The Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) announced the release of its Report Card on the U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) that depicts the condition and performance of the nation's geospatial "infrastructure" which includes surveyed, mapped and remotely-sensed information.
The NSDI Report Card is in the familiar form of a school report card, assigning letter grades that are based on physical condition and needed investments for improvement.
The COGO member organizations (URISA is a member) represent approximately 170,000 individual geospatial practitioners. Together, the coalition is delivering this assessment to help Congress, the Administration, Federal agency executives, and others understand the importance of geospatial data to the nation, as well as shortcomings of the NSDI. The member organizations want to engage Congress, Federal agencies, and the FGDC to discuss and identify common sense improvements that will lead to a more robust National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
Michael Vanhook, COGO Chairman, stated "Federal agencies have worked for many years to improve their geospatial programs, but the COGO member organizations believe that the national data sets and delivery systems (the NSDI) generally need improvement. It is time for the Federal government to more effectively engage the entire stakeholder community to ensure that America has the highest quality geospatial infrastructure. Doing so will allow us to more efficiently and effectively deal with society's needs, and to reduce duplication of effort."
Read the Report Card on the U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) http://cogo.pro/
Submit your Presentation Proposal for GIS-Pro & NWGIS 2015 by March 2
GIS-Pro & NWGIS 2015 October 18-22 in Spokane, Washington
This year, URISA is partnering with the NW GIS Users' Group, the Northern Rockies and Washington URISA Chapters to present the not-to-miss GIS conference of the year in Spokane.
Each year, URISA recognizes individuals and organizations for significant achievement, contributions, dedication and service to the association and to the profession.
We are currently accepting nominations and submissions for the following:
URISA's GIS Hall of Fame
Horwood Distinguished Service Award
Leadership Award
Service Award
Barbara Hirsch Special Service Award
Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards
Nominations and submissions are due by May 1, 2015. For details on each award, including past winners and nominations/submission instructions, visit http://www.urisa.org/about-us/awards/
All honorees will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at GIS-Pro & NWGIS 2015 in Spokane, Washington, October 18-22, 2015.
Call for Educational Content
URISA is seeking new educational content for presentation virtually, at conferences, as online short courses and as stand-alone events. We are broadening our focus from workshops to webinars, online courses and study guides.
Review the optional formats and submit online at any time.
In addition to GIS-Pro & NWGIS 2015 in Spokane, Washington...
GIS/CAMA Technologies Conference March 2-5 in OKC
URISA Leadership Academy
June 22-26 in Denver
Save $400 on registration by March 1
GIS in Transit Conference
September 1-3 in Washington, DC
Abstract submissions due March 23
Economic Indicators
Fingers crossed, but it looks like we might see more government hiring and renewed spending. I recently read an article in American City and County which noted state and local governments have slowly starting hiring to fill vacancies and re-starting stalled projects.
Are you ready to roll if one of your projects gets the green light?
And an article in Forbes cited significantly increased spending on corporate training, specifically on leadership and development.
Read what Tripp Corbin, GISP, had to say about the URISA Leadership Academy and how he wished the program had existed when he first moved up into management.
Hope to see you in Oklahoma City or Denver or DC or Spokane!
