Foundation/Local Chapters/United States
| United States | openstreetmap.us | Projects | Tags | TIGER fixup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenStreetMap US | Users | Data Imports | Resources | Category |
This is the official page for OpenStreetMap U.S., a 501(c)(3) charity advocating and supporting OpenStreetMap in the United States. OpenStreetMap U.S. is a local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation. Some of the United States OSM community resources are found on the OpenStreetMap U.S. website.
History
- Main article: Foundation/Local Chapters/United States/History
OpenStreetMap U.S. was first proposed in 2009 and was incorporated on April 19, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The inaugural State of the Map U.S. conference took place in August 2010.
In September 2020, OpenStreetMap U.S. officially became a local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation.
Mission
OpenStreetMap US strives to support the OpenStreetMap project in the United States through fostering awareness, ensuring broad availability of data, continuous quality improvement, and an active community.
Strategic Planning 2020
In 2020, OpenStreetMap US leadership came together to define a vision and strategic priorities for the organization that would complement our longstanding mission and provide guidance for the organization in the coming years. Below is the work that resulted from this year-long process.
Vision
As we work to manifest our mission, we envision a future where communities:
- Have the knowledge, tools and support they need to use the power of OpenStreetMap to improve their world by mapping their world.
- Are building digital literacy by accessing and contributing to OpenStreetMap for community benefit that contributes to a just and equitable society.
- Inspire and support new leaders who carry forward and shape the future of OpenStreetMap as a trusted map and community.
Strategic Priorities
- Maximize the impact and value of OpenStreetMap and our community.
- Grow and sustain a thriving, connected OpenStreetMap US community with representation from and in all sectors.
- Deepen educational and outreach efforts, with a focus on developing emerging leaders in ways that broaden equity and diversity in OpenStreetMap
How can you participate?
Map in OpenStreetMap
Contribute to OSM through mapping parties, individual mapping and OSM editing, and local mapping events like our Mapathons!
Become a member of OpenStreetMap US
Join OpenStreetMap U.S. as a member
- Regular Member: This is our main membership tier. As a Regular member, you able to vote for the OpenStreetMap US board, are given a 20% discount to the annual State of the Map US conference, and receive regular updates about the organization.
- Supporting Member: As a supporting member, your additional gift sustains our work to educate, engage, & connect through OpenStreetMap. Supporting members can vote for the OSM US Board and receive a 25% discount to all paid OSM US events.
- Donor Member: As a Donor member, your support is the foundation of our membership program. Donor members can vote for the OSM US Board and receive a 30% discount to all paid OSM US events. We are grateful for your support!
- Student Member: We offer a $5 membership discount to students. At this tier you are able to vote for the OSM US board and receive a 20% discount to the State of the Map US conference.
Volunteer for a committee or at an upcoming event
Get in touch to volunteer or support!
Attend or lead a Virtual Event
Visit our Events page to find or add an event near you!
Programs
TeachOSM
Led by a volunteer steering committee, TeachOSM provides educator training, content and curriculum for integrating OSM in the classroom, and advocates for OSM in educational settings. Started in 2013 as a grassroots project by educators for educators, TeachOSM is now a program under OpenStreetMap US, a nonprofit organization that supports the OpenStreetMap project in the United States through education, data, and membership services. Learn more on the wiki page or visit the TeachOSM website.
Mapping for Impact
Mapping for Impact is a community partnership program led by OpenStreetMap US to support organizations in civic, environmental, and social sectors to solve targeted challenges and data gaps across the US using OpenStreetMap.
| Partner | Project | Status | Description | Hashtag(s) | Communication | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KABOOM! | Mapping for Playspace Equity in Philadelphia -
TM Project #252 |
Completed & Validated | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping playgrounds in Philadelphia. Remotely mapping playgrounds will provide KABOOM! data on the number and size of playspaces in Philadelphia. After completing remote mapping, there will be opportunities for local mappers to support by filling in features with quality data on the ground. KABOOM! is the national nonprofit that works to end playspace inequity for good. We define playspace inequity as a lack of access to and a sense of belonging in quality playspaces due to the effects of systemic racism in communities across the country. Read more about the project and partnership here. | #kaboom #mapping-for-impact #play-mapping | #play-mapping channel on OSM US Slack | Jess Beutler |
| Parks & Playspace Mapping in Colorado - | Ongoing | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping parks & playspaces in Colorado (Otero County, Rio Grande County, East Colfax Corridor). The Colorado Health Foundation is supporting KABOOM! to develop a strategic roadmap that details not only where playgrounds are, but their condition- enabling KABOOM!, community members, municipal leaders, and other philanthropic partners to accurately understand what playspace inequity looks like within these communities and address it through advocacy and data-guided investment. This playspace location data will become the basis of this roadmap. | #mapping-for-impact
#play-mapping #kaboom-co |
Charter Projects
With the OSM US Charter program, OpenStreetMap US actively encourages the development of tools, programs and services that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the OpenStreetMap platform in the United States, and beyond. The Charter Project program provides a framework for long term stewardship and is loosely based on the fiscal sponsorship model for governance of non-profit organizations. Projects are given a home and the ability to fundraise through the OpenStreetMap US organization, a 501(c)(3) charity incorporated in Washington, DC. Applications are now open on a rolling basis. If you think your initiative may be a good fit to become an official OSM US Charter Project, we would love to learn more and get to know you!
