It’s not too late to register to attend the US DOT PHMSA Public Awareness Workshop on June 19 – 20, 2013 – either in person at the Hyatt Regency N. Dallas Hotel or via webcast.

Since 2005 pipeline operators have been required to have a Public Awareness Program per federal pipeline safety regulations. They must provide information to four stakeholder audiences categorized as: (1) affected public, (2) emergency officials, (3) local public officials, and (4) excavators.

The workshop will bring together stakeholders to discuss findings from recent federal and state public awareness inspections, and gain perspectives from various stakeholders on public awareness challenges and successes to identify ways to strengthen pipeline safety public awareness.

The primary goals of this workshop are to:

1. Provide an overview of the public awareness program and discuss recent inspection findings;
2. Understand what’s working and not working with API RP 1162 (1st edition) from various stakeholder perspectives (industry, pipeline operators, public, emergency response officials, local public officials, and excavators);
3. Share ways to improve public awareness outreach efforts; and
4. Discuss the path forward for improving public awareness

For more details, please visit http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=90 .

From the NACIS Board of Directors:

The North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) recognizes the important contributions students make to our field. To recognize some of their hard work and achievements, we offer two fantastic student competitions each year at our annual conference (this year October 9–11 in Greenville, SC). All students currently enrolled in a certificate program, undergraduate, or graduate/post-graduate program are eligible to enter, as long as they have not previously won top prize in either competition.

Student Dynamic Map Competition:  The North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) recognizes the importance of dynamic mapping in cartography. We are sponsoring the 15th Annual Student Dynamic Map Competition to promote cartographic excellence and innovation in this versatile medium. A first prize of $500 will be awarded in each category. Deadline for submissions is September 13th. To view the rules and prizes, please visit http://nacis.org/index.cfm?x=4

Student Map and Poster Competition:  Students who would like to display their works at NACIS 2013 should register for the Student Map and Poster Competition. We encourage all students to submit their maps and technical/research posters for a chance at a prize of $500! There is no entry fee. All entrants will be displayed in the Exhibits Gallery, and the winner will be selected by a ballot of all meeting attendees. The deadline to register is September 13th, 2013. For more information, please visit http://nacis.org/index.cfm?x=18

Please take a moment to encourage your students to enter either of the above competitions. We look forward to seeing the diverse range of entries in Greenville!

Travel Grants and Memberships:  As an organization (and as former students ourselves), we’re aware that student budgets don’t often allow for extras like conference attendance or organizational memberships. Each year, NACIS offers up to 10 free memberships to undergraduate students, as well as offering a number of travel grants to students wishing to attend the annual conference. To find out more, please visit http://nacis.org/index.cfm?x=27

Thank you, and we hope to see you in Greenville in October!

Martha Bostwick
NACIS Board of Directors
Chair – Awards and Travel Grants Committee
mlbostwick@mac.com