North Carolina Digital Government Summit | IT Events, Conferences ...

North Carolina Digital Government Summit | IT Events, Conferences ...: "This session looks at emerging standards and solutions in meeting the demands of open government while also ensuring security, privacy and affordability. Kelly Eubank, Electronic Records Archivist, Department of Cultural Resources, State of
North Carolina ... This session takes a look at cloud computing and how – and if – it can be used securely, efficiently and economically. Wayne Clark, Architect, Intelligent Networking Services, Cisco Systems, Inc. ...



IT EVENT - http://itevent.net/"

New resource empowers watchdogs

New resource empowers watchdogs: "The Chicago-Kent College of Law opened its Center for Open Government last ... 1 effective date of beefed-up Freedom of Information laws, which provide a ...
"

Case Report – Federal appeal court says FOI requester's identity ...

Case Report – Federal appeal court says FOI requester's identity ...: "Case Report – Federal appeal court says FOI requester's identity matters. August 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment. The Federal Court of Appeal has issued a unque FOI judgement that turned on the identity of the requester. ...



All About Information - http://danmichaluk.wordpress.com/"

US understands public's right to know

US understands public's right to know: "Dealing with the US Department of Defence in a Freedom of Information ... across Canada that the electorate neither deserves access to the information being ...
"

City schools' payroll data won't be going online

City schools' payroll data won't be going online: "... workers' salaries as part of a push to promote “transparent and open government. ... “The information is readily available to anyone via a Freedom of ...
"

Ministers' expenses put online - Telegraph-Journal

Ministers' expenses put online - Telegraph-Journal: "

Ministers' expenses put online Telegraph-Journal Previously, New Brunswickers - including members of the media - had to file a Right to Information request to access government expenses. ... and more »

"

FOI requests probe public sector payment of SMEs

FOI requests probe public sector payment of SMEs: "

More Th>n Business

Every council and health trust across Britain is facing a Freedom of Information (FOI) request aimed at shaming those who are not paying their suppliers on ...


See all stories on this topic"

Public make most freedom requests

Public make most freedom requests: "

BBC News

The majority of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to Northern Ireland's government departments come from members of the public. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Comply with FOI: State Police withhold public information by ...

Comply with FOI: State Police withhold public information by ...: "Comply with FOI: State Police withhold public information by refusing to release mug shots.



Editorials - http://www.newstimes.com/editorials/"

Open and Shut: Privacy trumps on payments to ex MPs in the west

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffoi-privacy.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fprivacy-trumps-on-payments-to-ex-mps-in.html
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FOI boss backs Duguay | Cayman News Service

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caymannewsservice.com%2Fheadline-news%2F2009%2F08%2F24%2Ffoi-boss-backs-duguay
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DataSF: Mayor Officialy Kicks Off the Data Mining Gold Rush of Aught-Nine: SFAppeal

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsfappeal.com%2Fbusiness_tech_re%2F2009%2F08%2Fdatasf-mayor-officialy-kicks-off-the-data-mining-gold-rush-of-ought-nine.php
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Administration says it is committed to posting contracts online (8/20/09) -- www.GovernmentExecutive.com

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.govexec.com%2Fstory_page.cfm%3Farticleid%3D43448%26dcn%3Dtodaysnews
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Lawmakers Ellis, Hunter receive FOI awards - Corpus Christi, TX | KRISTV.COM |

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristv.com%2Fglobal%2Fstory.asp%3Fs%3D10972269
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State Briefs: Open records seminar held | NewsOK.com

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsok.com%2Fstate-briefs-open-records-seminar-held%2Farticle%2F3394696
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Rick's Rants Thursday August 20th/09

Rick's Rants Thursday August 20th/09: "Or because of the secrecy surrounding the plant's woes The Something Stinks Plant. Or, if taxpayers are left with a big bill after the fixup the This Really ...


See all stories on this topic"

University fund raising ruled NOT a “commercial activity” @ Foi News UK

University fund raising ruled NOT a “commercial activity” @ Foi News: "Freedom of Information News. The only website you'll ever need for news, jobs, discussion and legal updates on the Freedom of Information Act - Unlock FoI. University fund raising ruled NOT a “commercial activity” ...



