[APA-InfoTech Leaders] APA-IT DIVISION: 2007/05/25th MeetingMinutes

Fri Jul 13 15:18:09 CDT 2007

I know Dr. Vincent Tao, who is director of Microsoft Virtual Earth. I could ask him if we have a specific request

Jason Levy, PhD
Assistant Professor      
Disaster Reduction and Emergency Preparedness
Huxley College of the Environment
Western Washington University
Arntzen Hall 217
516 High Street, Mail Stop 9085
Bellingham, Washington
98225-9085   USA
Phone: (360) 650-6487
Fax:     (360) 650-7702
http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/~levyj4

________________________________

From: apa-infotech-bounces at list.planning.org on behalf of pi at spatiallink.org
Sent: Fri 7/13/2007 1:08 PM
To: APA-InfoTech Division Leaders
Subject: Re: [APA-InfoTech Leaders] APA-IT DIVISION: 2007/05/25th MeetingMinutes

If the committee agrees, I'd be happy to initiate contact. Now that I
think of it, even though Microsoft wasn't present at our conference,
even they are busy peddling Virtual Earth among local/government
planning/GIS communities.

Also, the membership letter looks good to me.
Harsh

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [APA-InfoTech Leaders] APA-IT DIVISION: 2007/05/25th
Meeting Minutes
From: JENNIFER COWLEY <cowley.11 at osu.edu>
Date: Fri, July 13, 2007 12:45 pm
To: APA-InfoTech Division Leaders <apa-infotech at list.planning.org>

Pursuing Google sounds like a great idea. I think they could be good
to pursue both regarding the booth and for our scholarship/awards
program. Is someone willing to pursue contacting them?

Jennifer Evans-Cowley, PhD, AICP
Assistant Professor and
Planning Education at a Distance Program Director
City and Regional Planning
Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture
The Ohio State University
275 West Woodruff Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1138
(614) 247-7479
cowley.11 at osu.edu

----- Original Message -----
From: pi at spatiallink.org
Date: Friday, July 13, 2007 12:34 pm
Subject: [APA-InfoTech Leaders] APA-IT DIVISION: 2007/05/25th Meeting
Minutes

