2009 FOI Summit Schedule

Friday, June 5

Registration opens 10:30 a.m.

Lunch: 12:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Opening Remarks

Delivering the opening remarks will be Richard J. H. Varn, executive director of the Coalition for Sensible Public Records Access and the chief information officer (CIO) for the City of San Antonio. He is the technology policy advisor to the National Retail Federation, director of the Coalition for Sensible Public Records Access, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Educational Testing Service.

The FOI Salon: State-by-State Updates and Conversation

We'll kick off this years' annual meeting by returning to one of the staples of NFOIC meetings: a moderated discussion of what's going on in all of the states. That means you have to participate, but we promise to be kind: just give us your five-minute summary of legislative developments, what your coalition has been up to, and how others might help.

Discussion led by Richard J. H. Varn and Charles N. Davis, Executive Director, National Freedom of Information Coalition.

Back to top

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Coalition Sustainability

How do you keep that fledgling FOI group going, or take the next step? What technologies can we share that take advantage of our coalition of coalitions? Join veterans of the FOI game who have "been there, done that" for tips on sustainability.

Featuring: Hollie Manheimer, Executive Director, Georgia First Amendment Foundation; Barbara Petersen, President, Florida First Amendment Foundation, President, NFOIC; Kathleen Richardson, Executive Secretary, Iowa Freedom of Information Council.

Moderated by Frank Gibson, Executive Director, Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, Vice President, NFOIC.

Back to top

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Ten Technologies You Should Be Using

Twitter? Facebook? Content Management Systems? Project Management Systems? APIs, Widgets, Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts? How about pencil and paper? Curious, or confused? Join us for a discussion on various approaches to and types of technology that can strengthen a coalition and kindle the FOI fires.

Featuring: Lisa Skube, Principal, Creaturekind Communications; Karl Pearson-Cater, Director of Operations, MinnPost.com; Jeff Lennan, Chief Operating Officer, Winning Mark.

Back to top

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Cocktail Hour

Because fighting for open government and freedom of information is hard work, a little relaxation is called for. Join us from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friday evening for an abundance of free hors d’oeuvres and tales of FOI fights both past and present. Cash bar available.

Moderated by Charles N. Davis, Executive Director, NFOIC.

Back to top

Saturday, June 6

Registration: 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m

NFOIC Annual Members Meeting

A continental breakfast will be provided during the meeting.

Back to top

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

FOI and Infrastructure

The Minneapolis I-35W Bridge collapse placed laser-like focus on infrastructure issues, not only in Minnesota, but all over the country. A panel of experts will gather to discuss the use of FOI to inform the public about infrastructure issues.

Featuring: James Shiffer, Reporter and Editor, Star Tribune; Tisha Thompson, Investigative Reporter, WTTG Fox 5, Washington, D.C..

Moderated by Patrice McDermott, Director, OpenTheGovernment.org.

Back to top

Lunch: 12:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Heroes of the 50 States Award

The State Open Government Hall of Fame honors those whose lifetime commitment to citizen access, open government and freedom of information has left a legacy at the state and local level.

Keynote Speech

Paul Anger, editor and publisher of the Detroit Free Press, delivers this year's FOI Summit Keynote Speach. Mr. Anger was named editor and publisher of the Detroit Free Press in April, 2009, after serving as vice president and editor since August, 2005. He supervises 260 journalists, including reporters, photographers, videographers, artists, editors and Web producers who craft news coverage, multimedia content and commentary for the Free Press and Freep.com. Under his leadership, the newspaper has enhanced its commitment to watchdog and investigative journalism, launched new products, become an industry leader in video production and video quality (winning more national Emmy awards than any newspaper-based Web site) and shown record growth on Freep.com.

Back to top

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Financial Transparency

At the same time that some in our government are making efforts to increase transparency with online tracking, others are refusing to divulge the specifics of who's getting what. Meanwhile, folks in the FOI community are doing our best—with reporting, blogging, and special projects—to follow the money. Join us for the lowdown on government spending and fiscal accountability.

Featuring: Rebecca Otto, Auditor, State of Minnesota; James R. Nobles, Legislative Auditor, State of Minnesota; Charles Glasser, Global Media Counsel, Bloomberg News.

Moderated by Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law, University of Minnesota School of Journalism & Mass Communication.

Back to top

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

FOI as Civics Education

Freedom of information is a core democratic value, and one that should be celebrated in classrooms coast to coast. The NFOIC welcomes a panel of education and civics experts to discuss the national renaissance in civics and how FOI can play a leading role.

Featuring: Katherine Garner, President, KLGarner Consulting, Treasurer, NFOIC; Mary Jo McGuire, Faculty, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, College of St. Catherine; Barbara Petersen, President, Florida First Amendment Foundation.

Moderated by Tom O'Hara, Advisor, The Lantern, Ohio State University.

Back to top