Fall 2006 Report
From LSPS
INTRODUCTION
This is my last report as NSPS Governor for Louisiana. It is time that I step aside so that other talent may help us move forward . I have the misfortune duty to announce the greatest failure of my service as a State Officer for 10 years. That failure was to maintain and increase the membership of NSPS within Louisiana. When I started this position in 2003 we had 75 members in Louisiana. I am saddened to update you that we now only have 50 NSPS members in Louisiana. So while I pass this challenge to my successor, I hope to help him in his efforts and look forward to a resurgence in interest to join as some of us have found that it "Pays to Belong". If you participate in the NSPS Insurance Program, you may find yourself saving up to $20 in Insurance premiums for every $1 of your membership fee!
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This particular report covers the highlights and activities of following meetings:
→ NSPS Area 3 and 4 Governors Fall 2006Meeting Which was held at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN where the governors were able to tour the 4 year Surveying Degree that is shared with a majority of the Southeast State.
→ NSPS Meetings which were held at Arlington, VA. Sept. 27-October 3
FALL 2006 DIARY
NSPS AREA 3/4 GOVERNOR MEETING
Saturday August 19, 2006, Johnson City, TN
This meeting is held to prepare NSPS Area 3/4 Governors for the upcoming sessions of the NSPS Board of Governors and to help us communicate the status of our states and the region. The Meeting was conducted on Saturday August 19, 2006, Johnson City, TN from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
You will find the minutes of this meeting as an attachment.
NSPS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, September 26, 2006, Arlington, VA
This was a travel date
Wednesday, September 27, 2006, Arlington, VA
Approximate 30 members of NSPS met to be trained and instructed in the issues that we were to meet with House Representatives and Senators of the US Congress. More on this in the Lobby Day Attachment. You can help by Faxing your Congressional Representatives. We formed groups of 3 or 4 for each visit with a Senator or Representative.
Thursday, September 28, 2006, Arlington, VA
I met with the Legislative Staff of the following Senators: Senator Mary Landrieu, LA; Senator Richard Shelby, AL; Senator Ted Kennedy, MA
I met with the Staff of the following Representative: Rep. Ted Akin, MO; Rep. Lynnn Westmoreland, GA; Rep. Kay Granger, TX; Rep. Bobby Jindal, LA. We were well received, almost joyfully as they realized our mission was unique in that we were being helpful and not adversarial.
Friday, September 29, 2006, Arlington, VA
I attended two Committee Meetings during this day.
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - NSPS Membership Development Committee Meeting -
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - NSPS Public Relations Committee
I have always wanted to visit the Bureau of Engraving, so I made a mad dash via Subway and was only able to get there in time before the gift shop closed (last tour just left when I arrived). I exchanged two US Dollars' for $150 of bills that were shredded.
Saturday, September 30, 2006, Arlington, VA
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NSPS BOARD OF GOVERNOR MEETING
I served my last meeting in the capacity of the Secretary of the NSPS Board of Governors. Please see the attached day report for it. My wife, Pam joined me late in the afternoon.
6:30 pm
Board of Governors Reception
There was a cash bar and light hors d'oeuvre. On returning to my room I spent almost 3 hours completing the first draft of the NSPS BOG day report.
Sunday, October 1, 2006 Arlington, VA
Because of Scheduling problems with the hotel this became a day off. Pam and I visited our First Presidents Home, Mt. Vernon.
Monday, October 2, 2006 Arlington, VA
9:00 am- 2:30 pm
NSPS Board of Directors Meeting
I served as the lone member of the "Day Committee" and took notes and recorded the meeting
When I returned to my room, I spent approximately two and a half hours preparing the NSPS BoD Day Report, which I understand now will serve as it's minutes. You will find a copy in its' present form, still a draft as I await some notes which close out all threads.
Later that evening my wife and I had the pleasure of dining with a Geographic and Land Information Society (GLIS) Board Member, Peter Borbas whom I met almost 3 years ago at a Spring ACSM Convention and have corresponded on numerous topics of GIS and Surveying.
Tuesday, October 3, 2006 Arlington, VA
TRAVEL DAY
After considerable wait for the Shuttle, Pam and I boarded a plane in Baltimore and returned to New Orleans via one stop at Chicago.
I wish to thank Chevron, for providing for my expenses during my service as NSPS GOVERNOR. It made taking vacation days for some of these trips much easier and saved LSPS somewhere in the neighborhood of $ 12,000!
NSPS INITIATIVES THAT NEED MEMBER INVOLVEMENT OR SUPPORT
National Surveyors Week
NSPS President Joe Dolan has asked for your assistance.
The following link will show you the current Representatives who have signed on as co-sponsors for the bill, as of today. As you will see, there are 33 names on that list. 50 are needed to get to a floor vote.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HE00518:@@@P
The Congress will reconvene for a time after the upcoming elections, and this may be our last opportunity to get H. Res 518 passed this year.
I am also attaching a sample letter for your use in contacting your respective Representatives.
Please take a look at the list of co-sponsors. If the Representatives from your state (or your personal Representative) are not on that list, please contact them to ask that they sign on as co-sponsors.
Remember, contact via fax is the most efficient and productive manner in which to reach members of Congress.
