Category: OGIS events

Improving FOIA Regulations: We Need Your Help!

by kmitchell, posted in FOIA Public Liaisons, OGIS events, Ombudsman, Open Government

Developing a common FOIA regulation is one of the commitments of the second Open Government National Action Plan to modernize FOIA. Agency FOIA professionals and regulatory specialists interested in what a common FOIA regulation might look like are invited to a meeting that will kick off the interagency process of developing the regulation. The meeting … Continue reading Improving FOIA Regulations: We Need Your Help!

FOIA and Dispute Resolution: Voices from the Field

by cmcguire, posted in FOIA Public Liaisons, Mediation services, OGIS events, Ombudsman, Team approach

This year’s American Society of Access Professionals (ASAP) Annual Training Conference included a panel titled “FOIA and Dispute Resolution.” The panel included Kathy Ray from the Department of Transportation and Brad Heath, a USA Today reporter and frequent FOIA requester. The session was completely full, and there were lots of questions and excellent discussion. The … Continue reading FOIA and Dispute Resolution: Voices from the Field

Sunshine Week 2014 Roundup

by cmcguire, posted in Government information, OGIS events, OGIS's Reports, Open Government, Sunshine Week 2014

Though the “sunny” forecast in Washington D.C. actually ended up being rather snowy, we were still feeling the warmth during Sunshine Week. We gave you a preview of the events we planned to attend during Sunshine Week, and wrote about Director Nisbet’s Senate testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but here are some other exciting … Continue reading Sunshine Week 2014 Roundup

OGIS Director testifies, suggests improvements to FOIA

by kmitchell, posted in Electronic records, OGIS events, Ombudsman, Open Government, Sunshine Week 2014

OGIS Director Miriam Nisbet joined other advocates of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on March 11, testifying before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary about OGIS’s work and two new suggestions the Office has for improving FOIA. OGIS proposes that FOIA be embedded into Federal Information Technology (IT) management across the government. “We suggest … Continue reading OGIS Director testifies, suggests improvements to FOIA

Upcoming FOIA Requester Roundtable: Estimated Completion Dates

by cmcguire, posted in OGIS events, Ombudsman, Requester Roundtable

We’ve written before about the importance of providing estimated completion dates to requesters -- not only is it good customer service, but since 2007, it’s the law. Unfortunately, OGIS still hears from many requesters with delayed requests who have not heard when they might expect a response. In those cases, OGIS contacts the agency, talks … Continue reading Upcoming FOIA Requester Roundtable: Estimated Completion Dates

Upcoming OGIS Training Session: Developing Dispute Resolution Skills

by cmcguire, posted in FOIA Public Liaisons, OGIS events, Plain Language, Training

Do you find yourself flummoxed when faced with an angry FOIA requester? Do you regularly take "no" for an answer from your agency’s program people? We can help! OGIS will present a training session designed to help FOIA professionals develop dispute resolution skills on Monday, December 9, 2013 at the Archives building on Constitution Ave … Continue reading Upcoming OGIS Training Session: Developing Dispute Resolution Skills

Upcoming Requester Roundtable Discussion: Appeals

by cmcguire, posted in OGIS events, Ombudsman, Requester Roundtable

We at OGIS talk quite a bit about the importance of the FOIA administrative process, which includes the all-important appeal. But what is an appeal, exactly, and what should it include? What are some best practices for an agency’s appeal process? How can the FOIA and the appeals offices better work together? We will discuss … Continue reading Upcoming Requester Roundtable Discussion: Appeals

Celebrating our Successes

by cmcguire, posted in OGIS events

On May 13, 2013 the American Society of Access Professionals (ASAP) presented OGIS Director Miriam Nisbet with the President’s Award for Distinguished Public Service, ASAP’s highest honor. ASAP also gave the Director’s Award for Superior Public Service to the National Archives’ own Public Interest Declassification Board. Congratulations, Miriam and PIDB -- we are so proud … Continue reading Celebrating our Successes