Foi News - http://www.foinews.co.uk/"

OpenDataNI: public access to information and data produced by Northern Ireland government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)

Welcome to Opendatani

The purpose of OpenDataNI is to increase public access to information and data produced by Northern Ireland government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs).

OpenDataNI seeks to improve access to government information and data, and stimulate creative use of that information/data beyond the walls of government.

The government produces masses of information and data hidden away in obscure publications or odd corners of websites. The inaccessibility of this data and information means that it is difficult for its owners – YOU – to do something useful with it.

http://www.opendatani.info/

In the Shadows of Promise

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenewamerican.com%2Findex.php%2Fusnews%2Fpolitics%2F1576
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Spirit of openness is key to new law

Spirit of openness is key to new law: "One provision of the FOI overhaul succinctly summarizes things, declaring that "all records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be ...


See all stories on this topic"

Document searches taxing legislature staff - Globe and Mail

Document searches taxing legislature staff - Globe and Mail: "

Document searches taxing legislature staff Globe and Mail "We regard it as a massive FOI [freedom of information] request," he told the court. Mr. Falzon pointed out the request includes Mr. Richmond's personal ... and more »

"

Is administration more interested in transparency of Congress?

Is administration more interested in transparency of Congress?: "But other open government advocates dismiss the idea that the White House pays ... in favor of disclosure in executing the Freedom of Information Act. The ...
"

Massachusetts is planning to "democratize the data" behind its public transportation network

Mass. giving transit data to software developers

ASSOCIATED PRESS | Mon, Aug 17, 5:32 PM EDT

Massachusetts is planning to "democratize the data" behind its public transportation network.

It's providing software developers with all the coding and background data they will need to develop iPhone applications and other high-tech aids incorporating MBTA subway, bus, train and regional transit information.

A restaurant owner, for example, could easily add official government data about the location and details of transit stops or bus schedules into a Web site about his business.

It builds off an earlier initiative helping Google Maps incorporate the same information into driving and walking directions requested by its users.

"With the help of thoughtful technical developers, making this data public will spawn many possible applications to help transit users use their cell phones or laptops to find and use the right bus or train in the right place at the right time for them," Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, who also heads the T's board of directors, said Monday in a statement.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://dailyme.com/story/2009081700003245/mass-giving-transit-data-software-developers.html

Will NDP keep vow of more open government? - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Columnists/1137998.html
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Quinn signs new FOIA bill

Quinn signs new FOIA bill: "... whose office drafted the rewrite, said the new law closes loopholes in the existing act and requires governmental bodies to train their FOI officers. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Information requests will cost less - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Image via Wikipedia

Information requests will cost less

Fee drops to $5 from $25; now critics want shorter wait time
By EVA HOARE Staff Reporter
Sun. Aug 16 - 4:45 AM

It will now cost you a whole lot less to get information from the province, a move welcomed by at least one government watchdog.

Starting Friday, the government lowered its fee for an application under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to $5 from $25.

"We’re quite happy about the decision," said Darce Fardy, president of the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia, whose group lobbied political parties during this spring’s election campaign to reduce the fee.

Now Mr. Fardy wants the government to move on his organization’s other request; dropping the $15 per half-hour processing fee to $5. His group also wants wait times for the information to be shortened.

"To get through the application and appeal process can be more than a year, and costly to boot," Mr. Fardy said Friday.

In an opinion piece in this newspaper in July, Mr. Fardy, a former freedom of information review officer for the province, said some members of the public have had to pay thousands of dollars to obtain information. And at times they’ve faced up to an 18-month wait.

The coalition hopes to "push them (government) a little farther," Mr. Fardy said.

FULL ARTICLE: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1137705.html

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• Right to Know Coaltion meets with new Minister of Justice for Nova Scotia (nsrtk.blogspot.com)
• Province Cuts Freedom of Information Application Fee (DoJ Press Release) (nsrtk.blogspot.com)
• Province lowers Freedom of Information fee (nsrtk.blogspot.com)

CNW Group | CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS | CAJ welcomes Nova Scotia move to restore lower FOI fees

CAJ welcomes Nova Scotia move to restore lower FOI fees

    OTTAWA, Aug. 14 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists applauds
the new Nova Scotia NDP government for today slashing FOI request fees from
$25 to $5, setting them at the previous rate effective immediately.
   "We've called for just such a reduction for years," says CAJ President
Mary-Agnes Welch. "This will help all citizens ask vital questions to keep
Nova Scotia's government more accountable."

