More
It seemed to me in recent months to be all too quiet on the western front—and the eastern, the southern and the northern, too. It seemed that certain issues weren’t exciting people like usual. Then the ACSM proposed its new plan, and opinions and views created a very active scale, swinging drastically in favor and against.
I, for one, was happy to see it—to see folks “alive and kickin’.” But I’m also quite discontented by the whole situation, mainly because what I’ve heard from the “nay” side has been so strong. Many of the naysayers are voicing such strong disdain against the “New ACSM,” sometimes referring to it as the “death” or “demise” of the organization.
This is the profession’s national organization we’re talking about, the Congress dedicated to “advancing the sciences of surveying and mapping and related fields…” What will happen if the plan is voted in favor and its implementation begins next year? What happens if it doesn’t? I hope you will all think hard and vote on this important issue.
A national professional organization is founded to support and strengthen the professionals it serves. If the organization adopts the new structure, will it dissect the profession into separate, smaller professions? Or will it strengthen those individual units by empowering them to excel on their own merits and dedication?
Many view the “New ACSM” plan a direct “Go” card to its demise. It is not my role to take a position on the issue; my duty is to present the different sides in hopes of creating discussion and agreement. I have, however, seen a collective group “belong” less and less to the profession, acting almost as “independent contractors” to the countrywide muscle. I know most of you are busy, but take a minute to consider the benefits of ACSM. Or, in another light, consider what you wouldn’t know without ACSM’s efforts. Without a national organization to speak on your behalf to legislative bodies, tell me—would you take the time to write to your senator regarding an issue affecting land surveying? Would you even know much about the legislative issues at all?
Every land surveyor has his or her own values and principles, his or her own wants and needs, and his or her own convictions. Now is the time to put those into action. This can be a time for renewal.
Renewal Efforts
Speaking of renewal (and bad segues), I’d like to highlight the renewal wrapper cover on this month’s issue. This wrapper is our attempt to remind you in a not-so-subtle way that your subscriptions are not automatically renewed each year. You must inform us of your desire to continue delivery of POB magazine. Remember, POB is FREE (free! free!) to qualified professionals. Renewing is quick and easy, ensures we have your correct mailing information and lets us know who we are reaching with our articles and columns, allowing us to give you more of what you want to see!My last warning in hopes to get you to renew is this: If you don’t renew now, you may be removed from our subscriber file! So, be sure to answer all the questions, sign and date your Renewal form and mail it in, or for faster service, visit our website today!
