Workshop on Public Information/Open Meetings to be held in Fort Worth

September 12, 2012

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas will hold the fourth of five 2012 Open Government seminars around the state in Fort Worth. The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28, at the Tarrant County College Trinity East Campus (Jones Street and Belknap Street) located at 245 E. Belknap (Room 1050, THRA Building) in Fort Worth.

Open Government 2012: A Symposium on Access to Public Information and Open Meetings in Texas is a traveling workshop designed to develop and enhance understanding of the changing landscape of open government. Sessions will address hot topics in public information and open meetings acts and will include a legislative update on changes made during the legislative session. The program is directed toward the general public, government employees, elected officials and representatives of the media. Each seminar will feature experienced attorneys and others knowledgeable in this important area of law.

Participants will receive materials from the Office of the Attorney General as well as FOIFT. The morning session has been approved by the Office of the Attorney General as meeting the requirements for open government training for public officials, required by S.B. 286.

The portion compliant with open government training for public officials will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and is free. The afternoon session offers an in-depth, interactive discussion with presenters from FOIFT and the Office of the Attorney General for $50 and includes additional open records resource materials.

A 90-minute lunch break allows participants to travel to area restaurants. Seating is limited and registration is due by September 26. Event registration for either the morning or afternoon session, or both, is quick and easy at www.foift.org. If you wish to pay by check or purchase order, a downloadable form on the website may be mailed to 3001 N. Lamar Boulevard, Suite 302, Austin, TX 78705. For questions call (512) 377-1575 or email [email protected].

Scheduled presenters in Fort Worth include Thomas Williams, an attorney with the law office of Haynes & Boone L.L.P and Hadassah Schloss, cost rules administrator with the Open Records Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. This seminar is co-sponsored by the SPJ Forth Worth Pro Chapter.

###