SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF URISA BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA)

Recorded by Lorenda Lee

In attendance:

Kim Mathis

Ingrid Bruce

Lisa Lubeley

Laszlo Mariahazy

Lorenda Lee

Dan Henderson

ITEM 1: CHAPTER REORGANIZATION

Results from Section Presidents regarding members’ comments

Members from all Sections were contacted via email explaining our plans for consolidating Sections into one Chapter board and asked for their comments. 21 responses were received (17 from San Diego and 4 from Orange). Results showed that the majority of our members (95%) welcomed the idea of consolidating Sections providing we continue to hold meetings at the local level to maintain the close-knit feel of certain GIS communities, such as San Diego.

A letter will be sent to National notifying them of these results along with a map of the Chapter’s new service area.

Timeline for Implementation

The 2003 CalGIS Conference, April 9-11, was chosen as the date for implementation.  By this time, the first Chapter URISA Certified Workshop should be planned, marketing tools be produced, a new membership form created, and a letter explaining the reorganization should be written.

Ingrid suggested doing a video to be used at the CalGIS conference as a marketing tool for the Chapter. The video should promote the benefits of becoming a SOCAL member and briefly explain the restructure of our Section and Chapter boards. Ingrid and Kim will work on contacting videographers and getting cost estimates/other ideas. A conference call will be set up in January to go over intent, ideas for content, other uses for video and questions for videographer.

New Board Positions

The following new board positions were discussed: Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Programs Chair and Membership Chair. It was decided that these positions should be filled after the CalGIS conference to attract interested members from throughout the Southern California region. Concern has been expressed at the ratio of San Diego board members to other counties (3:1).

Update on Central Chapter Status, New Board & Events

Larry Vredenbraugh, Central Chapter/Kern Section President, gave a brief update on new board members.

President - Larry Vredenbraugh

Vice President – Leah Metzger

Secretary – Colleen Mesel

Treasurer – Michael Heimer

Kern attracted over 100 attendees on GIS day.

ITEM 2: TREASURER REPORT

Mike was unable to attend. Kim gave a brief status report on our account.

ITEM 3: CALGIS CONFERENCE UPDATE

The conference will be held April 9-11 in Palm Springs. Early registration is now available.

ITEM 4: NEW BUSINESS, NEXT MEETING DATE

• National membership fees are due. Board members should fill out membership forms on-line (www.urisa.org) and either send to Mike with request for him to pay or pay membership fees yourself and get Mike to reimburse. Primary board members should be National members (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary). 
• Open Space/Farmland Preservation GIS Specialty Conference discussed. It was decided it should be hosted by Central Chapter of URISA since this topic corresponds more with Central Valley regional issues (vs. Southern CA)
• San Diego Section Holiday party was announced. All board members invited.
• Scholarship News: A statement is being sent out via email to Sections and Southern California universities and colleges (Dan).
• Next meeting: Conference call scheduled for January 22, 2002 to discuss video. Kim will contact board via email with details. Ingrid will be in India January 15 -31. Next board meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2003 at OCTA.

CONFERENCE CALL JANUARY 22, 2003

NEXT MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2003