IN THIS ISSUE...
- A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
- HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
- 2022 NATIONAL SURVEYORS WEEK
- NGS GPS ON BENCHMARKS -- 2022 KICKOFF!
- NCEES seeks professional surveyors’ and mapping scientists’ expertise and advice
- KIDS CANCER CONNECTION
- IN THE NEWS
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As land surveyors, we are not merely technicians, but historians as well. The creation of discrete properties from parent parcels often happens through subdivision maps but, at some point, all such creations have an original source. They may be public land patents, a Spanish or Mexican land grant, a mining claim, swamp and overflowed land grant, or judicial (probate) partition. Sifting through grant deeds and other documents provides evidence of how the fabric of land ownership is intertwined for both private and public interests.
I began my career as a journalist. It has been far more fulfilling for me to have encountered land surveying as a profession. CLSA has provided me with the means to access mentors (and still does). At some point, we find ourselves giving back. This, ultimately, is our mission – to seek out understanding, and to pass along wisdom.
Also, the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between CLSA and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) does not envision additional raising of current CLSA dues. This has been anticipated over the past several years, and the intent is to have NSPS membership fully included in the annual dues.
Next month, so some of us don’t feel left out, I’ll speak about project management – from topographic mapping to construction layout.
Warren D. Smith, LS
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Photo above: Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting March 15, 2022
Each of the following resolutions recognizes the week of March 20 through the 26, 2022 as National Surveyors Week.
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How will you and your organization promote our profession for National Surveyors’ Week? |
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National Surveyors’ Week is March 20 -26 2022. The National Society for Professional Surveyors (NSPS) offers three goals of public awareness:
1. Education of the public
2. Public media
3. Public service
For me, the week will be spent in public service through the GPS on Benchmarks program. GPSonBMs directly benefits all surveyors by updating information on benchmarks and control points, and will help provide a better transition to new geometric and geopotential datums. It also provides opportunity for surveyors to speak to the public about what we do.
Ask not what your profession can do for you – ask what you can do for your profession.
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NGS GPS ON BENCHMARKS -- 2022 KICKOFF! |
Now that NGS has officially extended the GPSonBM Campaign’s cut-off date until December 31, 2022, there’s time to get out there to fill remaining data gaps. Partners are encouraged to collect and submit GPS data to NGS for use in developing products to be launched with the Modernized National Spatial Reference System.
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2021 publications are now half off in the CLSA Store. We are also accepting pre-orders for 2022 publications.
- 2021 PE Act and PLS Act with Board Rules
- 2021 Complete Package with DVD
- 2021 Subdivision Map Act & Index
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ARTICLE & PHOTO SUBMISSIONS FOR CALIFORNIA SURVEYOR MAGAZINE |
Do you have a photo from your field work that would make a great magazine cover? Do you have an idea for an article or have you written an article that you'd like us to consider including in the next issue? Please send your submissions and ideas to California Surveyor Editor, Joseph Waltz. |
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NCEES seeks professional surveyors’ and mapping scientists’ expertise and advice |
NCEES is currently seeking licensed professional surveyors and mapping scientists to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study, or PAKS, for the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam. The results of this study will be used to update the specifications for the exam, which is used throughout the United States for licensing purposes.
NCEES requires a cross section of licensed professional surveyors and mapping scientists—including those working in consulting, the public sector, and academia—to complete an online questionnaire about the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a newly licensed surveyor or mapping scientist to practice in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The questionnaire can be completed in 35–45 minutes.
“These studies help NCEES ensure its licensing exams reflect current professional practice,” explained Chief Officer of Examinations Jason J. Gamble, P.E. “We need input from as many professional surveyors and mapping scientists as possible to ensure that the PS exam continues to meet the demands of the profession.”
For access to the online questionnaire, visit http://ncees.org/PSPAKS. Responses must be received no later than May 30, 2022. For more information, contact NCEES Exam Development Engineer John (Andy) Bindewald, P.E., at abindewald@ncees.org. |
The Official Notice and Agenda for the March 7, 2022 meeting of the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is now available on the Board's website.
