The Old Dominion Surveyor
The Old Dominion Surveyor is the official publication of the Virginia Association of Surveyors. It is published monthly and sent to members. All material must be submitted by the deadline noted for each issue.

Editor
Alison Hanson, LS


Committee
Khea Adams - Virginia Association of Surveyors

VAS 2019 - 2020 Officers and Directors

President.......................Gary M. Faulhaber
First Vice President..................Kevin Wood
Second Vice President........ Alison Hanson
Secretary/Treasurer.............. Chris Jensen
Past President............... Kevin D. Shreiner
NSPS Director............................. Will Nash
Region I Director....... Yeoanny Venetsanos
Region II Director..........Stephen Letchford
Region III Director.................... Judy Beale
Region IV Director................ Jessica Nash
Advertise

More than 400 members of the surveying profession in Virginia read The Old Dominion Newsletter. Advertising in the magazine is a great way to reach that audience! Our online publication allows us to link from your ad to your website.


Advertising Rates

Full Page
(7.5" wide x 10" high)
One Issue - $400
Annual - $3,000
Half Page
(7.5" wide x 4.74" high)
One Issue - $250
Annual - $1,500
Half Page
(3.5" wide x 10" high)
One Issue - $250
Annual - $1,500
Quarter Page
(3.5" wide x 4.75" high)
One Issue - $150
Annual - $800
Business Card
(3.5" wide x 2.0" high)
One Issue - $75
Annual -$400

  • Submission Deadlines: First day of the month of the issue(s) selected

  • Preferred Formats: Ads may be provided in black/white or color; please send layout-ready copy (compatible electronic files include .eps or .pdf files with all fonts and graphics embedded). All ads must be digital. Please send ads via email to Khea Adams at [email protected]
  • All advertisements are non-refundable
  • If purchasing an Annual ad, you can change your ad monthly. 

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Motion Adopted at General Membership Meeting
A motion regarding education funds was adopted at the Special General Membership Meeting on Friday, January, 17. To read the full motion, click here
What is the Significance of April 1?
Contrary to a rumor and myth, April 1 is not the due date for VAS membership dues.

According to the VAS bylaws, "A member shall be dropped from membership in the Association for nonpayment of dues on April 1st of the year in which they become due."

All 2019 VAS members have been invoiced for 2020 dues. A membership year in VAS is from January 1 through December 31. All 2019 VAS memberships expire on December 31.

The VAS Board of Directors has approved the timing of invoicing for two reasons; (1) the dues year begins January 1, and (2) for tax purposes, it is advantageous for some members to pay their dues before December 31. 

Don't delay and risk having your membership dropped for nonpayment. Please pay your dues promptly so you are a member in good standing throughout 2020.

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Surveying Becoming Obsolete or on the Rise
By Christopher Jensen
Secretary/Treasurer
It’s said that you can find two opposite sides to every story on the internet. I recently came across two articles regarding surveying as a profession that I believe do indeed prove that point.

The first article told me surveying was becoming obsolete and might not exist in 50 years. It stated that robotics and other technological advancements would render surveyor’s skills obsolete. Well, I thought robotics and other technology was supposed to make my surveying life better and easier, not make me extinct! 

The second article was a link on NSPS. This article told me that job growth in the surveying profession was projected to increase by 11% thorough 2026. It also mentioned that the surveyor’s salary would be above the median salary of U.S. Workers. Now that gives me a little hope!

So, which is it? Are we becoming an obsolete profession or are we a profession on the rise with opportunity? In the grander scheme- what are we doing as professional surveyors regarding these two sides of the coin? Are we sitting by idly letting technology replace us? Or are we learning, growing and promoting our profession? Are we mentoring the next generation of surveyors? Do we interact with other surveyors (whether thorough the VAS, or by other means)? Or do we work on an island, isolated and figuring we are doing “well enough”?

Put another way- which article sums up how you see surveying in 50 years, and what are you doing (or not doing) to make your vision happen?

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VAS Officer, Director Elections
It is my privilege to announce the 2020/2021 ballot of officers for VAS. As the Immediate Past President one of my responsibilities is to prepare this ballot and meet with as many Past Presidents as I can for discussion of the ballot. The following is the slate of Executive officers who will serve a one year term: 
 
President                               Kevin Wood
Vice President                       Alison Hanson
Second Vice President        Christopher Jensen
Secretary/Treasurer            Rob Mann

The next is Regional Directors:

Region II Director                 Stephen Letchford (incumbent - Re-elect)
Region IV Director                Troy Williams

(Region I and Region III Directors are up for election in 2021)

It has been an honor to be involved in the selection of leaders that will take VAS into the coming year and beyond. The importance of this cannot be understated. I want to thank all the Past Presidents who responded to me via email, and a special thank you to Michael Starling, John Sehl, Will Nash, Gary Faulhaber and Steve Douty for meeting with me in person at the January quarterly meeting to discuss the ballot and several other topics of interest.

