The GeoData Alliance is based on a group of principles organized around a common purpose. The GeoData Alliance is:

    * Open and inclusive

      GDA is open to all who subscribe to the purpose and principles.  Individuals and institutions will find it easy to join and participate in many or all aspects of the organization. Diversity of people, perspectives, and approaches will be encouraged, and protection will be provided against domination or control by special interests.

    * Member-driven and member-governed

      The organization will exist to enable its members to pursue the purpose in accord with the principles. Members and the entities that they form at all levels will have the right of self-governance. Members will also elect the council of trustees, ensuring that the council will be responsive to the wishes of GDA members.

    * Minimally structured

      Some structure is required for GDA's principles to have a viable institutional foundation. However, the initial structure will be only that minimally needed to support both self-organization and organizational coherence, consistent with the purpose and principles.

    * Multicentric and distributive

      Power is systematically disaggregated throughout the organization. No single center of power exists; such centers are everywhere with functions performed by and resources used at the most local level that includes all relevant and affected parties. Protections against the centralization of power are explicit in the principles and are present in the GDA constitution.

    * Self-organizing and emergent

      Self-organization will guide the development and evolution of GDA. New dimensions of the organization will continually emerge in and through the ever-changing web of activity, innovation, and value flow that will make up the organization. GDA will enable the geospatial data community to come together in new ways even as it fosters keener competition in an expanding marketplace.

    * Highly interconnected and fluid

      GDA members will be encouraged to participate in many or all aspects of the organization. Rich relationships will be fostered, and connections will be multiple, fluid, and emergent.

    * Innovative and adaptive

      GDA will reward innovation and efficiency. Its design will foster experimentation and risk taking and allow good ideas and proven practices to proliferate while limiting damage from bad ideas or inefficient practices. Together the agility that comes with self-organization and the resilience that comes from shared commitment to purpose and principles will help ensure that GDA stays flexible, adaptive, and relevant.

    * Strongly grounded in purpose and principles

      The purpose and principles are the fundamental body of belief against which all decisions and acts will be judged. Even GDA's constitution will be interpreted first in relation to the purpose and principles and second in relation to the laws of the state in which it is incorporated.