Ombuds Day is Thursday, October 12

Thursday, October 12 is officially recognized by the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) as Ombuds Day. This annual observation provides an opportunity to educate the public about the role of ombuds and the wide variety of services and value that ombuds provide.  As the federal FOIA Ombudsman, OGIS resolves FOIA disputes, … Continue reading Ombuds Day is Thursday, October 12

OGIS Publishes Updated Immigration Observer

The President's Committee For Hungarian Refugees, Prospectus for Kilmer Operation. National Archives Identifier 24443. A popular resource for using FOIA to access immigration records across the federal government has been updated with the publication of an updated Immigration Ombuds Observer on our website. This document supersedes our 2018 Immigration Observer, now archived. The webpage serves … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Updated Immigration Observer

FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on September 7

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-1n8aGJBEXuW0M7ELrB Working figuring it out by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 1262812. Representatives from the U.S. Department of State will present on several pilot projects involving artificial intelligence in the FOIA and declassification spaces at the next meeting of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee on Thursday, September 7, … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on September 7

FOIA Advisory Committee Recommends Exemption 5 Transparency

A US Air Force (USAF) female F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot, assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS), South Carolina Air National Guard (ANG), with the call sign of "Vixen," gives the thumbs up signal from the cockpit of her aircraft, as she prepares for a mission in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. National … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Recommends Exemption 5 Transparency

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

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