FREE Convention Bonus Session: Plan to arrive early Thursday

Texas Press Association is a collaborator for the next Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Open Government Seminar scheduled in College Station on Thursday, June 20.
The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton College Station, 801 University Drive East, where the TPA Convention and Trade Show opens the same day.
The nonprofit FOI Foundation is offering the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Texas Press Association. The event is designed for journalists, attorneys, citizen activists, government employees and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.
“Access to public information is crucial for participating in our democracy. This training will help citizens and public officials learn how to use our state’s transparency laws,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
The seminar agenda is as follows. Attendees can participate in any or all of the sessions:
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Tom Williams, an FOI Foundation board member and attorney with Haynes & Boone, LLP, presents training on the Texas Open Meetings Act.
2:10 to 3:10 p.m.: Tamara Smith, Open Records Division chief with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, presents training on the Texas Public Information Act.
3:15 to 4 p.m.: Tamara Smith presents training on the cost rules associated with the Texas Public Information Act.
These sessions are approved as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. RSVP to kelley.shannon@foift.org. For more information go to www.foift.org or call 512-377-1575.