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[ message from
headquarters ]

Happy spring! With the change of the season, many NYS. They also held a joint meeting with the Education
exciting things are happening here at NYSAPLS Committee in the afternoon. The two committees reviewed
Headquarters. Over the last couple months, we have been feedback from 2023 and collaborated ideas in order to
working diligently alongside our committees, directors plan for the 2024 conference.
and executive officers to keep our members informed on DOT Relations Committee: The committee met
what is going on. In addition, we’ve been working hard March 31st to continue their research and discussion
to keep promoting the profession of land surveying and about the creation of a geographic information system
keep the public educated on what you do and why it is (GIS) to store and organize NYS appropriation maps in
such a great career opportunity to explore. order to make them publicly available. The GIS
Here’s the latest updates (as of April 4th) from professionals who analyzed the data presented the
your NYSAPLS’ Committees, Board of Directors challenges in finding a key to join the data in the files.
and HQ Staff who are keeping busy with several The committee discussed other avenues to research,
such as the current systems already used by DOT. In
ongoing projects:
addition, they discussed short term goals: 1) finding
Executive Board: The board met at the Embassy like-minded organizations to align with for political and
Suites in Saratoga Springs on March 17th. They reviewed financial support of the project; and 2) continuing
the overall association’s finances and received committee research of best practices to organize and store the data
updates from several of the committees (see committee provided. Other items discussed included attending NY
updates below). In addition, they took time to review and GeoCon and reaching out to the Attorney General’s office.
discuss the Finance Committee’s draft budget for fiscal Education Committee: The committee met at the
year 2023-2024, which would be presented to the board Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs on March 17th. They
that evening at the Board of Directors meeting. They reviewed reports from GeoLearn who hosts NYSAPLS’
reviewed an ethical question brought forth by a member Education Portal. They discussed the lineup of
and referred the member to the EPC. They continue to upcoming webinars and potential topics. They reviewed
discuss their support of additional college surveying the feedback from the NYS LS Exam Review Workshop
programs. Their next meeting is scheduled on April 20th. which was held at a new location. They discussed the
Board of Directors: The board met at the Embassy upcoming Spring Workshop on Dendrology and their
Suites in Saratoga Springs on March 17th. You can find plans for a Fall Workshop in October. They previously
the minutes of the meeting on page 28. Their next sent out a “Call for Presenters” for the 2024 conference
meeting is scheduled on May 19th. and reviewed the submissions to date. They also
explored what would be needed to offer the CST Exam
Conference Committee: The committee met at the during conference. Their next meeting is scheduled on
Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs on March 17th and April 24th at NYSAPLS HQ. As mentioned above, they
welcomed new committee member Randy Paquin. They held a joint meeting with the Conference Committee in
reviewed the latest conference profit and loss statement the afternoon. The two committees reviewed feedback
from the 2023 conference. They continued their review of from 2023 and collaborated ideas in order to plan for
the 2024 conference fees and created a series of new the 2024 conference.
simplified registration types that include meals in the Ethics Committee: The committee met on March
pricing which will significantly reduce the types of 14th. They decided to escalate a case to the Board of
registrations available and create a more streamlined and Directors with a recommendation for disciplinary action
easier registration process for attendees. They are hopeful of a current member. In addition, they are frequently in
to reduce the use of meal tickets onsite and further ease communication with the NYS Office of Professional
the attendees’ experience. They had a lengthy discussion Discipline (OPD). Most recently, they have been
about potential schedule format changes. After reviewing concerned with the illegal practice of surveying by
several outcomes, they decided not to make any unlicensed individuals and how to discourage and shut
significant schedule changes for 2024, but will focus on down this type of misconduct. Their next meeting is
creating more break times and downtimes for attendees scheduled on April 18th.
to allow more networking opportunities and traffic flow Finance Committee: The committee met on March
into the exhibit hall. They plan to work on an RFP for the 8th to review the first draft of the 2023-2024 association
2026 conference this year and check out new venues in operating budget. They shared a draft with the Board of

4 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 59 • NO 3 / 2023 • MAY/JUNE