NYS Forum

Small/Medium/Local Government Agency SIG Initiatives and Accomplishments

2007-2008

Note Related to Projected 2007-2008 Initaitives:

Italics indicates initiatives added at the July 13, 2007 Forum Planning Session

Numbers in parenthesis indicate votes cast for the initiative at the July 13, 2007 Forum Planning Session.

The Small/Medium Agency SIG was created to focus on addressing the unique problems and concerns that arise, in part, due to the small size of the IT staff and the restricted IT budgets typical to small agencies. It was also created to provide a focal point for policy makers to access small agency perspectives and realities that should be reflected in new policies, laws and regulations.

2006-2007 Accomplishments

• Expanded its focus and now includes local governments.
• Has used meetings, surveys and participation in NYSLGITDA events as mechanisms to gather information about Small/Medium agency and local government issues.
• Has shared information and voiced the concerns of the small agencies to the other committees of the NYS Forum, as well as to OFT and the Office of the CIO.
• This spring, a thorough survey of IT managers in small and medium agencies and local government was carefully planned and the number of responses was very strong. The responses have provided the committee with valuable insights into what the respondents feel are their top IT priorities, needs and challenges this year. As a small sampling of results, the greatest numbers of respondents reported the following amongst their top priorities:
  • Document and Email Management
  • Security
  • IT Strategic Planning
  • BCP and DR

2007-2008 Projected Initiatives

• Based on the results of the recent survey (noted above), the Small/Medium Agency SIG is in the early stages of planning a limited number of events to provide information and advice on their most pressing issues. The committee is planning an event in conjunction with the team from State Archives for the fall, focused on Document and email Management.
• Continued expansion of the SIG - by engaging respondents who signed up at the MATRIX event, and by continuously recruiting new members.
• Ongoing input into the other committees of The Forum, to ensure that the needs of small/medium and local agencies are represented in their activities and events.
• Joint event with BCP Committee of The NYS Forum.
• Conduct a September kickoff meeting with a speaker and address survey results to set the agenda for the year as a "rebirth of the committee" (3)
• Create a networking forum for small/medium/local agencies to voice concerns (6)
• Undertake an educational effort focused on common services and best practices (14)