NSGIC 2017 Annual in Review

By Karen Rogers  |  October 2, 2017

In case you missed the NSGIC 2017 Annual Conference, here are the highlights from my perspective. It was phenomenal (and exhausting at the same time) once again, and I thank all those who contributed their time and hard work to make it happen. (Members can log in to explore notes and presentation slides in the archives.)

Leadership Development Workshop

The primary takeaway from the Leadership Workshop on Monday is the triad ‘Mentor - Coach - Champion’. See an up and coming talent? Offer to mentor them. New to your career and looking for insights and help? Ask a trusted colleague to mentor you. Witness a meeting or conversation that could have gone better? Find a way to offer advice to coach and improve. Impressed with a person, product or outcome? Speak up and be their champion. However you choose to do it, don’t be afraid to step up and be a leader. That can take shape in a variety of ways and forms, so pick up your ball and run with it.

Carpe Geo and Parvus Momentum

Endless thanks to Bill Johnson for his touching and thought-provoking reflection on his career and seminal moments. He serves as a role model and inspiration to us all. While I think we live by the concept of Carpe Geo already, now that we have a term for it we can consciously accept and embrace those opportunities. And if we remember the Mentor-Coach-Champion model, we can’t help but find those little moments that encourage and inspire ourselves and those around us.

Western States Caucus

This is a development that I am especially excited about because it was so unexpected and organic. Recognizing that western states have different challenges and needs than eastern states, it is past time for us to form a united voice to advocate for better support from and coordination with federal agencies. I can only imagine where this spirited group will go and what we can accomplish by working together on our issues.

Elections Outcome

For the first time in NSGIC history, women outnumber men on our board. It is extremely humbling and gratifying to be a part of that movement, and I know my fellow board members and I are excited to unite and get to work. Thanks to Dan Ross for stepping up to be our President Elect, and special thanks to our outgoing president, Bert Granberg. The caliber of our leaders are top notch, and I look forward to President Andy Rowan’s year at the helm.

GeoWomen

Along those lines, the GeoWomen group is ready to become more cohesive and develop goals and a strategy to get those done. More to come on that, but trust me that this is a force to be reckoned with. There is a lot of enthusiasm and drive to get things going among GeoWomen not only in NSGIC, but in other geospatial organizations and related professional fields as well.

Executive Outreach

As I mentioned in my board speech, I would like to see the board develop best practices documents for governors and state CIO’s to educate them on how critical it is to have and support the GIO position. I am looking forward to developing a coordinated approach and strategy to conduct outreach with top executives with the hope of getting them to ‘see the light’ and pick up their own geospatial ball and run with it.

Put on Your Seatbelt

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear there’s more on the horizon. We’ve got lofty goals and can always use more energetic persons to help us advocate and carry out our mission. Please consider becoming active in a committee, or simply find excuses to Mentor - Coach - Champion.