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SAMSOG BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Warrenton county Community Building, Warrenton, Georgia
PRESENT: Executive Committee: Lonnie Sears, Ed Cowherd, Jim Anderson, Tren Baker, and Roger Purcell. Excused: Robert Armstrong.
Directors: John McCleskey, Craig Brewer, Dan Collins, Dean Olson, Stacy Carroll, Bobby Shupe, and Dale Yawn. Excused: Cathy Costarides, Trent Turk, and Gary Witherington.
Chapter Representatives: John Roeser, Alfred Bellew, Tommie Donaldson, Bert Barrett, Jr., Gary Nevill, Dan Mahan, Kayle Cowherd, and Joey Brock. Excused: Lane Bishop, Vonny Blanton, Phillip Roberts, and Robert Brooks. Absent: Dwight Kilby, Mitch Lowery, and Jimmy Green.
Preceding the SAMSOG BOD meeting, Warrenton County officials and Surveying and Mapping Museum of Georgia Trustee Dan Crumpton welcomed attendees. Coffee, juice, and Danish were provided.
With 20 voting members present, a quorum was declared and the meeting began at 9:39 a.m.
First time attendee and surveyor member Tim Schram, (Jacksonville, FL) and his father (Warrenton, GA) were recognized.
The March 23, 2010 minutes and financial reports were approved. Lifetime member Carey Treadwell remembered when SAMSOG total assets were $5,000 in 1976. Secretary-Treasurer Tren Baker explained 2008-2009 fiscal year ended with an approximate shortfall of $20,000. Fortunately, years prior had built up an excess cash balance in the operating account and no investments have been cashed to cover the shortfall.
National Representative’s Report: Robert Armstrong attended the ACSM/NSPS meeting in Phoenix, AZ and will have a report at the next meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
Annual Meeting – Will be held at the Amelia Island Plantation Thursday, July 15 – Saturday, July 17, 2010. A total of 11 PDH’s will be offered. Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, MTS class will be Friday, a Texas Hold’em Tournament will be held if we have enough participation and the Installation and Awards banquet will be Saturday evening. Tom Hurley announced the Ladies Auxiliary will have a luncheon and bead bracelet demonstration on Friday. He also stated he is very familiar with the area and can recommend restaurants, shops, beaches, etc.
Education – No report.
Interprofessional Cooperation –John Roeser reported he and Josh Lewis went to Macon Friday, 4/16/2010 for the RLS and PE exam. 24 people sat for the RLS exam. SAMSOG provided lunch and Josh and John spoke to the group about membership and congratulated the attendees on their accomplishment. It was noted the GSPE charged PE exam takers for lunch. Approximately 160 people sat for the PE and RLS exam.
Council of Past Presidents – Roger Purcell presented the Nominating Committee report (attached). The Secretary-Treasurer position was inadvertently omitted from the report. Roger asked current Secretary-Treasurer Tren Baker to continue to serve; he agreed and will be added to the ballot. A call for nominations from the floor included nominees Kayle Cowherd (Union Point, GA) and Teeple Hill (Brunswick, GA). Ballots will be mailed to corporate members by June 1st and returned by June 25th in accordance with the bylaws.
Legislative Committee - Chairman Josh Lewis, III and SAMSOG Lobbyist Steve Neff reported on the legislative activity. HB 1117(BOR Privatization) passed the House however, at the last moment the Secretary of State “has expressed concerns but is not opposing”. One concern is other registered professionals wanting to follow suit and move out from under the SOS. The bill is currently in Rules Committee and we will know Tuesday, 4/20/10 if it will go to the senate. If HB 1117 is
SAMSOG BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Warrenton County Community Building, Warrenton, Georgia
not passed this year, we will try again next year. HB 72 Dissolution of the County Surveyor is still in committee. HB 1354 Electronic Signature is in committee. Notification of Entry is in Study Committee and SAMSOG will continue to work author Ellis Black.
Membership and Chapter Development – Hardwick Butler was unanimously approved for Lifetime SAMSOG membership. After a brief discussion regarding Associate members eligibility, Bylaws Committee Chairman stated there was no reason his membership status could be changed.
Public Relations – Ginger Walker reported she and Josh Lewis will represent SAMSOG at the Association of County Commissioners meeting April 24 & 25.
Monument Protection/Restoration – no report.
