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[ message from
headquarters ]

Summer Greetings Members! finances and received committee updates from several of

I am drafting this message as I prepare our office to the committees (see committee updates below). In
run without me for a couple weeks while I enjoy a little addition, they discussed the building projects mentioned
time off with my family. My daughter will be finishing above. Their next meeting is scheduled as a conference
kindergarten in a couple days and summer will officially call on June 20th.
be in full swing! Board of Directors: The board met virtually on May
17th. You can find the minutes of the meeting on page
The past couple months have kept Heather, Sharon and
I busy as we have been in spring cleaning mode at the 30. Their next meeting is scheduled for July 19th.
office. We’re making an effort to digitize our files to Conference Committee: The committee met on May
minimize printing, save paper and money, and to allow us 31st. They discussed conference giveaway items and
to free up some storage space. We spent some time in reviewed samples. Entertainment for the Surveyors Social
our dusty ol’ basement at HQ sorting through files, was discussed, as well as the latest schedule and
making piles to shred/recycle or scan. In the process we education grid. Their next meeting is scheduled for July
got rid of 50 cases of paper. We still have a ways to go, 19th. Save the dates! The 66th Annual conference will be
but each year we’ll be able to dig out a bit more. And, held January 22-24, 2025 at the Turning Stone Resort &
moving forward, we are storing everything electronically Casino in Verona, NY.
for easier access. Constitution and By-laws Committee: The
In May, our roof repairs were completed. The Shaw committee met on May 29th. They have been meeting
Board had previously reviewed several proposals late regularly over the past couple of months to work on two
last year when we discovered a leak on the 3rd floor. In projects. They are drafting amendments to the current
addition, we had an ongoing leak on the 1st floor due to NYSAPLS by-laws after the Membership committee asked
a 2nd floor overhanging roof that had poor drainage. A them to review the Life and Retired categories. They are
new roof was installed there as well along with an also considering drafting amendments to allow our
external gutter. officer election to take place electronically. The second
project they are working on is an initiative to assist our
In mid-June, the regional associations with their local by-laws. The
Shaw Board visited committee has drafted a best practices document and are
our HQ building for continually working on a regional by-laws template.
their annual spring Education Committee: The committee met on June 7th
clean-up of the to continue working on topic selections for the 2025
backyard courtyard. conference. The committee also discussed upcoming
Thankfully, the webinar topics and reviewed the attendance for the most
weather held while
“The Garden Gang” clockwise from top we pruned, raked, recent webinar and Spring Workshops. In addition, since
left: Diane Hess, Rodger Hess, the GeoLearn website has been updated, the committee is
Patti Brooks, Richard Brooks, Scott weeded and beauti- working with GeoLearn to create new reports that shows
Gillis, Amber Carpenter, Glenn Watson fied the courtyard. A how many NYSAPLS members are using the site. The
big thanks to our Shaw Fund for taking such good care committee will also be reaching out to Illinois Professional
of our building! Land Surveyors Association to discuss their online Survey

We are also rolling over to a new digital phone system Technician Training Program. The committee will meet
later this June that will both save the association some again next week to review the evaluations from the June
money and allow us to better serve our members whether webinar and Spring Workshops, in addition to continuing
we are in the office, traveling for an event or working to work on the 2025 Conference grid.
remotely. We hope you are already receiving great service, Ethics Committee: The committee met on June 6th.
but we’re aiming to improve our accessibility. They reviewed the status and progress on their current 6
Here’s the latest updates (as of June 14th) from open cases.
your NYSAPLS’ Committees, Board of Directors Finance Committee: The committee presented a
and HQ Staff who are keeping busy with several revised budget on May 17th to the board of directors.
ongoing projects: The budget was accepted unanimously. Thank you to our
Executive Board: The board held a conference call directors for sharing the budget with your members and
on May 9th. They reviewed the overall association’s providing feedback.

4 EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 60 • NO 4 / 2024 • JULY/AUGUST