| • American Congress on Surveying and Mapping ACSM Member Organization Profiles and Objectives • American Association for Geodetic Surveying • Cartography and Geographic Information Society • Geographic and Land Information Society • The National Society of Professional Surveyors |
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American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM)
National Society of Professional Surveyors |
What is ACSM/NSPS?
The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) are nonprofit associations dedicated to serving the public interest and advancing the profession of surveying and mapping. The ACSM and NSPS membership is made up of professionals who are surveyors, cartographers, geodesists, GIS/LIS experts, and related professionals from private industry, government and academia. The association also has corporate members who provide high-quality products and services to the surveying and mapping profession.
Why Should I Join ACSM?
This answer is simple. ACSM offers members the opportunity to open doors to all the information needed to keep up-to-date on the latest and most crucial issues of the profession.
What Does ACSM/NSPS Do?
ACSM/NSPS represents the surveying and mapping profession at the national level. The collective clout of our membership helps pave the way for legislation which in turn helps support the profession of surveying and mapping. Through annual conventions and workshops, we provide opportunities for continuing education and professional growth. Numerous publications in the way of technical journals and a bi-monthly magazine insure that members keep abreast of critical issues affecting the profession. Through the development of industry standards and certification programs for surveying and mapping technicians, ACSM/NSPS has set the trend nationally for growth in the profession. The ACSM/NSPS Legislative Committee has repeatedly achieved great results in Washington, D.C. ACSM/NSPS have represented our members, particularly well in support of the Brooks Act which governs the procurement of professional services by public agencies.
How Does ACSM/NSPS Work?
Each State society is asked to elect a representative from their State. Semi-annually the representatives from each State, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico, gather to conduct the business of ACSM/NSPS. The results of their efforts are passed on to the appropriate committees and to the Board of Directors of both ACSM and NSPS. Once items are acted upon they are implemented and begin to have a positive effect on the surveying and mapping profession.
Does My Membership Really Make a Difference?
Most definitely your support and membership helps to provide the clout needed to make a difference on Capitol Hill. It also helps us present a united front on the political scene both in Washington, D.C. and across the country.
Why Should I Become a Member Of ACSM?
Simply put, it is a matter of strength.
At a time when advances in technology, better educational opportunities, and public awareness are driving a number of professional practice areas toward a central core of activity, it is more important than ever to display a credible presence in the arena of the policies and standards which influence the way we work.
What if there were no ACSM/NSPS
We must ask ourselves the question "Who Will?"
If there is no ACSM to work hand in hand with the agencies from which come many of the criteria, standards, and opportunities associated with the services we provide, "Who Will?"
If there is no ACSM to provide assistance to ABET in accrediting the curricula necessary to meet the requirements for being allowed to serve the public through our profession, "Who Will?"
If there is no ACSM to provide liaison to the NCEES to assure that licensing laws correctly identify the definition of practice and the criteria for being allowed to provide services, "Who Will?"
If there is no ACSM to represent the interests and positions on issues of our members to other professional groups such as ALTA, FIG, ICA, and IRWA among others, "Who Will?"
If there is no ACSM to be recognized as the appropriate organization to negotiate NAFTA guidelines as they relate to our profession, "Who Will?"
The answer to these and other related questions is "SOMEONE ELSE". We probably won't like the way our profession is represented by "someone else". Although it is not always readily visible, the work of ACSM and its volunteer member participants is consistently at the forefront of issues which affect our future.
Without the strength and credibility attained through a robust membership base, ACSM will not continue to be the recognized voice of the surveying and mapping profession.
The issues that are today's topics of discussion will become tomorrow's laws and regulations. We cannot afford to let the influence of ACSM go silent.
What ACSM Does
- Monitors and influences Federal and State legislation for the surveying and mapping professions
- Represents the professions in government policy making bodies such as the Federal Emergency Mapping Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ National Geodetic Survey (NGS), and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). ACSM is recognized by many as the official representative of the surveying and cartographic professions in the U.S.
- Represents the professions in such international forums as FIG and ICA
- Promotes scientific progress within the professions by providing publishing opportunities in its peer-reviewed academic journals, Cartography and Geographic Science (CAGIS) and Surveying and Land Information Systems (SALIS)
- Informs members of ACSM activities, new technology, and industry news through the ACSM Bulletin and the ACSM web site
- Offers members of the profession peer networking, recognition, and continuing education opportunities during the annual spring and fall conference and exposition
- Offers certification programs
- Works with schools to attract young people to the professions
- Supports geospatial education through scholarships, fellowships, and awards
- Supports continuing education efforts through its book adoption program.
