Wayfinders

tanya
What qualifies someone to be a mapgiving team member (a.k.a. wayfinder)? First of all, you've got to be someone who loves maps enough to sit in a room with other talented cartographers for up to 12 hours working towards the common goal of creating an outstanding map for a client you've just met. Sound like fun? We're counting on it.

We'll take care of wayfinders while they're working...They'll be well fed and watered, as they embark on the challenge of collaborating with their professional colleagues...and plotting a course for project completion.

The logistics of it all: Each team member must come prepared with his or her own laptop and appropriate software, or be able to borrow one, could be a teammate, who isn't required to be working on the project at the same time. This can be coordinated with the team captain. The mapping will begin at 4 pm MDT on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, and can last until 4 am, if necessary. Team members only need to be present for their specific task, but are encouraged to hang around throughout the process.

The info, as it was sent to the captains:

"Thank you for agreeing to be a captain for the mapgiving kick-off. Now it’s time to assemble your team. Once your roster is set, you will not need to do anything until Tuesday, October 7.

A few rules and guidelines for team membership:
• Each team must have at least one student team member
• No more than two members on a team who are currently employed by the same organization
• Teams can be up to 6 people
• Team members, must have access to a laptop and necessary software
• Team members do not need to be present for the entire Kick-off, but will need to be present to complete their mapgiving expected goals (as determined by the captain)
• Mapping will begin at 4 pm on Tuesday, October 7 (orientation at 3 pm MDT) and can last 12 hours
• All team members will receive a digital copy of the final map(s)
• The final map will be given to the client to use as they wish

A bit about the client:
• State trail in Wisconsin
• Client is looking for a “snappier” map than what they currently have, would like to include things like running/biking routes, points of interest that the trail connects, as well as points of interest along the trail, mile markers
• The initial use of this product will be for an on-line map, with simple interactivity (e.g., a link to the websiteof the point of interest), there is potential for it to be used in the future as a printed product
• There will be two scales of the map, this is where the team division will be

A bit about the setup:
• We will camp out in a room within the hotel
• Internet will be available, necessary data will be provided to you at the orientation
• Food and drinks will be provided throughout the event (please alert us to dietary requirements and preferences)"

It's coming together now...

Clients and Captains

tanya
Lou and I had a great conference call with our first client last week on Friday. Early on in the conversation we realized that there is plenty of work for two teams to tackle with this one project. For the kick-off we'll have one client. Two teams will work on different aspects of the project resulting in two finished maps.

The client will remain anonymous until the kick-off on October 7, in Missoula. We have given the captains some general information about the project so they can recruit the right talent to join their teams.

The team captains for the kick-off event received their invitations to the mapping marathon this week. As we had hoped, the response from the captains was quite enthusiastic.


Invitation text:

"Dear X,

You are cordially invited to be one of two captains for the mapgiving kick-off event to be held on Tuesday, October 7 in Missoula, Montana.

As a captain your responsibilities would include, assembling a team of cartographers who can complete a mapping project, which we will describe upon receiving your acceptance of our invitation. On Tuesday, October 7, when you arrive to the hotel, you will find your way to the mapgiving location for the evening. Food, drinks and a whole lotta fun and camaraderie will fill the evening. You and your team members can come and go as you wish. However, as a captain you will need to be present for the orientation which will begin at 3 pm MDT on Tuesday, production is expected to begin at 4 pm and can last up to12 hours.

The goal is to work with diverse group of cartographers to complete a task for an organization that is doing good work. The results of this session will be presented at the opening session where the teams and captains will have a chance to talk about the experience and process.

For a little more background, visit: www.mapgiving.org, which will direct you to our blog. As soon as we have received your confirmation, we will fill you in on more details and assist you in setting up your team. Please respond to: info@mapgiving.org.

Sincerely,
Lou and Tanya"

Two more have joined the effort... a few more to go...

Kick-off event!

tanya
On Wednesday, October 8 a group of cartographers will be gathering in preparation for an annual meeting. The day before, will be the big mapgiving kick-off event. We are hoping to finalize details with the nonprofit clients we have contacted.

The next task is to find the captains of the two teams!

The event will be a high energy mapping jam-session for a good cause:

• Teams arrive in Missoula

• Set up workstations at mapgiving headquarters

• Food, drinks, and camaraderie to be had

• Final products will be unveiled at the opening session of the conference on Wednesday

Plan to follow along, here, as we go through the evening. Festivities to begin at 3 pm MDT on October 7.