I
LEGISLATIVE POLICY
1. The Texas Society of Professional Surveyors proposes to keep informed as to all matters that may affect surveyors, the surveying profession, and the public welfare in those fields where surveyors have a professional responsibility to the public, and, after investigation and evaluation in each particular instance, to take such action as may be determined to be necessary or desirable to protect the interests of the surveyors, the profession, and the public.
2. The Society will concern itself with any matter--
a. Affecting the Land Surveying Practices Act of 1979, V.T.C.S., Article 5282c), as amended in 1989, to the Professional Land Surveying Practices Act, and all amendments thereto.
b. Affecting the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying.
c. Regulating the practice of any other profession or any trade or surveying profession, or surveying practice.
3. The Society will oppose specifically any action--
a. Weakening the Land Surveying Practices Act of 1979, (V.T.C.S., Article 5282c), as amended in 1989, to the Professional Land Surveying Practices Act, and all amendments thereto.
b. Affecting adversely the efficient administration of the Land Surveying Practices Act of 1979, (V.T.C.S., Article 5282c), as amended in 1989, to the Professional Land Surveying Practices Act, and all amendments thereto.
c. That directly, indirectly, or by implication restricts the definition of the term "Professional Land Surveyor" or the term "Professional Land or State Land Surveying" as now defined in Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5282c, and all amendments thereto.
4. The Society will take specific action--
a. To secure in any matter that directly or indirectly requires surveying services, a provision that such services are to be performed by a Professional Land Surveyor.
b. To secure in any matter in connection with public works a provision authorizing the agency charged with supervisory responsibility to utilize the services of Registered Professional Land Surveyors in any matter involving land boundaries and description.
5. The Society will not endorse the candidacy of any person for political office.
6. The Society will not request the appointment of or endorse any one individual Registered Professional Land Surveyor for appointment to public office when several qualified Registered Professional Land Surveyors are believed available for the position, provided, however, the Board of Directors may in the case of a reappointment submit and endorse the incumbent for appointment.
7. When deemed appropriate or when requested by the appointive authority, the Board of Directors will submit the names of several Registered Professional Land Surveyors believed to be available and qualified.
8. When deemed appropriate the Board of Directors may in its discretion endorse and support the confirmation of any qualified Registered Professional Land Surveyor already under the appointment to Public Office.
II
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE
1. The Executive Committee shall have full authority to interpret the Public Affairs Policy of the Society between meetings of the Board of Directors. Under emergency conditions, any member of the Society shall call the President, if immediately available by telephone, and if not so available, any other member of the Executive Committee. The President, if so available, or if not, the member of the Executive Committee who was contacted, shall call all members of the Executive Committee who are immediately available by telephone. Then the President, if available, or if not, the member of the Executive Committee who was contacted shall take appropriate action in Public Affairs matters as determined by the majority of the immediately available members of the Executive Committee.
2. No Committee of the Society nor the Chairman of any Committee acting as such shall take any action in support of or in opposition to any Public Affairs except at the request of, or after approval by the Executive Committee, the Public Affairs Committee, or the President.
3. The Executive Committee is authorized to give the Public Affairs Committee such instructions as it may deem necessary in order to effectuate the Public Affairs Policy, and immediately notify the Board of such action. The Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee is authorized to carry out all instructions of the Executive Committee.
4. The Board of Directors may veto or change any interpretation or instruction given by the Executive Committee, provided, however, that the interpretations and instructions of the Executive Committee shall remain in full force and effect unless vetoed or changed by the Board of Directors.
5. The Executive Committee will make a continuing study of established Public Affairs Policy and Procedure and report thereon to the Board of Directors from time to time with appropriate recommendations as to changes deemed desirable or necessary.
6. The Executive Committee will make quarterly and annual reports to the Board of Directors outlining activity and progress.
III
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The General and Special Functions and Duties of Special Committees shall be in accordance with the General and Special Functions and Duties of Standing Committees as defined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society. Each Committee should:
1. Chapter Activities
a) Encourage and assist Chapters in carrying on the Chapter Activities
b) Coordinate Chapter and Society work program.
c) Develop and keep up to date a guide on Chapter Activities.
2. Constitution and Bylaws
a) Promote uniformity between the Society and the Chapter Constitution.
b) Study amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society and of the Chapters, and make recommendations of desirable changes in order to facilitate and expedite the furtherance of Society objectives.
3. Historical
a) Collect historical articles, diaries, recollections, memoirs, field notes, transcriptions, maps, photographs, instruments, etc., relative to Texas Surveyors and Surveys.
b) Prepare a Historical Chronicle and, periodically, prepare supplements to it and after approval by the Board of Directors, furnish it in final form to the Publication Committee for issuance to all members.
c) Encourage and assist in historical ceremonies, the placing of bronze plaques, and other celebrations commemorating surveyors, Surveys and Boundaries.
d) Obtain Sound Tapes recording the voices of Surveyors' recollections of their own work, other Surveyors and their descriptions, mannerisms and other personal characteristics and work, outstanding Surveys, Boundary problems, and other matters.
e) Make transcriptions of all Sound Tapes.
f) Edit the Sound Tapes, make copies as appropriate, and loan copies to Chapters for their use in Chapter Programs.
4. Public Affairs
a) Represent the Society in matters relating to Public Affairs.
b) Make a continual study of Public Affairs policies and procedures and report thereon to the Executive Committee from time to time with appropriate recommendations.
c) Review current public affairs and, with the approval of the Executive Committee, take appropriate action.
d) If considered advantageous by the Public Affairs Committee and if approved by the Executive Committee, subscribe to various services relating to various public affairs.
e) Receive, investigate, and with the approval of the Executive Committee, take action on complaints or instances of public matters adversely affecting the public interest, the profession of surveying or individual surveyors.
5. Publications
a) Publish The Texas Surveyor.
b) Publish such other publications as may be authorized.
6. Resolutions
a) Receive from members of Chapters, resolutions to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
b) Edit or redraft such resolutions if necessary, subject to approval of the sponsors, and forward copies to each Chapter and to the Secretary at least four weeks prior to the meeting at which the resolution is to be considered.
c) Present resolutions as directed by the President or Board of Directors.
d) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude any qualified member at the Annual Meeting from making a motion that the assembly take certain action on any proper business brought before the Society for action.
e) Send to families of our deceased associates a Resolution of sorrow and regret.
7. Revenue
a) Make studies as to the effect of the present dues on the members of the Society and whether increased dues with increased services would be beneficial or detrimental or whether lowered dues, with less services, would be beneficial or detrimental to the welfare of the Society and the public interest.
b) Make studies relative to delinquent dues and assist the Secretary-Treasurer in their collection.
c) Assist the Secretary-Treasurer in explaining and collecting assessments.