Today at 2 p.m. – RTKL Webinar for Requesters

Office of Open Records LogoToday (Mon., Jan. 11, 2021) at 2 p.m., I will host a webinar about the Right-to-Know Law designed for requesters, including members of the media and anyone interested in accessing government records in Pennsylvania.

This webinar will be held via Zoom. You can find all the details you need to join on the OOR’s training calendar. It should last about 90 minutes, and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation that I’ll use:

The OOR regularly hosts webinars and in-person training sessions about various topics related to the Right-to-Know Law and the Sunshine Act. Feel free to request a specific training session for your group or organization.

The RTKL for Requesters – Video Training Session

Office of Open Records LogoOn Dec. 2, I hosted a training session on Zoom designed for requesters, including members of the media and anyone interested in accessing government records in Pennsylvania.

That session, The Right-to-Know Law for Requesters, is now available on YouTube.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation that I used:

The Right-to-Know Law for Requesters (Dec. 2, 2020) – PPTX
The Right-to-Know Law for Requesters (Dec. 2, 2020) – PDF

You can watch the entire video here or on the OOR’s YouTube Channel:

Tomorrow (12/2) – RTKL Webinar for Requesters

Office of Open Records LogoTomorrow (Wed., Dec. 2, 2020) at 10 a.m., I will host a webinar about the Right-to-Know Law designed for requesters, including members of the media and anyone interested in accessing government records in Pennsylvania.

This webinar will be held via Zoom. You can find all the details you need to join on the OOR’s training calendar.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation that I’ll use:

Other upcoming OOR webinars include:

  • Basics of the RTKL for Agency Open Records Officers – Dec. 9, 2020
  • Basics of the Sunshine Act – Jan. 6, 2021
  • The RTKL for Law Enforcement Agencies – Jan. 13, 2021
  • RTKL Payment Issues – Jan. 20, 2021
  • Confidentiality Laws and the RTKL – Jan. 27, 2021

Information about all of those webinars is available on the OOR’s training calendar.

The OOR regularly hosts webinars and in-person training sessions about various topics related to the Right-to-Know Law and the Sunshine Act. Feel free to request a specific training session for your group or organization.

RTKL Webinar for Requesters

Office of Open Records LogoThis morning, I hosted a webinar about the Right-to-Know Law designed for requesters, including members of the media and anyone interested in accessing government records in Pennsylvania.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used: The Right-to-Know Law for Requesters

The OOR regularly hosts webinars and in-person training sessions about various topics related to the Right-to-Know Law and the Sunshine Act. Check our calendar for details, and feel free to request a specific training session.

Presentation at the Tyrone Daily Herald

Earlier this afternoon at the office of the Tyrone Daily Herald, I led a training session about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

Many thanks to the Daily Herald for allowing me to visit. I appreciate it very much.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Tyrone Daily Herald – Oct. 17, 2019 (PPTX)
Tyrone Daily Herald – Oct. 17, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re interested in training about the Right-to-Know Law and/or the Sunshine Act (for agencies or requesters), please let us know.

Presentation for Media & Citizen Requesters

Later this morning at the Office of Open Records in Harrisburg, I’ll lead a training session about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. This session is designed especially for members of the media and members of the public interested in using the RTKL to request government records.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I’ll use:

Media & Requester Training – Oct. 10, 2019 (PPTX)
Media & Requester Training – Oct. 10, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re interested in training about the Right-to-Know Law and/or the Sunshine Act (for agencies or requesters), please let us know.

Oct. 10 – Requester Training in Harrisburg

Office of Open Records LogoThe Office of Open Records is hosting a training session for requesters (media and non-media) at our office in Harrisburg on Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 11 a.m.

This event will focus on various areas of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, including:

  • How to file a good RTKL request
  • Timelines and deadlines
  • Fees under the RTKL
  • Information in databases
  • How to appeal when your request is denied
  • Common reasons agencies deny requests

And much more.

This training session is free and open to everyone. To register, visit the OOR’s EvenbtBrite page.

Presentation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Earlier this afternoon at the office of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, I led a training session about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

Many thanks to the Post-Gazette for the invitation. I very much appreciate it.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Oct. 1, 2019 (PPTX)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Oct. 1, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re interested in training about the Right-to-Know Law and/or the Sunshine Act (for agencies or requesters), please let us know.

Presentation at Center for Media Innovation

This morning at Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation in Pittsburgh, I led a training session for media requesters and the public. The session focused on Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

Many thanks to CMI and its director, Andrew Conte, for the invitation. I very much appreciate it.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Center for Media Innovation – Oct. 1, 2019 (PPTX)
Center for Media Innovation – Oct. 1, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re interested in training about the Right-to-Know Law and/or the Sunshine Act (for agencies or requesters), please let us know.

Right-to-Know Law Roundtable – Complete Video

Office of Open Records LogoEarlier this month, the Office of Open Records hosted the first-ever Right-to-Know Law Roundtable, an event designed to help requesters better understand Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

PCN was on hand to record the Roundtable, which I very much appreciate, and we’re able to present the following videos which cover the entire event.

The first video features the opening speaker, Judge Dominic F. Pileggi, a former state senator and author of the Right-to-Know Law, along with a discussion on the topic Practical Tips for Writing an Effective RTKL Request moderated by Angela Couloumbis (Philadelphia Inquirer) with panelists Melissa Melewsky, Esq. (Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association), Jan Murphy (Pennlive), and Megan Shannon, Esq. (Offit Kurman).

The second video features a discussion on the topic Enforcing Office of Open Records Final Determinations moderated by Joyce Davis (Pennlive) with panelists Adrienne Langer, Esq. (Cusick, DeCaro & Langer), Terry Mutchler, Esq. (Mutchler Lyons), and Thea Paolini, Esq., MBA (Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall).

The third video features a discussion on the topic Law Enforcement Records and the Right-to-Know Law moderated by Cindy Simmons (Pennsylvania State University) with panelists Paula Knudsen, Esq. (The Caucus), William Rozier (Pennsylvania State Police), and Liz Evans Scolforo (York Dispatch).

The fourth (and final) video features a one-on-one discussion between Jaime Fettrow-Alderfer (Lebanon Valley College) and Liz Navratil (Spotlight PA) about Using the Right-to-Know Law in Reporting.

We hope to organize more events like the RTKL Roundtable in the future. Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions. And don’t forget to check our training calendar for all of our upcoming events.