OVERVIEW: This session will introduce attendees to the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), the federal FOIA Ombudsman, and will examine how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows public access to federal records while protecting from disclosure information Congress deems sensitive. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how OGIS aids requesters and agencies to improve the functioning of the FOIA process, and allow as much access as possible to federal records and information.
The FOIA was established in the late 1960s under President Johnson as a means to ensure individuals have access to information created and maintained by the federal government. Over 40 years later OGIS was created as the federal FOIA ombudsman to ensure the intent of the FOIA was being met. Housed under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration, OGIS has provided dispute resolution services to tens of thousands of requesters and reviewed FOIA compliance across dozens of agencies.
Attendees will gain insight into how the federal FOIA statute increases access to the records of federal agencies as well as the role that OGIS as Ombudsman plays in improving administration of FOIA.
GARA CERTIFICATE CORE COMPETENCY AREA: "Legal and Compliance Issues"
GEORGIA RECORDS ASSOCIATION GRMP CREDITS: 3 Credits in AK1 (note: Sessions 1, 5, and 10 all must be taken to receive credits; no partial credit will be given)
TARGET AUDIENCE: Federal, State/Tribal, Local, Public Institutions of Higher Learning
FOCUS AREAS: Archives, Records Management
PRESENTERS: Michelle Bradley, Supervisor, National Records Management Training Program, Office of the Chief Records Officer, National Archives and Records Administration | Robyn Rodgers, Senior Archivist, Veterans’ Administration | Kimberlee Ried, Management and Program Analyst, OGIS, National Archives and Records Administration