NSGIC Goes To Washington A Brief History of NSGIC Advocacy

1. NSGIC Goes ToWashingtonA Brief History ofNSGIC Advocacy MidAmerica GIS Symposium Kansas City, Missouri April 26, 2006

2. 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

3. What is NSGIC? • NSGIC is an organization committed to efficient and effective government through the adoption of geospatial or mapping information technologies. • NSGIC members are actively involved in the coordination and application of mapping technologies in their States, the creation and management of mapping data as well as information technology policy • Membership - senior state geographic information system (GIS) managers and coordinators, representatives from federal agencies, local government, the private sector, academia and other professional organizations.

4. What NSGIC Does • Provides a unified State voice on geographic information and technology issues • Is a strong advocate for State GIS interests • Supports goes back to the membership through national initiatives with statewide impacts • Promotes mapping information integration and systems development • Provides input and advice to public and private decision-makers on national issues impacting the States.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 Basic Advocacy Etiquette(More Examples)

12. 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!

13. Current Major NSGICAdvocacy Issues • Imagery For The Nation • Future Directions – Fifty States Initiative • RAMONA • National Geospatial Governance URL: http://www.nsgic.org

14. The Vision The nation will have a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies. Imagery For The Nation

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 50 States Initiative Best Practices (success factors) • Establish a full-time coordinator • Provide authority for coordination • Establish a relationship with the CIO • Provide a political champion • Assign responsibilities for NSDI and Clearinghouse • Provide solutions for working with all sectors • Provide sustainable funding • Provide contracting authority • Develop Plans

22. 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 with GOS Portal RAMONA

23. 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 stakeholders and federal agencies to develop a functional National Governance Structure

24. 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

25. How well informed are executives on IT issues? 86% CIO’s 45% CEO’s Agency Directors 36% Executive Oversight and Budget Personnel 28% 7% Legislative Bodies 0 50 100 Governor Jim Geringer Source: JFK School of Government, Harvard University

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. NSGIC • Small organization with a big mouth voice • Members passionate about their work • Increasingly sought out by other organizations on national geospatial issues

30. 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!

31. Questions?