Google maps is an easy to use tool to use that requires just a little imagination to create amazing maps that will really excite your members. I’m sure that you have used Google maps. You probably use it to create driving directions or map a specific location. I use it to find local businesses; but Google maps is a very powerful tool and has many other practical purposes. It is appealing because it’s free and easy to use. It continues to be updated and new features are added. Now it includes everything from public transportation in major cities around the world to all of the world’s forest. They’ve even mapped space and the oceans.

Google maps can be a great tool for GMT members. Before I recommended Google maps, I tested it out. I wanted to make sure it was easy to use and had practical applications for our members. My test project was to create a map of all of our member organizations. For most of our organizations, Google maps did all the work. I typed in the organization’s name and Google maps brought me to their office. When this occurred the organization’s information including name, address, phone number, website URL and sometimes even a satellite photo of the front of their office was typed out for me. If Google maps could not find the organization by name, I typed in the mailing address and added a link to their home page and a company logo. Once this information was typed into the box, I pressed “Save to My Maps”. I created a map called “GMT Members” and I saved all of our members’ locations to one map. Now anyone can scroll over the blue markers and an informational box will pop up, giving you the name of the organization, the URL, and basic contact information. All Google maps come with a link that I can send to people to view my map or HTML code to easily embed it in a website.

This is just one way to use Google maps. There are hundreds of different ways to use them. A straightforward way is to give your members a map of an upcoming event or mapping the path for a walk-a-ton or show bike trails. You can also be much more creative than that. Google Maps Mania shows the maps people have created. This week there are maps showing where the Iranian protesters are located.

I thought of a few ideas but I’m sure you can be more creative. My ideas were to show your coverage area. Google maps you highlight areas and not just pin-point locations. Also, if you are expanding your coverage area you can show people the growth of your organization. Finally, you can create a map similar to my GMT Member’s map but use quotations from your members.

Good luck and please share your Google maps with the GMT community. I am excited to see how you use this awesome resource.

View GMT Members in a larger map