> Please find attached/embedded the minutes from our last
> conference. I
> will not be able to attend today's call, but here are my thoughts:
>
> * Ken/Lyle,
> I am linking the 2 wireframes from my earlier work with MIG in 2005:
> - http://www.spatiallink.org/images/apa/img_it_mainpage.01.jpg
> - http://www.spatiallink.org/images/apa/img_it_mainpage.02.jpg
> You may use these as starting blocks. MIG uses some robust opensource
> tools like MapServer/PostgreSQL+PostGIS, and this project could also
> result in some good articles on 'Opensource in Planning'- our earlier
> newsletter theme.
>
> * Ken/Milton,
> I had met with some ESRI representatives at this year's conference to
> see if ESRI would continue its planning sponsorship. In that regard,
> Terry Martin [tmartin at esri.com] could refer us to somebody.
> Personally, Google is a bigger fish and their presence at the
> conferenceand their continuing push of Google Earth indicate that
> they may be
> interested in a planning sponsorship.
>
> And all 1-year free membership papers were mailed in early June.
> Thanks, Harsh
> PS: If somebody is doing a write-up on our booth at this year's
> conference, I have some pictures. Also, I am embedding below 2
> previousdiscussions on our website for pointers-
>
> [1]*************************
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: hvp
> RE: [apait-leadership]
>
> team-
> good talk earlier mike. as discussed, here are some links as
> ""food for
> thought"":
> * the yale ""bible"": [http://www.webstyleguide.com/]
> * richness-of-features/speed-of-navigation:
> [http://www.nyas.org/]
> [http://www.cancer.gov/]
> [http://news.google.com/]
> * article submission, page views and response tracking:
> [http://slashdot.org/]
> [http://www.dbforums.com/]
> [http://www.devshed.com/]
> ...but let's keep in mind that the proposed TOWNSQUARE plug-in
> would be
> text-intensive for quicker download, stressing more on usability than
> looks.
>
> mike-
> here's the link to adsense that i had mentioned we look at to
> subsidizeour efforts: [https://www.google.com/adsense/].
>
> dan-
> i tried your network solutions link. however, the process assumes that
> we are going to keep the domain with network solutions. if it is
> OK with
> the team, i suggest we transfer to godaddy. some plans offer emails,
> forums, discussion boards, polls, blogs, all built-in along with the
> usual mysql, php and mambo [if we do go ahead, i suggest we
> transfer the
> hosting before the domain, but there still might be some downtime].
>
> rob-
> we are in the embryonic stage right now WRT TOWNSQUARE, but feel
> free to
> offer any suggestions. once we complete our transfer, we should be
> ableto create a sub-domain just for your SIG.
>
> also, here's a link that you may want to spread about:
> [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/business/01towers.html].
>
> harsh
> [2]*************************
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: hvp
> RE: "
>
> ...great! also, a lot of creative analysis that slices website designs
> is out there for use as a possible starting-point. in the
> meantime, i'll
> add this information about possible host/maintainer to our
> spreadsheet:
> DIVISION
> --WEBSITE
> --HOST/MAINTAINER
>
> Transportation Planning Division
> --http://www.apa-tpd.org/
> --Renaissance Planning Group
>
> Federal Planning Division
> --http://65.23.142.31/
> --http://www.parsons.com/
>
> Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Division
> --http://www.apa-enre.org/
> --WebGraffix
>
> Gays and Lesbians in Planning Division
> --http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/lobby/7016/galip.htm
> --Yahoo
>
> Planning and Women Division
> --http://www.urban.uiuc.edu/APA-PW/index.html
> --UIUC
>
> Regional and Intergovernmental Planning
> --http://www.homestead.com/intergovernmental/
> --Homestead
>
> Resort and Tourism Division
> --http://www.tourismplanning.org/
> --Richard Stephens
>
> harsh
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> From: JENNIFER COWLEY <cowley.11 at osu.edu>
> Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:41:43-0400
>
> Given all of our current time constraints I developed a very simple
> Excel template that we can use and each examine two division websites
> and then later figure out who has the the time to write up the report
> and recommendations.
>
> Please use the attached template and just send a note to all stating
> which websites you'll review. If you see anything extra just add
> it to
> the special features cell and I'll create a column if more than one
> website has it.
>
> I've attached a first stab at an evaluation spreadsheet, look and see
> what you think and feel free to add to this.
>
> Also, think about what would be your recommendations and best
> practices.
> I thought of two
>
> 1) You must have an up to date website, if you don't have the
> resourcesto keep it up to date don't add extra information.
> 2) The website should be viewed as a recruiting and informational tool
> with much of the information available to the public, rather than
> restricting most items to members only.
>
> Please add to this list.
>
> Thanks,
> Jennifer Evans-Cowley, PhD, AICP
> Assistant Professor and
> Planning Education at a Distance Program Director
> City and Regional Planning
> Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture
> The Ohio State University
> 275 West Woodruff Avenue
> Columbus, OH 43210-1138
> (614) 247-7479
> cowley.11 at osu.edu
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: hvp
> Date: Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:04 pm
> >
> > mike,
> > i did some thinking after our phone conversation and realized
> that
> > i would be spreading myself too thin on this one. but i am happy
> > to serve on the committee and pick-up the retreat on the east coast.
> >
> > i agree with chris with regards to jennifer's suggestions. i
> hope
> > that the end-product is best-practices ""with some teeth"". this
> > could be done by tying it in with funding etc. having a
> > representative from each division, as jennifer suggested, would
> > greatly help in that regard.
> >
> > regards, harsh
> >
> > Harsh Prakash
