2105 Laurel Bush Road, Suite 200Bel Air, Maryland 21015(443) 640-1075http://www.nsgic.org

NSGIC Goes ToWashington

A Brief History ofNSGIC Advocacy

MidAmerica GIS SymposiumKansas City, Missouri

April 26, 2006

Slide 2 -- April 18, 2023

National States GeographicInformation Council

“The purpose of NSGIC is to encourage effective and efficient government through the coordinated development of geographic information and related technologies to ensure that information may be integrated at all levels of government.”

URL: http://www.nsgic.org

Slide 3 -- April 18, 2023

What is NSGIC?What is NSGIC?• NSGIC is an organization committed to efficient and NSGIC is an organization committed to efficient and

effective government through the adoption of effective government through the adoption of geospatial or mapping information technologies. geospatial or mapping information technologies.

• NSGIC members are actively involved in the NSGIC members are actively involved in the coordination and application of mapping technologies coordination and application of mapping technologies in their States, the creation and management of in their States, the creation and management of mapping data as well as information technology policy mapping data as well as information technology policy

• Membership - senior state geographic information Membership - senior state geographic information system (GIS) managers and coordinators, system (GIS) managers and coordinators, representatives from federal agencies, local representatives from federal agencies, local government, the private sector, academia andgovernment, the private sector, academia andother professional organizations. other professional organizations.

Slide 4 -- April 18, 2023

What NSGIC DoesWhat NSGIC Does• Provides a unified State voice on geographic Provides a unified State voice on geographic

information and technology issuesinformation and technology issues• Is a strong advocate for State GIS interestsIs a strong advocate for State GIS interests• Supports goes back to the membership through Supports goes back to the membership through

national initiatives with statewide impactsnational initiatives with statewide impacts• Promotes mapping information integration and Promotes mapping information integration and

systems developmentsystems development• Provides input and advice to public and private Provides input and advice to public and private

decision-makers on national issues impacting decision-makers on national issues impacting the States.the States.

Slide 5 -- April 18, 2023

What is Advocacy?

• Advocacy is the act or process of advocating (to speak in favor of) or supporting a particular (legislative) cause or issue.

Slide 6 -- April 18, 2023

NSGIC Advocacy Mission

• NSGIC advocates for efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption and use of geospatial information and technologies and works with legislators to address NSGIC strategic legislative priorities.

Slide 7 -- April 18, 2023

History of NSGIC Advocacy• Some individual states have a long history of

advocating for their state programs.• Early NSGIC advocacy was with Federal

Agencies, especially USGS and FGDC• NSGIC has a history of advocating for NSDI

issues.• NSGIC presented testimony before Congress

House Subcommittee – 2003 and 2004.

Slide 8 -- April 18, 2023

Increasing Role of Advocacy • NSGIC Leadership visits Congressional

Offices – 2003 and ongoing• NSGIC retains DC Liaison – 2003• Outreach Committee Created – 2004• Decision to regularly hold Midyear Meeting in

DC area– 2004• Hall of States Inaugural Meeting – 2005• DC Hill Breakfast – 2006• Stakeholder Meeting on Hill – 2006• State Reps Congressional Office

Visits – 2006

Slide 9 -- April 18, 2023

Recent NSGIC Advocacy• Visits to Congressional Sub/Committees• Conducted Events like MAPPS

Breakfast• Visits with key Congressional staff,

Federal executives and employees• Meetings with stakeholders

– NACo, MAPPS, NASCIO, NGA, WGA, URISA, and others

• Developed membership Advocacy Guidelines

Slide 10 -- April 18, 2023

Guidelines for Successful Advocacy(Examples)

• Preparation and organization are the keys to success• Know your Congressional member’s background on an

issue before you contact them• Be concise in your written and verbal communication and

always identify yourself and NSGIC• Members of Congress need to know the specific action you

are requesting• Discuss the issue and how it affects your community• Always congratulate your member on any previous action

taken• Update NSGIC with the result of the meeting• Follow-up and continue to provide any requested

information

Slide 11 -- April 18, 2023

Basic Advocacy Etiquette(More Examples)

• Do’s• Provide reliable information• Be positive and friendly• Be sensitive about time• Treat staff with the same

level of respect as the Member of Congress

• Admit if you don’t know an answer and promise to follow up

• Leave your name and contact information

• Let them know you are from NSGIC

• Don’ts• Don’t arrive without an

appointment and expect to be seen

• Don’t’ be upset if your member doesn’t see you personally (meetings with staff are very productive)

• Don’t get too comfortable or casual

• Don’t forget to follow-up

Slide 12 -- April 18, 2023

Why Advocate?

The more successful NSGIC is in gaining support and resources for its critical priorities and initiatives, the stronger it will become.

When we get involved in the legislative process and share our expertise and experiences, we have a stronger voice.

Contacting members of Congress directly to advocate on legislative priorities ensures that Congress will hear your message directly!