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Kids Cancer Connection (KCC) in an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers programs and services to children and their families. KCC also manages the Kids Cancer Connection Family House, located in Woodland Hills, CA. We offer temporary housing (at-no-cost) to out-of-area families with a child receiving medical treatment at area facilities. We provide housing, meals, transportation and activities as many of these families have limited resources. As we continue to grow we are interested in expanding the KCC Family House. We are looking to build an addition to the lower level of the the two story hillside residence. We are seeking the pro-bono support of a surveyor to help us develop boundary and topography surveys to proceed with work at the KCC Family House.
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Don't miss the bowling FUNdraiser
(at the Western Regional Survey Conference)
Friday, April 1, 2022 6:00pm
The Orleans Bowling Center | 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. | Las Vegas
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NSPS - STOLEN EQUIPMENT REGISTRY
Reminder - NSPS provides a registry of stolen equipment.
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Offers a $.07 per page discount and will automatically donate $.10 per page to CLSA when members download courthouse documents through this website. These instruments include Deeds, Easements, Rights-of-Way, Releases, Liens, etc. |
OFFICE DEPOT DISCOUNT PROGRAM |
Save up to 60% on your office supplies. Click on the Office Depot Logo to begin utilizing the CLSA-Office Depot Discount Program. If you do not know your username and password, or for more information, contact the CLSA Central Office.
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The CLSA Education Foundation was established in 1993 and is committed to supporting land surveying students and programs. Last year over $50,000 in scholarship aid was provided to land surveying students.
Donating to the Education Foundation is easy! Click HERE to donate via PayPal.
Thank you to everyone who clicks through to Amazon through the CLSA's Education Foundation Amazon Smile account! If you're not doing so already, please shop on Amazon with this link.
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TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE WESTERN REGIONAL SURVEY CONFERENCE
Hopefully many of our readers are preparing for the upcoming conference. Here are a few tips for you to get the most out of the multi-state conference experience.
- If you can work it out in your schedule, arrive on March 29th so you can be well rested for the 8am Opening Ceremonies session on March 30th. Plan to stay through the Closing Ceremonies.
- Take the time to talk with all the vendors. See what they have that can help you be more efficient, effective and safe in your daily operations. Take advantage of any show specials. Schedule follow-ups with them for after the conference.
- Wear your Conference attendee badge at all times and have plenty of business cards or a QR Code with your contact info.
- Look for other people who have conference badges and take the opportunity to interact with people whom you do not know. Be open to meals with other surveyors and whenever possible, invite a student to join your table for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- If you are interested, attend after hours “hospitality rooms” hosted by different State Associations or Officers.
- If you fly to Las Vegas, it is probably best to take a taxi, Super Shuttle or ride share to the Luxor.
- If you are driving to Las Vegas, don’t get tempted by the wide-open country and lack of traffic. Do your best to comply with speed limits and drive safely to and from the Conference. Use your cruise control. If your route takes you via Highway 58, do NOT drive 103 mph through Tehachapi, as the California Highway Patrol will pull you over about 5 miles east of the Edwards Air Force Base gate. FYI: The CHP officer will not be in a jovial mood after over 20+ miles of pursuit.
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WHEN SHOULD THE DEVELOPER CALL FOR A SURVEY?
A home under construction in the City of Kirkwood near St. Louis was torn down after discovering it was built into the setback. The developer requested an exception from the “Board of Adjustments” Committee, which was denied in a 3 to 2 vote. The city did not have a requirement to verify the forms to setbacks prior to this dilemma. The developer is of course blaming the sub-contractor.
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KENYAN AMBASSADOR'S INCREDIBLE SPEECH TO UN
This is an excellent speech on the establishment of national boundaries and how African nations such as Kenya strive to look forward to peace. This is an interesting perspective of the post-colonial era.
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Thank You CLSA Sustaining Members |
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