Using data from Airtable Volunteer table → third-party mapping platform

Current Volunteer Maps

Both are linked to in the Aid Coordination Manual but likely most people use the Google one now

Google My Maps (ask Michael R. if you need access)

Pros

• Search bar allows you to type a search an address

Cons

• Manual process of maintaining map through CSV exports and uploads by Michael R.
• Cannot cluster pins so only one volunteer is visible if multiple volunteers share the same address (common)
• Generally more complicated to manage permissions through Google, gets complicated as there is a combination of people accessing Google through shared SWMA account + personal accounts, permissions aren't automatically the same as Airtable

Airtable Map Block (Airtable access through SMWA Tech 1Password)

Pros

• Instantaneously synced to volunteer data with ability to "Expand Record" to easily edit/add notes
• Clustered pins so it is clear their are X number of volunteers at same address, which can be expanded
• Because it maps from the "Dispatcher View," any filters/facets applied to that view are reflected in the map instantaneously, makes it easy to filter down only to Spanish speakers for instance

Cons

• Doesn't allow a user to search an address to easily see visually who are the nearby volunteers
• Map Block is a little hard to find in Airtable if you aren't familiar with Blocks

Goal in Creating a New Map

• Our aid coordinators prioritize identifying volunteers based on proximity to their request, so we need a map view of our volunteer list
• Our existing methods to generate a map are not ideal (see above cons)

Possible Platforms for New Map

• Mapbox: has API capabilities + seems most promising
• MapHub: open source but no API