A Few Words from the NSGIC President: GO...GO...GO...

The following is the first of a series of monthly guest-posts from 2008-2009 NSGIC President Learon Dalby, of Arkansas.

I have quickly learned that NSGIC is on the go.

The NSGIC Board met last week in Fort Worth, Texas, to begin a process that will result in an updated NSGIC strategic plan. The last strategic plan was completed in 2005. It is always interesting to see how an organization has progressed over time.

NSGIC continues to mature its advocacy strategy, which I view as extremely important. Stop and think about all of the ways that geospatial technologies impact (or are impacted by) business processes. It becomes easy to lose focus without a clear purpose and an advocacy agenda. I believe NSGIC has developed each of these critical components which enable this organization to remain focused.

It is imperative that NSGIC stay the course. A strong strategic plan and advocacy agenda will ensure we are prepared to respond to opportunities that present themselves in the coming months and years while keeping our focus on our purpose, as stated in the NSGIC Bylaws (PDF):

...to encourage effective and efficient government through the coordinated development of geographic information and technologies to ensure that information may be integrated at all levels of government.

NSGIC's 2009-2010 Advocacy Agenda (PDF) includes:

• Imagery for the Nation
• Parcel Mapping
• Partnership Funding
• Transportation for the Nation, and
• Technology for the 21st Century

I look forward to working on your behalf to support each of these efforts. I encourage you to identify a role in NSGIC you are passionate about and get involved.