After a much debated and detailed discussion on LinkedIn it was determined that many people are not aware of all the professional geomatics associations that are available in Canada nor witch ones they should become part of (especially since some cost money and most can not afford to join them all).
Therefore I started this new section on the website to cover some of the organizations that I am either a member of or know information about.
The plan will be to cover at least one of these professional geomatics associations in more detail every month. So if you see one that I have missed from the list or have some information to add to one of these then feel free to let me know (all feedback is welcome)
The Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) is a non profit professional association that was created in 1989 to help further develop the already active geomatics industry in Nova Scotia. GANS’s main objectives are to promote the geomatics in Nova Scotia making it more competitive and increasing its contribution to the economy within all sectors, collaborating amongst a broad membership representing both the public and private sectors. The field of Geomatics in Nova Scotia spans a wide variety of disciplines including forestry, engineering, municipal planning, mining, mineral exploration, transportation and utilities. It is also widely practised by all levels of Canadian governments, private industry and education sectors.
The GANS organization has an open door policy and invites anyone with interests in Geomatics activities to become a member. Membership fees for the association is kept relatively low and affordable and is currently only $50* per year with free memberships provided to any student of a Geomatics program. Corporate and Institutional memberships fees are a little more ($300)* but provide different benefits on top of the basic membership such as advertising on their web site, logos included in newsletters and reduced cost for memberships on top of the memberships included. GANS memberships can be paid online via paypal through their web site or by traditional methods. GANS has between 90 and 100 registered members. [*based on 2011 rates]
GANS is regularly active during the year providing a wide variety of different activities and benefits. Opportunities are planned at least once a month for meetings featuring guest speakers from the Geomatics sector promoting excellence in geomatics education or industry, training seminars, and conferences / workshops. GANS sponsors the Geomatics Atlantic Conference every year and hosts it in Nova Scotia about every three years. Most of the events and gatherings during the year are free with the exception of conference and workshops, or ones that are other wise noted. [GANS is hosting the 2012 Geomatics Atlantic Conference taking place in Halifax later this month]
The GANS website offers a variety of information about the organization and the local geomatics industry through different sections including a forum, news/events section, jobs section, resources section, social media and much more. The members only section provides members with a private member directory where members can post contact information to share with one another for networking.
GANS activities and benefits
- guest speakers from the Geomatics sector
- network with other IT organizations.
- promote excellence in geomatics education / career development
- advocacy with government agencies
- promote of industry to external markets
- support professional development
- GANS Newsletter; Access to mailing list; company profiles in news
- Seminars, conferences and workshops at reduced rates
- GANS sponsors the Geomatics Atlantic Conference
- Networking with geomatics professionals; recruitment; venture development
I am sure that you can easliy see that by becoming a member of GANS you will have joined a professional geomatics association at a really low cost (or at no cost if you are a student!) that you can count towards most certification programs and help further your career development. Being a GANS member can provide yopu many opprotuniites where you can network with other professionals and organizations of similar interests, and help promote the geomatics industry in Nova Scotia. So why not share your geomatics knowledge and experiences with other members while networking and furthering your geomatics career by becoming a member of GANS.
If you are located in the Maritimes and not yet a GANS member then I recommend that you join and get involved in GANS activiteies (tell them CanadianGIS.com recommended you join …).
Website: http://GANS.ca
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GANSorg
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Geomatics-Association-of-Nova-Scotia-GANS/141510735869915
