Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

In February 2009, an article in The State-Journal Register (SJ-R) touted the imminent opening of the National Museum of Surveying in downtown Springfield, Ill. Construction was nearly complete on the 10,000 square foot space, located in the former Roberts Brothers Building at 521 E. Washington, and a high-tech video exhibit purchased by the museum through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (called "Science on a Sphere") promised to be a significant attraction.

Months passed, however, and most of the museum's rooms remained empty. Boxes of instruments gathered dust in the basement. In April, the same newspaper reported that the opening of the museum would be delayed due to a decline in funding. According to Bob Church, executive director of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor's Association and the treasurer of the museum's board, the funding problems were largely due to the recession. But was it also a lack of interest?

One person who read the original SJ-R article commented, "I can't seem to get myself excited about a surveying museum." That comment speaks volumes about the image surveying has in the eyes of the public. It's also a good indication of the need for the museum. This museum offers a prime opportunity for surveyors to demonstrate what they do and why it's so important. While many of the displays will be focused on the nation's history of surveying and mapping, others will provide glimpses of the future for an exciting juxtaposition of the traditional and the high-tech. The goal is to create exhibits that "inspire, amaze and surprise." However, the museum can't achieve that goal without the help and support of surveyors.

Earlier this year, IPLSA hired Julia Langfelder as associate executive director. At the same time, the museum was going through a leadership transition and needed someone who could focus on the business aspects, such as fundraising and marketing. Langfelder volunteered.

She's been making progress. In June, the NCEES Board of Directors agreed to provide $75,000 to construct a 45-seat theater and to develop educational materials for students in grades K-12, and local contributions are allowing the museum to apply for Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program (TAP) funding from the state of Illinois. But more is still needed before the museum can open.

"Funding remains our primary need right now," said Langfelder. "We have to pay off the contractors and establish funds for general occupancy and administration costs, and we need money to fund exhibits and purchase equipment for education. Even if we can obtain the grant, we'll still need more support."

Langfelder noted that in addition to monetary donations, volunteer participation is crucial. "While the museum has a national board of advisors, it could benefit from a business committee to get it on track and help it stay on track," she said. "I can also see subcommittees being formed to achieve specific goals."

She is optimistic that professionals and educators alike will support the museum if they can envision its potential impact. "This is an excellent opportunity to educate people about surveying and reach out to the next generation."

But will surveyors reach out? Does the profession as a whole support this endeavor? Or is it primarily a pet project for a few esteemed history buffs who want to see numerous displays of antique surveying instruments? I can't help but wonder. Yet, if the surveyors don't support this museum, who will?

What do you think? Please post your comments online to my blog. Let's get the conversation going. 

Kristi Grahl, Editor
POB Magazine

P.S. Check out the latest blogs, including feedback on Jeff Lucas' latest Traversing the Law column . Do you have a viewpoint on a topic of interest that you would like to see discussed in Opinion? E-mail your column (approx. 300-700 words) to pobeditor@bnpmedia.com.

The July Issue is Online!

Risky Exposure
The first time Tracie Ross told her husband that she was concerned about a spot on his face, Don Ross, RPLS, brushed the idea aside. It was just a typical mole, he thought. She mentioned that it seemed to be getting larger, but Don wasn't worried. He was only 35 years old, and he felt fine. ...

The Fabric of Jacksonville Beach
Inaccurate documentation of property boundaries poses many problems for local governments in the United States. Spatial inaccuracies within a land base can lead to the inadvertent placing of utilities or other publicly owned facilities on private property when originally intended for placement in a right-of-way. Moreover, erroneous parcel information can often lead to disputes over property lines. ...

Connecting Echoes
When California's City of Napa asked James M. Dickey, PLS, to provide a hydrographic survey of a relatively shallow section of the Napa River in January 2009, he knew the project would be challenging. Dickey, who is president of Cinquini & Passarino Inc., had done similar work in Sonoma County in old quarries near the Russian River, and he had also handled some hydrographic work for the Sonoma Development Center to determine the volume of a reservoir. ...

Surveying GIS: Land information systems in Australia, Part 2.
by Michael L. Binge, LS, GISP
In Part 1 of this opus, we talked about the history of the Australian system of land registry and the government's efforts to modernize it. This time, we'll look at the process from the surveyor's perspective.

GIAA Mailbag: July 2009
Q: I usually use a 360^o prism with my robotic total station. I was told by a surveyor to use a non-360^o prism for precise applications. I did this on a critical building layout, but when I measured the diagonals, I discovered errors.  

 Web Exclusives!

In the Beginning by William D. Hatfield
The Bible has always been a reliable source for the history of the Jewish people. This historical account encompasses many esoteric and otherworldly encounters. But what's often overlooked are the overwhelming accounts of the day-to-day life as well as the professions of the common people. ...

The Elevated Place by Gene LaNier
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many of America's wealthiest people built lavish homes, and many still stand today. One such home is Vizcaya in Miami, Fla. Built by James Deering, a vice president of International Harvester, Vizcaya, which is Basque for "elevated place," is a composite of many Italian villas Deering visited in search of his dream home. ...

