She noted the short, medium and long-term plans:

Short term activities - to 6/08
-Approve mission statement
-Provide feedback on Imagery for the Nation (see below for details)

Medium-term - to 12/31/08
-“Changing Landscape” white paper - on who makes/funds geodata - David Cowen
-Transition strategy with recommendations - Matt O’Connell - identify key appointees related to geo so we can help identify candidates, 2 page white paper for administration on why geo matters (this group can’t lobby, but other could use these tools to do so)
-Feedback on upcoming Geospatial LoB Products
-Feedback on the National Land Parcel Study - David Cowan
-Feedback on The National Map (TMN) Strategy (may slip to next meeting)

Longer-term - 12- 18 months
Develop a National Geospatial Strategy including:
-future state/vision
-functional requirements
-public-private partnership/investment strategy
-organizational framework and governance responsibilities

Q & A:
Q: Is NGAC focussed on private sector players?
A: It’s split right down 1/2 individuals from private companies/education, 1/2 are from non-federal government at some level. NGAC want to represent the different sectors plus geography (south, west, etc.) so it’s a balancing act. Many members have “checked their agenda” at the door, leading to lots of good will, and good listening.

Q: WIll NGAC comment on new announcement on GIO for DOI?
A: Yes, perhaps as part of transition document.

Q: Will the committee “live” across the pending administration change?

A: Yes, it has a two year term. If we can build enough positive momentum we are likely to stay on in the next administration.

Q: Should the committee look at where to put GIS coordination within the federal government? That’s not been a primary responsibility of federal employees; it’s typically in addition to some other pressing role.
A: Yes, we’ve looked at that and likely will again.

Q: Suggestion: need quick wins in new administration.
A: We met with [former Governor and current ESRI employee] Geringer for some ideas. We look to the geospatial community to give us some more ideas.

Q: What questions did you have on IFTN?
A:
-issues related to the contracting
-who are the procuring agency/agencies
-we need a procurement plan (so industry can plan investments)
-public/private domain data? - the vote was for public domain
-parcels for nation, tranport, lidar...for the nation - those need to be staged all at once, we need to show a full picture to best take the story to our representatives for funding, how does next part of landsat relate to this program
(The author notes: Further information on the endorsement, including the full text is detailed in an ArcNews article. I found the draft, but not find document on the NGAC website.)


Q: Is there a carry over from the IFTN decision on licensing (that is should be public) to other areas?
A: Public private partnerships is a key issue, so we’ll need to get to that, likely in 2009. There are creative workarounds.

Q: Since NGAC is public/private, can you lobby? What’s the way to push endorsements forward as a constituency?
A: We can’t lobby but all our content (endorsements, etc.) will will be on the website. The private players can do what they want as reps of their companies using those resources. Further, those players can and do work with lobbyists. Working from “something like” the same songbook will be a huge step forward.

Q: COGO could be a vehicle for lobbying.
A: That organization held its third meeting this week - one of the tenants in the bylaws is that all decisions require unanimous decisions. So, they are trying to create a unified cohesive voice.