Fellow Surveyors:

My tenure as your President is quickly coming to an end. As I reflect on this past year, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the experience immensely.  I have attended WSLS meetings, the annual conferences of two adjacent States, a strategic planning event and meetings for eight out of our nine Chapters. As I noted in my President’s message last March, my goal this year was to work hard to gather your input in an effort to build a stronger organization and a stronger voice for all surveyors across the State of Wisconsin. To this end, I appreciate the efforts of the board and our committee chairpersons. As a team, we have established the framework for a successful future for this organization. Some of our noteworthy accomplishments in 2012 have included:

Outreach /Public Relations - Kevin Slottke and the committee have developed a draft outreach plan, developed two banner projects, created an annual awards program, and have coordinated a number of outreach programs this year. The Board has set aside money in the 2013 budget for hiring a firm to assist us with our outreach efforts.  We have determined our priorities for educating the public, marketing our profession, and collaborating with other professional organizations. 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.

NSPS Membership – Our NSPS Governor, Lisa Van Horn, coordinated with other States in an effort to increase membership in the National Society of Professional Surveyors. Beginning in 2013, all of our regular members will be members of NSPS. This 100% membership will allow our voice to be heard on many issues that are important to us at the national level. Please take a look at their website at nspsmo.org to see all of that the national organization does for the surveying profession.

Strategic Planning – Chairman Burt Naumann, and our consultant, Diane Chamness worked for two days with a group of 30 dedicated WSLS members to develop goals and an action plan that addresses the future for this organization. Please take a look at the plan which is available on our web site and provide your feedback.

I have asked President –Elect John Baudhuin to consider continued efforts on this important topics, as well as ongoing efforts in regards to AE-7 revisions, the Redefinition Bill, our web-site updates, and a number of other initiatives. I wish John the best of luck in 2013. I hope to see many of you at the 64^th Annual Surveyors’ Institute scheduled for January 23 -25, 2013 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Institute committee has once again organized an outstanding event that will not disappoint.

Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, filled with the joys of family and friends.

 

Allen

The Wisconsin Trig-Star for 2011 is Kyle Satterstorm of Sun Prairie High School sponsored by Dan Birrenkott. Kyle was the only student to achieve a perfect score this year. Kyle will now participate in the National Trig-Star competition with all of the State winners from across the Country for a chance at first place and a cash prize of $2,000. Our State winner will receive his State award and prize money at our 2013 Institute banquet in January. Second place went to Jet Vellinga of Dodgeville High School sponsored by Fred Bowden. Third place was awarded to Max Dahl of Superior High School sponsored by WSLS. For more details please see the report attached.

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 10^th and 11^th. 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.

Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable summer full of many new business opportunities

I attended the 60^th Annual Conference of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors in Bloomington, Minnesota last week. On Wednesday, I made the five hour drive along I-94 in time for the President’s dinner at the Kokomo Island Café at the Mall of America. The meal was excellent, not to mention great company. The event was hosted by outgoing President Henry Nelson, and the guest list included representatives from Iowa, North Dakota, and some of the providences of Canada. One of the highlights of the evening for me was hearing some of the history of MSPS as told by an original founder, Martin Mink, Jr. Some late “socializing” allowed for sharing of stories and comparing notes with a number of surveyors, many who are also licensed in Wisconsin.

The Minnesota program is very similar to Wisconsin in that it has education sessions with wonderful speakers.On Thursday evening, I attended the vendor’s social and live auction to benefit their foundation. At the Friday lunch, the society presented scholarships, surveyor’s awards and passed the gavel to incoming president, Paul Vogel.

I appreciated the opportunity to represent WSLS at the MSPS conference this year. It was a well-organized and fun event, that given the opportunity, I would encourage all of you to consider attending.

This is a sample Powerpoint presentation which was provided in 2010 to the Building Inspectors Association

This example Powerpoint has been used at Greenfield high school in the past. It covers the program details, contains slides on careers in land surveying ( provided by NSPS) and has sample problems.

Notice: Trig-Star Committee Meeting at the 2012 Institute

Trig-star is in need of additional sponsors for local programs!

Please join us for a Trig-star committee meeting scheduled for:

Wednesday, January 25, 2012  9:00 a.m.  - 9:30 a.m.

Kalahari Resort - Ebony Room

Examples of typical trig-star exams: from the previous two years