   The Canadian Association of Journalists is a non-profit professional
organization with more than 1,300 members across Canada. The CAJ's key roles
are to provide public-interest advocacy and high-quality professional
development for its members.

For further information: Fred Vallance-Jones, CAJ director, (902)
402-8202; John Dickins, CAJ executive director, (613) 868-5442

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2009/14/c5377.html

No cuts to info fees | Alberta | News | Edmonton Sun

Image by TeeJe via Flickr

No cuts to info fees

Grits demand Alta. follow N.S. lead on government documents

By KERRY DIOTTE, LEGISLATURE BUREAU CHIEF

Last Updated: 15th August 2009, 3:09am

There are no plans for Alberta to follow the lead of Nova Scotia that yesterday drastically reduced the fee charged to people seeking documents under freedom of information legislation.

Nova Scotia slashed the fee for seeking such information from $25 to $5 saying it wanted to be "open and accountable."

"I don't know if there's any talk of reducing the fee at this point," said Service Alberta spokesman Cam Traynor.

"The purpose of the fee is to ensure the costs of gathering the information for the public (are) covered."

Liberal House leader Laurie Blakeman said she'd rather Alberta's government be more forthcoming under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, rather than reduce initial filing fees.

"In Alberta we have the dubious distinction of being named the most secretive government, repeatedly," said Blakeman, charging the ruling Tories' claim to be "open and accountable" rings hollow.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2009/08/15/10470831-sun.html

Michigan court says police union cannot circumvent state FOI law

Michigan court says police union cannot circumvent state FOI law: "The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled recently that a Detroit police officers union could not contract around the state's open records laws in an employment ...


See all stories on this topic"

Province Cuts Freedom of Information Application Fee (DoJ Press Release)

Province Cuts Freedom of Information Application Fee

Image by kitonlove via Flickr

Department of Justice
August 14, 2009 12:56 PM

The province is making it easier and more affordable for Nova Scotians to access information about the government.

The application fee under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is being reduced from $25.00 to $5.00 effective today, Aug. 14.

"The government is committed to being open and accountable to Nova Scotians," said Attorney General and Justice Minister Ross Landry. "Access to information needs to be affordable. This decrease will assist those people who may have found the fee too costly in the past.”

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, implemented in 1994, provides Nova Scotians with access to most records under the control of the provincial government and protects the privacy of individuals who do not want their personal information made public. The act is designed to strike a balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy.

Last year, government received more than 950 applications for information on departments, agencies boards and commissions.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20090814003

Province lowers Freedom of Information fee

Image via Wikipedia

Province lowers Freedom of Information fee (MetroNews.ca)

14 August 2009 12:36

The province is making it easier and more affordable for Nova Scotians to access information.

Effective today, the application fee under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is being reduced from $25 to $5.

Attorney General and Justice Minister Ross Landry says the government is committed to being open and accountable and access to information needs to be affordable.

The act is designed to strike a balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy.

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/283063--province-lowers-freedom-of-information-fee

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FOI Oklahoma: FOI OK asks candidates for Tulsa muni offices and ...

FOI Oklahoma: FOI OK asks candidates for Tulsa muni offices and ...: "Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed. FOI Oklahoma doesn't just believe in the right of ...



FOI Oklahoma - http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/"

Cooks Islands first to pass FOI laws

Cooks Islands first to pass FOI laws: "The Cook Islands has become the first Pacific island country to pass Freedom of Information (FOI) laws. But not many other Pacific Islands have followed the ...


See all stories on this topic"

New Site to Track Canadian Government and NGO Reports (from Library Boy Blog)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009

New Site to Track Canadian Government and NGO Reports

I was just made aware of a relatively new site called Reports Canada that seeks to track "new reports released by federal and provincial government departments and committees, NGOs and other Canadian organizations involved with public policy."

There is a category for legal and security reports.

The site has an RSS feed.

