PLSO The Oregon Surveyor May/June 2021

6 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 44, No. 3 From the Publications Committee Pat Gaylord, PLS Publications Committee Chair PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE FROM THE FIELD NOTES While I tend to end up neck deep in most of my volunteer efforts, I have always done my best to lead by example... and live by the mindset of paying it back or paying it forward... H ello everyone! I hope the summer is off to a great start for you and this issue of The Oregon Surveyor finds you busy with profitable work and, above all, healthy. In the last issue I talked about giving the equivalent of an hour a week to PLSO. Surveying has provided me with some great experi- ences, and without PLSO many of those would not have been possible. These opportunities come with a cost (time) which is an investment in both yourself and your profession. While I tend to end up neck deep in most of my volunteer efforts, I have always done my best to lead by example in this regard and live by the mindset of paying it back or pay- ing it forward, whichever way you prefer to look at it. I’ve held several positions within PLSO over the years and have enjoyed work- ing with some great professionals at both the state, regional, and national level. I’m proud to say that as a result of my “hour a week,” I have surveying friends and professional relationships across the nation. I hope to continue to grow these relationships in my next role. The PLSO Board recently appointed me the PLSO Director to NSPS position vacated by Bob Neathamer. I have accepted the position and in April I virtually attended my first NSPS meeting as your represen - tative. I hope I can uphold Bob’s tenyears of excellent leadership with NSPS and continue to expand PLSO’s position at the national level. Many thanks to Bob and his leadership efforts on behalf of PLSO. His will be some big shoes to fill! With this new PLSO responsibility comes the need to shed other responsibilities and keep my “hour a week” intact. This will be my last issue of The Oregon Sur- veyor as the Chair of the Publications Committee. About a year ago, I took over the chair position on an interim basis un- til a permanent chair could be found. To date that person has not been located, but your help is needed now. I’ve truly enjoyed trying my hand at leading The Oregon Surveyor with the help of Aimee McAuliffe, TimKent, and Samantha Tanner. The changes made in the last year include an updated committee job description and the addition of an editor, Vanessa Salvia, supporting the publications committee. Her efforts have greatly streamlined the editing and publication process and re- duced the workload my predecessors had on their plate. I look forward to the BOD’s naming of my successor! I thought I would also take this opportuni- ty to provide a quick summary of the NSPS spring meeting. Attending the NSPS “Day on the Hill” lobby day is a great experience. This year, a virtual lobby day experience didn’t quite compare, but was still effec - tive. NSPS is working hard to look out for surveyors and protect the public interests by ensuring thaat licensed professionals are included in whatever the upcoming infrastructure bill may look like. NSPS has had some great legislative achievements recently with the passing of the Digital Coast Act and 3DEP fund- ing. Additionally, NSPS is seen as a leader on geospatial issues, with members of congress reaching out for assistance and information on these issues. Other initiatives include continuing to explore opportunities for monument protection and restoration efforts through FEMA after wildfires in the West, encouraging young people to pursue a career in sur- vey, diversity in the surveying profession, strategic planning, and many others. On top of all that, NSPS is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year! As I start this next adventure with PLSO and NSPS, I want to say thank you for the confidence of the membership and the BOD to represent PLSO on the na- tional stage. I will continue to work hard on your behalf. I also look forward to continuing to contribute to The Oregon Surveyor through my ongoing Lost Sur- veyor column. There’s no better way to find a reason for a quick road trip than looking for a good article to write. Be safe out there and have a great summer! x