Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), I'm excited to announce the launch of the first USGIF Young Professionals Group (YPG) monthly newsletter. This newsletter is a part of a larger Foundation effort to enhance our media and outreach services to the community, and it will specifically focus on the needs and interests of YPG members. That said, your comments and suggestions are welcome, and we would appreciate your help in naming this new monthly mailing.

With the YPG entering its fourth year, our membership, programs and exposure to Intelligence Community senior leadership has never been stronger. In 2012, the Young Professionals Working Group (YPWG) plans to continue hosting monthly keynotes, panels, or networking events, while also increasing the number of learning opportunities for members, to include specialized workshops and a forthcoming USGIF professional development initiative. We also plan to sponsor more GeoHunt activities for school groups around the region, and organize YPG volunteers to support local charities and service projects. Additionally, the YPWG is moving to place members of the YPG across all of the Foundation's Committees and Subcommittees, thereby integrating the ideals and perspectives of young professionals across the entire USGIF management structure. Please watch this newsletter, other email announcements, and our website for more information or to volunteer.

We started the year off strong with a keynote by Kevin Pomfret on geolocation privacy in January, and now are looking forward to Dr. Todd Bacastow and Sue Kalweit's discussion of the GEOINT 4.0 concept and the future learning needs of our community on 15 February 2012, at the Hyatt Dulles. These senior experts will share their observations and forecasts for what tomorrow may hold, but they are looking for insight and input from the YPG to focus the USGIF vision of the future. Please join us if able.

 Again, this year is shaping up to be a busy and productive one for USGIF and the YPG; I hope you all look to be as involved as possible, and that this newsletter serves you well in that respect.

Respectfully,
Eric R. Zitz
Booz Allen Hamilton
USGIF Board of Directors

Welcome to the new monthly Young Professionals Group (YPG) Newsletter! You are receiving this as a valued member of the USGIF YPG. Here, you’ll have the chance to catch up on the latest news, events, and hot topics within the YPG and the community at large.

You get what you put into this group, and keeping this in mind we want you to know this is newsletter is your outlet. That’s why we’re giving young professionals the opportunity to submit your own articles on topics of interest and importance to you.

‘Official YPG Newsletter’ is a mouthful and doesn’t accurately represent what this newsletter will become as it develops. Thanks to a suggestion from YPG member Lee Vorthman, NetApp, during this month’s Young Professionals Working Group Meeting, we also thought it would be fun to let you name this newsletter.

If you have newsletter name suggestions or want to provide content for this newsletter (or both!), please email us at ypg@usgif.org with your thoughts.

Content for the newsletter will always be accepted on a rolling basis. However, we ask you submit newsletter title suggestions by February 29. In next month’s issue, we’ll poll you on these names, and whichever name gets the majority vote will be used until the end of time.

February 15
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, VA 20171

Join us and discuss the structure of the future GEOINT workforce.

Interact with USGIF Academic Advisory Board members Dr. Todd Bacastow and Susan Kalweit as they share their vision of GEOINT 4.0.

By attending, you will be able to participate in the dialog with senior industry and academic leaders and provide your personal experiences and opinions on the training and skills needed for the next generation of GEOINT professionals.

Space is very limited and RSVP is required. RSVP to ypg@usgif.org to ensure a space for this event.

USGIF is calling on Young Professionals to apply for a seat on the USGIF Board of Directors. This seat is for a two-year term and is a voting member representing the interests of young professionals on the Board.

The ideal candidate is experienced and well-versed in the geospatial intelligence field and also familiar with the needs and wants of young professionals. Candidates must be committed to the Group’s mission of uniting junior GEOINT professionals within the Defense, Intelligence and Homeland Security communities by helping to generate new ideas, programs and events. This individual must also be willing to volunteer their time for all YPG events and serve as the co-chair for the bi-monthly YP Working Group Meetings.

It takes more than a college degree and great experience to stand out in today’s professional world. Volunteering your time, efforts and creativity shows your current and prospective employers you’re committed outside the office, and it separates you from the competition. According to a recent New York Times article, 41% of employers said they considered volunteer work as important as paid work, and that 20% said they had made a hiring decision based on volunteer work.

As an educational non-profit, USGIF relies heavily on our volunteers. Five committees guide and support the Foundation’s activities. In addition, the Foundation has several working groups, which proactively tackle other needs of the Community.

All committees and working groups are made up of and led by USGIF member volunteers. These Committees make decisions regarding all USGIF events, as well as the Scholarship Program, Geospatial Accreditation Program, Awards Program and other Foundation directives.

Currently, very few young professionals are involved with these committees. USGIF committees and working groups are always looking for volunteers with a fresh perspective.

Learn more or find out how you can sign up to participate in our committees and working groups.