Give your company a fresh look. The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 38, No. 2, 2015 4 FROM THE PLSO CHAIR Family „ John Thatcher, PLS; 2015 State Chair I ride a Harley. I don’t say that to project a certain image or to look down my nose in any way at those who ride another make of motorcycle. Indeed, on the road, I’ll wave to you no matter what you are riding—if you ride, you’re family to me. I do say that to establish the theme of this column. I have done a few overnighters that took me through lots of new towns. I have never once gone into a Harley dealer in a strange town without being treated as one of the family. Being treated that way is one of the major reasons I ride one. I just returned from the LSAW 2015 Conference in Kennewick, WA. As PLSO Chair, I was invited, and I was excited to go (thank you, boss). I paid the price for being gone from the office for three and a half days, but it was worth it. It has been several years since I attended the LSAW Conference. I used to be more active in LSAW than PLSO and chose to do the conferences in Washington. But I practice mostly in Oregon, and I saw a need for leadership at PLSO, so I rearranged my priorities. But this year in Kennewick I saw a lot of old friends and met some new ones. I was welcomed and treated as family. As PLSO Delegate to the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors, I fly all over the West to attend board meetings. This is an opportunity for me to “rub elbows” with leaders from other western states. After a few meetings, you get to know each other, and you realize here is another family. I got the same feeling at our own conference in January, and the feeling extends throughout our industry. One of the many things I enjoy about our conferences is that the presenters and the vendors are not on a pedestal—they are our friends, they eat with us, they socialize with us. They are family, too. In my experience, some of the chief enablers, if you will, of the family phenomenon are the events outside the conference seminar schedule: the social events. Some are planned— happy hour with the vendors, the banquet, the Past Presidents Breakfast. Some are spontaneous—meet you in the bar this evening. This is where we learn more about lives and (maybe) less about work. This is where memories, connections and friends are made, business cards exchanged, commonalities and experiences are discovered, and sense of family is strengthened. At WESTFED, it is traditional for the host city delegates to arrange for dinner on Friday night and often some activity that might be happening in that city. In Oakland, a group of us attended an Oakland A’s game and took BART over to San Francisco for a walking tour and dinner. I often stay an extra day in a city I haven’t visited just to explore (at my own expense, of course). In Portland, I arranged for dinner at Salty’s on the Columbia. These extracurricular and fun activities are vital to the bonding process— the growing and sustaining of the survey family. I know there are PLSO members and ex-members who question the benefit of membership. And I know there are members whose circumstances do not allow them the time and energy to actively participate. I understand that. I’ve been there. But for those who can step into leadership positions, there is one benefit that doesn’t get a lot of press but seals the deal for me and keeps me coming back. It’s that same feeling I get when I walk into a Harley Davidson dealership. PLSO needs some family help now. Our Legislative Committee Chair Carl Sweeden is having to deal with some issues in his immediate family and has had to rearrange his priorities. I told Carl that family comes first, that he should do what he has to do with a clear conscience regarding PLSO, and that I will find a way to cover for him. Carl has already revitalized the Legislative Committee by creating policies and processes for responding to legislative issues that arise and for coordinating with our lobbyist Darrell Fuller. Some very solid groundwork has been laid, and now there is a need and an opportunity for a PLSO member to step into this void. You won’t be starting from scratch. There is already a committee and a plan in place, and a large family to support you. I hope you all are enjoying the spring weather. As an old crew chief of mine used to say, “Now get out there and get some wood in the ground.” ◉ 503.445.2220 800.647.1511 www.AssociationPublications.com
PLSO Issue 2 2015 March April
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