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Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org
NSPS NEWS
T
he NSPS/MAPPS Geospatial Summit and NSPS
Spring Business Meeting held during the week of
April 13–16, 2015, in Washington, D.C., was a very
successful and productive meeting.
The ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey Committee has
reviewed and considered many suggestions for revising
the current standards over the past few years. The NSPS
committee members held a meeting at the conference,
reviewed proposed changes, amended others and developed
an edited version that is near completion for adoption in
2016. The proposed February 2016 Standards will be a great
improvement over the current edition. The new standards
will be known as the Minimum Standard Detail Require
ments for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys.
The Geospatial Summit Sessions by NGS were very
enlightening, particular the new datums proposed for 2022.
The proposed datums are a few years from implementation;
however, the resources provided by NGS in the NAD83 and
NAVD88 datums will no longer be available. NSPS and
AAGS are teaming up to do their part in helping revise the
model law in order to incorporate the new datums into
state statute. Now, with a better understanding of the
significant changes brought on by these new datums, the
proposed Geodetic Certification program that has been
proposed and is now under development makes even more
sense to be offered to the membership.
By all accounts, Capitol Hill Day (formerly known as
Lobby Day) was a success. Teaming up with MAPPS
allowed us to send over 100 people to Capitol Hill where
they visited over 80 Senators or Congressman.
NSPS Executive Director Curt Sumner installed the new
NSPS officers: Past President Pat Smith, President Jon
Warren, President-Elect Tony Cavell, Vice-President Jan
Fokens, Secretary Tim Burch and Treasurer Robert Miller.
Given the size of NSPS with the 100% membership, (nearly
17,000 members) the secretary/treasurer position has been
separated.
In attendance and participating in the meeting were 11
past presidents. What dedication! Some real stalwarts in
the organization are stepping down and allowing others to
take the reins. John Matonich (Past President, Chair Joint
Government Affairs), John Fenn (Past President, Treasurer)
and Malcolm Shaw (Governor, Director of many years for
New York) have served NSPS with distinction. Also, several
individuals who completed their terms as area directors.
NSPS Spring Business Meeting Summary
April 13–16, 2015, Washington, D.C.
As a result of our 100% state membership program, the
NSPS bylaws are being updated to reflect initiatives
generated. As part of the 100% membership, at this
meeting the board of governors and area directors ceased
to exist. An At-Large Director will be elected by the general
membership to represent those members who do not have
representation on the board through the 100% program.
A number of motions were considered and approved by
the directors that were of a general housekeeping nature.
The approved motions included the following:
• Every director is required to serve on at least one
committee;
• Webinars will be set up for committee meetings;
• The revision and production of a new director’s manual;
• Producing progress reports from each committee;
• Developing or enhancing the nomination process;
• Removing references to ACSM in all handouts and
documentation.
The NSPS Foundation has an intriguing fundraiser in
place for a 1 in 300 chance at $100 each to win a cruise for
two to Alaska, The Danube River, or Mediterranean. It will
raise funds for the foundation to use for disaster relief and
scholarships.
The student competition was another success, won by
Puerto Rico, (a four-year surveying program) and New
Mexico Community College (a two-year surveying
program). I was disappointed that Oregon Tech was not
present for the competition.
The fall business meeting will be held October 8–9, 2015
at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky,
Ohio. The Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio extended a
warm welcome to all the directors to join them in the
“Buckeye State.”
With the 100% membership program and nearly 17000
members, NSPS is now a strong voice for Land Surveyors,
both nationally and locally. I encourage everyone in this
profession to promote membership in NSPS and PLSO to
further expand our influence. With so many folks within
the geospatial community infringing on the Land Surveying
profession, we need all the support we can muster. ◉
Bob Neathamer, NSPS Oregon Director
NSPS Radio Hour every Monday, 11 a.m. EDT
