I attended the FIG working week in Christchurch, NZ last week. One thing that was brought up is the idea of Surveyors without Borders. I have in the past participated in Engineers without Borders, and it was very interesting. They have student chapters at the local universities, and the local student chapter constructed a water supply system for a small village in Ecuador so that people (usually the women) would not have to haul water a bucket at a time from far away.
Anyway, several of the other US Attendees (NSPS rep, Young Surveyors rep) were also interested in this concept.
Any interest in this concept? I think there is a great need in developing countries for help with cadastre, control, etc.
I think it's a great idea, as a team with EWB or separately. I'm aware of groups like Kiwanis doing projects in developing countries by haven't had contact with anyone in EWB. I'd think there would be a good supply of engineers to fill the EWB ranks, both because of the greater number of engineers and the the fact that many of them are not in "small shop" operations like surveyors. Many surveyors would find the time and financial costs prohibitive.
I would be interested.
Surveyors without Borders sounds worthwhile.
But also sounds like an oxymoron.;-) Isn't borders what most surveyors do?
I think it's a great idea. I'd try to get the Rhode Island society involved.
I think it sounds fantastic, but echo the reservation that it could be financially prohibitive.
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Sounds like a great idea. Could I be so bold as to suggest that Mr. Hamilton take the lead on this effort and develop a database of information and assign those of us that are interested, a topic to investigate????
One of my old colleagues, now deceased, wanted to help create an organization of surveyors who could respond to disasters. He preferred the name "Surveyors without Boundaries." I kind of like that name.
I am interested in any information about this. I have volunteered on several trips with Engineering Ministries International (eMi) as the token surveyor in India and Haiti. It's great to see surveyors using their technical skills to support projects in developing countries, who often cannot afford professional services such as ours.
I actually looked into engineers without borders (as a surveyor). Sadly, unless you are part of a mega corporation who can cycle through staff to send year after year and can manage the paperwork on their end EWB doesn't have any need for you.
Next try was was the Peace Corps. All the jobs available were middle management, contract management and counciling positions.
I am actually in a position in my life where I could afford to volunteer for 6 or 8 months. If anybody knows how to go about that, I would love to know.
summerprophet, post: 371664, member: 8874 wrote: I actually looked into engineers without borders (as a surveyor). Sadly, unless you are part of a mega corporation who can cycle through staff to send year after year and can manage the paperwork on their end EWB doesn't have any need for you.
Next try was was the Peace Corps. All the jobs available were middle management, contract management and counciling positions.
I am actually in a position in my life where I could afford to volunteer for 6 or 8 months. If anybody knows how to go about that, I would love to know.
My experience with EWB was with a student chapter, they are happy to have actual engineers (i.e. non-students) work with them.
John Hamilton, post: 371471, member: 640 wrote: I attended the FIG working week in Christchurch, NZ last week. One thing that was brought up is the idea of Surveyors without Borders. I have in the past participated in Engineers without Borders, and it was very interesting. They have student chapters at the local universities, and the local student chapter constructed a water supply system for a small village in Ecuador so that people (usually the women) would not have to haul water a bucket at a time from far away.
Anyway, several of the other US Attendees (NSPS rep, Young Surveyors rep) were also interested in this concept.
Any interest in this concept? I think there is a great need in developing countries for help with cadastre, control, etc.
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