In October 1990, the Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA) received its official confirmation
of the National Geographic Planning Grant. As a result, Dr. Ron Beiswenger attended
the National Council of Geographic Education meetings in Williamsburg, Virginia to
meet with National Geographic Education Program personnel. Since that time, the
WGA has been housed in the Department of Geography which provides office and storage
space. Several members of the Geography Department have worked with the Alliance
including Ron Beiswenger, Linda Marston and William Gribb.
The summer of 1991, four Wyoming teachers were trained as Teacher Consultants by National
Geographic in Washington, DC. Since that time, numerous other teachers have been
trained as Teacher Consultants in Washington DC and at various summer institutes held
at the University of Wyoming. Alliance trained Teacher Consultants are the core of
the WGA. Summer institute topics have examined topics such as public lands, geography
and technology, Wyoming energy, Wyoming agriculture, the Oregon Trail, the fur trade
and Yellowstone National Park. In 2010, the Alliance Coordinator conducted face to
face surveys with teachers around the state to survey the geography needs of Wyoming
teachers and what the future direction of the WGA should be.
During the 2009-10 school year, WGA with the support of the Wyoming National Air and
Army Guard sponsored the Giant Map of Asia. It was well-received. Thus, the Wyoming
Guard and the WGA have sponsored the Giant Map of Asia and the Giant Map of North
America for the 2010-11 school year. The Giant Traveling Maps visit numerous Wyoming
school districts at no expense to the districts except to transport it to the next
district.
In the fall of 2014, a Student Atlas is being published with the help of the Wyoming
Geographic Information Science Center and the University of Wyoming Department of
Geography, to be distributed by the WGA free of charge to schools across the state.
National Geographic Education Foundation has mandated that all state alliances develop
a strategic plan for their state. The Wyoming Geographic Alliance has four members
working with Will Murray, a strategic planner from Boulder Colorado to determine the
direction of the WGA over the next few years.
WYOMING GEOGRAPHIC ALLIANCE BY-LAWS
Adopted October 16, 2010
As amended April 6, 2013
Article I
Name of Alliance
Section 1. Name. This organization shall be known as the Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA).
Article II
Purpose of the Organization
Section 1. Purpose. The WGA is an organization dedicated to facilitating geographic knowledge and literacy by providing professional development opportunities for educators, quality materials and experiences for students, and general information for the community at large.
Article III
Membership
Section 1. Membership. Membership in the WGA shall be open to all persons interested in promoting geographic education in Wyoming.
Article IV
Administrative Structure of the Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA)
Section 1. Administrative Structure. The WGA shall be administered by the Alliance Coordinator, the Executive Board, and a Steering Committee. Administration of the WGA shall be carried out in cooperation with the National Geographic Society Education Foundation (NGSEF).
Article V
Selection and Duties of WGA Administration
Section 1. Alliance Coordinator. The WGA Alliance Coordinator shall be appointed by a representative from the National Geographic Society Education Foundation.
Section 2. Executive Board. WGA Executive Board shall consist of the WGA Coordinator, a host institution representative, one teacher and one member at large selected by the Alliance Coordinator with the approval of the Steering Committee.
Section 3. Steering Committee. The WGA Steering Committee shall be composed of a minimum of nine (9) and no more than twelve (12) members. Each member shall serve three-year renewable terms. New Steering Committee members shall be elected at the fall Steering Committee meeting by a majority vote. Steering Committee members may submit names for consideration to the Alliance Coordinator prior to the fall meeting. Considerations for Steering Committee membership shall include a nominee’s enthusiasm for and commitment to WGA’s mission.
Article VI
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings. The WGA Steering Committee shall meet no fewer than two times (once in fall, once in spring) per calendar year to consider the business of the WGA, to set policy, and to attend to operational procedures. The WGA Steering Committee may set additional meetings and establish sub-committees as needed. The specific date, time, and location of the WGA Steering Committee meetings shall be determined by the WGA Coordinator in coordination with the WGA Steering Committee.
Article VII
Finances
Section 1. Finances. On or about October 1 of each calendar year, the WGA State Coordinator shall propose a budget for the coming year. A majority vote of the WGA Steering Committee, taken during the Fall Meeting, is required for approval of the annual budget.
Article VIII
By-Law Changes
Section 1. By-Law Changes. Changes in the WGA By-Laws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the WGA Steering Committee.