Vanguard Cabinet

URISA is pleased to present its Vanguard Cabinet. The Vanguard Cabinet (VC) is a URISA initiative (which debuted in 2011) to engage young GIS practitioners, increase their numbers in the organization, and better understand the concerns facing these future leaders of the GIS community.  The VC is an advisory board made up of URISA young professionals who represent the young membership of the organization. The Cabinet’s mission is to collaborate with URISA’s Board of Directors and Committees in creating and promoting programs and policies of benefit to young professionals. Comprised entirely of passionate young members selected from different geospatial disciplines, the Cabinet aims to position URISA as the center of opportunities for creative young professionals who are committed to improving URISA and the geospatial profession via innovation, collaboration, networking, and professional development.  

Each year (usually December), interested applicants submit a resume and answer questions related to the mission of the Vanguard Cabinet. A Steering Committee reviews the submissions and selects the members of the Cabinet. Each member serves a two-year appointment.

Five new members were named following the 2013 application process. The VC is pleased to welcome:

• Caitlin Blundell - Mississauga, Ontario
• Andrew Hayslip - St Petersburg, Florida
• Shannon Reilly - St Petersburg, Florida
• Chauncey Robbs - Alexandria, Virginia
• Wendy Peloquin - Atlanta, Georgia

Caitlin Blundell - "As a recently graduated GIS professional and entrepreneur, I know firsthand the importance of connecting with peers and mentors. The field is always changing and evolving, and communicating about new ideas and innovative tools will help drive the entire industry forward. I'm excited to be a part of the Vanguard Cabinet as it develops tools to engage and connect people from different disciplines. Connect with me @geog_design.".

Andrew Hayslip - "The next generation of geographers, planners, scientists, and GIS practitioners represent the future of these disciplines, which we can all agree are astoundingly and increasingly important. I'm honored to help represent this generation as a member of the Vanguard Cabinet, and through working with my fellow cabinet members and other URISA members, I hope to foster better connections between young professionals in this field and provide additional outlets for personal, academic, and professional growth."

Shannon Reilly - "I am looking forward to bringing some of the unique ways GIS is used in private business to the VC. I also look forward to finding new ways to use GIS from my peers in the government and environmental side. I think in joining in these two perspectives we can really open up the GIS profession to those still in college and out of college alike to opportunity they may not have otherwise seen."

Chauncey Robbs - "I am very excited to be a member of the Vanguard Cabinet. During my tenure, I look forward to working with URISA’s leadership and its members to introduce young professionals to a community that can aid in their professional growth through mentorship, training seminars, and networking opportunities. I will strive to ensure that my peers have an avenue to share their ideas and to engage in the affairs of URISA."

Wendy Peloqiun - "The Vanguard Cabinet provides valuable resources for young GIS professionals through URISA. Networking, building relationships, and sharing knowledge with other professionals are important pieces to enhancing the future of GIS. As part of the Vanguard Cabinet, I am excited to have the opportunity to help other young professionals get involved in the GIS community.”

Vision, Mission and Member Policies

Vanguard Cabinet - Vision, Mission and Member Policies

The Vanguard Cabinet (VC) is a URISA initiative to engage young GIS practitioners, increase their numbers in the organization, and better understand the concerns facing these future leaders of the GIS community.  The VC is an advisory board made up of URISA young professionals who represent the young membership of the organization.  The Cabinet’s mission is to collaborate with URISA’s Board of Directors and Committees in creating and promoting programs and policies of benefit to young professionals. Comprised entirely of passionate young members selected from different geospatial disciplines, the Cabinet aims to position URISA as the center of opportunities for creative young professionals who are committed to improving URISA and the geospatial profession via innovation, collaboration, networking, and professional development.  

URISA members who are 35 and under are encouraged to apply for membership to the Cabinet. Each year, five young professionals will be selected by the Vanguard Steering Committee, and each will serve a two year appointment on the Cabinet. In addition, each Cabinet member will participate on a URISA Committee to bring their unique perspective to the activities of that Committee. In recognition of their service, each Cabinet member will be offered a free GIS-Pro conference registration while serving on the Cabinet.  In addition, one Cabinet member will be chosen as GIS Young Professional of the Year and will be awarded free tuition to the URISA Leadership Academy (www.urisa.org/ULA).

If you want to connect and network with young, ambitious GIS practitioners who are committed to improving their profession and their communities, then the Vanguard Cabinet is the organization for you.  If you think you have what it takes to be in the URISA Vanguard Cabinet, please complete the application form.  Contact Wendy Nelson, URISA International Executive Director, if you have any questions about the application or your prospective appointment.  Thank you for your interest in the Vanguard Cabinet and good luck!

Sincerely,

The Vanguard Steering Committee:

• Clare Brown, GISP - Chair of the Vanguard Steering Committee and Treasurer of the URISA International Board of Directors - Data Manager, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
• Amy Esnard - President of the Oregon/Southwest Washington URISA Chapter - GIS Manager, City of Portland, OR
• Hilary Perkins, GISP, AICP - Immediate Past President of URISA - Planner, City of Maryland Heights, MO

Vanguard Cabinet Committees

Mentoring Committee

Chair: Diana Maties

The mentoring committee is focused on fostering relationships between individuals who have questions or needs regarding the GIS profession, and individuals who have the knowledge or skills to answer those questions.  Entering into a profession is a difficult task in itself and the goal of this mentoring program is to provide individuals with an invaluable asset, which are people that have the knowledge, experience, and skills that can become their go-to person. 

This committee is responsible for creating a website that hosts this mentoring program, developing resource materials that help mentors and mentees  in this process, and coming up with innovative ways to make this mentoring program a success. If you have ever wanted to mentor someone, have questions about career paths or resume development, have experience with developing or hosting a website, or simply want to be part of a group focused on connecting people, this is the place for you!

If you are interesting in joining this committee or have any questions please contact Diana Maties.

Proceed to the Vanguard Cabinet Mentoring Site

Outreach Committee

Chair: Ashley Hitt

This committee is responsible for outreach to university students in geospatial fields and developing programs/events to support students in their academic work and their transition into young professionals. The main objectives of this group are to attract student members to URISA and to cultivate university relationships.

The committee meets via conference call on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 PM Eastern. Please contact Ashley Hitt if you are interested in joining this committee.