Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Paul Chalmers

Today we present an interview with Paul Chalmers, Deputy General Counsel for General Law and Operations at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and a member of the FOIA Advisory Committee. This is part of a series of posts on the Committee, whose members are FOIA experts from inside and outside of government who are appointed … Continue reading Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Paul Chalmers

Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Lauren Harper

Today we present an interview with Lauren Harper, Director of Public Policy at the National Security Archive, and a member of the FOIA Advisory Committee. This is part of a series of posts on the Committee, whose members are FOIA experts from inside and outside of government who are appointed by the Archivist of the United … Continue reading Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Lauren Harper

OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

The Office of Government Information Services 2023 Report for Fiscal Year 2022 is now available on our website. Highlights include:  Handling over 4,500 requests for assistance — from both FOIA requesters and agencies. Providing a new virtual training program on negotiation for FOIA professionals. Leading and collaborating with the Chief FOIA Officers Council Technology Committee … Continue reading OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Input on Draft Model Determination Letter

"Here Lies a Good Idea. Don't Let Your Idea Die. Put it in the Suggestion Box Today." National Archives Identifier 514482 As presented and discussed at the June 8, 2023, FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting, the Modernization Subcommittee seeks public feedback on a model determination letter from federal agencies, FOIA requesters, and the public, before finalizing … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Input on Draft Model Determination Letter

Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Alex Howard

Today we present an interview with Alex Howard, director of the Digital Democracy Project, and a member of the FOIA Advisory Committee. This is part of a series of posts on the Committee, whose members are FOIA experts from inside and outside of government who are appointed by the Archivist of the United States. What prompted … Continue reading Getting to Know the FOIA Advisory Committee: Alex Howard

New Resources Available on OGIS Website

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-wlRdOoUTVBI63NGjS3 Book reading by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 12065. We recently published two resources that are now available on the OGIS website. The first is an Ombuds Observer on the decommissioning of FOIAonline. It highlights the history of FOIAonline and what the next steps are for requesters and agencies as … Continue reading New Resources Available on OGIS Website

Join us June 13 for our Annual Open Meeting

Uncle Sam Wants Your Ideas! Keep 'Em Firing. National Archives Identifier 534244 In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act statute, OGIS will host our Annual Open Meeting at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 13. Please join us as we hear from OGIS Director Alina M. Semo about OGIS’s fiscal year (FY) 2022 annual report. Members of the public will … Continue reading Join us June 13 for our Annual Open Meeting

FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on June 8

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-nasa-satellite-communications-26UtCvTRqLIDdeWih1 Rocket Science Space by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 45002. The next meeting of the 2022-2024 term of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee is on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.  This virtual meeting is open to the public and registration is … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on June 8

Ensuring Effective Portal Communication with Requesters: Even When They’re on Vacation!

Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter fishing on August 26, 1978. National Archives Identifier 180949. OGIS has observed recently that agencies are increasingly using portals to send response letters and records to requesters. OGIS applauds this approach as portals are faster than U.S. postal mail and more secure than email. However, OGIS encourages agencies to consider … Continue reading Ensuring Effective Portal Communication with Requesters: Even When They’re on Vacation!

Chief FOIA Officers Council Meeting Recap

A new webpage cataloging Office of Government information Services (OGIS) recommendations and best practices, a model for analyzing FOIA programs and technology, and an update on an interactive search tool on FOIA.gov were among the matters discussed at the April 25, 2023, meeting of the Chief FOIA Officers Council.  Missed the meeting? Catch up by … Continue reading Chief FOIA Officers Council Meeting Recap