It is a pleasure to bring you an update on the activities of GANS, the Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia, as we reach the half-way mark of our 2015-2016 year.

Your Board of Directors and Working Groups have made considerable progress on the goals presented at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. We would like to highlight a few of the many accomplishments:

• GANS became a founding member of GeoAlliance Canada, a non-profit umbrella organization that aims to provide leadership to fuse together the energy and resources of existing geospatial business, non-profit, education and government organizations across Canada. http://geoalliance.ca

• GANS co-hosted Digital Earth 2015, a high-visibility gathering of scientists, engineers, technologists, and environmental managers from around the world who met to share concepts, research findings, technologies, and practical applications relating to the Digital Earth vision for the integrated use of digital technologies to monitor, map, model, and manage our planet’s environments.

• The Education Working Group introduced a highly acclaimed Geographic Education Poster campaign to attract senior high school students to geomatics related professions. These posters, which are posted in high schools across the province, feature recent graduates who have gone on to enjoy fulfilling careers in geomatics. The posters and accompanying narratives are available online http://gans.ca/Geospatial-Careers

• The Education Working Group also introduced a Creative Map Competition in recognition of International Map Year. The competition is open to students from primary to post-secondary studies. More information is available at http://gans.ca/map-competition.html

• The Events Working Group introduced new professional and social events that are attracting ever increasing interest from both our members and those of affiliated industry associations. An example is the highly successful Land Registration Forum. On March 2nd, GANS will host a presentation on Urban Planning in HRM with speakers form the HRM Planning Department.

• The Finance Committee strengthened the GANS revenue base and contributed to the financial sustainability of the organization by broadening the revenue stream to include a viable mix membership fees, sponsorship fees, grants and event fees.

• The Membership Working Group increased the total GANS membership to over 200, a 67% increase over the previous year.

• The Communications Working Group continues to provide a strong web presence ensuring GANS initiatives reach the Nova Scotia geomatics sector and the broader geospatial community.

• The Private Sector Working Group introduced a successful Mentorship Program for assisting younggeomatics professionals. This program has attracted national attention and been lauded by GeoAlliance Canada as a new standard for organizations throughout Canada.

These accomplishments are built on the hard work of a dedicated Board and members of the GANS Working Groups. Together we will work over the next six months to continue to advance these and other initiatives, including the Digital Atlas of Nova Scotia, for which more information will be forthcoming shortly.

Please consider candidates for the 2016 GANS Award of Distinction. This award is presented to an individual or an organization having made an extraordinary contribution to the geomatics sector in Nova Scotia. Nomination Forms can be found on the GANS website, http://www.gans.ca/

At this time, GANS is also preparing a position in regard to the proposed Alternative Service Delivery to provide outsourced delivery services for the provincial motor vehicle, land registry and joint stock companies’ registries. In preparation for the possibility of a decision to include the land registry in alternative service delivery, GANS is preparing for the stakeholder engagement. Your thoughts on this matter are welcome in helping us prepare our position. 

Please contact me by email if you would like to contribute to the discussion, [email protected]

Finally, the Board and I wish all of you continued success in the coming months. Do great work, have lots of fun and maintain good work/life balance. We hope to see you at the March event at the Halifax Central Library and at other events culminating at our Annual General Meeting in June.