The panel discussion focused on 6 common themes from the previous day's presentations: 1. Developing statewide datasets like tax parcels, which received the most votes as the top priority. Participants discussed challenges in funding, standards, and ongoing maintenance. 2. Branding, demonstrating return on investment, and sharing success stories, such as through a new WLIA website. Developing templates and guidelines could help members promote their work. 3. Providing more training opportunities, potentially through webinars or partnering with other conferences, as travel restrictions often limit participation. 4. Establishing data sharing policies and addressing issues around non-reciprocal sharing and expectations of free data. 5

1. WLIA 2010 Spring Regional – Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Summary of Panel Discussion on Friday
Panel members:
Kelly Felton, Curt Pulford, Fred Iausly, Dave Fodroczi, Jon Schwichtenberg and Mike Friis.
After all the presenters shared their points of views on Thursday, the Education committee and the UW-
Extension facilitator met to outline the common themes heard throughout the day. They were categorized
into the following 6 bullet points. The facilitator guided the panel and audience through each point and the
resulting discussion is listed below. After the discussion, the facilitator asked the group to stand and move to
a designated part of the room in order to vote for the one they thought was the most important for the
organization to address first. He then asked everyone to vote on the second most important topic. The 6
themes are listed in order from highest to lowest number of votes.
1. Statewide datasets (32 total votes)
Tax Parcels – we need to get them done
Curt – his group is on this and will present more information at the session later in the day.
Fred – WLIA can advocate for parcels but they won’t actually be doing it
Dave – State should lead us
Audience mentioned that the state could put a mandate on the counties to send them the data and that would
alleviate some stress on the state to get that portion done and figured out. Another mentioned that the
budgeting for this would need to be done a year in advance. Another audience member voiced concern on
yet another unfunded mandate in her county – this would be a problem for her.
Dave – this is a huge challenge for WI but we need to focus on just getting it done.
Fred – stressed that it’s not only getting it done but it’s maintaining it that needs addressing as well.
The audience voiced concern that there is at least one group that has already created this layer for their own
use, using their own standards. It can be done and will continue to be done even if we do it or not.
2. Branding/ROI/Success Stories (27 total votes)
It was mentioned that we need to generate our success stories to share with our boards, employers, etc
Fred Iausly – some available online already on the LION page.
Dave F put a plea out to the membership to show off what we do to policy makers and others. This is very
important! We need to also not focus on what’s wrong but how we can get better. We’re in a rough economic
time, but we need to plan for the future and be ready for the future when the times change.
Curt – we should look to some national models to use
Kelly – new WLIA website would be a great place to post success stories
Fred – WLIA is an organization of professionals, not manager of WLIP. Success stories have been focusing
on county stories, need to tap into IS and other data keepers, as well as private sector.
It was brought up by the audience that WLIA should develop a template for the GIS community to fill out to
quickly and efficiently tell the story, then offer guidelines on how to get it out to important people.
It was also mentioned that an economic impact study could be done, and also that WLIA should explore the
possibility of a part time marketer to do all this.
Dave F – said we could go back to the goals of the WLIA strategic plan and add this.

2. One audience member shared her practice of sending out a quarterly newsletter to her town clerks and chairs
on what the LIS dept is doing. She also publishes an annual report of all accomplishments.
3. Training (18 total votes)
Kelly – we need to reach out to our community to determine who knows what and who is willing to offer
more training.
A question was directed to Mike Friis, asking if any WLIP money can be used for training opportunities
It was explained that the language doesn’t support this – only addresses training to LIOs
Fred – WLIA needs to do more regional training. This is very limited in the state right now. Often you have
to go to Chicago or Minneapolis for 5 days which is hard to budget for many people. WLIA needs to come
up with an avenue to solicit training needs across the state. There are very different needs by different
people.
The audience commented that having people come to WLIA for the training isn’t very realistic. We should
attempt to go to them, and the other more specialized conferences they are attending to make it easier on
them (eg WLIA offers GIS training session at annual surveyors, RPL, etc conferences).
Curt – WLIA needs to tie training to our “branding” efforts – do outreach training.
Fred – users need advanced training and we also need to build tools for these and other users to use without
them knowing they’re doing GIS.
Dave – told the audience that volunteering and getting involved is one of the best things you can do. WLIA
also needs to explore some remote type training, eg webinars.
4. Data Sharing Policies (8 total votes)
Possibly have statewide LION approved data use agreement
This would be an issue for state data users
There isn’t anything in the current strategic plan on data sharing
Fred – Important to note that data sharing does not mean data giving. It’s frustrating when someone expects
all your data but then doesn’t want to share their data with you. This needs to be a 2 way street.
5. Online / Immediate Access to Data (7 total votes)
Audience noted that naming conventions are not standard across the state. This would make immediate
access easier if you always knew what layers were called.
Free data is a BIG issue right now…
We need to figure out how to capture the soft dollar ROI along with our branding efforts.
Fred – until we all get together are participate equally, free data will be tough.
Someone mentioned the major disparity across the state on cost of data.
Dave – his group, as well as one of the groups on Thursday, saw a 90% decrease in phone calls after their
data was available online. This has allowed him to actually get his work done.
Audience mentioned that very often what we collect in fees does not actually offset the cost of data
creation/maintenance, which is challenging.

3. 6. Proactive with Legislators (6 total votes)
It’s important to continue bringing in legislators across to the state to our meetings
Many people don’t know how to talk to legislators – how can WLIA help its members learn to
communicate?
Important to look nationally as well as on the state level
Many people stressed the importance of contacting your legislator – not only when you need something but
when they’re around to get them up on what your office is doing
Kelly – WLIA’s lobbyist has given some training sessions but the organization needs to continue offering
that opportunity
Not only do the LIO’s need to keep this contact up but the private organizations should be making that
contact as well.
WLIA needs to come together as professionals to lobby for our members – we’re an “umbrella”
organization, meaning we’re involved with other groups as well. We need to keep the communications open
between all groups.
There needs to be major emphasis given to legislation in our strategic plan.
Prepared by Andrea Fagan, WLIA Education Committee