> > Spatial Planner & Website Administrator
> >
> > ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> > From: ""Chris Steins"" <steins at urbaninsight.com>
> > Reply-To: <steins at urbaninsight.com>
> > Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 10:45:02 -0700
> >
> > I like Jennifer's recommendation a lot. I think a somewhat
> systematic> analysis of the Division's websites (where they are
> hosted, what
> > content is provided, what is public/available to members, etc.)
> would> be an outstanding approach, and a nice lead-in to best
> practices> recommendations. The Division would build a lot of
> ""street-cred""
> > within APA for doing this.
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Mike Gritz [MGritz at LasVegasNevada.GOV]
> > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 10:34 AM
> > To: 'JENNIFER COWLEY'; Mike Gritz
> > Cc: 'hvp'; 'Chris Steins'; 'Milton Ospina'; Tjiong, Judy; Robert
> Smith> (E-mail 2)
> > Subject: RE: FW: APA Divisions Website
> >
> > Will do Jennifer. Thanks for participating. Harsh, are you ready?
> >
> > Chris, Any comments?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Mike
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: JENNIFER COWLEY [cowley.11 at osu.edu]
> > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 10:24 AM
> > To: Mike Gritz
> > Cc: 'hvp'; 'Chris Steins'; 'Milton Ospina'; Tjiong, Judy; Robert
> Smith> (E-mail 2)
> > Subject: Re: FW: APA Divisions Website
> >
> > Mike,
> >
> > I'm really pressed for time right now. I would be happy to
> serve on
> > the
> > committee, but perhaps Harsh could chair it. I think the committee
> > should
> > have at least one representative for each division.
> >
> > I think we could develop a divide and conquer mentality by reviewing
> > all of
> > the division websites, identifying what we think is good and then
> > putting
> > together a best practices kind of memo that can be distributed
> to each
> > of
> > the divisions letting them know the kinds of information they should
> > be
> > providing.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Jennifer Evans-Cowley, PhD, AICP
> > Assistant Professor and
> > Planning Education at a Distance Program Director City and Regional
> > Planning
> > Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture The Ohio State University
> > 275 West Woodruff Avenue
> > Columbus, OH 43210-1138
> > (614) 247-7479
> > cowley.11 at osu.edu
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Mike Gritz <MGritz at LasVegasNevada.GOV>
> > Date: Friday, July 29, 2005 1:14 pm
> > Subject: FW: APA Divisions Website
> > >
> > > Jennifer and Harsh,
> > >
> > > Clyde Forrest, Divisions Council Chair needs our help. Jennifer,
> > > I'm
> > > not sure if you have the time to chair this committee. I'm
> > > happy to
> > >
> > > serve on it. I'd like to offer it to you since you have done so
> > > much
> > > web research in the past. Is this something you would be
> interested> >
> > > in? Harsh, Would you be able to provide assistance to
> Jennifer, or
> > > if
> > > Jennifer is tight on time, either Co-Chair or Chair this
> committee.> >
> > > I'm willing to help too.
> > >
> > > Let me know if you have time available for this and maybe we
> can set
> > >
> > > up a conference call on it. I'll assist with gathering any
> > > resources.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Mike
> > > 702-229-6889
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Clyde Forrest [cforrest at express.cites.uiuc.edu]
> > > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 9:19 AM
> > > To: mgritz at lasvegasnevada.gov
> > > Cc: dglosser at insightbb.com; michael.delk at myclearwater.com;
> > > mdmld at msn.com;wblanton at citiesthatwork.com;
> > > afreund at mail.co.washoe.nv.us;MWelch at planning.org;
> > > STurner at planning.org
> > > Subject: APA Divisions Website
> > >
> > > Dear Mike;
> > > The divisions could use the expertize of one of your members
> to
> > > to
> > > improvethe content of the Divisions site on the APA. This is
> to
> > > request that you appoint a Chair of a working group for this task.
> > > The Chair might need a small budget and should be willing to
> > > spend
> > > time on a regular basis to improve the role of Divisions in
> the
> > > national planningmovement.
> > >
> > > Of course close coordination with Susan Turner in the APA
> > > national
> > > officewill be required.
> > > Improvement Ideas I have had include:
> > > -links to other information sources
> > > - information about Scholarships ( see the Chapters site for
> > > information)- information about the Divisions Council -
> > > information
> > > about the elections cycle and leadership opportunities -lack of
> > > fresh
> > > information about Division current accomplishments,(the news
> > > letter
> > > examples are from 2003)
> > >
> > > Let me know if you will take this on as a task and who you have
> > > designated.--
> > >
> > > Clyde W. Forrest, FAICP
> > > Chair Divisions Council
> > > Professor Emeritus
> > > Urban and Regional Planning
> > > 111 Buell Hall,
> > > Champaign ILL. 61820
> > > 217-344-6331
> ****************
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> ------------
> Information Technology Division of the American Planning Association:
> Executive
> Committee Meeting Minutes
>
> 25th May 2007 [1:00 - 2:00 EST]
> 1-888-245-4141
> X 394006
>
> Attendees
> 1. Ken Snyder, Chair
> 2. Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Vice-Chair
> 3. Harsh Prakash, Secretary/Treasurer
> 4. Judy Tjiong, Division Coordinator
> 5. Milton Ospina, Communications Chair
> 6. Robert Smith, Telecommunications SIG Chair
> 7. Gordon Hansen, Policy Chair
> 8. Lyle Hornbaker, Website Chair
>
> Ken called the meeting to order shortly after 1:00 PM and brought up
> the following meeting agenda for review:
>
> 1. Approve Agenda
> 2. Welcome New Chairs
> 3. National Planning Conference (APA 2007) Highlights:
> Leadership Meetings
> Division Booth
> By-Rights Sessions
> Reception
> Division Awards
> 4. Newsletter Update
> 5. Planning for By-rights Sessions
> 6. Website Opportunities
> 7. Next Steps/Next Meeting
> 8. Other
>
> Ken kick-started the Executive Committee meeting by proposing to