Reports Canada is maintained by Carl Meyer, assistant editor of The Hill Times' DailyPubliNet, a news service in Ottawa that tracks federal parliamentary business.

http://micheladrien.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-site-to-track-canadian-government.html

As heard on Twitter: Article & video of citizens w/ camera being turned away from public meeting being held in courtroom RT @opengovva

From the Twitter account @opengovva run by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government - a non-partisan, non-profit open government advocate:

Article & video of citizens w/ camera being turned away from public meeting being held in courtroom.http://bit.ly/1KR3Y 



Cameras at issue in County

A CBS television news camera crew covering O'Gara Group's move to Westmoreland had visited the county on June 8 but declined to stay around for that month's evening Board of Supervisors meeting.

On August 10 an ABC television news camera crew visited the county to cover reactions to O'Gara Group's arrival on property purchased from Bryan Chandler several weeks ago. That crew also opted not to stick around for the evening Board of Supervisors meeting.

On June 8 and August 10 Westmoreland resident Bob Quinn was prevented from videoing the Board of Supervisors meetings. Quinn successfully filmed the Westmoreland Industrial Development Authority's meeting on June 29 and county government authorities subpoenaed a copy of that meeting video. That video has been displayed on The Journal's website at www.journalpress.com since the June 29 meeting.The Journal was present this Monday evening when Westmoreland Sheriff's Office employees Ron Hundley and Bill England prevented Quinn from entering the Supervisors' G. D. English Building meeting room with the camera in his hand.  "You can't take that in there with you," Quinn was told as he and others went through the security screening protocols that were instituted by the Sheriff's Office and local government on July 13.

 
"Cameras in courtrooms are prohibited," the deputies explained.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.journalpress.com/westmoreland-county-news/920-cameras-at-issue-in-county

Ministers will lose power to resist FOI

Ministers will lose power to resist FOI: "The changes remove the power of ministers to issue conclusive certificates to block FOI requests. Instead, decisions to refuse access to information can be ...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25926657-5013871,00.html

See all stories on this topic"

National Journal Online -- Tech Daily Dose -- Red Flags Raised By Web 2.0 Contracts

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftechdailydose.nationaljournal.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fred-flags-raised-by-web-20-con.php
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3 Council members threaten legal action against Brown on FOI : Latest Local News : The Buffalo News

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buffalonews.com%2F258%2Fstory%2F759919.html
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More information on information changes (Australia)

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psnews.com.au%2FPage_psn1814.html
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Bob Dreps guest column: Open Records Law benefits all citizens | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenbaypressgazette.com%2Farticle%2F20090811%2FGPG0706%2F90811010%2F1269%2FGPG06
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The FOI Advocate: Footage of governor's office entrance denied in Sunshine request

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffoiadvocate.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffootage-of-governors-office-entrance.html
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Linex Legal > Out-Law.com > Information Tribunal overlooked public interest in legal privilege case, says High Court

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linexlegal.com%2Ftransit.php%3Fcontent_id%3D99455%26id8%3D1
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CNW Group | CANADIAN RESTAURANT AND FOODSERVICES ASSOCIATION | Open Letter to Mayor Peter Kelly, Halifax Regional Municipality RE: Sewage stench in downtown Halifax

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newswire.ca%2Fen%2Freleases%2Farchive%2FAugust2009%2F11%2Fc4092.html
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Secrecy change for SA cabinet papers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F08%2F12%2F2653396.htm%3Fsection%3Daustralia
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TheStar.com | Ontario | McGuinty's fib has tarnished his halo

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fnews%2Fcanada%2Farticle%2F679825
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BBC NEWS | Ideas sought for open government

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Ftechnology%2F8194859.stm
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Cayman Islands FOI requests drop off

FOI requests drop off


By Brent Fuller, brent@cfp.ky

Sunday 9th August, 2009   Posted: 14:50 CIT   (19:50 GMT)


Public requests seeking information from the Cayman Islands government and its related authorities and companies have steadily tapered off over the last six months.


Since the Freedom of Information Law (2007) took effect on 5 January up through 30 June, a total of 314 requests have been made by the public. About one–third of those requests (117) came in the first month the law was enacted.

In February, 55 requests were made; in March that number jumped again to 87; in April 56 FOI requests were made; in May 45 such requests were made; and in June only 36 FOI requests were made.