State Board of Registration – (report attached). Roger Purcell reported he attended the February BOR meeting and clarification of experience requirements for RLS was discussed. Roger stated the BOR education requirement exceeds what is required by law. The “time clock start” is not specific and can be interpreted differently; see page 2 of the attached report. The Secretary of State office is looking at software to verify continuing education credits and Mark Chastain was requested RLS’s be checked first. A date was not been confirmed however, expectation is it will be this year. Any RLS who is not up to date with their continuing education needs to take action immediately.
Hardwick Butler is still in ICU in Macon. Roger visited him yesterday and he was conversing and doing much better.
Survey Standards/State Manual – Ed Cowherd reported SAMSOG still has copies from the first printing therefore, when ALTA standards are revised this year, they will be included in the second printing edition.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
Newsletter – no report.
Plat & Mapping Contest – no report.
Scholarship – Financial reports attached.
GPS Standards – Gary Witherington reported SVN 49 satellite is having problems between 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. If you experience any issues with this equipment, contact the manufacturer.
Education Fund – no report.
Website Management – Ginger Walker reported Frank Quattlebaum had broken this leg in two places. She is attending a luncheon hosted by Affiniscape (SAMSOG website host) on Wednesday, 4/21/10. Frank had planned to attend Lonnie Sears will take his place.
Certified Survey Technician – Lonnie Sears suggested chapters offer to host an exam in their area. Josh Stice should be contacted for more information.
Trig Star – Jim Anderson reported the deadline is April 24, 2010.
GIS – no report.
P.E.E.R. – no report.
Chapter Reports – No report from Appalachia, Foothills, Northwest, South Central, or SPSU Student Chapter. Atlanta Chapter – Meets quarterly. March meeting was held jointly with Gwinnett and included an “old timer’s panel discussion”. Augusta Chapter – Monthly meetings include programs for PDH credits. Central Chapter – USGS representative spoke at last meeting. Coastal Chapter – Craig Brewer reported April meeting topic was MTS. May meeting will be presented by Chatham County FEMA representative. Etowah Chapter – John McCleskey reported on behalf of Mitch Lowery who resigned. Last meeting was presented by a demographics company regarding activity in areas experiencing increases, decreases, and projected growth; very interesting and informative meeting. Golden Isles Chapter – Meets first Wednesday of each month at skinny Pete’s. April meeting included a discussion of a dispute a local surveyor is involved in; the chapter is assisting. May meeting will be presented by the Director of Community Development. Gwinnett Chapter – Joint meeting 3/30/10 with the Atlanta Chapter was well attended. Six “old geezers” talked about their surveying experiences. Dan Mahan also reported on his Trek to Ellicott’s Mound 2/3/10. Six SAMSOG
SAMSOG BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Warrenton County Community Building, Warrenton, Georgia
members from Gwinnett, Foothills, Golden Isles, and Northwest Chapters joined author Dr. Bill Morton and others for the trip. Dan will speak about his experience at the Gwinnett Chapter meeting and will write an article for the Georgia Land Surveyor. The ACSM magazine included an article and pictures in their April 2010 issue. Piedmont Chapter – Pat Harris of Earl Dudley, Inc. presented the program at the last meeting. Southern Crescent – Dan Collins reported the chapter won the January 2010 shotgun raffle then raffled it off the chapter members at the last meeting. Next meeting will in May at the IHOP in Fayetteville. Wiregrass Chapter – Allen Nobles presented at the March. Pat Harris will speak at the May meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: Tim Morman, Mutual of Omaha (proposal attached) requests an endorsement by SAMSOG for products discounted 10% and marketed to SAMSOG members. The BOD concluded marketing products and services is provided by Sustaining Membership and did not want to set a precedent by endorsing this product.
NEW BUSINESS:
TrigStar – Federal Government is proposing to cut funds to the NSPS program. Jim Anderson will follow-up with Robert Armstrong to be kept apprised of the outcome.
Promote the Surveying Profession – Dan Collins was referred to Pam Saunders regarding the Surveying patch for the Boy Scouts of America program and discussed the positive emphasis this has on surveyors and the surveying profession. Dan is working with Ms. Saunders regarding offering the course in her area or inviting her troop to Forsyth. Dan is in the process of establishing a Boy Scout merit badge course at the BSA property in Forsyth. He elaborated on the time and effort put into earning the surveying badge and encouraged all members to siege every opportunity to promote the surveying profession.
President Lonnie Sears adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m. A lunch buffet hosted by SAMSOG and planned by GAMOSAM was served to attendees, county officials, and guests.
Respectfully submitted by Ginger Walker
Approved by Trenholm Baker, Secretary/Treasurer
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