Volunteer Contributors, Writers and Editors

Volunteer Contributors, Writers and Editors

GoGeomatics Canada is inviting volunteer contributors, writers, editors, students, working professionals, seasoned experts, and retired practitioners to join the GoGeomatics Contributor Program.

The GoGeomatics Contributor Program supports the GoGeomatics Canada Magazine, the Canadian Spatial Times newsletter, and our weekly geospatial digest series.

This is an opportunity to build your writing, research, editorial, and professional communication skills while contributing to Canada’s largest independent geospatial media and community platform.

What you’ll do

Volunteers may contribute in several ways, depending on their interests and availability:

• Pitch and discuss story ideas for the GoGeomatics weekly digest
• Help curate Canadian and international geospatial news
• Write short articles, interviews, event reports, and commentary
• Assist with editing, research, and source checking
• Help identify important developments in geomatics, GIS, Earth observation, hydrospatial, surveying, BIM, digital twins, AI, and location technology
• Support GoGeomatics coverage of conferences, events, jobs, and community news

Weekly Digest Desk

A key part of the program is the GoGeomatics Digest Desk.

Each week, contributors bring one or two story ideas to the group. The team discusses the stories, considers their relevance to the geospatial community, and helps decide what should be included in the next digest.

The digest alternates each week between:

• Canadian Geospatial Digest
• International Geospatial Digest

The Digest Desk gives contributors a direct role in shaping what GoGeomatics covers and helps the community stay informed about important developments in Canada and around the world.

Editorial Desk

Contributors who want to be more involved can also participate in the Editorial Desk.

This part of the program focuses on articles in progress, interviews, event coverage, newsletter priorities, publication deadlines, and other editorial assignments.

It is intended for volunteers who want to write, edit, research, or help move content toward publication.

Meeting format

The Contributor Program meets weekly online.

Meeting time: Wednesdays, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Time zone reference:

• Vancouver: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Pacific
• Calgary: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain
• Ontario and Quebec: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern
• Nova Scotia: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Atlantic

Meeting structure:

• 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern: Digest Desk
• 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern: Editorial Desk

The first 30 minutes is open to all contributors. The second 30 minutes is primarily for active writers, editors, and volunteers working on assignments.

Commitment

The expected commitment is approximately 3 to 4 hours per month.

Volunteers are encouraged to attend the weekly meeting when available, but the program is designed to support both live and asynchronous contributions.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome contributors from across the geospatial community, including:

• Students in geomatics, GIS, geography, planning, Earth observation, surveying, hydrography, environmental studies, engineering, BIM, data science, and related fields
• Early career professionals looking to build their network and visibility
• Working professionals who want to share insight from the field
• Seasoned practitioners, senior experts, and retired professionals who want to stay engaged with the sector and contribute their experience
• Writers, editors, researchers, and communicators interested in geospatial topics
• Reliable and curious people who want to support Canada’s geospatial community

No prior professional writing experience is required for all roles. Strong curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to contribute are more important.

Experienced professionals and retirees are especially welcome. GoGeomatics values the knowledge, perspective, and context that comes from years of work in the field, and we would be pleased to work with people who want to remain connected and give back to the community.

Why volunteer with GoGeomatics

As a contributor, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop writing, editing, research, and editorial judgment
• Build your professional network in Canada’s geospatial sector
• Gain visibility through published work and contributor recognition
• Learn about trends shaping geomatics in Canada and internationally
• Participate in a national community of geospatial professionals and emerging talent
• Contribute to Canada’s largest independent geomatics media platform

Selected volunteers may also have opportunities to help cover Canadian and international conferences, events, and industry activities as part of GoGeomatics Canada Magazine.

Mentorship and support

Contributors will be supported by GoGeomatics Canada founder Jonathan Murphy, along with experienced editors, writers, and members of the GoGeomatics community.

The goal is to create a practical, supportive, and professional environment where volunteers can learn, contribute, and grow.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the GoGeomatics Contributor Program, please send a brief introduction.

Tell us:

• Who you are
• Your area of study, work, or interest
• Why you want to contribute
• Whether you are most interested in the Digest Desk, writing, editing, research, event coverage, or another area

We look forward to welcoming new contributors to the GoGeomatics community.