's for a good cause.

Some of the things I "won" at an auction up here at the Jersey conference over the years have been a restored wye level (too much $$ in this economy); a walking cane with a compass in the top; a money clip with a ceramic compass rose; a framed print; a wine gift basket; gift certificate for a restaurant; half scale chain; look at Bernsten products also. and I remembered this from awhile back.

http://www.plumbbob.de/media//DIR_42117/DIR_198101/53e2e3fcf330c93fffff8020fffffff2.pdf

As others have said--maybe a local supplier could donate something, free registration for next year, etc. We always had good participation from our vendors.

Good Luck.
Steve

distomat or an inexpensive gps for the car (not for use in boundary determination!)

> hard to find reference materials, rifle, dip needle, metal detector, antique instruments, duckway, etc.

OK, someone has to ask -

"What's a duckway?"

😉

About 5 pounds. 😀

An easement for ducks...?

Three hours alone with a vendor of the world's oldest profession.

Or........a nicely framed reproduction of a very nice map of some antiquity involving the region.

How is your cell phone reception in rural areas? If not good how about a satellite phone.

a fat pan of meat-loaf.

Maybe a visit to the surveying museum in Springfield, IL?

For something to do with the proceeds, consider a multiple-user site license for a Surveying software package for a university in your state that educates surveying students.

That's what the local LSPS chapter did last year for LSU students.

Software companies will usually help with the donation by upgrading the number of users that can simultaneously use the package at the same time; it helps the students and when they graduate, they recommend the same package to their employers.

For a "prize," consider purchasing a pair of tickets to a university football game that has an arch rival for next year.

I bought one of these for a silent auction at our land surveyors AGM a few years ago along with available matching earrings. Highly sought after items.

Meades Ranch Monument paperweight

They have a similar zipper pull and a lapel pin.

Can't find the earrings on line any more...

You know our very own Kentucky based Carlson Survey has been supportive of KAPS in the past. It is possible that they could be talked into donating a seat of their fabulous surveying software. (I would like Carlson Survey 2013 with embedded Autocad please).

Also, many people already have Carlson but not the latest version, and you could try to get an upgrade to the latest version. That would be Carlson supporting KAPS and their own customers at the same time. If I'm not mistaken, Bruce is giving a class on least squares adjustment at the conference. The guy has got a degree in mathematics from Dartmouth and is brilliant with math concepts.

> You know our very own Kentucky based Carlson Survey has been supportive of KAPS in the past. It is possible that they could be talked into donating a seat of their fabulous surveying software. (I would like Carlson Survey 2013 with embedded Autocad please).
>
> Also, many people already have Carlson but not the latest version, and you could try to get an upgrade to the latest version. That would be Carlson supporting KAPS and their own customers at the same time. If I'm not mistaken, Bruce is giving a class on least squares adjustment at the conference. The guy has got a degree in mathematics from Dartmouth and is brilliant with math concepts.

I'm sure Carlson's representative for Kentucky (Derek Roche) would be able to come up with something. I have done similar donations for the Surveying societies in my region and will forward this request on to Derek to see what he can come up with.

Personally, I think things we REALLY need, we buy. So, go to thing we don't really NEED, but that improve our lives.
I suggest OLD antique survey equipment. I bought a Gurley Transit off Ebay the other day, for less than $200. It needs a new chain for the plumb bob. It needs a sun shade tube. It needs a little repair on the box. It has a 30 minute vreneer on the verticle, and a 10 minute veerneer on the upper motion. Now, if I get it all fixed up, and into a plexiglass case, it will make a WONDERFUL display piece, but one that is still usable. I want my kids to each leave home with something like that, so that they can do stuff.
N

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

I think I have enough suggestions to carry through for a number of years.

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

Sorry. I'll try not to think of any more!

🙂

N