> convert email addresses on the division's website to their image
> representations so as to prevent spammers from harvesting those
> addresses. Harsh mentioned a scripting alternative to obfuscate
> the said
> addresses, if required.
>
> Ken informed the members about his promising discussions with Steve
> Kokotas of MIG (http://www.migcom.com/) at the 2007 National
> Conference,and the possibility of working with MIG on the division
> website. Harsh
> mentioned his earlier interactions with Steve in 2005 that left him
> impressed with regards to MIG's professionalism, and strongly
> recommended MIG. Ken added that he would talk with Steve about their
> next steps.
>
> Then Harsh requested the mailing addresses of the luck-draw
> winners so
> that he could mail their 1-year free memberships. Ken promised to
> emailthe requested information.
>
> Later Ken welcomed Gordon as Policy Chair, Lyle as Website Chair,
> Geneas Membership Chair and Jason as Conference Chair, and
> described his
> experiences as Division Chair at the 2007 National Conference. He
> talkedabout his leadership meetings that went over the business
> items for all
> divisions. He informed the committee that according to APA National,
> there were approximately 14,000 registered members at this year's
> conference, and the divisions were witnessing an average drop of
> 3% in
> their memberships, except for the regional ones. He said that in
> generalthe divisions gave APA National an unsatisfactory rating
> because of what
> they saw as a lack of proactive assistance in attracting new members.
> Milton interjected by questioning the total number since he remembered
> that the 2005 National Conference had about 7,000 registered members.
> Ken promised to double-check the total. Milton suggested giving away
> 1-year free memberships to attract new members. Harsh added that since
> their membership dues showed a significant drop in the 3rd quarter of
> every calendar year for the past 2 years, that would be a good
> time for
> the new membership chair- Gene, to ramp-up his outreach. Lyle
> asked to
> confirm possible correlations between the national membership
> trends and
> the division membership trends.
>
> Then Ken brought up their report evaluation. He said that some APA
> divisions had failed their evaluations and were punished by having
> someprivileges taken away. He was pleased to share that the Technology
> Division was 1 of 2 divisions graded exceptional. On Report
> Projections,Harsh informed that their last report (prepared under
> Chris Steins) did
> not include any projections. Ken replied that a simple summary would
> suffice, and promised to get in touch regarding the projections.
>
> Ken also shared his experiences at the division booth. He said that
> their booth enjoyed a good location and thanked everyone for their
> helpin manning the booth. He requested the committee to offer a 1-
> year free
> membership to Jason Lally for his hard work as a booth volunteer. The
> committee readily agreed and Harsh promised to mail the necessary
> papers.
>
> Ken took an opportunity to thank ESRI (http://www.esri.com/) for its
> assistance with their banner printing. He also formally confirmed the
> division's name change to 'Technology' by APA National.
>
> Then Ken informed the committee about the success of their 2 by-
> rightssessions. He also said that he had expressed his displeasure
> at the
> conference's furniture arrangements with APA National. Gordon and
> Harshshared Ken's displeasure with the "inflexible" furniture
> layout. Robert
> agreed that it was not implemented right and would be a
> point-for-improvement in the future.
>
> Later Ken proposed a project to assess divisions' websites. He said
> that it would entail talking with the respective chairs with
> regards to
> their website functionalities. He added that since APA National
> was in
> the process of revamping its own website, the project would be
> well-timed, and asked for interested volunteers. Harsh offered his
> expertise to work with Lyle. Lyle offered to begin drafting
> letters to
> the chairs. Ken suggested using Google Docs for any collaborative
> editing. Harsh added that another service- ThinkFree
> (http://www.thinkfree.com/), offered some extra functionality like
> creating, editing and sharing presentations, and could also be used.
>
> Ken also informed the members about a division-wide conference
> call on
> 06/05th/2007 (3 PM EST)- organized by APA National, it would go over
> booth-related contributions. He said that he would ask Jason to take
> that call. Jennifer was also nominated to represent the division
> for the
> call.
>
> With regards to the division awards, Jennifer suggested reducing the
> number of categories. Ken said that that could also increase the
> individual prize money. On prize money, Milton reminded the committee
> that given his departure from ESRI, he could no longer promise ESRI's
> sponsorship of their awards. In turn, Harsh proposed making all of
> their4 newsletter issues digital, and thus saving on some
> exorbitant printing
> costs. Judy replied that she would prefer to have 1 newsletter issue
> remain as hard-copy for distribution at conferences. Harsh suggested
> printing some special copies for conferences, and added that the fewer
> numbers would still save them money. Ken cautioned that as the
> divisionshops for sponsorships, it should remain cognizant of the many
> registration deadlines. Milton suggested reserving the booth first and
> cancelling it if their sponsorships do not come through. Harsh
> suggestedapproaching PCIA (http://www.pcia.com/) for more sponsorship.
>
> Ken also informed the members about the theme of their next
> newsletter-
> Environmental Management and Technology. He said that Jocelyn Hittle,
> Newsletter Editor, was looking for articles.
>
> Then the committee scheduled its next meeting on 06/08th/2007 (1 PM
> EST). Jennifer offered to email her report on the division-wide call
> since she would not be able to attend their next meeting.
>
> Finally, Ken adjourned the meeting.
>
> Respectfully recorded
> Harsh Prakash
> Secretary/Treasurer
> -------------------
>
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