IMAGIN Committees

New in 2007-2008
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES SEMINAR SERIES:

This is a special initiative being introduced this year to expose IMAGIN members to newer technologies (LIDAR, Multispectral Image Analysis, Orthophoto Processing, etc.) they may be unfamiliar with which allow them to become more efficient or produce new products/analysis. A two-hour seminar will be held on a monthly basis covering a specific aspect of a geospatial emerging technology. This series is well suited for both the student and the geographic applications professional. To learn more or suggest topics of interest to you send an email to EmergingTechnologies@imagin.org.

PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE:

The Committee is charged with increasing IMAGIN's membership base through recruitment and retention efforts and to establish partnership relationships with other groups interested in utilizing geographic applications and resources. These activities will strengthen the organization, increase its visibility, and improve the awareness of geographic resources and geographic applications for its members. To learn more or join, send an email to PartnershipsOutreach@imagin.org.

Strategies:

1. Conduct a systematic recruitment campaign to increase membership
1. identify and explicitly communicate the mission of the organization on a consistent and continuous basis through mailings, e-communication, presentations at organizations/associations, and the Website to increase the visibility and clarity of purpose of the organization
2. develop and distribute a "new members" pack that contains information on the mission, benefits and opportunities afforded by the organization
3. identify explicitly opportunities and benefits provided by membership (see below)
2. Engage in an explicit and systematic outreach effort to enlist involvement of University faculty and staff with relevant responsibilities in information technology programs, and secure support in membership outreach to students
3. Identify and solicit involvement of members in new industries utilizing GIS technologies, thereby broadening the base of membership
4. Develop and implement a campaign designed to retain members and to contact members who have let their membership lapse
5. Target potential leaders within the membership-utilizing the membership database, member and conference participant surveys and personal networks-and invite participation in committee and board roles
6. Increase levels of communication within and among the membership as well as with external partners and relevant organizations to strengthen the organization

SERVICES AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE:

This Committee works to define, develop, and deliver useful services and benefits for members in the most effective way possible. This includes providing services such as the IMAGINews newsletter, E-News, and the IMAGIN web site. Activities members in this Committee pursue include the maintenance of the IMAGIN member database, identification of changing member needs, and improving the level and utility of communication and information sharing between and among members. To learn more or join, send an email to ServicesBenefits@imagin.org.

Strategies:

1. Create a more effective and complete membership database
1. Analyze the existing membership application and database and make and implement recommendations for improving the information in the system
2. Develop a field(s) to identify "member expertise" to use for sharing information, improving networking, providing contacts
2. Identify and respond to changing membership and changing membership needs on a continuous basis
1. Utilize periodic member and conference participant surveys to identify member needs and interests in programs, resources, and professional development opportunities
2. Build on the partnerships developed with other entities to expand the level of services and resources available to members; e.g., shared subscriptions to relevant journals/periodicals
3. Increase the level and the utility of communication and information sharing between and among members
1. Strengthen the Website as a point of contact and information
2. Consider posting "white papers", links, sample policies, maps, job postings, and organizational material such as minutes, committee reports and so on for sharing
3. Consider developing a "chat room" or bulletin board on the Website, perhaps in a members only section, to facilitate sharing questions and answers, tips, tricks and technical information of use to members
4. Develop a plan for supporting and maintaining the Website as an effective information sharing and resource tool
5. Consider developing an inventory of useful information, e.g., sample RFP's, that might be shared on request between members
6. Strengthen the Newsletter as a source of information about the organization, about members and programs
7. Disseminate a periodic "letter/update from the President" to keep members apprised of organizational information

ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:

This Committee promotes members committed to supporting the highest quality annual conference for individual members, interested professionals, and to attract a diverse cross-section of public, private, and non-profit organizations. This Committee develops the conference marketing strategy for attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers. If you would like to learn more or join, send an e-mail to AnnualConference@imagin.org.

Strategies:

1. Develop an effective marketing strategy for the annual conference
1. Build off the experiences from past conferences in planning dates, venues, special complementary events
2. Analyze past conference registrations to identify underserved/underrepresented constituencies to target for involvement
3. Analyze/understand the nature of our membership base/desired membership and develop conference plans to appeal to specific audiences
4. Consider vendor involvement and input in conference planning (underrepresented vendors could be targeted)

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION COMMITTEE:

Members in this Committee identify, recognize, and celebrate successful individuals and programs in geographic applications and information systems. The Committee actively seeks out nominations for outstanding contributions to our discipline, college students to participate in poster/paper competitions, and lifelong achievers who have distinguished themselves and their profession. To learn more or join, send an email to ProfessionalRecognition@imagin.org.

Strategies:

1. Continue to implement the student paper competition in conjunction with the annual conference
2. Continue to support the map gallery as part of the annual conference
3. Develop and implement a program to recognize individuals, units or programs that represent excellence in the field
1. Define a set of selection criteria
2. Develop a nomination process
3. Identify the nature of the award or recognition
4. Create mechanism for annual implementation
4. Solicit sponsors for the various recognition programs to share the costs and to increase the visibility and value of the programs