Current charter projects: OpenHistoricalMap
Events
Visit the Events page for opportunities!
State of the Map US
The State of the Map US (SOTMUS) conference is the annual, regional conference for OpenStreetMap in the United States. Organized by OpenStreetMap US it has been held each year since 2010. Please note that regional SotMs like SOTMUS are organised exclusively by local teams, which run their own sponsorship programs and have separate budgets from the OpenStreetMap Foundation. Interested in hosting the next event? Learn more on the State of the Map US Planning page!
Mappy Hours
OpenStreetMap US hosts various remote "Mappy Hours" on different topics, usually every other week (once a month during summer months).
MapAlongs
Geo-Ladies Meetups
OpenStreetMap US periodically hosts Geo-Ladies Night bringing together the women in the OpenStreetMap US community (and beyond), typically every 6 months. Expect to meet like-minded women from the OpenStreetMap community, connect, network, and converse on ways we can engage and empower more women through OSM. Event attendees will be limited to anyone who perceives themself as a woman. This women-only event is meant to create a safe space for participation by women and encourage diversity in OSM. Join the #geo-ladies channel in the OSM US Slack for ongoing discussion and announcements for future events.
Past Geo-Ladies events:
- Monday, March 8, 2021 (Presented as: International Women's Day - Ladies Night Mappy Hour)
- Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Working groups and committees
Interested in volunteering in the US in addition to mapping? Working groups/committees are a great way to work together to support and grow our community. Members will be encouraged to develop their own definitions, meeting schedules, budgets and terms of reference. Interested in forming a committee or working group around a particular topic? Get in touch!
Code of Conduct Committee
Members lead efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive OpenStreetMap US community by creating a safe and respectful communications environment through the review and expansion of the Code of Conduct to apply to OpenStreetMap US communications channels. The Code of Conduct Committee was organized in January 2020.
Code of Conduct Committee Members: Jonah Adkins, Emily Eros, Erica Hagen, Clifford Snow, and Daniela Waltersdorfer. Interested in getting involved? Let us know!
Find the Code of Conduct here.
Event Planning Committee(s)
Volunteers are integral to the planning of major events hosted by OpenStreetMap US, including State of the Map US, Mapping USA, and Connect 2020. Interested in supporting an upcoming event? Email events@openstreetmap.us.
Government Committee
The mission of the OpenStreetMap (OSM) and U.S. Government Committee is to seek out mutually beneficial relationships between the public and open data communities. Committee members meet once per month and include representatives from DOT, USGS, FRA, FAA, NPS, Census, CDC, FEMA, FWS, ORNL, state and local governments, and industry professionals. Interested in getting involved? Email gov@openstreetmap.us.
Trails Working Group
Formed in October 2021, Trails Working Group members will lead efforts to support responsible mapping of trails on recreational land in the United States. Interested in joining the conversation? Reach out to team@openstreetmap.us.
Please see also the Trail Access Project page.
Former Working Groups
The Local Working Group was organized to support local groups and activities but is not currently active. For a great list of Local OSM Groups see WikiProject United States. There are groups in over 20 major cities across the United States.
Technical resources
OpenStreetMap U.S. offers server access to interested parties. Please get in touch with Ian Dees for access. The servers are currently used to host openstreetmap.us and TopOSM. Hosting costs are donated by visi.com and OSU's Open Source Lab.
Server specifications can be seen on the Servers subpage.
Governance
Executive Director
Maggie Cawley has served as the Executive Director since stepping down from the Board of Directors in 2019. [1]
Previous executive directors:
- Jaye Matthews (2018) [2]
Board of Directors
Board of Directors for 2022–2023:
Board of Directors for 2022-2024
- Brian Sperlongano
- Adam Franco
See a list of previous boards and a board election history.
Meetings
The Board of Directors and Executive Director hold hour-long meetings once a month. (Until 2017, the meetings were held weekly.) By default, monthly board meetings are not open to the general public, but if you are interested in joining a particular meeting, please e-mail board@openstreetmap.us in advance. We conduct board meetings in Google Meet, which requires a Google account. Minutes are published after they are approved at the following meeting.
Annual General Meetings are held as part of State of the Map U.S. OSMUS also holds periodic town hall–style meetings, including before each board election, that are open to the general public.
Financial reports
Contact OpenStreetMap U.S. for financial information.
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The OpenStreetMap U.S. is incorporated as of April 19, 2010.
Code of Conduct
In May 2020, OpenStreetMap US adopted a new code of conduct and moderation process prepared by the CoC Committee and reviewed by the U.S. community: