The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists' mission is to advance soil science through professionals, promote interactions between soil scientists and communities, represent consulting soil scientists' diverse interests, facilitate experience sharing, and foster ethical conduct. The Society aims to strengthen relationships through memorandums of understanding with other organizations and promote professionalism, cooperation, and ethical practice. It oversees various committees and the Registered Professional Soil Scientist program. The Society president discusses the roles and goals of committees, the Soil Profiles newsletter, and strategic planning efforts.

1. Mark S. McClain
NSCSS President
March 5, 2010

2. The mission of the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc. is:
 To advance the discipline and practice of soil science by professionals,
 To promote quality interaction between professional soil scientists and
their communities,
 To represent the diverse consulting, service and business interests of
professional soil scientists,
 To facilitate the exchange of business and soil science experiences within
the Society, and
 To foster professional and ethical conduct in the soil science discipline.

3.  Cooperation! We need to cooperate with
other professionals.
 Professionalism! We need to promote our
soil science profession.
 Ethical Practice is at the heart of who
NSCSS is.

4.  The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the Soil Science Society of America
(SSSA)
 The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the USDA-NRCS and the National
Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS)

5. Strengthening Professional Relationships:
 The MOU with SSSA
 The MOU with NRCS and the NCSS
 Other Professional Societies
What do we want to accomplish with these
MOUs?

6.  Many NSCSS members are also Wetland
Scientists.
 It makes sense to cooperate more formally
with SWS.
 I am working with current SWS President,
Andy Baldwin on an MOU.

7.  Most NSCSS members are involved with soil
erosion and sediment control in some
manner.
 It makes sense to cooperate more formally
with IECA.
 I am working with current IECA President,
Michael Chase on an MOU.

8.  Many NSCSS members are retired from SCS or
NRCS.
 SWCS is one of the professional societies that they
have been aligned with.
 It makes sense to cooperate more formally with
SWCS because of our MOU with NRCS and the
NCSS.
 I am working with current SWCS President, Gary
Steinhardt on an MOU.

9.  Soil Profiles newsletter
 The Voice of the National Society of Consulting Soil
Scientists, Inc.
 Printing and Distribution by the Executive Committee
 Questionnaire

10.  Regular Features in Soil Profiles:
President’s Message, Mark Your Calendar, New Members,
and Mark Your Calendar
 Would you like to see these features again?
Dr. Dirt, Dear Augie, NSCSS Book Corner, Cool Websites,
Committees, Founders Corner, Dokuchaev Award, Editorials,
Member Biography, In Passing (Obituary), and Classifieds

11.  Executive Secretary, Executive Assistant,
Administrative Assistant?
 Sue PaDelford (InterMountain Resources in
Sandpoint, Idaho)
 Virtual Office in Raleigh, North Carolina
 Larry Baldwin and Phil Small are evaluating this.
 Reduced cost and continuity

12.  The Bylaws are very clear as to the need for
committees as an integral part of our
functioning as a Society. One primary goal
that I have as President is to function
effectively with committees and to empower
new people in leadership responsibilities.

13.  Standing Committees:
 Nominating Committee
 Bylaws and Resolutions Committee
 Professional Conduct

14.  Nominating Committee
 Pablo Scoles, Chair (term expires 2011)
 Philip Small (term expires 2011)
 Kevin Raley (term expires 2012)
 Supposed to have six members as appointed
by the Board (there are three vacancies)

15.  Professional Conduct Committee
 Vacant Chair
 Interact with the Board of Examiners
 RPSS evaluation
 Combine two Codes of Ethics and Professional
Conduct
 Relationship with ARCPACS, CSSE, and State
Licensed Soil Scientists

16.  Evaluation of the Registered Professional Soil
Scientist (RPSS) program
 Is RPSS needed?
 Ethical practice, credentials, and recognition are essential.
 What is its purpose?
 What is it accomplishing?
 Recommendation to combine two Codes of Ethics and
Professional Conduct
 Relationship with ARCPACS

17.  Bylaws and Resolutions Committee
 Pablo Scoles, Chair
 Jim Fincham
 Barrett Kays
 Bob Kendall
 Larry Baldwin (new appointment)
 Fine tune/edit the Bylaws
 I have made suggestions for some changes.
 Addition of Fellows, Chapters (modification)

18.  Technical Committee
 Jim Knuteson, Chair
 Technical Bulletins for Website
 Use of HCl in soil investigations (draft)
 Use of dipyridyl in soil investigations (draft)
 Earth Colapse and Safety (draft)

20.  The Executive Committee will be updating
and compiling all NSCSS Policies and
Procedures. I am recommending that a PDF
manual be posted on the website.

21.  Lorene Lynn, Chair
 Shari Meeks
 Alex Baldwin
 Paul Reynolds
 Rachel Stull
 Lexi Jones
 What is the Internet Communication Committee?

22.  What is the Internet Communications Committee?
 The purpose of this committee is to explore and
implement effective means of professional and
social networking using the Internet.

24.  Hal Owen, Chair
 Steve Currie
 The purpose of this committee is to evaluate
membership trends, increase membership, promote
our profession at meetings and other venues.

25.  Vacant Chair
 The purpose of this committee is:
 To share our expertise and experience through formal
and regular training.
 To generate income for the Society.
 To provide teaching opportunities for NSCSS
members.
 To provide learning opportunities for NSCSS
members.

26.  Formalize the Policies, Procedures, and
Process for the NSCSS Annual Meetings
 Hal Owen President-Elect and Chair
 Pierre Bordenave, Annual Meeting
Coordinator

27.  Lisa Palazzi, Chair
 On-going soil science licensing efforts in:
▪ Washington (Lisa Palazzi)
▪ South Carolina (Dennis DeFrancesco and Bob Eppinette)
▪ Virginia (Vacant)
▪ Florida (Oren Reedy, Scott Franz, and Frank Watts)
▪ Tennessee (Kevin Raley)

28.  Larry Baldwin, Chair
 Steve Currie
 Nan Gray
 Phil Small
 John Zupancic
 The Board will be making new
appointments

29.  SSSA Liaison (Larry Baldwin)
 NRCS & NCSS Liaisons (Phil Small and
Frank Watts)
 SWS Liaison (Vacant)
 IECA Liaison (Vacant)
 SWCS Liaison (Phil Small and Frank Watts)

30.  Pierre Bordenave, Liaison
 This is an unprecedented representation from
a private-sector soil scientist.
 Pierre’s term is until 2013.

31.  Larry Baldwin,Chair
 Frank Watts

32.  David Ralston, Chair
 The purpose of the committee is to
assemble historical information and
photographs of NSCSS and our members in
action.

33.  Strategic Plan Committee
 Develop a 5-Year Strategic Plan

34.  Atlanta, Georgia
 May or June 2010
 There have been 21 NSCSS Presidents to date, many of
whom are burned out and have even left the Society.
 How do we tap into the experience of these leaders?
 It is time to get the leadership together for a voluntary
summit and plan for the future of NSCSS!
 The meeting plans are to meet near the ATL Airport.

35.  Pierre Bordenave :
 Council Soil Science Examiners (SSSA)
 U.S. National Committee for Soil Science (to 2013) (NAS)
 Russell Losco: Editor, Soil Survey Horizons
 Kevin Raley: Council of Soil Science Examiners (CSSE)
 Oren Reedy: Standards and Ethics (SSSA), CPSS/SC (SSSA)
 Philip Small: Liaison to United States Consortium of Soil
Science Associations (USCSSA)

37.  Mark S. McClain
Soil Scientist/Soil Classifier & Terrestrial/Wetland Ecologist
CPSS/CPSC/CPESC/RPSS/PWS
Licensed Soil Scientist in AL, IN, MN, MS, NC, and SC
 SOILS1® Soil Science Experts
 “A Soil Science Network™”
 Litigation Consulting and Expert Witness Testimony
 204 Hunters Ridge, Canton, GA 30114
Cell Phone: 765.212.7645(SOIL)
♦ E-mail: mmcclain1313@comcast.net ♦ Website: www.soils1.com

National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc. (NSCSS)
 www.nscss.org
 President-Elect (2009)
 President (2010)
 Director-at-Large (2009-2011)
 Editor of Soil Profiles

 "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a
community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." --Aldo Leopold