Members, please reach out to others who are not currently CLSA members and invite them to join or re-join us. I challenge every member to bring in at least one new member. Let’s achieve a goal of “2021 in 2021” – that is 2,021 members in the year 2021. Every membership helps improve our situation adding additional funding, brainpower and enthusiasm. They are critical to the success of our organization, and the well-being of our profession. Thank you for all your efforts.

Finally, I would like to mention the passing of Sacramento native, CLSA member, Local 3 chainman and dear friend Channing K. Whetstone, LSIT, after a long battle with multiple cancers. Channing was a surveying student at Sacramento City College before that program went on hiatus. He worked at several Sacramento and Bay Area firms, including R.E.Y. Engineers as a staff augmentation chainman for Caltrans in the Ukiah field office. Channing’s last employer before stopping work to fight cancer was TSD Engineering. Channing was extremely conscientious in his work, and always willing to help, train and teach others. Although he did not have the office experience to sit for the PLS Exam, Channing attended Chapter meetings and PLS Review classes provided by the Sacramento CLSA Chapter, and CLSA and Fresno State University Conferences to increase his land surveying knowledge and to be a better field surveyor for his employers and colleagues. Channing was a wonderful individual, caring deeply for others and always willing to help friends and strangers. The profession, and the lives of those who knew him are forever diminished by Channing’s passing…

Celebration of Life August 15, 9:00 AM at Hagan Community Park Pavilion, 2197 Chase Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Vertical datums provide reference for determining elevations. In the next few years, NGS, CO-OPS, and partner agencies in Canada, are updating three vertical datums:

This webinar gives an overview of these datums and the changes that are coming.

Technical Content Rating, Beginner= Some prior knowledge of the topic is helpful.

The National Geodetic Survey's Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) now provides an efficient path for users to submit static, campaign-style GNSS observations to establish local survey control. The latest version of OPUS Projects now creates all of the "bluebook" files required to submit observations to NGS. After NGS has reviewed and accepted these observations, it adds new, official coordinates to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) and distributes these via NGS datasheets. In this way, users can easily establish survey control where they need it, while filling important data gaps and maintaining the entire system.

This online, virtual event is the 2nd Women Surveyors Summit. This is a "for women, by women" event and will include opportunities for continuing education. Networking, a panel discussion, and a seminar with breakouts are scheduled. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@futuresurveyors.org.

The University of Maine will continue to accept applications for the fall semester until mid-August. Their current online options and how to apply can be viewed HERE and are:

(1)  Undergraduate certificate in surveying engineering technology

(2)  BS in surveying engineering technology (ABET ETAC accredited)

(3)  Graduate certificate in surveying engineering

(4)  Professional Science Masters in Engineering and Business surveying engineering option

The undergrad certificate is an easy application and is a good way to work into the BS degree. They currently have 240 surveying students spread across the four options.

Out-of-state students enrolled in a UMaineOnline degree or certificate program receive a low tuition e-rate which is in-state*1.25.

Questions on admission to the certificate, or other UMaineOnline programs, should be emailed to tiffany.peterson@maine.edu. Surveying-specific questions should be directed to SVT program director ray.hintz@maine.edu.