In April as I move off of the Board and Executive Committee this privilege and honor, along with many others, will never be forgotten. Serving this organization as a leader has been one the most gratifying experiences of my life.

Thank you to the membership for allowing me to be a part of this organization’s leadership!

Kevin Shreiner
VAS Immediate Past President

* Editor's Note : Notice is hereby provided that pursuant to the VAS Bylaws, add tional nominations may be made by petition of ten (10) regular members in good standing no later than 30 days after notification.  Each such nomination petition shall certify the nominee’s willingness to serve in the event he should be elected. Such petition should be filed with Mr. Shreiner by February 26, 2020. Ballots will be provided to all Regular and Retired Members in good standing after February 26. 
VAS Officer, Director Elections

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Are You An Exhibitor?
Exhibitor registration for the VAS Convention, April 29 through May 2, 2020, at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA is almost SOLD OUT . There are only 2 spots left. Please click here to reserve your spot today.
 
We have also added a new benefit of being an exhibitor at the VAS convention. Time will be set aside during lunch on Friday, May 1 wherein each exhibitor will be provided time to make a 3 minute announcement about your firm, products or services, and what you're displaying in your booth. This is a great opportunity to increase your exposure and drive more traffic to and interest in your booth .  

In addition , VAS would like to encourage each exhibitor to bring a prize valued at $50 or more and that prize will be awarded out during your annoucment. Each exhibitor will be given a bowl with individual sign up slips that registrants complete and drop in the bowl. After your three minute annoucment you will draw a name and give the prize to the winner.  
 
Please contact Khea Adams of the VAS staff if you have any questions about exhibitor registration. 
Help support the future of your profession by donating an item for the auction. Tax deductible donations can be made by individuals, firms, chapters, organizations, and others. Auction proceeds benefit the VAS Eduction Trust to provide scholarships for future surveyors.
New this year: Plats are only being accepted electronically in PDF format . The dealine to submit your plats is March 1, 2020 .

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National Surveyors Week is always, “the week in March beginning with the 3rd Sunday”. VAS has request a Surveyors Week proclamation from Governor Northam. All VAS members should begin planning activities in their firm, chapter, or community.  To learn more, click here
72nd Annual Convention & General Membership Meeting
April 29 - May 2, 2020
Wyndham Oceanfront Hotel
Virginia Beach, VA
Make Hotel Reservations - Click Here

Summer Seminar and Board Meeting
June 11-12, 2020
Marriott Hotel - Short Pump
Richmond, VA

John Foster School
June 23-26, 2020
Virginia Commenwealth University (VCU)
Richmond, VA

Fall Seminar and Board Meeting
September 18-19, 2020
Hilton Garden Inn
Roanoke, VA

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Former Delegete and Secretary of Natural Resources Speaks at January's Board Meeting
Former Delegate and Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant, now a lobbyist with McGuire Woods Consulting (MWC), briefed the VAS Board of Directors on legislation in the General Assembly affecting surveyors and MWC’s representation of VAS. Mr. Bryant made a presentation outlining the politics and policy issues of the 2020 General Assembly session, bills of interest to VAS and surveyors, and development of a program to increase VAS's effectiveness in government affairs. Each week, MWC provides VAS with an Excel of legislation of interest and holds a conference call with VAS President Gary Faulhaber, First Vice President Kevin Wood, Legislative Committee Chair Bruce Frederick, and Executive Director John Palatiello to review the legislation and plan a course of action to assure that the voice of VAS is heard in the General Assembly. Attached is a current list of pending bills.

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In Memorium
Beth Anne Cambell's Aunt Linda was a huge part of the success of Bamforth Engineers/Surveyors. Her quiet, yet forceful nature inspired everyone around her to try harder and give 110%. "She was kind, loving and always available to give me advice as Tim and I started our own Land Surveying Business ." says Beth Anne Cambell. To read more on Linda's life click here.
James "Jimmy" Lohr passed away on December 28, 2019. He was a long standing member of the surveying community is Richmond. To read more about James's life click here.
VAS is pleased to work with Land's End to provide an opportunity to purchase quality clothing with the VAS logo embroidered on it. Go on, showcase your membership in VAS. To start shopping and place your order, click here .
Did you know that when you recruit a new member to VAS you will receive a 25% discount on your membership dues? Spread the word about the great work VAS is doing for the surveying profession and be sure to tell the new member to include your name on the   recommended by   portion of their application. 

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Virginia Association of Surveyors | www.vasurveyors.org