7 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org termi nate when the last student graduates. When we rst learned of the possible cut, I wrote a letter on behalf of PLSO to the college president advocating for the program; but the economics were the deciding factor. In happier news, Pioneer chapter member Tony Brooks has taken on the vacant teaching position in the survey program at Chemeketa College. PLSO Foundation: Aer the sudden and tragic death of Foundation champion Sue Newstetter, Aimee McAulie, PLSO Exec. Secretary, and I met with a lawyer who specializes in nonprots to get some insight into how to move forward (or if to move forward). Since a PLSO Foundation would not be for the purpose of scholarships (due to the large amount of money already invested in the OCF fund), the PLSO board is in the midst of researching options. A presentation by OCF board member Annie Donnely is part of that research. But the fundamental question remains whether the foundation would have a purpose or purposes other than scholarships strong enough to justify the expense and high maintenance required. Advance Legislative Agenda Legislative Committee Chair: Dave Williams PLSO Lobbyist Darrell Fuller continues to monitor the legislature in Salem for issues that may impact the profession, work closely with the Legislative Committee and the PLSO oce, submit legislative updates for distribu tion to PLSO members, and schedule a seminar during the conference. It has been a relatively quiet year for PLSO legislative issues. No burning issues requiring legislation have been identi- ed this year. However, two issues came up in 2015 that PLSO acted upon: • In the Spring, Fuller alerted PLSO to a request by International Union of Operating Engineers/Local 70 to the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industry (BOLI) to revise the Construction Site Survey Party Chief designation to bring it under BOLI’s sub classication “Power Equipment Operator” and thus subject to Prevailing Wage. Aer doing research with other state societies and with American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and DEA, PLSO decided to oppose the proposal. Feedback was received from surveyors on both sides of the issue. A meeting attended by parties on both sides of the issue was held to discuss outstanding issues and provide additional information, and ultimately the BOLI Commissioner approved the proposal. It becomes eective January 1, 2016. • Hydrography: OSBEELS initiated Senate Bill 297 to revise registra tion qualications for engineers, land surveyors and photogram metrists. An amendment, A4, was proposed by ACEC to require all hydro graphic surveys to be conducted by professional land surveyors or engineers. At rst, PLSO supported the amendment but later withdrew that support. Rep. Paul Holvey, Chair of the house Business & Labor Committee did not support A4, but agreed to a meeting of stakeholders. e meeting was held in Salem on October 1 and was attended by Dave Williams, Lee Spurgeon, John atcher and Darrell Fuller. Details were published in the PLSO Oct. E-news. Suce it to say, there will be more to come, and PLSO will remain involved. Fiscal Responsibility PLSO Budget Chair: Gary Johnston In light of the projected shortfall of $7,000 in the 2015 budget (due mainly by disappointing proceeds from the conference), steps are being taken to minimize operating expenses, to eliminate some conference expenses that won’t impact the quality of the conference, and to increase membership renewal. Steps taken are: Accomplishments • Aimee McAulie has changed the bank account to reduce fees and changed telephone packages to reect actual usage more accurately e web server was paid in advance to save money in the long run. • Following the example of LSAW, it has been proposed to eliminate the live auction in 2016 and have a silent auction only. In addition, the PLSO board will donate an auction item, and the chapters have been encouraged to do the same. • Sponsorships are being sold for the 2016 conference. • e PLSO Executive Committee will continue to encourage the chapters to hold workshops. As described above, the chapters have been tasked throughout the year with contacting non-renewed members and getting them renewed. Conclusion is is my last column as PLSO Chair. I feel privileged to have been entrusted with this position, and I will continue to serve on the board through 2016 as Past Chair. e greatest reward for me this past year wasn’t scoring the President’s Suite at the 2015 conference. Rather it was working with our chapter ocers and committee chairs, Aimee McAulie, Darrell Fuller, Lisa Switalla, and all the great WESTFED people. It would give me great pleasure to see the Young Surveyors Network of Oregon grow, thrive and develop young leaders to take PLSO through the next quarter century. I am retiring in 2016, and I plan to stay healthy so I can see that happen—perhaps even help it happen. While all organizations need to tap into the experience and wisdom of their elders, they also need the energy, drive and fresh ideas of their youngsters. As we say at the motorcycle shop, “See you on the road” (although sometimes we say, “You want how much for that?”).
PLSO Issue 6 2015 Nov Dec
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