"Statistics are showing a great deal of success in granting access to records," a report from the FOI coordinator's office read.

Just more than half (52 per cent) of the open records requests made to Cayman's government agencies since January have either been granted in full or were never processed because the records already existed in the public domain.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=10384504 

YouTube - Sunlight Foundation : Making Government Transparent

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3djt31MiHdA&client=mv-google&gl=CA&hl=en
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Drug rebates raise questions on cost, transparency

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalpost.com%2Fnews%2Fstory.html%3Fid%3D1867359
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How Sunlight Foundation Achieves Government Transparency - Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco, CA - 04.02.09 - Ellen S. Miller

Image by justgrimes via Flickr

How Sunlight Foundation Achieves Government Transparency
Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco, CA
04.02.09
Ellen S. Miller

Ellen S. Miller is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Sunlight Foundation, a Washington-based, non-partisan non-profit dedicated to using the power of the Internet to catalyze greater government openness and transparency.

She is the founder of two prominent Washington-based organizations in the field of money and politics – the Center for Responsive Politics and Public Campaign – and a nationally recognized expert on government transparency, campaign finance and ethics issues.

Ms. Miller is a well-recognized public speaker, commentator, and writer on the issues of money, politics, and power. Her experience as a Washington advocate for more than 35 years spans the worlds of public interest advocacy, grass roots activism and journalism. In addition to her more than two decades of work on the issue of money in politics, Ms. Miller served as Deputy Director of Campaign for America's Future, where she directed its Project for an Accountable Congress, the publisher of TomPaine.com and a senior fellow at The American Prospect.

She spent nearly a decade working on Capitol Hill. She blogs regularly at the Sunlight Foundation site and has written frequently for TomPaine.com, The Hill, The American Prospect, and The Nation. She was named by WIRED Magazine in the 2008 Smart List as one of the "15 People the Next President Should Listen To", and appeared in Fast Company's February 2009 "Most Influential Women in Technology."

http://fora.tv/2009/04/02/How_Sunlight_Foundation_Achieves_Government_Transparency

Assessing the Health of FOIA After 2000 through the Lens of the National Security Archive and Federal Government Audits [2009-18] (PDF)

Assessing the Health of FOIA After 2000 through the Lens of the National Security Archive and Federal Government Audits [2009-18] Melissa Guy and Melanie Oberlin (pdf)

Law Library Journal
Law Library Journal 101, no. 3

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• Government Employees Reactions to FOIA (scottsmb.com)

Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia Annual General Meeting July 14, 2009

Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia

Annual General Meeting

July 14, 2009

Present:

• Darce Fardy
• Brian Awad
• Anne Smith (by telephone)
• Neal Livingston
• Charles Cirtwill
• Joanna Porter
• Donna McCready

Regrets:

• Indranil Dutta
• Dean Jobb
• Belinda Manning
• Ian Johnson
• Greg Pemberton

Commenced: 10:30am

Annual Report of the President

Darce presented his annual report

Action: Report to be posted to the website.


Annual Report of the Treasurer

Annual financial statements were reviewed and approved.

Action: Report to be posted to the website.


Other Annual Reports

1. Annual Report of the President

Darce presented his annual report

Action: Report to be posted to the website.

2. Annual Report of the Treasurer

Annual financial statements were reviewed and approved.

Action: Report to be posted to the website.

3. Other Annual Reports

1. Membership and membership outreach

• We have at least one new member with experience in fundraising.

Action: Darce and Joanna to contact.

• We do not currently do much outreach to the entire membership.

Action: Board and officers will ensure that the membership is provided with periodic updates on activities and sent announcements of significant events and accomplishments.

4. Election of Directors

2008-09 board was re-elected for 2009-10:

• Darce Fardy
• Brian Awad
• Anne Smith
• Neal Livingston
• Charles Cirtwill
• Dean Jobb
• Belinda Manning
• Ian Johnson

5. Election of Officers

2008-09 officers were re-elected for 2009-10:

• Darce Fardy - President
• Brian Awad - Secretary
• Indranil Dutta - Treasurer

6. Other Business

1. FOI requests and reviews – recent experiences

Members discussed recent experiences with their FOI requests and reviews.

2. Meeting the new Minister of Justice

Brian advised that he has asked for a meeting with Ross Landry, Minister of Justice.