POB's 2009 GIS Software Survey
If you plan on investing in GIS software this year, be sure to check out the GIS Software Survey first. Our searchable, user-friendly format allows you to compare products so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.

The 2008 Surveying & Mapping Industry Software and Equipment CLEAReports indicate fewer plans to purchase CAD and data collector software, data collector controllers, tripods, and robotic total stations in 2009.

Learn more about future purchase intentions, highly desired brands, and software/equipment trends by contacting Sima Patel at patels@clearseasresearch.com or 248.786.1626.

How much involvement does your firm have with GIS?

• We have a dedicated GIS division with GIS professionals on staff.
• We have integrated GIS into our surveying business and use it internally as well as to provide services to our clients.
• We offer GIS services as needed, but it's not a major part of our business.
• We collaborate or partner with GIS firms.
• We're interested but haven't taken the plunge yet.
• None; we're strictly a surveying firm.

Take a moment to vote at www.pobonline.com.  

Instructor of Surveying
(Spatial Information Systems Program)
University of Arkansas at Monticello, School of Forest Resources. 

For complete details, visit us online at www.uamont.edu/jobs or contact Rhonda Parris, P.O. Box 3468, UAM, Monticello, AR  71656, phone 870/460-1252, or e-mail parris@uamont.edu.  AA/EOE 

Directions Media, GITA Create Alliance to Team on Infrastructure and Geospatial Technology Events
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA)  will collaborate on a webinar series leading up to the GITA's 2010 Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference aimed at informing the geospatial community about the technology innovations needed from a renewed emphasis on infrastructure management.

Federal Business Opportunities
Environmental Restoration Services for Miscelleneous Services including Architect-Engineer (A-E) Services, Environmental Management Consulting Services, Restoration and Remediation Services - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Dewberry Announces Geospatial Products and Services Contract Negotiations
Dewberry has announced that it has been selected to begin negotiations with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the new Geospatial Products and Services Contract (GPSC).

Interior Department Seeks Nominations for National Geospatial Advisory Committee
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Interior Department is seeking nominations for membership on the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC).

CLICK for more Industry News.

Students document net sheds for Library of Congress
Four students and a teacher from Bates Technical College in Tacoma got their feet wet on a special project in Gig Harbor last week.

2 rescued after drifting 52 hours off Aleutians
Whitehead and his 50-foot fishing boat, the Larisa M., had been hired by a Bureau of Land Management survey crew. For five years, he has escorted BLM survey crews to ancient island village sites where 25,000 Aleuts once lived.

Gambrills landowner honored for preservation
Ned Hall didn't see why all the fuss was necessary. There were several government citations, heartfelt speeches and dozens of admirers offering a standing ovation - all to honor Hall's choice to preserve his tract of woodland in west county.

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Joke of the Week: Fourth of July Jokes

What was Thomas Jefferson's favorite dessert?
Monti jello!

Teacher: "Which son of old Virginia wrote the Declaration of Independence?"
Student: "I think it was Thomas Jeffer's son."

What did King George think of the American colonists?
He thought they were revolting! 

Why were the early American settlers like ants? 
CLICK to find the answer and more jokes

Problem of the Week: Photogrammetry: General Definitions

The term fiducial marker, as it is used in photogrammetry is best defined as:

A. one of the (usually) two images on a photograph that define the axis of the tilt
B. a premarked target set on the ground to balance the stereo model
C. one of the (usually) four objects connected to the camera's interior that form images on the negative as each photograph is taken
D. the plane that defines the camera's focal length

Follow this link to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.

Bestseller: Business Management Handbook for Land Surveyors
by Daniel E. Beardslee, PLS    

Check out this table of contents to see why it is a bestseller!  Get your copy today!  

• CHAPTER 1   For Those Just Starting Out or Thinking about It 
• CHAPTER 2   For Those Who Have Been in Business for Years
• CHAPTER 3   General Advice for Everyone
• CHAPTER 4   The Gospel According to Dan
• CHAPTER 5   The Inverted Management Paradox
• CHAPTER 6   A Brief Introduction to Financial Statements and Their Use
• CHAPTER 7   Analyzing the Cost of Doing Business
• CHAPTER 8   Converting Costs to Rates
• CHAPTER 9   Making Estimates
• CHAPTER 10   The Perfect Non-Sequitor
• CHAPTER 11   Lowballing for Market Share
• CHAPTER 12   The Capital Purchase Decision
• CHAPTER 13   Price Positioning and Strategy
• CHAPTER 14   The Power of Income
• CHAPTER 15   Enhancing Your Business, Scattering Your Eggs, Having Fun, and Making a Little More Money
• CHAPTER 16   Elements of a Business Plan
• CHAPTER 17   Marketing Your Surveying Services
• CHAPTER 18   A Few Words About Personnel Management
• CHAPTER 19   What if I Train Them and ...
• CHAPTER 20   Contracts and Contracting
• CHAPTER 21   One Last Goofy Idea  

Retail Price: $65.00 CLICK HERE to purchase. Visit AECstore.com  to view our all of our surveying resources and products!  Call Stephanie at 248-244-1275 with any questions.