Our WFPS meeting took place in Salt Lake City on June 10. It marked the first time in ten years that WFPS has returned to our state since the memorable 2013 joint conference with Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) and National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), which also involved a portion of NSPS and their student competition held at the South Towne Expo Center. Personally, I am delighted to have WFPS in my home state, and I have extended open invitations to the UCLS board members, encouraging them to attend meetings. It’s an opportunity to connect and engage with some of the most brilliant and professional surveyors I have ever had the privilege of being around. This group of surveyors is dedicated to driving the profession forward, raising its standards, and nurturing the next generation of surveyors, who are becoming increasingly scarce.

Now, let’s delve into WFPS’s mission statement, which underpins our commitment to advancing the surveying profession. WFPS and its directors passionately adhere to our previously established mission statement: “The Western Federation of Professional Surveyors is a conduit for interstate communication and provides resources to its member associations. WFPS advances the profession of surveying by fostering common goals and relationships within the western states, promoting public awareness of the profession, supporting education, and providing a regional voice.”

In alignment with this mission statement, let’s discuss some notable highlights that WFPS is currently working on or has recently accomplished:

1) While WFPS board meetings occur three times a year, the WFPS Executive Committee (Excom) convenes monthly to ensure ongoing progress within the organization, even during the off-months when the full board does not meet. This practice has proven highly beneficial in achieving WFPS’s goals and maintaining alignment with our mission statement. The Excom meetings are conducted virtually to minimize director costs for our member states. Personally, I look forward to these virtual meetings every month as they help me stay focused on my assigned WFPS activities. It’s worth mentioning that, in addition to serving as the Immediate Past Chairman of WFPS, I also hold the positions of Conference Committee Chair, Legislative Committee Chair, and Nominating Committee Chair. I must blame Ron Whitehead for entrusting me with these responsibilities when he stepped down from his WFPS tenure (thanks, Ron!).

2) Although Item 2 was previously reported in the last Foresights, I want to emphasize its importance in this report as well. WFPS has launched a comprehensive Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam Study Course comprising approximately 16 hours of video content and a manual. The course covers topics based on the current National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) FS exam specifications and recommended knowledge. Our presenters, Dane Courville, PLS, and Knud Hermansen, PLS, PE, Ph.D., have done an outstanding job developing the course content. I strongly urge all surveyors with technicians, survey drafters, and crew chiefs aspiring for licensure to make this valuable resource available to them. WFPS member states can access the program for only $199, while non-member states pay $299 (remember, Utah is a member state, so you get the discount!). Let’s ensure the next generation of surveyors receives this valuable information: wfps.org/publications.html. As a side note, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase made by a Utah resident will be sent the UCLS, resulting in a win-win situation for the UCLS and the entire profession.

3) We recently bid farewell to several past WFPS directors who have passed away. Last year, we lost Richard Heieren from Alaska, who had played a significant role in mentoring me when I was a young and inexperienced surveyor on the board. Richard provided guidance not only on board matters but also on life in general. One lesson I learned from him was that sometimes the best response is no response at all. I often apply this advice in various situations. Richard will always hold a special place in my heart, and his absence has created a significant void in the WFPS board. We also mourn the passing of Allen Grace from New Mexico and Pat Cummings from Hawaii in May of this year. While I did not have a close relationship with Pat, I can speak to the impact Allen left on the profession. Allen consistently supported the WFPS mission and was a passionate advocate for educating young surveyors in New Mexico. One of his final acts of support for WFPS was motioning for New Mexico Professional Surveyors (NMPS) to participate in the joint conference in Las Vegas in 2024 (more details in item 4 below). In fact, prior to his passing, Allen was so enthusiastic about NMPS’s attendance at the conference that many NMPS board members jokingly referred to it as “Allen’s conference.” Such was the dedication and passion Allen brought to WFPS. These surveyors will be greatly missed within WFPS and in their respective states.

4) Let’s talk about the upcoming joint conference! Although UCLS is not involved in the 2024 Joint Conference, I cannot contain my excitement as the Conference Committee Chairman for WFPS. The conference will be held at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 22-26, 2024. This event will bring together WFPS, Nevada (NALS), Arizona (APLS), California (CLSA), New Mexico (NMPS), and Wyoming (PLSW). While the specific details are still being finalized, the anticipation surrounding this conference is very high, and I am honored to be a part of it!

5) In my opinion, one of the most significant benefits of WFPS is the collaboration between the thirteen member states. For instance, if UCLS faces challenges in passing a bill through the legislature, CLSA might have already navigated a similar legislative process on the same issue. CLSA can provide guidance, insights, ideas, and lessons learned to assist UCLS in achieving success. The following are some highlights from each state, as summarized during our last meeting in Spokane, Washington (please note that our Executive Secretary was occupied at the conference booth, so these highlights were compiled by us minute takers to the best of our ability).