FIA Information Management Band
Conference Call

Date:  Aug 25, 2004
 
IMB Conference call

August 25, 2004 11:30 AM PDT/12:30 PM MDT/1:30 PM CDT/2:30 PM EDT


Notetaker: NCRS
** See Teamroom for more details and documents**

Agenda:
1)  Update information on IMB webpage: http://socrates.lv-hrc.nevada.edu/fia/imb/imbandindex.html

2) JBM issues: 

3)  Improvements to FIA Mapmaker program: 
Some good suggestions on improving the Forest Inventory Mapmaker program were generated at the Southern Research Station's 
User group meetings. 

I tried to address some of the comments by creating a table that will be updated every time a state inventory is l
oaded/reloaded. The table can be found at http://www.ncrs2.fs.fed.us/4801/fiadb/index.htm under the link NEW! 
Selected population estimates generated from FIADB version 1.7, by state and inventory year 


I would like to standardize the format of the survey.notes variable. I would like the first 22 characters of the field 
to read either
"Periodic inventory    "
or
"Annual 03 of 05 panels" 
so that it is easier for our coustomers to see how much data they are working with. After the first 22 characters the 
units would be free to put whatever they like into the notes.

Chuck, could we add this as an agenda item at the next IM Band teleconference? All I want is permission from all the units
 to standardize the survey.notes variables on the 182 survey records that are currently in the database and to get them 
to agree to submit new survey records in the new format.

Ty, here is the script that created the table. I created the RPT_INVENTORY and SURVEY_EXTRA tables so that I can keep 
track of when the data is loaded/reloaded and how certain population estimates have changed from load to load. 
Records for these tables are generated automatically at load time.


If anyone can think of a better way of addressing the SRS user group comments please let me know. 

Thanks,

Pat

4) October IMB Meeting .  Opinion is favoring going with Ty's suggestion	
I've cleaned up the issues for the October meeting and added a draft agenda (last page).  I'd like to flesh out the 
meeting issues so the band members can review before the next IMB call (8/25).  Does that sound like a plan?  

Currently we have four high priority issue sessions and two medium priority sessions.  I'd like to know from the 
facilitators of all session how much time you'd like for your session.  Currently, we have 2.5 days for the issue sessions.  I think we should tackle the four high priority issues first.  If any of those sessions does not need the full 2.5 days, then we can schedule a medium priority session to follow.  Cool with everyone?

Some of the sessions have two facilitators.  I listed them as people volunteered or were volunteered.  I propose that 
the first name on the list is the lead point of contact for the session.  The 2nd person is the deputy.  Each session's 
facilitators can work our the logistics details.

If so, I'd like the following from all session facilitators by August 11:
How much time do you need for your session?
A list of people you'd like to participate in your session.  If needed, include other band members.  I suggest you 
limit the attendance to < 10 people.  If there are conflicts (same person wanted in multiple sessions), we'll negotiate 
a settlement.
Revise the issues for your session as appropriate.  The list of issues will be dynamic.  This is just the first cut of 
the issues.

Please post the above information as a response to this teamroom link  or send it directly to me.
I'll distribute the above information to the IMB prior to the August call.

After the call I suggest that each issue session have one or more planning conference call prior to the October 
meeting.  At the October meeting, each session should have a designated note taker.

Comments/Questions/Suggestions are welcome.


5) Heads up about damage: 
6) Team reports
7) Next call
8) Open mike

thanx,
Chuck