GIS Day in Canada

Mark your calendars! GIS Day in Canada is coming up on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, and we think you should be a part of it. This virtual seminar is all about celebrating the GIS professionals who are making a difference in our communities.

This isn't just a sit-back-and-listen kind of event. You'll get to hear about real-world applications of GIS technology and learn from fascinating case studies from across Canada. Plus, you'll have the chance to connect with other GIS users who share your passion.

The best part? It's free of charge. Whether you're a seasoned GIS user or just curious about it, this event is for you.

So, let's join in, learn something new, and celebrate the work we do. You can register now at the GIS Day in Canada website: https://www.esri.ca/en-ca/news-events/events/seminars/overview/gis-day/overview

AOLS at OAGEE

Members Representing AOLS at the event

From left to right: Ann Smith, Aloka Kumaranayake, and Annie Fernandes

AOLS represented by four members at the Ontario Association for Geographic and Environmental Education (OAGEE) conference at York U

OAGEE conferences are important events for the AOLS. For more than a decade, AOLS has attended OAGEE conferences and events to showcase land surveying as a career to high school teachers and career counselors. On October 12 and 13, four AOLS members represented the land surveying industry in Ontario. Rudy Mak and Gurjit Mahant of Rudy Mak Surveying Ltd. attended the “meet and greet” with delegates on October 12. The AOLS exhibit booth was staffed by Annie Fernandes (J.D. Barnes Limited) and Aloka Kumaranayake (R-PE Surveying Ltd.) on October 13.

The AOLS presence generated leads for presentations to schools and assistance with Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs at high schools. The SHSM program “Construction” may include a certificate for the students from AOLS. In addition, there was significant interest from career counsellors who were given AOLS career brochures and Get Kids into Survey posters. Annie gave a presentation and fielded questions about the profession and survey technology careers at the end of the day.

Nigel Day and Michael Matthews were assisted by local surveyors in the Kingston area for many years during a spring conference.

Bring the Story of Ontario's Surveyors to your Local Libraries

Great Lengths by Charles Wilkins

We're looking to get our book, "Great Lengths," into as many local libraries as possible. It's a fantastic read by Charles Wilkins that really captures the spirit and history of Ontario's surveyors.

"Great Lengths" is more than just a book. It's a journey through two centuries of surveying, filled with photos, sketches, artwork, and maps. It highlights the challenges and adventures of our profession, and gives a behind-the-scenes look into the tough, necessary, and sometimes dangerous work we do.

To help you out, we've prepared a fillable pdf letter and form that you can use when you approach your local library.

This is a great opportunity to share our story and the important role we've played in Ontario's history. We're excited to hear about your experiences and the responses from your local libraries.

Members' Initiative: Bridging the Gap between Schools and a Career in Land Surveying

Opportunity for members to connect with local school boards and teachers to create awareness about a career in land surveying

Times have changed and so have relationships between Ontario Land Surveyors, members of local school boards, high school teachers and career counselors. Awareness of the land surveying industry, what professional land surveyors do, and technology jobs in the industry is best created by those in the industry. Over the past few years, meaningful long-lasting relationships have been built by a handful of Ontario Land Surveyors through AOLS committee work. We know by anecdotal evidence that youth is becoming aware of the profession through summer jobs and in the early years of civil engineering programs in universities. We also know that high school teachers and career counselors are introducing land surveying to students in the classroom and at events where Ontario Land Surveyors are given the opportunity to speak directly to students. There is now more opportunity to build awareness locally through initiatives of Regional Groups of the AOLS.

Presentations in the form of PowerPoint decks and video are archived in folders of the Marketing & Recruitment Committee on the Members side of the AOLS website. In addition, there is support material such as brochures, flyers, career cards and much more on the same site. If a member does not have access to the MRC folders, a request can be made through Penny Anderson at memberservices@aols.org.

If a Regional Group and its members connect with even one school board, there may be opportunity to participate at an event or speak to a class with support of a career counselor. Members who have connected with teachers know that working with members of school boards, career counselors and teachers is the only way to create awareness among students and their parents about programs at colleges and universities and the careers in land surveying that follow graduation.

Want to learn more? Contact Chris Oyler, Surveyors on Site Inc. at chris@surveyorsonsite.com and he will direct you to the appropriate staff at AOLS to access public awareness resources.

And don’t overlook GIS Day on November 15 (www.gisday.com), another opportunity to connect with a municipality, or local college or university to showcase land surveying and the local professionals who have an obligation to protect and serve the public interest. GIS Day is an annual event celebrating geographic information systems (GIS) based technologies. The event first took place in 1999. It was initiated by spatial analytics software provider Esri.

Scouts Canada Camps: A Place to Learn About Land Surveying

The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (ABCLS) is holding events with local camps of Scouts Canada to raise awareness about the land surveying industry and careers as professional surveyors and technologists. The Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association has picked up on the interest among scouts in the B.C. camps and is now implementing similar events. The AOLS reached out to organizers at ABCLS and has connected with a Scouts Canada representative in Ontario. There exists an opportunity for Ontario Land Surveyors and their companies to become engaged with local scout leaders to pursue similar camp activities in Ontario.

In B.C., the surveyors partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to build events that appeal to youth generally aged 10 to 14, although older scouts are often present. Promotion of the events and registration is handled by the scouts. Some events (usually 4 hours over a weekend) are held in public parks while others on the BCIT campus. Professional surveyors and technologists from local companies facilitate activities and interact with the students. Organized scavenger hunts are popular where students learn the basics of measurement, instrumentation and triangulation. In addition, students are introduced to UAV technology and total stations. There are quizzes and rewards of branded swag representing the participating surveyors.

AOLS does have a copy of the Scouts/ABCLS STEM presentation from the 2023 Surveying and Geomatics Educators Society (SaGES) conference at the University of Calgary in 2023 which outlines strategies for recruiting and retention in the geospatial informatics educational field. BCIT and Scouts Canada endorsed the presentation.

The AOLS has an interest in working with Scouts Canada in Ontario, as it did with Ontario Girl Guides of Canada. There are 30 Scouts Canada camps across the province (https://www.scouts.ca/camps/home.html). Any members who are connected with Scouts Canada or members who are interested in becoming involved with Scouts Canada to work with the AOLS to build a program for scouts’ camps in Ontario, are asked to contact Penny Anderson at memberservices@aols.org with the subject line: Scouts Canada

2024 LandPro Conference

Registrations are Open

Registration is open for the 2024 LandPRO Conference at Universal EventSpace in Vaughan or online. 

LandPRO is the premier “how-to” conference for land and development professionals in the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Ontario. Every year, the event brings together 1,000+ of the top land professionals for a day of deep learning, pivotal insights, and issues that are shaping the industry.  

Whether you wish to join and network in person or view and contribute through the webcast, there will be insights delivered from foremost experts and thought leaders on sought after topics such as: An Essential Guide to the Law of Boundary Trees in Ontario from Paula Lombardi (Partner, Siskinds LLP.) Clearing the Muddied Water – Challenges around Building Servicing & Metering for Mixed-Use Buildings from Bram Atlin (Principal, Smith + Andersen), The Lifecycle of Insurance Coverage from Excavation to Condominium Registration and Turnover from Maurice Audet, (Aon Insurance) & Tom Gallinger, (Atrens Counsel Insurance)) and The Economic Update from Ben Tal (Managing Director & Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC).

Join LandPro Conference for a day a single, high-impact day to prime you for success over the next 12 months. 

For the full agenda and to register: www.landproconference.com  

AOLS formal CPD hours to be announced in the coming weeks.  

AOLS members use code: AOLS15 to get $ off In person or Webcast tickets