Observations from the Outside

[Ric7308]

Pretty much everyone knows that I am a long time member of CLSA and proud of it. But since more and more tend to recognize my association with BPELSG more so than CLSA, I thought sharing these observations from an outside perspective may be more pertinent. And please keep in mind that these observations are mine. Perceptions, facts, reality, etc. from spending time getting to know other like minded professional associations and being around other outsiders who are introduced to these associations.

The Association is the profession. The profession is the association. To the outside world, those are one and the same. If there is no association, there are only individuals that have jobs and careers, nothing more, nothing less.

It is the Association (profession) that has value to the outside world. I'm not necessarily talking about the individual property owner, though this could be the case sometimes. I'm talking about the outside world that has to consider how their actions impact the Association (profession) or actions by the Association that impact the decision makers in the outside world.

Examples of this:

State Legislature - When decisions are being made that impacts a profession, the legislature tends to recognize a group or an association as representative of the constituents of that profession. If one, or a few more, individuals voice their opinion or try to enact law it doesn't have the same effect as the association. Like it or not, to these people, the Association is recognized as representing the profession in its entirety. They don't care if not all licensees are members. They don't care if there are differences of opinion between the members. They're listening to the Association if they are listening at all.

NSPS - to this group, the value is the Association as a whole, not the individual members. Think about why they are interested only in 100% membership and not some portion of CLSA members. It is because they recognize the value of lobbying by saying they are an organization comprised of the entire profession at the Federal level in similar fashion as the state legislators.

NCEES - don't know how many members realize this, but CLSA is one of the very few organizations that has representation at NCEES meetings. NCEES recognizes it is one person that is assigned to represent CLSA, but to them, CLSA is one entity, one association. And an association that represents the profession in CA. They don't care if all licensees are members. It is the Association that has value.

WFPS - or as Ray (Mathe) calls them "West Fed". 99% of CLSA members don't realize that they are also members of WFPS. Why is that? Probably several reasons, but one is that WFPS really recognizes those members through CLSA. Through the Association. WFPS is not really paying attention to the individual members of CLSA.

These are just some examples of how CLSA is viewed by the outside world.

These are just some examples of how the land surveying profession in California is viewed by the outside world.

Those two sentences above are saying the exact same thing.

I spend a great deal of time interacting with many associations now, including engineers, geologists, geophysicists, attorneys, surveyors, etc. And I can tell you every single one of them has members with differences of opinion, with topics they are struggling with, with how to make and maintain the relevance of themselves. But the smart groups recognize the importance and benefits of being a "collective group". An Association.

I offer these thoughts and perspectives in the hopes that it helps all of you recognize the importance of your association (profession) beyond that which is right in front of you. My experiences over the last 5 years have opened my eyes more and I recognize that the only manner in which my profession is being represented is through an association. Sure, there are those that don't belong to the association, but unfortunately those are not recognized as representing the profession by many others.

I still, more than ever, proudly renew my membership each year as a CLSA member. It is now the only way that my profession remains relevant. Argue away, all professions do it. Openly and privately. There's nothing wrong with that. Just remember, in the end everyone still needs to come together.

[Lee Hixson]

Thanks, Ric. Great point of view. You provide a strong case for all of us slowing down and doing what we can to work across the isle so to speak.

[Warren Smith]

Wise words, Ric- thanks for the perspective.
When I joined CLSA 30 years ago, I was in the private sector. Since becoming a City Surveyor, then a County Surveyor, I have joined other public sector organizations and maintained my membership in CLSA as an overall representative of the profession.
I have also been a member of the state organizations of the three other states in which I am licensed. The common thread is that, at the state level, the organization functions to represent the profession as a whole.
That is an important distinction. Chapters are indeed where the various private firms and public agencies meet on a monthly basis and hash out local issues. The elected representatives (Directors) are chosen akin to our legislative representatives to meet with their colleagues to vote on global issues.
Again, thanks for putting a different context to the current debate.

[mpallamary]

Cui bono.

[Dave Karoly, PLS]

L. Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset.

The famous Lucius Cassius, whom the Roman people used to regard as a very honest and wise judge, was in the habit of asking, time and again, 'To whose benefit?'

[Peter Ehlert]

Ric: thanks for taking the time to present your observations.
a healthy and clear perspective of reality.

on another note:
I find it quite curious how few views there are of the attachments on the Bylaw Proposal Clarification thread