URISA connects great ideas and great people to inspire leadership and achievement.
 
 

URISA Digest
February 12, 2015
New Issue of the URISA Journal Published
(click on the cover image below)

  

  
Chapter Events & Upcoming Workshops

  
February 25-27, 2015
Raleigh, North Carolina   
Four URISA Certified Workshops!

NENA Education Summit
March 24-26. 2015
Nashville, Tennessee 
Two URISA Certified Workshops!

GIS in Action 2015 Washington & Oregon URISA
May 4-6,  2015
Vancouver, Washington

URISA Ontario's Annual BeSpatial Event
May 6, 2015
Oakville, Ontario 
giscorps
Latest project news from URISA's GISCorps. 
URISA partner Cyclomedia's next webinar is scheduled to take place on March 24, free for URISA members!
Register today.
 
 Make a plan to become a Certified GIS Professional (GISP) in 2015!    
donation_jar_give.jpg 
Plan your charitable donations early this year! 
Donations to URISA and URISA's GISCorps are tax deductible. Consider setting up an automatic monthly contribution for the year!

COGO Releases NSDI Report Card

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.

Abstract submissions are due March 2. Check out the details and start working on your proposal right away.

It's Awards Season at URISA Too

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!

Wendy Nelson
URISA Executive Director