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From the Archives: From the Archives:
First printed by the Georgia Surveyor 1987 and then reprinted in the First printed by the Michigan Surveyor and then reprinted in the
Traverse 1989 v3 Traverse 1990v2
Professional Societies Can Benefit Career, Social CHANGING TIMES
Life Here are Five Good Reasons for You to Join a THE GOOD OL’ BOY CLUB
Professional Organization
*NETWORKING
Who knows more about opportunities within a field than those ac-
tually active in it? No one. The roster of your professional society is
an obvious gold mine and names to get your networking rolling.
*EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Want to stay on top of your profession, learn new techniques and
strategies? There are endless opportunities for upgrading your ex-
perience through seminars, listening to top speakers in your field,
workshops and just plain old-fashioned sharing and battle stories
among your peers, offered by organizations.
THE “GOOD OL’BOY CLUB” Is losing members and that’s a problem
*LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for the association.
It isn’t enough to just join a chapter of your professional group.
Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved in com- There’s a good ol’ boy club in most volunteer organizations. Usually,
mittee work, serve some time as an officer, or help coordinate the good ol’ boys are those members who like and relate to each
events. Otherwise, your membership is just a pro forma joining. other and who form a cadre of leadership. While the actions of the
The more active you are, the more visible you become to the other good ol’ boys may sometimes be questioned, their dedication to the
members. This visibility can only be a plus factor in your career fu- cause is never questioned.
ture. Leadership roles reflect well on you and also on the company When surveying was a struggling, emerging profession, a lot of
that employs you. It proves they hired a winner. good ol’ boys stepped from the ranks to provide leadership and
direction. In those days, it was sometimes not as much a matter of
*RESUME UPGRADING choice as of necessity. For surveying to service as a profession, the
Put yourself in the position of the hiring authority examining two leadership had to be shrewd, tough, tenacious, and united. They had
resumes. One shows only work experience. The other shows work to work together, or they would fall separately. Close personal, as
experience, Professional association membership, office help and well as professional, bonds were formed and it was, to paraphrase a
professional certification award. Guess what the decision will be. song of recent years, “you and me (surveying) against the world.”
As every profession becomes more complex and difficult to mas- As a result of the work of the good ol’ boys and others interested in
ter, the need for certification becomes more prevalent. Indeed, the the future of the profession, surveying gained its rightful place in the
old definition of “Professional” meant a person was certified or professional sun and the warming rays of that sun have resulted in
licensed as competent in filling the particular function. In an effort growth and relative prosperity.
to raise practitioners in a particulate field, the professional societ-
ies themselves have determined criteria for testing and certifying Now, some of the good ol’ boys are tiring and feel it’s time to
their membership. This candidate then has the right to use the turn over the reigns of leadership to a fresh generation. Unfortu-
initials of certification after fulfilling all requirements. If you want nately, many of the younger practitioners feel they do not have
to get ahead in your career, professional certification can be a the time to provide the scope of dedicated service provided by
major factor. their predecessors.
Generally speaking, surveying and surveyors are doing very well
*SOCIAL BENEFITS today. But nowhere is it written that this state of well-being is
Lest this seems to be only a self-serving financial ploy in career guaranteed, and current trends point to changes that indicate the
growth, don’t overlook the fun factor. Groups of people with professional sun may be cooling. In view of these trends, maybe it’s
common interests are always sources of new friends. You speak time for the current generation of surveyors to begin a new good ol’
the same language, laugh at the same jokes and dream similar boys club with membership open to both men and women.
dreams. Getting active in your professional group opens these The future of the profession is only as secure as those who will
possibilities for friendship. make the time to secure it.
Editorial notes: This current edition of The Nevada Traverse was mailed As the current editor and someone who has been involved with the
to ALL licensed professional land surveyors that hold a Nevada License Nevada Association as a board member since 2007, I find this article
as of 12/1/2023. So, I thought this old article from 1987, again is still still very fitting for today’s time. Take a look at the image below.
fitting for todays times. In summary, joining a professional organization This image was taken at the January Board Meeting in 2007 while
not only enhances your career prospects but also enriches your social swearing in the newest board members. 64% of the board mem-
life. It’s an investment in your professional development, personal bers in the image are still active in the Association as of today, and
growth, and the opportunity to connect with a community that shares the ones that are not have moved out of the State, otherwise they
your goals and values. So, whether you’re early in your career or a would still be involved today and the other two are now retired. A
seasoned professional, consider the many advantages that come with few of them in this picture will be on the State Board next year as
active participation in a professional society. voting members for their 3 time around. So, I do think it’s time for
rd
some new board members to take the step and do your part to help
secure it for the next generation. Will that be you? If not you, who?
The Nevada Traverse Vol.50, No.4, 2023 15