[Campaign Finance] [Elections] [Enforcement]  [Ethics] [FOI] 

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 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Franklin Hall 8 - Fourth Floor

An Introduction to Open Government Regulation: It's Always Sunny with Freedom of Information Laws

Co-Presenters:          

David Goodis, Assistant Commissioner of Policy & Corporate Services, Office of the Ontario Information & Privacy Commissioner, @IPCinfoprivacy

Bryan McHale, Public Integrity Compliant Services Supervisor, Philadelphia Board of Ethics, @PhillyEthicsBd

We hear about sunshine laws, we read about them, and our agencies are subject to them — but what are they really?  This introductory session introduces you to the principles and concepts of laws pertaining to open government and freedom of information or “sunshine.”  This session opens wide the doors of sunshine laws as two experienced presenters explore the sunshine laws of both the U.S. and Canada.  No matter which COGEL discipline you are in, this session will be valuable to anyone who serves in the public sector!

 FOI

 10:25 am - 11:55 am

Franklin Hall 10 - Fourth Floor

In a Digital World, Why FOI?

Moderator:

Erik Arneson, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, @ErikOpenRecords

Panelists:

Paula Knudsen, Investigative Journalist, The Caucus, @CaucusPA

Lisa Thornton, Public Records Officer, Office of Public Records, University of Oregon

In our ever-changing, technology-driven world, information abounds.  Given this, is freedom of information still critical to the conduct of good government?  With so much information available at our fingertips, do we need open records laws?  When public agencies are contemplating holding virtual meetings, do we need open meetings laws? Is FOI irrelevant or is it more important now than ever?

 This featured panel invites you to question the future and relevancy of current FOI laws and practices in this new digital age.  Unplug from your tech and explore these perplexing issues with us “irl” (in real life)!

 FOI

 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Franklin Hall 10 - Fourth Floor

Am I Just a Data Point? A Consideration of Privacy

Moderator:

Bryan McHale, Public Integrity Compliance Supervisor, Philadelphia Board of Ethics, @PhillyEthicsBD

Panelists:

Stacie Christensen, Director, Information Policy Analysis Division, Minnesota Department of Administration, @ADMN_Minnesota

Justin Gordon, Division Chief, Office of the Texas Attorney General, @TXAG

Eliza Saunders, Director, Office of Public Records & Open Public Meetings, University of Washington, @UW

Bianca Wylie, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation, @biancawylie

Data is the resource powering 21^st century society: from targeting political advertisements to optimizing ride-sharing.  Similarly, government is also an aggregation of unfathomable amounts of data about the world around us and specifically about each of us as citizens.

 What responsibilities does government have in its stewardship of all this data it collects?  At what point does the public have an expectation to be asked to consent to the use of its data?  What privacy rights do citizens enjoy?  If data is to be open, should there be a re-evaluation of what data is collected to begin with and what an ethical stewardship of data looks like?  This is a must-attend session not just for those in government, but for all who wonder, “Am I Just a Data Point?”

 FOI

 10:15 am - 11:45 am

Franklin Hall 10 - Fourth Floor 

They Want HOW Many Pages? Voluminous FOI Requests

Moderator:

   Sherry Liang Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Ontario Information & Privacy Commissioner, @IPCinfoprivacy

Panelists:

Terry Mutchler, Mutchler Lyons, @mutchlerlyons

Allison Knight, Federal Information Commissioner, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada, @OIC_CI_Canada

Carrie McGuire, Management & Program Analyst, U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, @USNatArchives

A government office recently estimated it would take 80 years to review and process 780,000 pages! When the story of this response to an FOI request hit the press, we all wondered how our agencies might have handled this situation.  This panel gives insights, tips, and best practices – from both the government and the requester perspective – on managing FOI requests that cover voluminous records.  Rest assured you won’t have to wait 80 years to receive the learnings of this dynamic panel!

 FOI

 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm

Franklin Hall 11 & 12 - Fourth Floor 

FOI Update: Surveying the Legislative & Litigation Landscape

Panelists:

David Goodis, Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Ontario Information & Privacy Commissioner, @IPCinfoprivacy

Paula Pearlman Attorney, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Alina Semo, Director, Office of Government Information Services, U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, @USNatArchives     

This moderated discussion explores legislative and litigation developments from the past year involving freedom of information.  As proof we support the freedom to share information, we allow ample time for you to exchange information and insights from your own jurisdictions concerning government access, making this an invaluable session for those with responsibility over FOI and open records issues.

 FOI

 9:15 am - 10:30 am

Franklin Hall 10 - Fourth Floor 

FOI Roundtable

Moderators:      

Tom Hennick, Public Education Officer, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Colleen Murphy, Executive Director & General Counsel, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Wrap up your conference experience with a lively and wide-ranging discussion about emerging government access issues.  Join your colleagues from all COGEL disciplines in this roundtable discussion into the challenges, emerging issues, and best practices with freedom of information and how best to make government open and transparent.

 FOI