NSGIC Releases Advocacy Agenda

The National States Geographic Information Council has released its 2008-2009 Advocacy Agenda (PDF). The Advocacy Agenda is developed each year by the organization's Outreach Committee and presented to the membership for consideration at the Annual Conference.

The Advocacy Agenda focuses on five specific initiatives:

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

The 2008-2009 Advocacy Agenda builds on earlier versions and incorporates lessons learned and issues developed over the past year. The Agenda represents the combined concerns of state GIS Coordinators and their partners in local government, in Academia, and in the private sector. It maintains a focus on NSGIC's commitment to "efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption of geospatial technology."

USGS Meets with Northeast States

The USGS held a "meeting among partners" in Albany, New York, this month. The meeting brought together USGS staff with GIS coordinators from northeastern states to discuss common interests and partnership opportunities. It was one in a series of USGS partnership meetings that included a meeting of the southeast states in 2007.

Among the states represented, either by a state GIS Coordinator or staff or by their USGS liaison, were New York, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Maine, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Washington DC, Indiana and Delaware.

USGS staff spoke about efforts to update the National Map program, interactions and partnerships with the homeland security community, integrating GIS data in USGS science efforts, and the renewed interest by USGS leadership in printed topographic maps. Each state gave an update on its latest efforts and several states took the opportunity to outline challenges seen in the years to come in providing meaningful geospatial data.

The meeting featured frank, open and respectful dialogue. I hope to post more information from this meeting as I digest my notes.

COGO Sparks Interest and Curiosity

This week's Directions Magazine Podcast takes a look at the new Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO). Adena Schutzberg has been following the development of COGO and takes the opportunity to reflect on the purpose and organizing principles of the group.

In general, she is interested and supportive, though she's waiting for more details and information. Further information will become available as COGO becomes formally established and organizations ratify their membership.

COGO is just getting started, based on input from a wide variety of organizations, including NSGIC, whose leadership team has been involved from the start. The NSGIC states are voting now on whether or not the Council should affiliate with COGO and become a founding member, as recommended by NSGIC leadership.

We are watching the birth of a new organization. And, if Adena's take on COGO is representative, we are watching intently.