BOD Meeting and Free Presentation for CE Credit 3/13

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GVLSA is hosting the second showing webinar on Thursday, March 13.

A free presentation good for 1 CE credit.

BOD Meeting 6:00 pm

Dinner 6:30 pm – Presentation at 7pm

Erdman Anthony (enter north side of building near 490)

145 Culver Road

Rochester, NY 14620

RSVP Here

NYSAPLS First Friday Webinar Series 

– 2nd SHOWING –

Date:         Thursday, March 13th (LIVE broadcast)
Time:         7:00pm – 8:00pm EST
Speaker:   Timothy W. Burch, LS
Topic:        Digital Signatures, Seals and Data

NY CE Hours: 1.0 LS/PE (pending)

Webinar Description:
As we bravely navigate what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the surveying and geospatial professions work in and create data for a digital environment. Along with the advancements of productivity and capability are legal and ethical challenges of utilizing digital data from many sources. Part of the professional surveyor’s duties is to attest for the work completed by them and/or under their direction, but what if some of the data is not theirs to certify? And how do our laws apply to “signing” professional opinions of a survey plat? Digital seals and signatures differ from electronic signatures, so this session will explore what is the right tool for the surveyor to utilize. 

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the differences between electronic versus digital seals and signatures and it matters legally.
  2. How and why open-source data can be a help and a hindrance to professional liability.
  3. Describe various ways to protect the professional’s liability and reputation through effective data management.

About our Speaker

Timothy W. Burch, PLS, is the Executive Director of the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). He also served as President-Elect, Vice President, and Secretary (2015-2019) of the NSPS Board of Directors, and as Governor/Director representing Illinois (2007-2014). Tim has been involved with the organization for more than 20 years as a member of the Certified Survey Technician Board, Joint Government Affairs, and ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey committees.  Tim serves as Chair for the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Commission 1 (Professional Standards, 2023-2026) and serves as the Advisory Committee of Commission Chairs representative to the FIG Council. He also led the local organizing group in partnering with FIG to host the annual Working Week 2023 in Orlando. As part of his role as NSPS Executive Director, Tim serves as association liaison to the International Property Measurement Standards and International Ethics Standards working groups as well as maintaining communication with like-minded surveying associations from around the world. In addition to content manager for NSPS social media, Tim is the creator and producer of the NSPS podcast “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Bulletin.” He also serves as a Brand Ambassador for the “Get Kids into Survey” (GKIS) initiative created by Elaine Ball and was instrumental in establishing NSPS as the North America distributor for the GKIS posters and educational material. Mr. Burch is a Professional Land Surveyor, licensed in the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. He lives with his wife, Susan, in West Virginia.

February 2023 Newsletter

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The Baseline

GVLSA Monthly Newsletter

February 2023
An excerpt from the “Instructions to Survey Parties – District No. 8, Dep’t of Public Works” from 1929
Do you want your photo featured in the newsletter? Send photos to gvlsany@gmail.com You will recieve a gift card if we use your photo.

From the President’s Desk


Happy February, I hope everyone is settled back into work after the conference a few weeks ago. I had a great time this year, it was a blast seeing many of you who I haven’t seen in a while and meeting a few new faces. I thought the classes were great this year. I particularly liked the mock trial put on by Gary Kent. It was well organized and provided some great discussion and debate among the surveyors. 

We will have our first meeting of the year on February 16 at 7:00pm at the 40 and 8. I hope to see many of you there as we discuss our plans for the upcoming year.

Thank you,
Matthew Palmer, LS

GVLSA Meeting Feb. 16 – 7pm


Our first meeting of the year will be held Thursday February 16 at 7:00pm at the 40 and 8 at 933a University Ave Rochester, 14607.

Some agenda items we will be covering:
  • Proposed 2023 meeting schedule.
  • Committee updates and assignments.
  • Bob Prescott final point update.
  • Darryl Moser final point update.
  • Discussion of future meeting format.
Dinner will be ordered during the meeting.
RSVP Here

NYSAPLS News
Find the latest news from NYSAPLS here.

Monthly Test Question

Congratulations to Doug Churchill for winning the January Test Question.

