Today at our local chapter meeting of our Professional Society a member who has tirelessly volunteered for society business at the local, State and NPS levels, announced he is moving to Phoenix permanently since living in Alaska since age 5. I'm guessing he has been active for forty years or more with the society. He is deserving of a new life in retirement, but it is a loss to the Alaska surveying community. However this is a good reflection on how the burden of putting in the extra effort for the profession is borne by a few, and seemingly there are very few to come in behind to pickup the load. I can say that for myself, as I have been actively involved in professional society business for forty years. Just want to recognize Mike, and shout out that we do appreciate it.
Perhaps Alaska's loss is Arizona's gain. I am sure the folks in the Central chapter of APLS would welcome him with open arms. A fresh perspective is always a good thing!
He said he was going to look into the Arizona Society, would be a benefit if he wants to keep volunteering.
I have seen the "giant void" happen over and over in a variety of organizations and such. That "one person" actually does the work of a half dozen or more over time for any number of reasons, both good and bad. Things get tough in a hurry when that "one person" is no longer there. In small organizations, the organization may disband when no one or two or three will step up to fill the needs.
We had to go down to Phoenix on an emergency. When I was last there 40 years ago it was a lot smaller.
It's a huge metroplex worse than L.A.
There are very few protected left turns. I grew up in that system (Southern California) but my wife found it very disconcerting. You don't see very many unprotected left turns up here.