2009 FOI Summit
	Wrap-up Attendees Media Introduction Registration Panelists Schedule Minneapolis Sponsors FOI Hero Summits Past 2008 FOI Summit 2007 FOI Summit 2006 FOI Summit

2009 FOI Summit

Get the 2009 FOI Summit wrap-up here.

• Introduction
• Registration Review
• Panels and Panelist Previews
• Hall of Fame Reminder

Introduction

The National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information bring you the 2009 FOI Summit from Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 5 and 6.

We'll look to the North Star State to help give us direction in our continuing battle to secure open government and government accountability.

Friday at noon, we begin the conference with a luncheon and the ever-popular FOI Salon, followed that afternoon by two panels on Coalition Sustainability.

Saturday, we'll have panels on FOI & Infrastructure, Financial Transparency, and FOI as Civic Education.

At Saturday's luncheon, for our keynote address we're proud to present Paul Anger, editor and publisher of the Detroit Free Press. Mr. Anger has nearly 40 years’ experience as a reporter and editor.

The Free Press, you'll remember, played a key part in the controversy surrounding the former Mayor of Detroit, his firing of whistleblowers, and the text messages that exposed his lies under oath. The existence and implementation of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act was a key factor in the media’s ability to help the public learn the truth.

Registration Review

Below, and scattered throughout the site, you'll see links to Conference Registration and Hotel Registration.

The conference registration link takes you to a page on this site that explains the conference cost and registration process(es).

The hotel registration link takes you directly to the Marriott site; once there, the code already is entered in the appropriate field; all you need do to begin the reservation process is personalize your arrival and departure dates (and number of guests) to fit your needs and click Find to begin the registration process.

Be aware, however, you must reserve your room by May 18 to be assured a reduced rate.

Panels and Panelist Previews

Scheduled panelists include:

• Paul Anger, Editor and Publisher, Detroit Free Press
• Richard J. H. Varn, Director, Coalition for Sensible Public Records Access
• Rebecca Otto, Auditor, State of Minnesota
• James R. Nobles, Legislative Auditor, State of Minnesota
• Patrice McDermott, Director, OpenTheGovernment.org
• Jane E. Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law, University of Minnesota School of Journalism & Mass Communication
• James Shiffer, Reporter and Editor, Star Tribune
• Tisha Thompson, Investigative Reporter, WTTG Fox 5, Washington, D.C.
• Mary Jo McGuire, Faculty, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, College of St. Catherine
• Charles Glasser, Global Media Counsel, Bloomberg News
• Lisa Skube, Principal, Creaturekind Communications
• Karl Pearson-Cater, Director of Operations, MinnPost.com
• Kathleen Richardson, Executive Secretary, Iowa Freedom of Information Council
• Hollie Manheimer, Executive Director, Georgia First Amendment Foundation
• Barbara Petersen, President, Florida First Amendment Foundation, President, NFOIC
• Frank Gibson, Executive Director, Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, Vice President, NFOIC
• Katherine Garner, President, KLGarner Consulting, Treasurer, NFOIC
• Tom O'Hara, Adviser, The Ohio State Lantern, Director, NFOIC

Scheduled panels include:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 high finance and fiscal accountability.

Hall of Fame Reminder

In addition to great panels with expert panelists, we'll also award a worthy individual with membership into the State Government Hall of Fame.

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