Submit a correct answer to the following question and be entered to win a prize.
When a property is being assessed for a topographic survey, the methods of contouring can be divided into two categories: direct method and indirect method. The direct method can best be described as:

A. a series of spot elevations
B. contour lines physically located on the site
C. a grid with leveled elevations
D. reproduction of aerial mapping contours
Submit Answer

Upcoming Events
  • GVLSA meeting – Thursday February 16 – 7pm – 40 and 8
  • NYSAPLS Webinar “Preparing FEMA Flood Elevation Certificates” Thursday March 9 – Erdman Anthony – details to follow
  • NYS-Specific LS Exam Spring Review Workshop – March 10-11 – Saratoga Springs – info here

January 2023 Newsletter

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The Baseline

GVLSA Monthly Newsletter

January 2023
New officers being sworn in. Pictured left to right: Matthew Murphy, Douglas Churchill, Martin Gotwalt, Michael Venturo, and Matthew Palmer
Do you want your photo featured in the newsletter? Send photos to gvlsany@gmail.com You will recieve a gift card if we use your photo.

From the President’s Desk


Happy New Year fellow surveyors. I would like to introduce myself as your president for 2023. I’ve had the pleasure of serving as vice president for a few years now and am excited to take over the top spot. I have met many of you at various functions and meetings, but incase I haven’t, here is a little bit of my background. I graduated from Alfred in 2010 with a 4 year surveying degree. I initially started out in the construction management program but decided to switch to surveying after learning about the profession in the surveying 1 and 2 classes. I’ve worked here in Rochester since graduation bouncing around to the various local firms. I was able to collect a diverse background of experience that landed me at my current position as senior land surveyor for NYSDOT Region 4.
Here are a few things I am looking forward to in 2023:
  • We will be holding a spring and fall webinar for continuing education credits. These are by far the most popular events the association holds.
  • Planning for the spring Finger Lakes dinner and presentation will be starting soon. If you have any suggestions for a location or topic, please email me at gvlsany@gmail.com.
  • October dinner at the Yard of Ale in Piffard.
Here are some things I would like to work on this year:
  • Updating our constitution and bylaws to make sure we are benefiting the membership.
  • Looking into possible changes in meeting schedule and venue to encourage attendance.
  • Reorganize and staff our committees.
  • Boost associate membership.
  • Reestablish relationships with our neighbor associations.
  • Hold a summer social program for members and their families.
Obviously, none of this will be possible without the support of the BOD and membership. I look forward to seeing you all this year.
Thank you,
Matthew Palmer, LS

New GVLSA Officers

New officers were sworn in at the annual membership meeting on December 15, 2022. The following officers were voted in by the membership.

President:
Matthew Palmer, LS
Vice President:
Vacant
Secretary:
Martin Gotwalt, LS
Treasurer:
Michael Venturo, LS
Board Members:
Matthew Murphy, LS
Douglas Churchill, LS
Associate Director:
Keith Burley, LSIT

They will join the current board members:
David Standinger, LS
Christopher Locke, LS
Robert Avery, LS
Nathan Dunn, LS

I would like to thank our officers for their continued dedication to GVLSA and our profession.

NYSAPLS Conference 2023
January 18-20

I’ve been keeping an eye on the registrations and it looks like we will have over 60 GVLSA members in attendance along with the over 700 total attendees. I am looking forward to having an in person event where we can talk shop and share ideas with surveyors all over the state. 
I’ll be carrying these stickers around at the conference. Ask for one when you see me.

Keith Burley Named Associate of the Year

Our region’s own Keith Burley was recently named Associate of the Year by NYSAPLS for demonstrating outstanding leadership and deep commitment to professionalism and career advancement in the field of land surveying.
Congratulations to Keith, he will be honored at the upcoming conference at a ceremony held at Wednesday January 18, at noon.

Final Point Monument for Robert Prescott

After years of back and forth with various local government agencies, Roy Garfinkel has finally secured a location for the final point monument honoring Bob Prescott. Bob dedicated many years of service to the surveying industry. He was a former president of GVLSA, NYSAPLS, and NSPS, and was the Monroe County surveyor for over 20 years.

