MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
BETWEEN THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS, INC. (NSPS)
AND THE
NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF SURVEYORS

 
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE

The purpose of the NSPS 100% State Affiliate Membership Program is to create an environment that will not only maintain but enhance our national influence by joining our memberships into a single unified organization that represents, as near as possible, 100% of the surveying profession.

A unified national organization would better serve the interests, objectives, and communication needs of its members, in helping to enhance the public image of the surveying profession. This stronger organization would also give its members a more powerful national voice in promoting and protecting our profession.

This unity of purpose will also help to advance the sciences and the disciplines within the profession of surveying and mapping, encourage cooperation between the public and the private sectors, create an active public relations program and advance the protection of public welfare relative to surveying and mapping issues.

 
ARTICLE II
BACKGROUND

The NSPS Board of Directors feels that the continued success and growth of our society and our profession requires a stronger relationship between the national and state societies. To that end, we desire to create a joint membership program that will attract state societies to join with NSPS to work together to enhance our profession while enjoying the benefits of membership.

Benefits of a unified national organization for NSPS would include:
STRONGER INFLUENCE in dealing with federal and state legislators, agencies, and administrators.
GREATER RECOGNITION when operating among other national and international professional organizations.
INCREASED EFFICIENCY in building on past, present, and future initiatives to strengthen the surveying profession.

Thus at the May 5, 2012 NSPS Annual meeting, a motion from members of the then existing NSPS Board of Governors, to create and implement a 100% Affiliate Membership Program was presented and approved by both the then existing NSPS Board of Governors and Board of Directors.
REVISED 2-23-2019

 

ARTICLE III
OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE STATE ASSOCIATION/SOCIETY

Furnish the NSPS, Inc. Secretary/Treasurer, at least sixty (60) days prior to the start of the State's membership year, a preliminary list of the names, or the number of its regular/licensed members whose legal residence is in the state represented by that State Affiliate.
REVISED 10-03-12

Within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the start of the State affiliate's membership year, the affiliate shall provide NSPS a list of all regular/licensed members paid to date and the balance due for the NSPS membership fees. NCSS will remit to NSPS an annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS for each Regular/Licensed Member.

Additionally, the state affiliate shall forward NSPS the names and membership dues paid by April 1st as a biannual NSPS membership affiliate payment.

The state affiliate further agrees to the following:
Provide a representative(s) to serve on the NSPS Board of Directors.
Publish the MOU once each year in a State Association/Society publication.
Furnish NSPS, Inc. with the names and addresses of their officers, directors, after each election
Affirm the affiliation with NSPS, Inc. through the display of the NSPS, Inc. logo or other statements of affiliation on the state's stationery, website and publications as each becomes available for cost effective replacement

Special Exemptions
Surveyors who are licensed in multiple states would have the option to not belong to NSPS and thus forgo the additional annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS, membership dues unless North Carolina is their current state of residence.
Professional Life Members are allowed to join NSPS for the annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS, as part of their benefits for being a life member at the society level. Associate members are allowed to join NSPS for the annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS annually as part of a reduced rate.
REVISED 2-23-2019

                                                                                                                                                              

ARTICLE IV
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY OF NSPS

Provide leadership for the surveying & mapping community on a national level. Provide a voice for the surveying & mapping community on a national level.

Provide a National Government Affairs Program and leadership on State and Regional Government Affairs issues.

Provide coordination and promotion of surveying & mapping curriculums on a national level.

Provide a liaison with other national and international geomatics and geospatial organizations.

Provide for the distribution of significant information of new technology and innovations that support the furtherance of surveying & mapping science.

Provide assistance to the affiliate in obtaining speakers and programs for conferences and workshops.

Coordinate licensing concerns of a national interest with the affiliates and provide review of the NCEES Model Law.

Promote the affiliates activities and programs through the NSPS Website and publications.

 

ARTICLE V
ISSUES OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

The two parties are two distinct and separate entities, that share a mutual interest in furthering the surveying and mapping profession
NSPS will act as the clearinghouse and spokesperson for the Affiliates on national issues as long as the affiliate deems it beneficial to both parties.
REVISED 12-18-2012

Each State Affiliate may opt out for all of their members having their personal information shared by NSPS with third parties by submitting a letter to the NSPS Secretary/Treasurer at the beginning of every membership year.

NSPS is not responsible for the expenses associated with the attendance of the affiliate's representative(s) to the NSPS Board of Directors meetings.
REVISED 2-23-2019

The State Affiliate organization has the right to send a representative to all meetings of the Board of Directors.

REVISED 12-18-12

Affiliates will participate whenever possible in the annual NSPS Lobby Day and schedule meetings with their Congressional delegation.
REVISED 12-18-2012

                                                                                                                                                              

ARTICLE VI
COMPENSATION DETAILS

The affiliate will remit to NSPS an annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS for each Regular/Licensed Member whose legal residence is in the same state as that of the State Affiliate.

All costs incurred by the Affiliate that are associated with collecting and disbursing the annual fee to NSPS shall be borne solely by the Affiliate.
REVISED 2-23-2019

 

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS

Life and Retired State members upon agreement between NSPS and the State Affiliate may be omitted from the yearly Affiliate Regular/Licensed membership tally.

Individual non Regular/Licensed, Life or Retired members etc., whose legal residence is in the same state as that of the State Affiliate, are allowed to take part in the NSPS membership program on an optional basis at an annual fee mutually agreed upon from time to time by the State Affiliate and NSPS, in their appropriate NSPS membership category. The affiliate will supply NSPS a listing of the additional members.
Student members of the State Affiliate may join NSPS at the then current student membership rate.
REVISED 2-23-2019

 

ARTICLE VIII
TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT

This MOU Agreement will become effective upon the first day after the signing of this Agreement by the authorized officers of both parties.

This MOU Agreement shall remain in force until such time as either party ceases to exist as a legal entity within the state of their listed headquarters.

The agreement may be terminated by either party upon a two-thirds vote by their governing Board and the delivery of a written notice of termination to the other party's listed headquarters within no less than ninety days prior to the commencement of a new membership year.
REVISED 10-03-12

Upon receipt of a termination notice from either party, both parties will have a maximum of sixty days in which to complete all financial and legal obligations existing between them.

Should a dispute arise between the parties as to the terms of this agreement, and an amicable settlement cannot be reached by the two parties, both parties agree to submit the dispute to a dispute resolution procedure to be held within the state of the aggrieved party.

 

ARTICLE IX
EFFECTIVE DATE AND SIGNATURES

BE IT RESOLVED RESOLVED that the National Society of Professional Surveyors, Inc., (NSPS, Inc.) and the North Carolina Society of Surveyors, Inc. have joined together with mutual understanding as to their obligations and responsibilities, that each adhere to the MOU Agreement to the best of their ability and herewith sign this MOU Agreement in good faith.