Page 5 - NALS Traverse 50_2

The NINE WAYS YOU CAN KILL A SOCIETY:
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Every man owes a part of this time
Editor’s and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No
man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization
Corner that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”

This society is only as good as its individual members.

By: Trent J. Keenan, PLS
How do you, as a member, in any category, “kill” this society?
1 Do not go to meetings.
2. If you do go, arrive late.
We continue with our Nevada Association of Land Surveyors’ 50 3. Criticize the work of the organizers and members.
th
Anniversary Year and another Living Legends Edition! 4. Get mad if you are not a member of a committee, but if you are,
make no suggestions.
Welcome to Summer 2023 and another Living Legend Edition! I 5. If the chair asks your opinion on a subject, say you have none.
really love putting these editions together! It allows me to take a After the meeting, say you have learned nothing or tell everyone
look back at some of the true legends of our profession and within what should have happened.
our own State! And again, this one is no exception. Paul S. Pace, 6. Don’t do what has to be done yourself, but when the members
PLS, a Nevada Living Legend, has made significant contributions roll up their sleeves and do their very best, complain that the
to the land surveying profession in both Northern Nevada and group is run by a bunch of ego-trippers.
Eastern California for more than 55 years through his extensive 7. Pay your dues as late as possible.
writing, expertise, and dedication. Over the span of nearly four 8. Complain that nothing is ever published which interests you, but
decades, Pace has authored more than 47 articles for The Nevada never offer to write an article, make a suggestion, or find a writer.
Traverse. His articles have covered diverse topics ranging from 9. And, if your society dies, say you saw it coming years before.
historical surveys to modern retracements, showcasing his pro-
found knowledge and passion for the profession. Paul was with ADVERTISING?
Sierra Pacific Power Company’s survey group for 34 years and Some Thoughts and Questions By Thomas J. Gribbin, R.L.S.
for 11 years was a Special Projects Consultant and Senior Project
Manager for Stantec Consulting’s geomatics group. Both firms are During these last months of economic slowdown, it seems all
located in Reno, Nevada. Paul retired in 2010. For 20 years Paul businesses have increased their advertising efforts in an attempt
was a surveying instructor and Director of the Summer Field Camp to bring the prospective client into their fold’ We have even seen an
for mining engineering students, at the Mackay School of Mines, occasional surveyor advertise his services in various newspapers.
University of Nevada, Reno. He is a Life member of the Nevada
Association of Land Surveyors and former Lahontan Chapter This is not meant to be in support or condemnation of the privilege
President. Paul is also affiliated with the Nevada State Railroad of the land surveyor to advertise his services, but merely a reminder
Museum and the Historic Tonopah Mining. that we offer ourselves as professionals, and professionals are
governed by a code of ethics.
As you will read later in this edition, Paul is extremely will loved The code of ethics adopted by N.A.L. S. states, “He will not
with our profession and he has given back to much to the profes- advertise in self-laudatory language, or in any other manner
sion through his teachings, leadership and passion! THANK YOU, derogatory to the profession.” While the language is necessar-
Paul for everything you have done for NALS! (There is a lot more to
read starting on Page 14) ily subjective, I believe the land surveyors of Nevada have been
exemplary in their refrain from advertising, other than those
Historical information of note from the 1983 No. 2 Publication: professionally accepted methods.

1983 Officers I do feel it important to bring to your attention a matter which
President: Thomas J. Gribbin destressed me greatly because it encompassed the subject of
Vice President: Elmer G. “Al” Radig advertising but also moonlighting and even more important, the
Secretary: Thomas A. Foote image of the land surveyor. There appeared an advertisement in a
Treasurer: Kenneth J. Brown newspaper seeking a land surveyor to perform a survey to divide
parcels of land.
State Directors
Lowell D. Emery, Terry W. McHenry, Lee H. Smithson, Richard A. Upon questioning the person placing the ad the following facts
Stinchfield, Eslyn “Babe” Brenner, Armand A. Pete Duchareme, were brought out:
William D. Jacobsen. 1. They had chosen this method to obtain a surveyor because they
did not like the “bid” prices given over the phone; they were too
Watt Endorses Surveying Stamp: high.
Falls Church, VA - Interior Secretary James G. Watt has endorsed
a proposed postage stamp to commemorate the 200th anniver- 2. They felt this method would get the cheapest surveyor possible
sary of the rectangular system of surveys in the United States.
The stamp proposal was initiated by the American Congress on 3. They were given to understand that this was the best method
Surveying and Mapping (ACSM). Does anyone have one of these to get a moonlighter to do the work.
stamps? If you do, can you send me a picture? CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 u

The Nevada Traverse Vol.50, No.2, 2023 3