The county has agreed to allow GVLSA to set a monument at Ellison Park near Blossom Road . GVLSA is looking for volunteers to help set and GPS the monument this spring. If you are interested, reach out to Roy at rbg38@hotmail.com

NYSAPLS News
Find the latest news from NYSAPLS here.

Monthly Test Question

Congratulations to Frank Russell for winning the May Test Question.

Submit a correct answer to the following question and be entered to win a prize.
On an ALTA/NSPS survey, you find a building that overlaps the property boundary. For this situation, on the survey map you show it as:

A. an adverse possession
B. a prescriptive easement
C. a potential encroachment and dimension it
D. a license to possess
Submit Answer

Upcoming Events
  • NYAPLS Annual Conference – Turning Stone Casino – January 18-20 – Info here
  • Friday Webinar: Professional Ethics for the Land Surveyor  – February 3 – 8:30am – Register here
  • GVLSA BOD and Regular Member Meeting – Thursday February 16 – 7:00pm – 933a University Ave

GVLSA Monthly Newsletter

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Visit the December newsletter here.

General Membership Meeting 11/18/21

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November General Membership Meeting

November 18, 2021

Board of Directors meeting: 6:00 PM

General Membership meeting 7:00 PM

40 & 8 Club

933 University Ave

Rochester 14607

There will be pizza provided and prizes raffled off.

Agenda:

  • Catch up on the current business of GVLSA and NYSAPLS.
  • Discussion on future of GVLSA
  • Nominate members for open officer and director positions.
  • Any future business brought by the membership.

There are multiple officer and director positions open. Please consider volunteering to run for one of these positions. We will be accepting nominations from the floor.

GVLSA Board of Directors Meeting 11/21/2019

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The Next Genesee Valley Board of Directors meeting will be held Thursday November 21, 2019 at the 40 & 8 Club at 933 University Avenue in Rochester. There will be a Board of Directors meeting at 6pm.  Board activities will be conducted throughout the evening, but all are welcome!

https://goo.gl/maps/yx3P3xYvRV92

GVLSA BOD/General Membership Meeting 10/17/2019

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The next Genesee Valley Membership meeting will be 6pm, Thursday October 17, 2019, at the Yard of Ale in Piffard, NY.  The evening will include a BOD/Membership meeting, as well as dinner.    All are welcome for all activities, and students from Alfred State College will be in attendance!  Please RSVP to Justin Roloson at jroloson@gayrondebruin.com.  Cost will be $10 for Students, and $25 for Members.

NYSAPLS Webinar and BOD/Membership Meeting – 9/12/2019

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The next Genesee Valley Membership meeting will be 6pm, Thursday September 12th, 2019.  The GVLSA will be presenting the second showing of the NYSAPLS Webinar entitled “Automated Machine Guidance and the Professional Surveyor” at the offices of Erdman Anthony, 145 Culver Road Suite 200, Rochester, NY.  Dinner will be served at 6pm, with the Webinar following at 7pm. Membership business will be conducted through the dinner hour, and after the webinar if necessary. All are welcome for all activities! GVLSA Members $0, Non-Members $10. Please RSVP to Justin Roloson at jroloson@gayrondebruin.com by September 6th with confirmations only.

GVLSA BOD/General Membership Meeting 4/18/2019

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The Next Genesee Valley Board of Directors meeting will be held Thursday April 18, 2019 at the 40 & 8 Club at 933 University Avenue in Rochester. There will be a Board of Directors meeting at 6pm, followed by a general membership meeting at 7pm.

https://goo.gl/maps/yx3P3xYvRV92

NYSAPLS Webinar and BOD/Membership Meeting – 3/7/2019

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The next Genesee Valley Membership meeting will be 6pm, Thursday March 7th, 2019.  The GVLSA will be presenting the second showing of the NYSAPLS Webinar entitled “Boundary Agreements” at the offices of Erdman Anthony, 145 Culver Road Suite 200, Rochester, NY.  Dinner will be served at 6pm, with the Webinar following at 7pm. Membership business will be conducted through the dinner hour, and after the webinar if necessary. All are welcome for all activities! GVLSA Members $0, Non-Members $10. Please RSVP to Justin Roloson at jroloson@gayrondebruin.com by March 4th with confirmations only.