Page 6 - ESS July 2023

[ message from
headquarters ]

Summer Greetings Members! financial support of the project; and 2) continuing

I am drafting this message as I prepare our office to research of best practices to organize and store the data
run without me for a couple weeks while I enjoy a little provided. Other items discussed included attending NY
time off with my family. My daughter will be graduating GeoCon and reaching out to the Attorney General’s office.
pre-school in a couple days and summer will officially Education Committee: The committee met on April
be in full swing! As much as I’m excited about a chance 24th at NYSAPLS HQ and then again, virtually, on May
to unplug for a couple weeks, I also cannot believe half 17th. The committee reviewed the GeoLearn reports
of the year has already passed. Thank you all for your showing the activity on the online education portal. In
support for our association this year. As busy as our addition, the committee discussed topics and speakers
members are, you never cease to amaze me with your for upcoming webinars and workshops. A good portion
enthusiasm and passion for your profession. I sincerely of both meetings was spent reviewing education course
hope you all take some time to unwind this summer and submissions to prepare the 2024 conference schedule.
enjoy the warmer weather with your loved ones. Their next meeting is scheduled for June 12th.
Here’s the latest updates (as of June 1st) from Ethics Committee: The committee met on May 9th.
your NYSAPLS’ Committees, Board of Directors The committee reviewed the Office of Professional
and HQ Staff who are keeping busy with several Discipline’s (OPD) website to review if any recent
ongoing projects: enforcement actions were taken. The committee would
Executive Board: The board held a conference call like to engage the NYSAPLS board on if/when the EPC
on May 16th. They reviewed the overall association’s should act if an enforcement action involves a NYSAPLS
finances and received committee updates from several member and if the creation of a set of procedures should
of the committees (see committee updates below). In be considered to provide guidance to the committee.
addition, they took time to review and discuss the They reviewed and approved correspondence related to
Finance Committee’s revised draft budget for fiscal year case files. In addition, they invited Dennis Spillane,
2023-2024, which would be presented to the Board of Professional Responsibility Executive Director of OPD,
Directors later that week. They reviewed the progress of to meet with the EPC to present an overview of the
the strategic plan and a few task updates that will be enforcement process at OPD and a Q&A session with the
presented to board which included the creation of a committee. Their next meeting is TBD.
workforce development committee. Their next meeting Finance Committee: The committee met on May
is scheduled as a conference call on June 15th. 2nd, 9th and 11th to discuss the budget and fine tune it

Board of Directors: The board met virtually on May for presentation to the board of directors on May 19th.
19th. You can find the minutes of the meeting on page They also revisited the Unreserved Funds Policy draft
28. Their next meeting is scheduled for July 21st. and studied a 15-year balance sheet comparison to
review. The committee discussed what should be taken
Conference Committee: The committee met on May in consideration for reserves to cover an emergency
26th. They reviewed the revised conference budget situation. In addition, they explored when/how the funds
drafted by the Finance Committee and approved by the can be used and how to plan for a recovery of funds,
Board on May 19th. They discussed conference giveaway etc. After a lengthy discussion, all agreed to consult with
items and created a short list. Samples will be ordered our accountant on the matter in greater detail. All
and reviewed at their next meeting. They finalized the agreed it’s in the association’s best interest to hold a
entertainment for the Officer Installation Dinner and meeting with our accountant to discuss the policy, as
reviewed the education grid to date. They reviewed and well as how to better understand our balance sheet and
approved an RFP drafted for the 2026 conference. Their investment accounting. A June meeting is scheduled with
next meeting is scheduled for July 14th. our accountant.

DOT Relations Committee: The committee met on Legislative Committee: The committee met on May
April 19th and is currently planning their next meeting 23rd. They discussed 3 possible pathways to address the
this summer. Their short term goals: 1) finding like- new 2022 datum and presented them to the board the
minded organizations to align with for political and

4 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 59 • NO 4 / 2023 • JULY/AUGUST