About NFOICThe NFOIC first met in 1989 in Dallas, Texas. It was called the National Freedom of Information Assembly. The meeting arose out of a need to support specialized First Amendment organizations with the expressed goal to protect the public's right to know. Known as "free standing,'' these organizations began around the country in response to a recognition that government entities and officials were not always willing to recognize the public's right to access public records and meetings, a necessity in a democracy.The Assembly met again in Dallas in 1991, the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, and planned to meet in January of the next year to formulate a plan for mutual support. At that meeting, the National FOI Assembly was formally renamed the National Freedom of Information Coalition.National Freedom of Information CoalitionNFOIC_7a6ee433-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf50The National Freedom of Information Coalition protects our right to open government... We are a nonpartisan alliance of state & regional affiliates promoting collaboration, education & advocacy for open government, transparency & freedom of information...NFOIC MembersOur members includes citizen-driven nonprofit FOI organizations, academic and First Amendment centers, journalistic societies and attorneys.Nonprofit FOI OrganizationsAcademic CentersFirst Amendment CentersJournalistic Societies AttorneysState GovernmentsNFOIC is an education and outreach resource for state and local governments to counsel on transparency and open government issues, laws and legislation.Local GovernmentsKnight FoundationThe NFOIC also administers the Knight FOI Fund, which offers financial support to defray costs and expenses in open government court cases throughout the year.Donald W. Reynolds Journalism InstituteCurrently, NFOIC headquarters are housed in the new Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute.John S. and James L. Knight FoundationThe NFOIC is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, an organization supporting transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.NFOIC Board of DirectorsA board of directors governs the NFOIC. Each board member serves a three-year term. The chairman designate serves for two years and may be reelected for one term. The board meets at least twice a year, once in conjunction with the coalition's annual meeting.Barbara A. PetersenPresident -- President, Florida First Amendment FoundationVacantVice PresidentKatherine GarnerSecretary -- President, KLGarner ConsultingMal LearyTreasurer -- Managing Editor, The Maine Capitol Connection ChannelHyde PostDirector and Past President -- President, Georgia First Amendment FoundationMark HorvitDirector -- Executive Director, Investigative Reporters and EditorSarah NordgrenDirector -- Director, Content Development and Alliances, The Associated PressMitchell W. PearlmanDirector -- Lecturer in Law and Journalism at the University of Connecticut; Executive Director Emeritus, Connecticut FOI Commission; Secretary, Connecticut Foundation for Open GovernmentMegan RhyneDirector -- Executive Director, Virginia Coalition for Open GovernmentThomas M. SusmanDirector -- Director, Governmental Affairs Office, American Bar Association_7a6ee64e-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf50To ensure government transparency at the state and local level through advocacy, education and resolve._7a6ee64f-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf50Freedom of InformationOpen GovernmentSimply put: We protect your right to open government.InformationEnsure everyone's right to information._7a6ee650-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501OrganizationsWork to start up new, and support existing, citizen-driven Freedom of Information and First Amendment organizations._7a6ee651-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501.1FOIA OrganizationsFirst Amendment OrganizationsConference & NetworkingFoster the open exchange of information through networking and an annual conference._7a6ee652-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501.2Each year, NFOIC and its members convene the FOI Summit. This two-day event features ideas, experiences and discussions about the latest issues and trends around freedom of information laws, policies and practices at the state and local levels across the U.S.VoiceOffer a national, collective voice on freedom of Information issues._7a6ee653-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501.3NFOIC MembersFundraisingSupport member fundraising._7a6eebd0-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501.4NFOIC MembersReports & PublicationsPrepare educational reports or other publications._7a6eebd1-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf501.5Public InstitutionsHelp public institutions meet their legal obligations in the most efficient manner possible. _7a6eed24-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf502Public InstitutionsEducation & CounselingCounsel and educate appointed and elected public officials on their legal responsibilities around open government and transparency._7a6eef2c-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf502.1Appointed Public OfficialsElected Public OfficialsIssues & RecommendationsExplore critical issues, making recommendations for either state or national action._7a6eef7c-fb0a-11e4-b78c-ef985c5fbf502.2State GovernmentsU.S. Government2015-05-15http://www.nfoic.org/about-nfoicOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net