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2009 - 2010 Membership Drive
Fellow SAMSOG Members:
SAMSOG is sponsoring a Two Phase Membership Drive! Phase I will be from November 06, 2009 thru January 08, 2010 and Phase II from February 01, 2010 thru May 31, 2010.
To assist you in your recruiting efforts, I have created two Excel spreadsheets. One worksheet lists of Georgia licensed land surveyors and SAMSOG members who renewed by 10/31/09. The second Excel spreadsheet lists 2008 – 2009 SAMSOG members who did NOT renew this year but might be encouraged to rejoin. Past members who renew or rejoin will be included as new members for the membership drive. Members who lapsed after 10/31/09, can still renew online. Contact Ginger Walker for an eletronic copy of these spreadsheets.
Every current member who brings in three Full members (RLS’s) will receive one free year of membership. The person that brings in the most Full members in each Phase will receive $200 in cash. Awards will be announced at the January Technical Seminar Banquet and the July Annual Meeting and Summer Conference Banquet. The person who brings in the most new full members between November ’09 and May ’10 will receive $500.00 in cash during the July Annual Meeting. In the event of a tie, a drawing will determine the winner. Your name must be included on each membership application or submitted by email to ginger_samsog@bellsouth.net.
Excel savvy members can re-arrange the files by State, County, City, Name and License Number. On the first spreadsheet, current SAMSOG members are accented by bold print to help in assist you in targeting non-members. SAMSOG’s Emeritus, Sustaining, Associate, Affiliate, Life, Honorary and Auxiliary Members are listed at the bottom for reference.
You maybe asked “Why should I be a member?” Or “What’s in it for me?” Refer to the SAMSOG website at www.samsog.org “Member Benefits” for suggestions.
The most recognized plan for success is networking. Networking on a social level is not much different than it is on a professional level. Membership in SAMSOG comes with an instant supply of surveyors that share the same issues, problems and goals. During this lean economic time, it is a big advantage to have over 500 surveyors from all over the State offering advice, help and business leads.
Resources from the membership and staff are limited only limited by imagination. The website is only the beginning of possibilities for information. There are currently 23 Standing and Special Committees within SAMSOG with the Committee Chairman generally having extensive knowledge about their program and goals for the year. Credible information from the State Board, to GPS and Trig Star is there for the membership. You don’t have to wait for a Seminar to get answers for questions.
Members receive a discount for attending the Technical Seminar and Summer Conference. The difference between the members and non-members has recently been $100 for each event. If a person attends both seminars, the discount more than pays for the annual membership! Continuing Education is required to maintain our license. The fees to attend SAMSOG’s technical programs are far less than most professions, especially when you consider the cost per pdh hour.
We have all heard the adage that there is safety in numbers. SAMSOG is always on the alert for legislation pertinent to land surveying. Whether it is introducing legislation, supporting proposals from others or being heard about legislation we find offensive, SAMSOG can only succeed with a strong and vibrant membership. Our best legislation in recent times has been the Statute of Limitations protecting Land Surveyors. This did not occur because a handful of surveyors wanted the law. While a handful of surveyors did perform the majority of the work, the members around the State made it happen on a local level too.
Membership is not limited to registered land surveyors. Our society is called the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia. We should open the doors for the “mapping” wing of our society as well. This should included GIS / GPS professional and technicians. We should encourage LSIT’s to attend meetings and anyone interested in surveying. Affiliate and Associate members are just as vital to the growth of our Society. The Society needs a new influx of new talent.
The local chapters are encouraged to open the doors to non-members. We have a better chance to increase our membership from the actions at local chapter meetings than from the Board. Local topics are normally best served locally and draw the most interest there.
The sustainability of the local chapter is dependant upon participation. The local chapters can decide the location and time for all of its meetings. Lunch meeting work best in areas where the chapter membership is more local and evening meetings are best with membership dispersed. If a chapter needs a speaker for a meeting, consider any of the committee chairmen. Having a technical program at night or on the weekend that provides pdh credits will bring the surveyors to the door.
With the exception of the Staff, SAMSOG is a volunteer organization and is only limited by its members. There are a variety of hot issues being discussed on the State level that are just as important locally. The effectiveness and format of the State Board of Registration, the 4-year college degree, right of entry, Georgia being a “SurveyState” and other issues are on the table. The Society will make the call on the direction to take on these hot topics.
The Officers and Board of Directors for SAMSOG are guided by a simple principle found in our Constitution “… the promotion and the protection of the profession…” Only an expanded membership from around the State can direct the Board in the most appropriate direction to achieve these goals.
Tom Hurley
Membership Chairman
Member Benefits
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SAMSOG Annual Technical Seminar
Three days filled with educational workshops, technical sessions and exhibits. The Annual Technical Seminar is a great time to network and learn from other industry professionals.
SAMSOG Summer Meeting
SAMSOG two-day seminars, held throughout the state, are designed to offer affordable, quality education.
The Georgia Surveyor
The official newsletter of SAMSOG keeping you informed on legislative updates and current events. Published bimonthly.
SAMSOG Publications
All SAMSOG publications are available to members at a discounted price. Publications updated annually include, the State Manual, State Manual Supplement and SAMSOG Membership Directory.
Representation/Liaisons
SAMSOG has an active legislative program, legislative advocate, political action committee SAMPAC and a liaison with the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Chapter Meetings
With 14 chapters statewide, chapter meetings are held monthly and feature guest speakers and informative programs.
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SAMSOG Website
The SAMSOG website provides members with a wide range of resources, including discussion forums, referral services, legislative updates and extensive networking resources.
SAMSOG Education Foundation
SAMSOG Education Foundation provides educational assistance to students to ensure the future of our profession.
National & Regional Representation
To maintain your interests in the national concerns of surveying and mapping, SAMSOG is a member of ACSM and NSPS.
Business & Professional Services
SAMSOG has a fully staffed central office which is available to answer questions or to provide up-to-date referrals concerning legislation, educational opportunities, job opportunities or other issues concerning membership.
Affinity Partners
SAMSOG offers exclusive discounts and additional benefits through its Affinity Partnership Program. Members are given discounts through the SAMSOG website.
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