That's an interesting choice since the terms "legal action" and "advocacy" are not listed as key activities of the organization. Instead they are:

"1) improve communications among the member organizations (and others), 2) provide educational information on relevant issues for their respective memberships, 3) align and strengthen their respective policy agendas, and 4) facilitate development of strategies to address national issues."

Perhaps "legal action" and "advocacy" are part of 3 and 4? If an organization is about advocacy and legal action, I like it to be stated clearly.

One other thing: in the PR there are individual's associated with each organization, except GISCI. I understand Scott Grams, who has served as Executive Director since 2005, has taken a new position. We wish him well in his new endeavor.

--- posted 5/12/08 ----

Update: 5/12/08 3:00 pm: I received answers to some of my questions and concerns. Here's what I learned from someone involved in the meetings:

- There have not yet been any formal announcements since the early meetings are designed to create the organization. Said another way: there's really no news yet!

- There will be lots of opportunity for input and discussion.

- There's no intent to be secretive.

- A formal announcement is expected soon.

----original article 7 am 5/12/08 --------

I must apologize; I was unaware of this meeting. I learned of it reading the latest issue (May) of Professional Surveyor. (It's not online yet.)

Per Laurence Socci's review of the government affairs meeting at the Spring ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) meeting in Spokane, a meeting of executive directors for geospatial That's an interesting choice since the terms "legal action" and "advocacy" are not listed as key activities of the organization. Instead they are:

"1) improve communications among the member organizations (and others), 2) provide educational information on relevant issues for their respective memberships, 3) align and strengthen their respective policy agendas, and 4) facilitate development of strategies to address national issues."

Perhaps "legal action" and "advocacy" are part of 3 and 4? If an organization is about advocacy and legal action, I like it to be stated clearly.

One other thing: in the PR there are individual's associated with each organization, except GISCI. I understand Scott Grams, who has served as Executive Director since 2005, has taken a new position. We wish him well in his new endeavor.
associations was held "recently" to begin forming a "geospatial coalition." He cites the minutes which state the purpose of the coalition: to improve communications among the organizations and to act on pressing issues. Apparently the group will decide whether they want to use the USGS Coalition Model or the COFPAES (Council on Federal Procurement of Architectural and Engineering Services) Model. After looking over the two sites, I'm not exactly sure of the difference in the models.

The issues raised at the meeting (the kinds this group would act on, perhaps) included: workforce development, k-12 education, accreditation, professional regulation, DGPS and a possible joint conference along the lines of GIS/LIS.

I wonder who was there (no attendee list was provided). Perhaps those who responded to the MAPPS vs. US case last winter? Did that prompt the meeting? Will this be a lobbying/activist coalition? I do hope the executive directors involved are reporting back to their leadership groups and members about this and future meetings. Transparency will be important is developing a strong coalition.

I'm not a member of any of the organizations that think may have attended, so I'd perhaps not receive such communications. Have any readers heard about this meeting?