4 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 46, No. 3 From the PLSO Office Aimee McAuliffe, PLSO Exec. Secretary When Considering Membership Renewal As we get through spring and into membership renewal season, it’s often easy for me to think, “We have so much to offer—why wouldn’t a member renew?” I mean, I know PLSO is great because I think about it every day. I see volunteers like Renee Clough, Mike Berry, Russell Dodge, Jered McGrath, or Jason Martin represent us at events. I’m with the Board as they labor over points of discussion on what decisions should be made for spending association money. I receive emails about what’s happening in Salem that will affect land surveyors in the state. However, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, membership value is not determined by me. It’s not even determined the same way by each member. When chatting with a member I’ve known in various capacities throughout the years, I’m often surprised to learn what they do and do not find valuable. Sometimes the answers people give about what they get out of PLSO are vague like “friendship” or “networking.” If they weren’t ever involved, they are vague about the value they felt they received, but unsure how to quantify or verbalize their expectations. The truth is, if you are looking for tangible effects on your bottom line, it probably is hard to quantify. However, do you all benefit from PLSO testifying in Salem, friends you met through events sharing professional information, participating in partner task forces, or promoting land surveying as a profession? Yes, you do. What other considerations come to mind when you renew your membership? Advocacy — It’s hard to get individual voices heard above all the noise in decision-making circles. It is partly due to small businesses being perceived as “small fish,” or a fraction of constituents by decision makers, but it’s also due to a lack of understanding how these systems work, accessibility to specific decision makers, lack of credibility or perceived power, or just because most of you are busy doing your job. PLSO has its own lobbyist that has the contacts and skills to represent members’ concerns that allows them to focus on their strengths and achieve their goals. By being a member of PLSO, you can have a voice in shaping the policies and regulations that impact land surveying. Lobbyist Darrell Fuller regularly meets with chapters throughout the state and works directly with the Legislative Committee and Board of Directors. He serves as a watchdog for our interests and is there so you don’t have to be. Affiliation — The public often calls the PLSO office to ask about members and tends to prefer surveyors that are active in their professional community. They often equate professional investment with knowledge and credibility, preferring professionals dedicated to staying informed about industry developments. Bridges and Connections — It is easier to find and gain access to those who can help you achieve your goals when you are invested in the success of the profession overall. Members often benefit from the “6 degrees of separation” throughout the country and can be connected with mentors, vendors, prospective customers, and key stakeholders they might not otherwise meet or interact with in their own circles. Common Vision — The Board of Directors discusses and works towards a common vision for our profession. As a member you are a part of the “big picture” and investing in resources for long term sustainability of the community. This includes our current goals to address workforce shortages as more surveyors retire. Ways we are addressing this include social media campaigns, partnering with CTE programs, and promoting internship and mentorship programs. Professional Development — Attending seminars at the conference and your local chapter meetings keep you up to
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