(approved by
Board Action, 6/29/02)
Purpose
Issue
Identification
UCGIS
Position
Approval
Process
Dissemination of UCGIS Position
Purpose. UCGIS is a nationwide organization of universities and other institutions dedicated to promoting the development and informed use of GIS for the benefit of society. To achieve this goal, UCGIS monitors public policy debates, takes positions on key issues, and makes those positions known to policy-makers. This document outlines the procedures UCGIS follows in taking positions and the mechanisms it uses to disseminate its position. It was drafted with a focus on national issues, with Congress and federal agencies as the primary audience, but could be adapted to other audiences.
Issue Identification. Critical policy issues may be brought to the attention of the UCGIS Policy and Legislation Committee from a number of sources: UCGIS members themselves, sister organizations, and federal agencies. NSGIC, for example, follows issues in Washington quite closely and distributes this information through its Wollack Reports. UCGIS follows issues related to the National Science Foundation through its membership in the Coalition for National Science Funding. In most cases UCGIS will be reacting to an existing policy or piece of legislation, but conditions could motivate us to be proactive and take the initiative on our own.
UCGIS Position. UCGIS will take positions on issues that are important to GIScience and society. Positions may be recommended by the individual or organization bringing the issue to UCGIS, or will be developed by UCGIS itself.
Approval Process. Issues are brought to the Policy and Legislation Committee, which reviews the issue, develops or endorses a policy position, and brings a recommendation to the UCGIS Board: origin ->P&L Committee ->Board -> action.
Dissemination of UCGIS Position. The following vehicles are available for disseminating UCGIS position statements.
|
Vehicle |
Description |
Lead Time |
Strengths
& Weaknesses |
| Congressional Breakfast | Statement & handout at breakfast. | 4 mos. | Delivers message to Congress, staff, and agencies present. No systematic follow-up. |
| Presidential Letter | Sent to key officials | 2-4 wks. | Goes to key individual(s). Just one statement of many. |
| Listserv | email to delegates, members, or other interested people | 2 wks. | Wide dissemination to GIS community. Little or no connection to policy makers. |
| Grassroots Enlistment | Enlist UCGIS delegates from key states to contact their members of Congress | 2-4 wks. | Congressional members are most responsive to their own constituents. Very labor intensive and may not get positive response from delegate or members of Congress |
| Web Statements | Post positions on UCGIS website | 2 wks. | Open to world. Passive dissemination. |
| Organizational Collaboration | Collaborate with sister organizations, members of UCGIS or not | 6-12 months | Strength through unity; some are experienced in the policy arena. Slow to develop common stand. |
| Coalition for National Science Funding | Support for NSF through membership in another organization | 6-12 months | Strong organization has the lead. UCGIS role is minimal. |
Last updated, July 10. 2002