Most of us continue to work remotely during the pandemic and are doing our best to balance work and volunteer responsibilities, along with our personal and family lives.
There's also the challenge of fitting professional development and education into the mix.
See below for lots of news related to URISA education during this time of social distancing.
As always, the health and safety of URISA members, event attendees, sponsors, speakers, and staff is most important.
Please continue to be well and don't hesitate to
reach out
with any questions or concerns.
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GIS-Pro 2020 Update - Announcing a special virtual edition for challenging times
We've got one more contract amendment to sign ... and then we'll be moving full speed ahead for a virtual GIS-Pro 2020. A working group of volunteers has already been meeting regularly to discuss pivoting to a virtual event and we're busy with details, platforms, and content.
The program committee is curating educational content to highlight today's most important topics, including Equity & Social Justice; GIS in Health; GIS Leadership & Management; and Community Resilience.
Stay tuned for the comprehensive agenda!
Keynote speakers, workshops, breakout sessions, and a solutions marketplace will be featured, along with networking events and opportunities to connect. Visit
www.gis-pro.org frequently for updates and details.
We will be going to Baltimore for GIS-Pro 2021 and it will be great to see you all in person!
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GIS Ethics Statement Released by URISA Board of Directors
Many GIS professionals across the globe have been following the situation surrounding the much-discussed Florida
Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard and how it relates to the GIS Code of Ethics.
URISA's Policy Advisory Committee discussed and debated the issue and the URISA Board weighed in with a statement.
Take a minute to read through the Board's response and while you're there, review the Code which was approved by URISA back in 2003.
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URISA's Young Professionals Continue to Lead
URISA's over-achieving Vanguard Cabinet has announced recent initiatives:
Applications for the next VC Cohort are now being accepted. The deadline for applications is July 20.
Abstracts for the 2020 University Student and Young Professional Digital Competition are due July 31.
Details and forms are posted
online.
While you're there, consider signing up for the URISA Mentoring Network!
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Announcing Instructor-Led Online GIS Leadership Training:
The URISA GIS Leadership Academy Goes Virtual
Unfortunately we had to postpone two URISA GIS Leadership Academy (GLA) programs scheduled to take place this summer due to COVID-19. (Both the Minneapolis and Portland programs have been postponed to next year.)
At the same time, the
demand for GIS leadership training is higher than ever!
Our dedicated GLA
faculty have been working hard to optimize online delivery and we are so pleased to announce the
first-ever Virtual
URISA GIS Leadership Academy which will take place during the week of August 3-7.
Because the interaction of each cohort is so important in the Academy, we are limiting attendance at the inaugural GLA to thirty (30) individuals.
The cost of attending this virtual GLA will be 50% of the cost of attending the in-person event; just $600 for URISA members and $800 for nonmembers.
The Virtual GLA will require Zoom meeting capabilities. We'll start each morning at 8:00 AM Central Time; with scheduled breaks, a lunch hour and optional evening meet-ups at the "Virtual Hotel Bar".
Grab a spot before we sell out!
The St. Petersburg, Florida GLA is still on the calendar and we hope that the situation will allow us to meet in-person.
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Your GIS Professional Home - Don't Miss the Webinar on Tuesday
Join us on Tuesday, June 30 to learn how U.S. Digital Response volunteers partnered with the PA Dept of Health to automate data collection and build a dashboard to track the number of available hospital beds and ventilators on a county basis.
U.S. Digital Response - Delivering Quick Help to Governments Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
WHEN: Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 1 PM Eastern/12 Noon Central/11 AM Mountain/10 AM Pacific
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URISA's GISCorps Needs your Help to Keep the Nationwide COVID-19 Testing Site Location Data Accurate and Comprehensive
Hundreds of URISA GISCorps volunteers have been working since March to build a nationwide COVID-19 Testing Sites feature service. These volunteers scour the websites of health departments, healthcare providers, and cities, counties and states to find and verify testing site locations and requirements.
Now, as testing expands and resources wear thin, URISA's GISCorps needs your help to keep this nationwide testing site location data accurate and comprehensive
.
While you're inspired, think about donating to support URISA's GISCorps so they can continue their selfless volunteer efforts. Donations are tax deductible and are very appreciated.
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Connect for Support, Solutions, and Opportunities
Have you connected yet? Pose a question, discuss best practices, share a job posting, or ask for advice from your fellow members.
new member-suggested communities dedicated to Ethics in GIS and Equity & Social Justice
.
Your fellow members are discussing contact tracing, Ligado, and so much more. Get involved today.
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GISCI Seeks Executive Director
Speaking of job opportunities, the GIS Certification Institute just posted a listing for a full-time Executive Director. Review the job description and requirements
here.
(Our good friend, Bill Hodge, wishes to retire in the not-too-distant future!)
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Virtual Esri UC
In a typical year, we would be getting ready to head to San Diego to learn and connect with URISA members, partners, and friends at the annual Esri UC.
We'll still be there, albeit virtually. If you are attending, be sure to stop by the URISA and GIS Certification Institute virtual booth and the URISA GISCorps kiosk in the virtual Sustainable World Pavilion.
See you there!
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Amazon Smile Donations
Doing more online shopping while social distancing? Amazon donates to URISA when you shop via Amazon Smile.
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GIS Management Resource
Extremely popular, the second edition of The GIS Management Handbook is a major update of Pete Croswell's 2009 publication.
Required reading in many upper level college/university GIS courses.
"The second edition of The GIS Management Handbook is a tour de force for all engaged in planning, implementing and managing geographic information systems programs and projects. This book covers the core concepts as well as the nitty gritty details and as such, provides an essential reference for those who aspire and work every day to use geographic information to solve problems and seize the opportunities they are afforded to improve the world around us"
. - Dr. John P. Wilson, Professor and Founding Director, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California
Check out the details and order your copy today. |
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URISA Logo Apparel
Long sleeve, short sleeve, cardigans, and pullover fleece, check out the URISA Logo Store!
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