Washington State Geographic Information Council
Geographic Information Outreach Strategy
Geographic Information Council Local Government Workgroup
January 17, 1995
The Washington State Geographic Information Council was formed in 1991 To provide
direction for automated geographic information needed to improve the delivery of
government products and services in the State of Washington. The Council was
revitalized in early 1994 following a period of low interest. The new vision for the
Council includes a conversion of the permanent Committees to semi-permanent Workgroups
that were product oriented, establishment of a forum for exchange through professional
organizations, and establishment of a virtual community through electronic networking.
The revitalized Council had a very successful year in 1994. There was increased
interest and participation in the Council, several products were produced, and several
initiatives were established. Seven regions were designated to provide a forum for the
discussion of local issues and for input into the Council.
The Local Government Workgroup is oriented toward promoting local involvement in the
seven regions, and coordination in the coordination and development and use of geographic
data. One of the Workgroup's initiatives was to establish a training program for
geographic information. That initiative has not been successful and has been reoriented to
establishing an outreach strategy for geographic information rather than establishing a
training program about geographic information systems or products.
The theme of the new outreach strategy is To increase the awareness and
understanding of geographic data and geographic information systems through the exchange
of problems, ideas, strategies, plans, and successes. The theme includes interpersonal
exchanges through committees and professional organizations, written exchanges through
newsletters and status reports, and electronic exchanges over networks. The theme is based
on maximizing the use of limited resources to support the business needs of local
organizations, regions, and the State at large.
Several strategies are defined to support this theme. These strategies are
described below.
- Geographic Information Council meetings are teleconferenced throughout the State.
The teleconferencing should be continued to provide maximum attendance and input to the
Council.
- The Department of Information Services should publish its teleconference sites,
including a map of all the sites; the date each site will become available; and the phone
number, address, specific location, and directions to each site so people can readily
attend the Council meetings.
- Seven regions have been designated for local input to the Council. Each of the seven
regions should have a designated teleconferencing site where they can meet and become
actively involved in the Council meetings.
- The Local Government Workgroup meetings should be moved around the State so that
at least one meeting a year is held in each of the seven regions. The Local Government
Workgroup should promote active local involvement in each region.
- Geographic Information Council Workgroup activities should be publicized,
including their charges, a status of their initiatives, and who to contact for additional
information or input into their activities.
- The DIS Newsletters should mention the existence and major activities of the
Geographic Information Council, Council and Workgroup meeting dates and locations, and
indicate where additional information about the Council can be obtained.
- Professional organizations, such as URISA, ACCIS, and NWCAMA, should be encouraged to
hold joint meetings with the Council, and through their regular meetings, conferences,
and newsletters should be encouraged to provide a forum for interpersonal exchange and
input to the Council regarding geographic information.
- The Department of Information Services should use its Information Exchange (InfoX) as an
electronic forum for the exchange of information about the Geographic Information
Council and its Workgroups, Council Bylaws, Council members and their contact information,
Workgroup charges, geographic information activities in the State, and any other
information about geographic data.
- A Newsletter should be made available on InfoX for people that are interested in
geographic information activities in the State but can not attend any of the Council or
Workgroup meetings. People should be encouraged to submit articles regarding approaches,
pitfalls, and successes for the Newsletter.
- Internet addresses for all people interested in sharing information about the
status of geographic information in the State should be maintained and widely publicized.
- Brochures promoting the Geographic Information Council and its coordination
efforts should be prepared and widely distributed through members, conferences,
professional organizations, and general distribution.
The Department of Information Services, in its leadership role for the Geographic
Information Council, should designate a person to work with the Local Government Workgroup
to carry out these strategies.
For information contact the GIC Coordinator
Jeff Holm--DIS
wagic@dis.wa.gov
(360)902-3447
Send E-mail to Jeff Holm
Last Updated: January, 1997
http://www.wa.gov/gic/outreach.html