Dear Fellow Members,

As the busiest time of the year approaches, it is my sincere wish that the economic doom and gloom is short lived, and that the society and all its members will prosper.  Let the construction begin!!!   Since the last “President’s Message” our society has been active on many fronts.  

Website - Frank Thousand has begun modifying the website.  Please visit the website and let me know if you have any comments or suggestions on the website.  john.casucci@rasmithnational.com  While you are on the website, please visit the PRESIDENTIAL POLL and vote ON THE TITLE THAT BEST DESCRIBES US.   Below the poll is an explanation detailing the importance of this poll question

Seminar – Our May 23^rd GPS seminar in Waukesha was successful.  Although attendance was down, I am proud that our Society can offer these educational opportunities. 

Bylaws - The Publications Committee met on May 13^th to update our Articles of Incorporation and the Society’s Bylaws.  These recommendations will be presented to the Board for approval. 

Continuing Education - By the time you read this, the Strategic Planning Committee and the WSLS Board will have met to discuss and finalize our Draft Continuing Education Plan.  The Plan is posted on the Website.  The Plan is advisory, and will be submitted to the Registration Board in August for their consideration.

Foundation - The WSLS foundation met on May 15^th to update their strategic plan and goals for the next 5 years.  The list of Museum contents will be posted on the website (in the Foundation section) in a few weeks.  Most items can be temporarily checked out to Society Members.  We all need to support the foundation goals to support the advancement of land surveying education and knowledge with scholarships, fellowships, internships, publications, research and the preservation of historical surveying and mapping memorabilia. 

Daniel J. Burt Memorial Plaque – the Western Chapter set a May 31 (10:00 a.m.) dedication and placement of a Plaque in memory and honor of Daniel J. Burt, RLS.  The plaque reads as follows:   "This monument stands as a memorial to Daniel J. Burt, Land Surveyor, who on October 2nd, 2006 while on a survey in Preston Township on a mostly sunny, beautiful day, was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning."  The 8" x 10" bronze plaque is located at the Intersection of Highways 53 and 95, across from the Kwik Trip.  The plaque is set in reference to a H.A.R.N. control point named "Dan Burt GPS 2006"

Summer Meeting - I am looking forward to an extraordinary summer meeting, hosted by the Northeast Chapter on August 22nd-23rd.  The meeting will be at the Land Mark Resort in Egg Harbor (Door County) and will feature Golf, Seminar, Trap shooting, a Saturday night play by the Peninsula Players and a Bike Hike thru Peninsula State Park.  Does anybody know if there is a cooler attachment for bikes?   Regardless, make your reservations early!!!

Other items that merit on-going discussion, planning and input from Society members:

• Machine Grading – Who controls the control?
• Surveyor Liability regarding the use of old surveys (or surveys filed per AE 7) for current real estate transactions
• Height Modernization of Northern Wisconsin
• Continued decrease of County Surveyor Positions
• Title Companies insuring over survey exceptions without benefit of a survey
• Use of one-man Crews – Who mentors the measurers?

I would like to thank all the people who are working hard in the Society to get things done and make it such a great organization.  I hope your summer is busy, safe and rewarding.

Very Truly Yours

John Casucci