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[ message from
headquarters ]

Happy spring! With the change of the Annual Conference Committee:
season, many exciting things are happening The Annual Conference Committee also reviewed all of the
here at NYSAPLS Headquarters. Over the feedback provided by our 2021 conference attendees and
last couple months, we have been working thanks you for your valuable input. They are currently working
diligently alongside our committees, on planning the 2022 conference as an in-person event at the
directors and executive officers to keep Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. We have been
our members informed on what is going in communication with the hotel in order to plan an event in
on and continue to make educational a safe and healthy environment. We are hopeful the conference
opportunities convenient and safe will bring some “normalcy” back into our events. Many of
during the pandemic. In addition, we’ve been working hard to you have expressed to us that the convenience of the virtual
keep promoting the profession of land surveying and keep the conference was helpful this year. However, in addition to our
public educated on what you do and why it is such a great career current contractual obligation, we feel the traditional format of
opportunity to explore. our annual conference is better executed as an in-person event.
Therefore, the conference committee is forging ahead with
Here’s a few highlights of the several committee projects we their in-person conference plans. That said, we want to stress,
have been involved in:
the education committee does plan to continue offering many
Constitution and Bylaws Committee: remote learning opportunities throughout the year. We hope
The committee is exploring a potential new membership this mix of in-person and virtual events will give everyone an
category for retired members. The new category was spearheaded opportunity to participate at their level of comfort.
by the Membership Committee who was looking for an Ethical Practices Committee:
opportunity to keep retired members involved and informed The “EPC” has reviewed 3 new cases so far this year and is
while offering a discount on their annual membership dues. continually working to keep our Board of Directors updated
This is currently being reviewed by our Board of Directors who on their progress. They are also drafting an outline for a
were asked to bring information back to their regional members potential ethical practices panel discussion for our annual
for input. We plan to explore this further at our next Board of conference. In addition, they are monitoring the drone lawsuit
Directors meeting in May. Depending on the feedback received, in North Carolina that is getting national attention. You can
if a bylaws change is proposed, the amendment will be shared find more details on this case on page 14.
with the entire membership to vote for or against. Watch for more
information later this spring/summer. Finance Committee:
The committee created their first draft of the 2021-2022 budget
Education Committee: and shared it with all regional directors in March to discuss
The Education Committee with their local membership. The Board was asked to send
has reviewed each and every their feedback to the committee by April 23rd. After receiving
comment and suggestion regional comments, the committee intends to discuss the draft
from the virtual conference further along with any potential changes during the May board
education sessions held this meeting with anticipation of passing a budget.
past January and thanks you
for your valuable feedback. Legislative Committee:
They are currently working The committee is committed to becoming the number one
hard to plan our education resource for members to adapt to the changes the new 2022
programs for 2021 and datum will bring. Although the datum may not be officially
beyond. (Flip to page 19 to find out more information on released until 2024 or later, we are currently drafting updated
our upcoming Spring Webinar Series.) We recently held legislation for New York to be sure we are ready for the change.
another successful NYS LS Exam Review Webinar Series with The new land surveyor education law passed in New York in
Dr. Joseph Paiva this past April. Thank you to everyone who October 2019 with an effective date of April 3. See page 29 for
participated! You will find a screenshot of one of their remote more details. The new continuing education law will become
learning sessions above. effective in January 2022. Details of the updated requirements
continued on page 6
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 57 • NO 3/ 2021 • MAY/JUNE 5