4 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 45, No. 5 From the PLSO Chair MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Tomorrow “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done the day after tomorrow just as well,” the writer and humorist Mark Twain once claimed. Procrastination is the gift of dispiritedness; it’s the thief of time. The last issue’s column from your Chair and CEO was missing in action (MIA) from our magazine. Yet, who can accuse me of tardiness when excuses are many? Bound by the dread and anxiety of perfection, shame and guilt become my captive. Like my procrastination, many of you are captive to our organization out of guilt or a need for perfection. Our organization stands on the shoulders of our founders, who laid the foundation for excellence. Our generation has tried to perfect it, but for many, it has only led to emotional and mental exhaustion-burnout. Something’s Amiss Something is amiss in how our mission is executed and how our corporate structure is organized. Our mission is to promote the profession. To most, it means marketing and advertising, including outreach programs for young people and the community we serve. We have been marketing and advertising for years to no benefit. Something is amiss. Our corporate structure includes a senatorial-based board, with an executive function primarily in the executive secretary. Most decisions are centralized at the executive and committee level and are authorized by a continually rotating board and chair. Chapters do not contribute to corporate functions other than electing representatives and voting on corporate matters. Some chapters are dying, others have gone rogue, and the rest are somewhere in between. Something is amiss. At a Crossroads Our organization is at a crossroads. Some of us have already left, some are holding out, but only a few will fight for something better. We are at a junction between doing the same thing repeatedly or taking a different path. One that builds on the foundations of those that came before us. The direction we take will be a path for the rising generation to follow. But before embarking on a new path, we must take stock and be honest with ourselves and each other. The first step is to acknowledge the problem. If you see someone drowning, recognize the problem. The person in the water can’t swim. It does no good to describe the water—throw the person a life vest. Once the problem is acknowledged, we must be able to forgive ourselves and each other. Finally, we must have faith in a vision that allows human flourishing in our profession. There Is Hope There is hope for those exhausted from trying to perfect our organization. Perfection is the fear of failure; the absence of hope. Perfection is not our hope; it is excellence. Excellence does not require the unattainable desire for perfection, only forgiveness. Perfection demands a denial of human nature; excellence embraces it. Excellence is facing our imperfections but trying anyway. Perfection produces frustration; excellence involves faith. Faith is a rational belief that something will happen. Taking the first step is a precondition. No one builds a house all at once; the bricks are laid one at a time. The goal of excellence is human flourishing, while the pursuit of perfection is freedom from defects. The former brings hope, the latter only disappointment. There is hope. Procrastination Is Not an Option Our profession is aging, and we do not have a plan to bring up the next generation of surveyors. There are challenges, but putting off the inevitable is not an option. As I previously mentioned, something is amiss with how we implement our mission and our corporate structure. Our mission to promote the profession is self-serving, and our organizational structure is centralized. It discourages consistency and frustrates long-range planning needed for an energetic, vibrant organization. Jeremy Sherer, PLS PLSO Board Chair Taking the first step is a precondition. No one builds a house all at once; the bricks are laid one at a time.
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