Member Benefits
- A government affairs program that actively promotes and protects the interests of the surveying and mapping professions in the State and Federal legislative and regulatory arenas
- Frequent government affairs newsletter updates are sent via email to all interested members
- Continuing education programs and workshops
- Registration discounts for ACSM Conventions
- Discounts on ACSM's comprehensive book sales
- Reduced rates for professional liability and group health insurance
- ACSM Bulletin, a bimonthly magazine about surveying and mapping Subscription to Surveying and Land Information Systems for NSPS and AAGS members - Subscription to Cartography and Geographic Information Science for GLIS and CaGIS members
- Fellowship and scholarship funding
- Free publishing opportunities for career advancement
- 401k and retirement plan discounts
- ACSM MasterCard program offering special discounts and benefits
- As an ACSM member you select a Member Organization to join based on your professional interests.
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ACSM Member Organization Profiles and Objectives |
The American Association For Geodetic Surveying (AAGS)
Members
The membership of AAGS consists primarily of professionals qualified in the mathematical, physical, applied, or engineering sciences, with specialized interests in geodetic or precise plane surveys, geodesy, geophysics, satellite surveying, applied or radio astronomy, earth environmental or space physics, specialized precision measurements, and related adjustments and computations, the development of optical, electromagnetic, mechanical, pbotogrammetry, or other appropriate metrology.
Objectives
- Support the objectives of ACSM
- Promote a better understanding of geodesy as a science
- Promote geodetic surveys by individuals, government, and private organizations
- Foster the adoption of uniform standards and procedures for completing geodetic surveys
- Promote the processing, publishing, and disseminating of geodetic survey data and information
- Promote programs for testing, calibrating, and evaluating geodetic equipment
- Further the development and implementation of The Global Positioning System (GPS) for geodetic, land surveying, and land information system applications
- Promote educational programs in geodesy, geodetic surveying, and related fields
- Cooperate with other Member Organizations and committees of ACSM and other similar organizations, both national and international, in support of the science of geodesy
- Encourage the use of geodetic surveys and mathematical coordinate systems in establishing Public Land Survey System (PLSS) corners.
Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CAGIS)
Members
Full membership is open to anyone with a bachelor's or higher degree in cartography, GIS, or related fields, and to persons with four years if active professional experience in these areas. Associate membership is available to any person with an interest in cartography or GIS who is not qualified to be a full member.
Objectives
- Advocate and support activities that foster the development of new theories and technologies, and improve the production, management, and use of maps and geographic information
- Promulgate and actively support the highest possible professional standards in occupations relating to cartography and geographic information science
- Foster the establishment and adoption of cartographic data standards
- Serve as the focal point for the U. S. participation in the International Cartographic Association and other appropriate international cartographic forums
- Support the publication of Cartography and Geographic Information Science to ensure that it serves as the premier scholarly journal in the discipline
- Promote a wide range of educational and training opportunities that enable its members to keep abreast of the state of the art in mapping and the use of geographic information
- Stimulate the design of high-quality and innovative map products through competitions and other activities that recognize outstanding accomplishments
- Encourage the creation and preservation of map collections.
Geographic and Land Information Society (GLIS)
Members
Persons qualified for a professional position in the field of geographic and land information sciences are welcome to apply for membership in GLIS.
Objectives
- Support the goals and objectives of ACSM
- Represent the interests of the geographic and land information community in technical and policy issues
- Monitor laws and regulations at both the state and federal level that affect the development or operation of geographic and land information systems
- Cooperate with other ACSM Member Organizations and local, national, and international professional organizations in support of geographic and land information systems
- Promotes the use of sound surveying and mapping principles in the development and use of geographic and land information systems
- Foster the adoption of uniform standards, specifications, and procedures for the development and operation of geographic and land information systems
- Promote educational programs in geographic and land information systems
- Provide a forum for the publication of papers of interest to its members
- Recognize individuals and organizations for service too actively promote cartography and geographic information activities as significant career options
- Foster the proper and efficient use of maps and other forms of geographic information.
The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)
Members
Membership is open to all professional surveyors and to persons trained, registered, or interested in the profession of surveying and mapping.
Objectives
- Advance the sciences and disciplines within the profession
- Enhance the image of the surveying profession in the eyes of the public; build self-esteem and professionalism
- Encourage cooperation between the public and private practices
- Establish channels of communication with other ACSM Member Organizations and other societies and assist in the exchange of information on laws, education, professional practice, and other concerns; promote the profession through an active public relations program
- Advance the protection of public welfare relative to surveying and mapping issues
- Encourage high standards of ethical and professional behavior
- Promote public faith and confidence in the profession
- Support new practical methods of surveying; promoting good business practice
- Monitor national and state laws and regulations
- Encourage improved higher education curricula for surveyors
- Honor persons for service to the public, the surveying profession, and the NSPS Foundation Inc
- Support the bylaws, goals, and objectives of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.
ACSM
6 Montgomery Village Ave.,
Suite 403 Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Phone: 240-632-9716 Fax:240-632-1321