Action: Darce and Brian to continue to seek to meet with the new Minister.

3. Strategic Priorities

Charles suggested that RTK create an annual plan by way of a list of strategic priorities.

Action: Charles and Brian will prepare a draft list of strategic priorities.

Adjourned: 11:45am

#419739.1

Sequoyah County Times - Attorney General to Hold Open Meetings, Records Seminars

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sequoyahcountytimes.com%2Fpages%2Ffull_story%2Fpush%3Farticle-Attorney%2BGeneral%2Bto%2BHold%2BOpen%2BMeetings-%2BRecords%2BSeminars-%2520%26id%3D3084303%26instance%3Dhome_news_bullets
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Vendors worry posting of contracts will expose proprietary data - Nextgov

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090804_9922.php?oref=topstory
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Right to Know Coalition meets with new Minister of Justice for Nova Scotia

Image by erjkprunczyk via Flickr

RIGHT TO KNOW COALITION MEETS WITH NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE FOR NOVA SCOTIA

(Halifax, NS) The Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia is hopeful that Nova Scotians will see improvements in transparency and access to government information following a meeting with the new Minister of Justice, Ross Landry.

Right to Know president Darce Fardy and board member Brian Awad used the meeting to advocate for reduced Freedom of Information application and review fees, and shorter review times. The application fee is currently $25, which is the highest in Canada. "We definitely believe that it is an inhibitor," said Fardy in the meeting.

Right to Know also requested that the Minister ask the new Premier to affirm in a formal manner his government's commitment to open and transparent government, and participatory democracy.

"Our proposals are not new to the people with whom we met," said Fardy after the meeting. "Right to Know had put forward the proposals during the recent election campaign. They were well received by the New Democrats at that time."

"Today, we were hosted cordially by the Minister. The 'take-home message' seemed to be that each of our proposals is consistent with the approach that will be taken by the new government, and that each will be worked on or is already being worked on."

"I believe that we will see some positive announcements in the near future," said Fardy.

The Minister of Justice is the member of the Cabinet who is responsible for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia is a not for profit advocacy and education organization that encourages the use and development of freedom-of-information legislation to foster a better informed and more politically active electorate in Nova Scotia and to improve the quality of public and private decision making in the province.

-30-

31 July 2009

For information contact

Darce Fardy

President

Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia

darce@eastlink.ca
www.nsrighttoknow.ca

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Fellow Non-profit Highlight: National Whistleblowers Center (NWC)

National Whistleblowers Center (NWC) is an advocacy organization with a 20-year history of protecting the right of individuals to speak out about wrongdoing in the workplace without fear of retaliation. Since 1988, NWC has supported whistleblowers in the courts and before Congress, achieving victories for environmental protection, nuclear safety, government ethics and corporate accountability. NWC also sponsors several educational and assistance programs, including an online resource center on whistleblower rights, a speakers bureau of national experts and former whistleblowers, and a national attorney referral service run by the NWC’s sister group the National Whistleblower Legal Defense and Education Fund (NWLDEF). The National Whistleblowers Center is a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.

Link to NWC

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Government retreats on judges’ assets disclosure bill

August 3rd, 2009 - 4:23 pm ICT by IANS

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The government Monday deferred the introduction of a bill on the declaration of judges’ assets after members across the spectrum said in the Rajya Sabha that it violated the Constitution and the Right to Information Act.

“In view of the sentiments expressed by the members and to build consensus on the issue, I am deferring the introduction of the bill,” Law Minister Veerappa Moily said, as member after member, including Jayanti Natarajan of the ruling Congress, objected to clause six of the Judges (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Bill 2009 under which the assets of judges could not be made public.

Opposing the introduction of the bill after Moily sought permission to do so, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley (Bharatiya Janata Party) said: “Under clause six, a judge has to declare his assets to a competent authority and this cannot be made public.

“If I want to contest an election, I have to first declare my assets and these are made public. Thus, clause six seeks to give a different interpretation to article 19 of the constitution. We can’t have two interpretations of the same article.”

“We can’t have dual interpretations of the law for people seeking to hold public office and those already occupying public office,” he added.

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Web 2.0 enables transparency goals -- Federal Computer Week

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