June 12, 2013 -- The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) announces that the Geographic Land and Information Society (GLIS) has become the newest member of the GISCI family of organizations. GLIS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GISCI and is now a part of the organization. They will be appointing two members to join the current 10-member board.
GLIS is a 501(3)(c) corporation, founded in 1992 and incorporated in 1993. GLIS recognizes the value of diversity and offers full membership to all individuals and organizations that have an interest in the geospatial industry, regardless of what they do or where they are in their career. The mission of GLIS is to encourage the appropriate use of surveying and mapping technologies in the development and use of geographic and land information systems. Their vision is to build a strong, unified organization that is inclusive of all of the related disciplines of surveying, mapping and geospatial technologies. These philosophies make them a natural partner of those organizations already members of GISCI.
GLIS’ vision is that it establishes itself as the go-to organization for any national survey-related GIS issue or concern, that they are successful in establishing relationships and affiliations with many other national geospatial organizations, that they provide for the professional and educational needs of anyone involved in the geospatial industry, and remain flexible enough to change with the advances in technology and the evolving interests of their members.
“GLIS contributes a unique perspective in the geospatial industry and they seek to better the professional understanding of the many technologies that comprise land information systems. They understand that surveying and GIS capabilities are complementary and that we can learn more about how they operate in a unified profession,” said Mike Vanhook, GISCI President. “In designing an examination that is fair and accessible to all GIS professionals, we think that GLIS will provide support and diversity that will enhance the entire certification program.”
In bringing a new member organization on board, the GISCI evaluates each new candidate upon the basis of sharing a common vision, having a unique perspective on the geospatial industry that will benefit both it and GISCI, have and promote a program that is fair and accessible to all geospatial professionals, support a unified certification program, and have the potential of reaching a new market segment. The GLIS request for membership met all the GISCI criteria outlined in the GISCI Bylaws.
About GISCI
The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) provides the geographic information systems (GIS) community with a complete certification program. GISCI offers participants from the first years on the job until retirement a positive method of developing value for professionals and employers in the GIS profession. The organization is now developing an exam component for the GISP Certification to be implemented in early 2015, and it has certified over 5,200 GISPs, worldwide.
Its member organizations include the Association of American Geographers (AAG), Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), and Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA).
Contact: Bill Hodge GISP
GISCI Executive Director