Slide 13 -- April 18, 2023

Current Major NSGICAdvocacy Issues

• Imagery For The Nation

• Future Directions – Fifty States Initiative

• RAMONA

• National Geospatial Governance

URL: http://www.nsgic.org

Slide 14 -- April 18, 2023

Imagery For The Nation

The Vision

The nation will have a sustainableand flexible digital imageryprogram that meets the needs oflocal, state, regional, tribal andfederal agencies.

Slide 15 -- April 18, 2023

Imagery For The Nation(IFTN)

• NSGIC endorses IFTN:– Endorsed at Annual Conference – 2005– Key component of a National GIS for a secure

America

• FGDC Steering Committee creates an Executive Committee on IFTN– OMB, DHS, Commerce, Interior & Interior

• FGDC will include IFTN in Lines of Business Study

• Looking for Federal funding in 2008

Slide 16 -- April 18, 2023

Several Perspectives on IFTN• OMB

– Consolidate programs– Cost Savings/Increased Efficiencies

• Congress– Work within existing committee structure– No new money – redirect existing funding

• States– Gain necessary support and resources– Coordinate with regional/local agencies

• Locals– Makes sure local needs are met– Gain local executive and political support

Slide 17 -- April 18, 2023

NSGIC Fifty States Initiative

The Fifty States Initiative outlines a fundamental change in the way all governments should work together to build the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

Slide 18 -- April 18, 2023

50 States Initiative• Approved by NSGIC Board in Dec. 2004• Approved by the FGDC Coordination Work

Group in February 2005• Presented to the FGDC Steering Committee

in June 2005– Not approved due to unknown budget impact, and– Concern over coordinating and withholding grants

• Approved by FGDC Steering Committee on October 3 with a modified proposal

Slide 19 -- April 18, 2023

Fifty States Initiative• Identified characteristics of successful states – Model

States Characteristics• Model States Characteristics promoted to assist other

states• Conducted survey of states for compliance• Advocated development of Fifty States Initiative for FGDC

grants• FGDC Category III grants first step in developing state

strategic & business plans• Vision is to use Plans for sustainable funding

– useful for federal, state & local funding that meet business needs

Slide 20 -- April 18, 2023

50 States InitiativeBest Practices (success factors)1. Establish a full-time coordinator2. Provide authority for coordination3. Establish a relationship with the CIO4. Provide a political champion5. Assign responsibilities for NSDI and Clearinghouse6. Provide solutions for working with all sectors7. Provide sustainable funding8. Provide contracting authority9. Develop Plans

Slide 21 -- April 18, 2023

Slide 22 -- April 18, 2023

RAMONA

Data Discovery Tool

Ramona was developed to inventory the GIS data holdings of tribal, state and local governments, and their partners.

The System allows its users to create their own profile, including information on their organization, systems, and data distribution and management policies.

Will integrate withGOS Portal

Slide 23 -- April 18, 2023

National Geospatial Governance Structure

• NSGIC promotes using the Geospatial One-Stop (GOS) Board as a model for National Geospatial Governance– Non-fed members outnumber fed members– GOS Board sunsets in October, 2006

• FGDC Steering Committee Executive Committee created to explore Governance options

• GOS Board endorses working on ‘lessons learned’ and acting as interim committee to advise FGDC Steering Committee

• NSGIC continues advocating with stakeholdersand federal agencies to develop a functionalNational Governance Structure

Slide 24 -- April 18, 2023

You Have to Engage Your Policy Leaders

• Put a face on it

• Use the high priority issue of the day to catch their attention

• They don’t have to know how it works

• Let the picture (map) do the talking

Governor Jim Geringer

Slide 25 -- April 18, 2023

How well informed are executives on IT issues?

CIO’s

CEO’s

AgencyDirectors

Executive Oversight andBudget Personnel

Legislative Bodies

0 50 100

86%

45%

36%

28%

7%

Source: JFK School of Government, Harvard University Governor Jim Geringer

Slide 26 -- April 18, 2023

A Technology Solution must

deliver value or benefit Technology by itself does NOT deliver benefit Technology enables process transformation which

may deliver benefit at lower cost or better quality Focus on purpose

Governor Jim Geringer

Slide 27 -- April 18, 2023

Moving an Item• Clear Goals, well developed details• Draft Legislation - have language ready• Who do you start with?

– Senate– House– White House/Executive Branch

• What Agency has Oversight?

• An alliance - agencies, associations, nonprofits, private sector, grassroots

• Sponsorship in both Chambers• Patience is Key!!!!!

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05

Slide 28 -- April 18, 2023

Realities• Washington moves much more slowly than

state government• Justice is rough and cold• Money is tight (and getting much tighter)• Everyone comes to Washington• A slow and steady approach, with much

perseverance and grace is the key

Diana Zinkl - NSGIC 05

Slide 29 -- April 18, 2023

NSGIC

• Small organization with a big mouth voice

• Members passionate about their work

• Increasingly sought out by other organizations on national geospatial issues

Slide 30 -- April 18, 2023

Advocacy Matters!• When you get involved and share your

expertise and experiences, your message is heard directly

• You CAN make a difference!

• No one can do it alone!

• Together we can accomplish much more!

Slide 31 -- April 18, 2023

Questions?