Speech

March 20 in Pittsburgh: Sunshine Week Conference

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On Friday, March 20, I’ll be speaking about the Right-to-Know Law as part of the Access, Transparency and Your Right to Know daylong conference taking place at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh.

My discussion (and there will be plenty of opportunity for Q&A) will take place during the luncheon, but the entire event kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Here’s how the organizers describe the event:

A coalition of nonprofit media organizations is holding a one-day conference to explore Pennsylvania’s open government and right-to-know laws. Timed to fall within Sunshine Week 2020, the gathering will feature sessions aimed at professional journalists, students, and individuals who have an interest in accessing government meetings and information.

Sessions will look at the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act, the Clean Slate law, the Sunshine Act and other access and transparency issues and the event will feature a keynote presentation from Erik Arneson, executive director of the Office of Open Records. Additional speakers to include representation from the ACLU, UVA Law School’s First Amendment Clinic, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, PA Post, PublicSource, Spotlight PA, StateImpactPA, The Caucus and more.

Schedule and session program forthcoming.

More information is available here.

I hope you can join us!

Speaking to the County Commissioners Association

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Yesterday in Hershey, I spoke to members of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania at their Newly Elected Officials Workshop & Fall Conference.

Not surprisingly, I focused on Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law. More specifically, I encouraged counties (the same would apply to other agencies) to post their most commonly requested records online. For example:

We also discussed effective ways to use social media and how the RTKL applies to social media, as well as some common-sense ways to reduce the burden of the RTKL on agency employees.

Many thanks to CCAP for the invitation. I appreciate the chance to speak to county commissioners from across Pennsylvania.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania – Nov. 25, 2019 (PPTX)
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania – Nov. 25, 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.

Speaking to Students at the University of Pittsburgh

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Late yesterday, I visited the University of Pittsburgh to speak to Prof. Doug Swanson’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

University of Pittsburgh – Prof. Doug Swanson – Oct. 22, 2019 (PPTX)
University of Pittsburgh – Prof. Doug Swanson – Oct. 22, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re a professor in Pennsylvania and you’d like me to speak to your class, let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Speaking to Students at Lock Haven University

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Earlier today, I visited Lock Haven University to speak to Dr. Sharon Stringer’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation very much.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Lock Haven University – Dr. Sharon Stringer – Oct. 22, 2019 (PPTX)
Lock Haven University – Dr. Sharon Stringer – Oct. 22, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re a professor in Pennsylvania and you’d like me to speak to your class, let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Speaking to Students at Marywood University

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Earlier today, I visited Marywood University to speak to the Wood Word staff about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

It was a great discussion, and I appreciate the invitation by Dr. Lindsey Wotanis very much.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Marywood University – Wood Word / Dr. Lindsey Wotanis – Oct. 18, 2019 (PPTX)
Marywood University – Wood Word / Dr. Lindsey Wotanis – Oct. 18, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re a professor in Pennsylvania and you’d like me to speak to your class, let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Presentation to the Pennsylvania Library Association

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Yesterday in Erie, I spoke to members of the Pennsylvania Library Association about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

Many thanks to PaLA for the invitation. I very much appreciate it and loved having the chance to speak to librarians. When my family lived in Christiana, PA, in the 1980s, the wonderful Moores Memorial Library was right down the street from my house. (The library has since moved to downtown Christiana.) Today, my wife and I are regular users of the Cumberland County Library System.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Pennsylvania Library Association – Oct. 13, 2019 (PPTX)
Pennsylvania Library Association – Oct. 13, 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.

Speaking to Students at SSHE

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Last night, I visited the State System of Higher Education’s Dixon Center in Harrisburg to speak to a group of students from across the state about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

I was invited to speak by Dr. Duane Milne. It was a great discussion, and I greatly appreciate the invitation.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

State System of Higher Education – Dr. Duane Milne – Oct. 8, 2019 (PPTX)
State System of Higher Education – Dr. Duane Milne – Oct. 8, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re a professor in Pennsylvania and you’d like me to speak to your class, let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Speaking to Students at Messiah College

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Earlier this afternoon, I visited Messiah College in Grantham to speak to Dr. David Dixon’s journalism class about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law.

It was a great session, and I very much appreciate the invitation.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

Messiah College – Dr. David Dixon – Oct. 4, 2019 (PPTX)
Messiah College – Dr. David Dixon – Oct. 4, 2019 (PDF)

If you’re a professor in Pennsylvania and you’d like me to speak to your class, let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Presentation to District Attorneys

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Office of Open Records LogoEarlier today, I spoke to a group of District Attorneys at a conference organized by the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials.

The conversation focused on the Right-to-Know Law and the unique role played by District Attorneys in terms of hearing appeals filed which are related to law enforcement records held by local agencies such as police departments. (Section 503(d)(2) of the RTKL.) It was a great conversation, and I appreciate the invitation.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:
District Attorneys – July 15, 2019 – PDF
District Attorneys – July 15, 2019 – PPTX

Presentation to County Treasurers

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Office of Open Records LogoEarlier today, I spoke to a gathering of Pennsylvania’s elected county treasurers, hosted by the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials.

The session, part of a conference running June 11-14, was held in Cranberry Township, Butler County, and it focused on the Right-to-Know Law.

I very much appreciate the invitation.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation I used:

County Treasurers – June 12, 2019 – PPTX
County Treasurers – June 12, 2019 – PDF

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