<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><a name="_MailEndCompose">Hello all. Back in September, there was a discussion thread here about certification ideas in the geospatial world. People were wondering what might be possible within the os-geo context, and how that might fit with what else already exists.<o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Just FYI, next week UCGIS is offering a webinar on the topic, "De-Mystifying the World of Certifications and Credentials for the Geospatial Sciences." We'll hear from representatives from four organizations currently involved with different types of credentials and certificates: GISCI, ASPRS, USGIF, and Esri. But their formal presentations will be brief, and the primary purpose of this event will be to provide the audience with a chance to ask questions that will clarify their understanding of how these existing entities fit together (or not), and gain insights into the changes coming in the near future. We have published a very brief <a href="http://screencast.com/t/Zr3VMUS61">overview video</a> that explains some of the context. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The webinar will be held on Wednesday January 14<sup>th</sup> from 2-3pm EST (11am-12pm PST). If you are affiliated with a UCGIS member organization or institution, the webinars are free. Otherwise, there is a $25 fee that will be invoiced after the event. All registrants will be provided with the recording afterwards to be able to watch later at their convenience. Here is the <a href="http://ucgis.org/ucgis-webinars/de-mystifying-world-certifications-and-credentials-geospatial-sciences">link to pre-register</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you have any questions, please let me know. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Best,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Diana<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>______________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Diana S. Sinton, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Executive Director, UCGIS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>PO Box 612<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Ithaca, New York 14851<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>607.252.6851 (v)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>dianasinton@ucgis.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>dianasinton@gmail.com <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>