Iowa Geographic Information Council

Current Issues

• Development of the Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure
  Read the final report for the GIS ROI from GITA and get more information about the development of the Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure. Read more here...
  
• IGIC Strategic and Business Plan
  IGIC recently received an NSDI CAP Award to complete its strategic planning process and develop a business plan which will focus on further development of the Iowa spatial data infrastructure (SDI). State SDIs involve the coordination of programs, policies, technologies, and resources to foster a coordinated effort of geospatial data collection, documentation through metadata, data discovery mechanisms, distribution, and exchange. Details on how you can contribute and participate in this process will be posted here soon.
  
  

Getting Started

• What is GIS?
  Take a look at our resource guide section 'About GIS'.
  

• What is included in the Resource Guide?
  Explore the ever expanding Resource Guide where member contributions are sharing their information on technologies, trends, and standards. The Guides are organized around interest areas and industries using GIS and geospatial technologies and information.

  • Find out about user groups in your area of interest or meeting close to you. User groups in Iowa come in three varieties: software driven; interest/issue driven; and those based on geographic location.

  • Find links to companies or organizations providing GIS services, educational opportunities, software, or hardware under GIS Services.

  • Information and links related to developing and maintaining metadata.

• Who is IGIC? What is IGIC?
  Learn more about IGIC as an organization.
  
  

Getting Involved

• Representation
  The Council consists of representatives from federal, state, county, regional and local governments, colleges and universities, and the private sector. The IGIC consists of twenty-five Board Members that represent each of the functional sectors. As a member driven organization, IGIC relies heavily on the support of its membership in accomplishing its mission and objectives. Even if you are not a member of the Board, IGIC needs your interest and support. Consider contacting us with your ideas on how to make the organization better adapted to fulfilling the needs of Iowa's GIS community.
  
• Membership
  Would you like to contribute content or tap the resources of Iowa's GIS community? Become a member. Membership is free and open to interested individuals. Membership requests click here.
  
• Committees
  The Council’s strategic objectives are addressed by focused Committees. To view the listing of committees, click here. Contact the current listed chair on how to get involved with the activities of that committee. If you see areas in need of focus that are not listed, please contact the Council Chair.
  
• Meetings
  The Council meets quarterly to discuss GIS issues in the State of Iowa. The meetings are split into two parts: the first half of the meeting is spent conducting Council business. Various speakers comprise the second half of the meeting educating participants on available datasets, project updates and other GIS concerns.
  
• Conference
  The 2011 IGIC Conference was held in Dubuque, on April 12 - 15, 2011.   The next IGIC Conference is in the planning stages for April 2013.
  
• User Groups
  A variety of user groups meet around the state of Iowa. There are 3 primary types: those that are software driven; those that are interest/issue driven; and those driven by geographic location.
  
  

Guiding Principles

• Promote the use of geographic information technology among public and private organizations and individuals for planning, decision-making and problem-solving processes.
• Promote education and training in GIS and related technologies within all levels of education.
• Adopt, communicate and promote standards for use by the GIS community to facilitate data collection and promote data sharing.
• Promote partnerships for the purpose of data development and data sharing.
• Provide a mechanism through which the interests and concerns of Iowa's GIS community can be directed to appropriate policy makers.
• Provide operating policies and procedures for management of the Council.

IGIC Contacts