To better keep our users informed about all TNRIS activities, we are very pleased to announce that we will now be blogging about all our activities and sharing some of the behind-the-scenes information that may be beneficial to you. We also highly encourage your comments on any of our posts and we will use them in a very constructive manner.
The TNRIS Blog uses Posterous, a blogging system described by its founders as "the dead simple way to put anything online using email."
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's presentation on CitiStat and StateStat to the Management Performance conference last week in Austin is available on YouTube. Governing.com's 13th Floor blog features the embedded video today in an entry on the non-partisan aspects of the "stat" approach to managing government (Gov. O'Malley's "Omni-partisan" Approach).
The video is also worth watching for its glimpses of geospatial info in action as part of the "stat" approach. I was looking for Our Kenny in the shots of people gathered around stat-screens in conference rooms, but had no luck.
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.
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.
NSGIC traditionally closes its State Caucus sessions with a "lightning round" in which all state representatives have a chance to note a concern or an issue, lobby for an initiative, grant kudos, or otherwise vent.
Here is an overview of this year's mid-year lightning round, thanks to the flashing note-taking fingers of Georgia's Danielle Ayan and with additional scribbles from a few others. I've tried to group and aggregate them into some sort of logical structure.
NSGIC Communications Several members noted the importance of communications; both among NSGIC members and with our partners and sponsors. There was a pitch for increased "in-reach" to the membership as well as outreach. There was a suggestion of a "NSGIC Channel." There was a call for more member participation in committees.
Assistance to States There were several expressions of thanks to the Board for travel grants that helped bring attendance from almost every state and several territories. Members were pleased with recent WebEx seminars such as that on working with Congress. There was support for Return on Investment studies and other ways to show the importance and value of data coordination. There was interest in strengthening the role of GIOs in states, better linkage with CIOs, and helping those states now in transition from one form of GIS coordination to another. There was a concern about funding within some states.
Conference Issues Long-time conference-runner Rick Memmel threw-in a plug for members to complete their conference evaluations (I have, have you?). There was a request for at least one "walking meeting" in future conferences (There is a lot of sitting and listening...). Earlier notice for some breakfast meetings was suggested. Tony Spicci said something about some sort of other conference this spring somewhere in the middle of America?
Technologies There is interest in web services and streaming data. Members want more presentations on application delivery and open GIS services. And what about 3-D data? And geocoding too. There is also interest in geodetic control.
Partnerships A member suggested that we develop federations. There was a call for a regional Transportation for the Nation proof of concept project. A member noted the importance of vertical data-sharing, data licensing and GIS surveyor issues. It was suggested that we remember to keep data sharing and other agreements simple and focused. One member called for standardized contractual federal/state agreements that include service charges and verbiage for public access to data.
NSGIC Priorities A periodic update was suggested to help maintain focus on priorities. It was suggested that we keep promoting and using the GIS Inventory. There were several pitches for land parcel data. There was a mention on NAIP funding issues (did someone really suggest a bake-sale?). There was a mention of keeping our focus on state spatial data infrastructures (SSDIs).
The WV Geological Survey (State Agency) seeks to fill the Statewide Geographic Information System Coordinator (GIS) position which is housed in Charleston, WV. Interested candidates should respond by Friday, September 7, 2007.
The great (big) state of Texas now has a GIS coordination blog.The fine folks at the Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) have started a new TNRIS blog to help keep track of what's going on in Texas' GIS community.
