About Us

 

Mission Statement:

                 MdFOG will strive to educate the public and government as to all aspects of the First Amendment and of Maryland’s Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act, and to promote openness in all aspects of local, state and federal government.

 

Objectives:

                 Our objectives (noted below) are a broad look at the key elements needed to fulfill our mission statement. These objectives may change over time, with additions or deletions as circumstances warrant or as determined by the membership and the board of directors.

Goals:

                 In order to accomplish our major objectives, each has been assigned a list of goals. These goals (noted below) may change over time, with additions or deletions as circumstances warrant or as determined by committees overseeing the objectives.

                 Note that many of the goals overlap, contributing to achieving more than one objective.

 

Objective 1:

Coordinate all groups with an interest in First Amendment/access issues.

 

Goals:     1. Create e-mail list serv group

                 2. Plan/conduct annual statewide FOI meeting

                 3. Create speakers bureau

                 4. Develop Web site

                 5. Create newsletter

 

Objective 2:

Train journalists, public officials and citizens on state and national access issues.

 

Goals:     1. Develop Maryland FOI guide

                 2. Develop training program

                 3. Create speakers bureau

                 4. Develop Web site

 

Objective 3:

Advocate First Amendment issues.

 

Goals:     1. Create e-mail list serv

                 2. Research, publish Op-Ed, commentaries on FOI issues

                 3. Create speakers bureau

                 4. Develop Web site with FOI resources, links

 

Objective 4

Assist in legal challenges.

 

Goals:     1. Develop Maryland FOI guide

                 2. Create database of FOI attorneys

                 3. Create case bank of court rulings on FOI issues

                 4. Finance, through fundraisers/grants FOI challenges

 

Objective 5

Sustain efforts of MdFOG.

 

Goals:     1. Recruit volunteers/members

                 2. Create fund-raising committee

                 3. Establish dues structure

                 4. Apply for grants as applicable to support organization and objectives

 

                 For more information about the Maryland Foundation for Open Government, contact Jim Lee, Editor, Carroll County Times, 201 Railroad Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.

Phone: 410-857-7878

E-mail: jim.lee@carrollcountytimes.com

 

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