Google Mapmaker

The above video is a short introduction to using Google Mapmaker

Google Mapmaker is not a tool for creating personal content.  Instead this is an excellent way to get your organization on the map.  If you've ever googled your organization and wondered why it did not show up in Google Maps then you should add it or edit the existing map.

Sign in to Google Mapmaker with your standard google account (email and password).  Then zoom in to the area you want to edit.  Add a placemarker where your organization exists and any additional information you would like the general public to know (website, street address, phone number etc).  If your street, industrial complex, building  et al is not on the map then use then feel free to draw these changes in.  Changes made may not appear immediately.

Step-by-step presentation

Here's a short presentation detailing how to use Google Maps, Google Fusion Tables and arcGIS: click the full screen presentation option to be able to see all of the relevant images.  While in the full screen presentation  mode feel free to click "actions" (on the bottom of the screen) and "show speaker notes" to get helpful tips.



Or click this link to hear see the presentation with a recording: http://pointsoflight.adobeconnect.com/p2pijzzk09f/

GIS and Neighboring

Neighboring is an asset- and empowerment- based approach to volunteering. It engages under-served and under-resourced communities to find innovative and sustainable solutions to local challenges.   

Local neighboring projects use the resources already available in the community to connect and empower residents, and to build a safe and supportive neighborhood.  Communities become more connected, safe, more inclusive places to live as resident leaders drive change efforts. 

GIS technology can be used in Neighboring projects:

1.  To create community asset maps
2.   Run needs assessments
3.  Track the changes you are making in your neighborhood
4.  Publicize projects and community resources for residents and service recipients
5. Tell your organization’s story (maps don’t need to be info heavy they can be story maps instead)
6.  Monitor local statistics such as crime data or average family income
7.    Map the locations of service projects and info on how to get involved
8. Or do anything else you can think of!

For more information about Neighboring visit: http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/neighboring

Regular Google Maps

View Testing GIS in a larger map

If you don’t have a table of locations to plot (and do not want to make one) you can also manually plot addresses using Google maps.  After clicking on the Maps tab at google.com, click “my places.”  Next use the “Maps” tab located in between “all” and “starred.”  There you will have the option to create a new map.  After creating a name and description of the map search addresses you want to plot and add them.  One advantage of Google maps (also available for fusion tables) is that you can easily search for general landmarks such as libraries or hospitals (suggest narrowing search terms by city or area code).  Next click on the place marker, press “save to map,” make sure you are saving it to the correct map and edit details (optional).   The default for Google Maps is to save all locations with the same placemarker.  If you click the location while in edit mode and then click the place marker in the upper right hand corner of the pop-up you can change how landmarks appear on your map.

You'll notice that this map looks a bit crowded, and I only plotted a few landmarks.  For locations as dense as New York City, you may want to plot a single neighborhood or borough.  Larger sections may seem overcrowded and overwhelming.  

What others have done

So now that we’ve gone over my top two picks for GIS tools, and the whys and hows of integrating maps into your organization.  It’s time to take a quick look at who actually uses these tools. 

The Beacon of Hope Resource Center

            The Beacon of Hope Resource Center’s experience with GIS tools may not be the average experience of small-mid sized non-profits because they are able to employ GIS specialists.  As with any mapping system, they can map almost anything they can imagine.  They: survey inhabitable vs uninhabitable living spaces, track community lawns in need of mowing/maintenance, and more.

Green Info

Green Info is a 501(c)3 organization that works with public interest groups and agencies with an emphasis on mapping, data, analysis and other IT projects (Not a free service).

Examples of their work can be found on their website (www.greeninfo.org) or here:

http://www.greeninfo.org/services.php.  With Para Nuestros Ninos they illustrated child care enrollment capacity fro children 2-5 years old and the percent of children under the age of 5 (Para Nuestros Ninos was analyzing Hispanic/latino early education in Los Angeles County, CA. 

New American Leaders Project

Maps do not need to be data heavy.  Use them to tell your organization’s story or highlight some success that you’re particularly proud of.  The New American Leaders Project’s Homepage does just that.  It is simple and interactive.  To see their stories visit http://newamericanleaders.org/.

Google:
Google occasionally publishes video tutorials explaining how to use their products.  This is one such tutorial.  While it isn't tailored to non-profit mapping it is a good example of another way to use maps; show locations relationships to each other and how to get from one location to another.

Miscellaneous Tools and Tips

I also found a great article by Phil Rabinowitz (Ed. Bill Berkowitz).  It tackles just about everything you might want to know about why and how to use GIS technology.  It can give you a good idea about how much effort you want to put into your maps.

What is GIS?
Why would you use GIS?
When would you use GIS?
Who should use GIS?
How do you use GIS?


Visit the Community Toolbox for answers: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/MainSection3.16.aspx

or visit Map Together's "The Illustrated Guide to Nonprofit GIS and Online Mapping" http://maptogether.org/sites/default/files/images/MapTogether-NPGIS-v.0.99.pdf
(Yes there are cartoons)

Did you check out a bunch of websites, see what looked like alphabet soup and get discouraged?  Don’t worry.  Esri hosts an online dictionary to help you wade through the jargon http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/Gisdictionary/browse.  PS.  If you are using Esri tools and are highly confused then you didn’t buy a beginner’s guide to GIS systems!  Hard copies will be much more useful than closing your eyes and hoping for the best (unless you decide to hire someone else to program for you).

Trying out ArcGIS from ESRI

View Larger Map


With Arc GIS you can differentiate between types of landmarks.  Landmark categories are not very inclusive, but they do allow a fair amount of info to be input into the pop-ups.

The map is both interactive and highly informative, but requires more effort than Google Fusion.  I have not found any way to plot tables of info without manually inputting each point (note: it is implied that this is possible if you buy the software rather than use the free download).

Embedding your map is simple (but slightly counter-intuitive).  First you must search the arcGIS site for your map (I suggest using keywords from you map’s title).  Next you need to open the map in the arcGIS.com viewer.  From there you can click the “share” button and the “personal website” button that follows.  The necessary html code should appear in a box.  Copy it and insert it into your blog/website.

Save often!  I accidently exited from the online version’s window and lost all the changes I made.  Just because it appears on the map doesn’t mean it’s saved!

If you are looking for more powerful mapping tools, arcGIS is your best bet.  It is more complicated than Google Fusion, but there's a lot you can do with it.  I recommend buying a beginner's book before trying to conquer the intricacies of GIS mapping.  I recommend the following book, but there are a variety of users guides available online.