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NSPS Update:

Fall Meeting 2025

By Patricia P. Brooks, LS, NSPS Treasurer & New York Director

Rain greeted us as we landed in Minneapolis on October 15, 2025, to A synopsis of NSPS operations, motions, and business items includes:
attend the Fall meeting of the National Society of Professional Surveyors • NSPS instituted monthly Town Hall meetings starting in the
(NSPS). A new meeting format was previewed with the goal of providing May 2025 for both Directors and State Executives to keep
attendees with the most useful information possible in a consolidated communication lines flowing.
two-day format. I think the new format was a great success! • NSPS also launched the use of the web-based platform “skool”
While the officers and committee chairs had meetings on Wednesday to provide for internal communication and distribution of
afternoon and evening, the Board of Directors meetings were held information to directors that is not appropriate to be included on
Thursday and Friday. The officers meet monthly via Teams to conduct the NSPS website.
business, so it was great to be able to hold an “in person” meeting for • NSPS is looking to increase committee membership from
October. The committees have all been meeting virtually over the past members outside the State Directors
several months and provided written reports which were posted to the 1. We need a New York state Trig-Star coordinator.
2. Active members on the Military Committee are needed.
NSPS website (https://nsps.us.com/page/Reports). Jeff Clendenning is current NSPS Committee Chair and will be
Government Affairs, NSPS Foundation, Certified Floodplain Board, President Elect in April.
and Trig-Star Board met early Thursday morning, followed by Regional • NYSAPLS & NSPS both have very strong engaged Workforce
Council meetings. The Board of Directors meeting began after lunch Development committees and there are many opportunities for
on Thursday afternoon with the reports of officers and a lengthy expanded collaborations. See the NSPS website to read the most
discussion on the suggested changes to the NCEES Model Law that were current NSPS workforce development report and use the QR codes
presented at the Spring 2025 meeting. A consensus could not be to obtain copies of the CREW Guide and Outreach 101 Guide if
reached so the committee will continue to work to see if it is possible you have not already done so.
to incorporate all State recommended revisions and bring the item • NSPS approved a motion to authorize our lobbyist to support
back to the Spring 2026 meeting for consideration. and promote H.R. 1178, the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act,
presently with 29 bipartisan co-sponsors. This bill expands the
The Fellows met Thursday evening for a light dinner and presentation definition of major food allergen to include galactose-alpha-1,3-
from Past President Davey Edwards. The Board meeting reconvened galactose (commonly known as alpha-gal). Why this important to
Friday morning with each committee Chair presenting a comprehensive surveyors: Certain tick bites cause an allergic condition known as
report which allowed every Director to hear the presentation. When alpha-gal syndrome that can result in an allergy to the alpha-gal
committee meetings were held during the NSPS meetings, two or three molecule, which is found in red meat and other products made
committees met concurrently due to scheduling constraints and from mammals. You can find out more about this bill at
Directors did not have the opportunity to hear from each committee https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1178.
and ask questions. The meeting continued with several motions and • Headway was made on the IMAGES initiatives in the FEMA reform
new business items. legislation and a bill may end up on the President’s desk soon.

Patricia Brooks delivering her Treasurer’s report at the NSPS Fall Meeting Richard Brooks, New York CST Coordinator, in front of a Cottonwood tree at the
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

20 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 61 • NO 6 / 2025 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER