As your President, this spring, I travelled over 4400 miles to attend WSLS meetings, the annual conferences of two adjacent States, and meetings for eight out of our nine Chapters. What an experience it has been. I met many of our members for the first time and learned so much about what’s important to the Chapters. I wish to thank all the Chapters for making me feel so welcome.
I am pleased that At-Large Director, Kevin Slottke, has taken on the lead as Chairman of the Outreach Committee. The committee has prepared a draft plan which outlines our priorities for educating the public, marketing our profession, and collaborating with other professional organizations. I participated in a few public relation events recently, including the Milwaukee Chapter display in Menomonee Falls for National Surveyor Week, as well as, “A Day in the Life” program at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay. I am asking all of the Chapters to be active in the outreach effort and to coordinate through the Outreach committee to share ideas and resources.
Many of the states affiliated with the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) are discussing and strongly considering a push to 100% membership in NSPS. NSPS has decided to reduce dues to any state that comes in at 100% of the voting membership to only $40 per year per member. The WSLS Board is interested in hearing from our members. Please take a look at their website at nspsmo.org to see all of that the national organization does for the surveying profession.
Especially if you have never attended the WSLS summer meeting in the past, please consider joining your fellow surveyor’s in La Crosse on August 10th and 11th. The Western Chapter has organized a great two day event with a number of social events planned for Friday including golf, a motorcycle ride and a boat ride, along with a banquet that evening. Saturday’s agenda includes two continuing education seminars and WSLS meetings.
I suggest you routinely visit WSLS.org for the latest information on the on-going activities of our organization.
