Why Join GAASC?
With all the GIS groups, meetings, and conferences going on, do we really need another GIS organization in the state? What can Information Technology professionals gain from this group? What is it that makes the Geospatial Administrators Association unique in the GIS/IT community?
Most anyone involved with Geospatial technology would agree that there are a great number of related opportunities already in existence, but for many, there still there seems to be some thing missing. This perceived void is what brought a group of GIS/IT managers from around the state to define the problem and consider a solution. As managers we all agreed that something is missing in the community, primarily relating to the challenges faced by those who are responsible for planning, developing, and managing a GIS and its related technologies. And these challenges are further complicated within the context of local government by the need to develop and support a diverse user community and demand for highly accurate and compatible data.
The group of managers felt that an association was needed to support the unique challenges faced by geospatial administrators in closing the knowledge gap between GIS and IT professions and efficiently managing the organizational and business side of GIS. This organization should also help to build bridges of cooperation and synergy between local governments for more efficient, effective, and compatible solutions. There are plenty of good organizations providing a GIS technical training and forum for knowledge transfer. As GIS Administrators we will continue to participate and support them for the benefit they provide to our organizations. But the time has come for a management-focused organization like GAASC.
If you are in a GIS or IT position, responsible for managing and directing some aspect of geospatial technology within a local government organization, and also feel the call to help fill this void, we encourage you to join us as we learn and grow together.
With all the GIS groups, meetings, and conferences going on, do we really need another GIS organization in the state? What can Information Technology professionals gain from this group? What is it that makes the Geospatial Administrators Association unique in the GIS/IT community?
Most anyone involved with Geospatial technology would agree that there are a great number of related opportunities already in existence, but for many, there still there seems to be some thing missing. This perceived void is what brought a group of GIS/IT managers from around the state to define the problem and consider a solution. As managers we all agreed that something is missing in the community, primarily relating to the challenges faced by those who are responsible for planning, developing, and managing a GIS and its related technologies. And these challenges are further complicated within the context of local government by the need to develop and support a diverse user community and demand for highly accurate and compatible data.
The group of managers felt that an association was needed to support the unique challenges faced by geospatial administrators in closing the knowledge gap between GIS and IT professions and efficiently managing the organizational and business side of GIS. This organization should also help to build bridges of cooperation and synergy between local governments for more efficient, effective, and compatible solutions. There are plenty of good organizations providing a GIS technical training and forum for knowledge transfer. As GIS Administrators we will continue to participate and support them for the benefit they provide to our organizations. But the time has come for a management-focused organization like GAASC.
If you are in a GIS or IT position, responsible for managing and directing some aspect of geospatial technology within a local government organization, and also feel the call to help fill this void, we encourage you to join us as we learn and grow together.
