September, 2002

MEMBERSHIP – Currently IPLSA has a total of 1,021 members in all membership classifications. IPLSA will be sending a letter to non-member land surveyors inviting them to join. The letter will be sent shortly after IDPR sends the license renewal letter, which will announce the passage of the Professional Development Program.

INTERSOCIETY RELATIONS – The Surveyors Historical Society 2002 Rendezvous will be held on the Mason-Dixon Line in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, October 17-20. ACSM/NSPS Fall meeting will be held in Gaithersburg, Maryland, October 20–22.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, LICENSING EXAM & SIT – The committee met June 15th and approved all but two of the IPLSA Voluntary Continuing Education Program applications. This is the last time the program will be offered because of the IDPR Professional Development Program. The committee will also review sessions and programs, which are to be offered for the Professional Development Program.

Upcoming Seminars/Events: Sangamon Valley Chapter presents:
     Surveying with A. Lincoln
     October 5–6, 2002
     New Salem State Historic Site, New Salem, Illinois
     For more information contact Bob Church

SCHOLARSHIP/ELDRIDGE AWARD – Members of the Heart of Illinois Chapter met with members of the Education & Training Committee and negotiated the guidelines for the Heart of Illinois Scholarship Program. The new guidelines were presented and approved by the IPLSA Board at their meeting on Saturday, September 7th.

HONORS & AWARDS – Award nominations have been approved by the committee and will be presented to the Board.

GIS/LIS – Bob Church, Jim Beatty and Paul Marchese met on September 4th in DuPage County with a group from Winnebago County called WinGIS. They want to propose legislation to amend the Plat Act.

LEGISLATION – The legislature will return after the November 5th election for the veto session.

LAND SURVEYOR ACT REVIEW – This committee has met two times this summer. Chairman Jerry Stone will be making a report at the Board. They are considering changes and/or additions to the definition of land surveying.

ETHICS & PRACTICE – The committee met June 22nd and reviewed two cases. One was a non-member and was sent to IDPR. The other was a member and after corresponding with the member no further action will be taken.

CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS - Due to the implementation of the Professional Development Program and action by previous Board meetings changes need to be made in the Constitution and Bylaws. Chairman Mitch Garrett presented the changes to the Board. Delegates were asked to take the proposed changes back to their Chapters.

PLANNING & GOALS – This committee has become the 5th Standing Committee and will be chaired by the President-Elect. Members of the committee will be made up of all Chapter Presidents and Past IPLSA Presidents will be ex-official members.

BUDGET, FINANCE & AUDIT – The committee met and drafted a 2003 IPLSA budget. The draft was presented at the Board meeting and Delegates were asked to take the draft back to their Chapters. The final 2003 budget will need to be approved at the December 7th Board meeting.

LICENSING BOARD – Their meeting scheduled for August 29th was canceled. The Professional Development Program was approved by JACAR and went into effect July 24, 2002. To review the program go to the IDPR website: www.dpr.stste.il.us go to Land Surveying Profession and then to Land Surveyor Rules, Section 1270.65 or contact the IPLSA office.

IPLSA BENEFIT ASSOCIATION – We continue to get new members because of this program. Firms are encouraged to contact IPLSA when the need for insurance and business benefits are needed.

2003 IPLSA CONFERENCE – Hosted by the East Central Chapter, February 19-22, 2003. The program has been finalized. Watch for the fall issue of the Illinois Surveyor and mailing later this year.

2004 IPLSA CONFERENCE – National Trail Chapter will host the conference.

OTHER – Thelma Barrington, IDPR Design Professions Coordinator retired this past July 31st. Thelma was one of IPLSA’s best friends. Thelma did a great job for Land Surveyor Professionals for many years.