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

OGIS Launches New Quarterly Reporting

Beginning in fiscal year 2023, OGIS has launched a new reporting graphic that tracks quarterly data and activities. In the past we shared mediation statistics with regard to the number of cases we managed. And while that work continues — we respond to more than 4,000 inquiries a year — it is just as important … Continue reading OGIS Launches New Quarterly Reporting

Mark Your Calendar For Sunshine Week 2023

Make plans to join us as we kick off Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of access to public information, with a panel discussion on “Making Access Happen: FOIA at the National Archives” on Monday, March 13, at 1 p.m. ET.  The event will be live-streamed on the National Archives YouTube Channel.    National Archives … Continue reading Mark Your Calendar For Sunshine Week 2023

Call for Nominations: Vacant Non-Government Seat on FOIA Advisory Committee

Colonel (COL) Simmons of the 7th Infantry Division uses field glasses to monitor progress during the joint US Army/Air Force Exercise CALFEX '86 (combined arms live fire exercise). National Archives Identifier 6426854. A resignation from the FOIA Advisory Committee has created a vacancy for which we seek nominations. We are looking for a non-government FOIA expert who has … Continue reading Call for Nominations: Vacant Non-Government Seat on FOIA Advisory Committee

FOIA Communication: Keep it Simple!

Dr. Edwin McMillan with mousetrap cigarette lighter atom smasher apparatus (Rube Goldberg inspired). Photograph taken March 21, 1974. XBB743-1774. [Photograph by: Steve Gerber] National Archives Identifier 39146966 Plain language has long been an interest of ours as we have observed that clear, concise and well-organized correspondence smoothes the FOIA process for all. After we put … Continue reading FOIA Communication: Keep it Simple!

New Year, New Public Comments Form

Your Ideas Are Welcomed. War Production Board1942 – 1943. National Archives Identifier 534167 As we begin a new year and say “hello” to 2023, we have news to share: OGIS is excited to announce our new public comments form. This new tool allows the public to submit their comments to the FOIA Advisory Committee, the Chief FOIA … Continue reading New Year, New Public Comments Form