Seattle Community Council Federation

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

Regular Meeting

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency), Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union

1801 Fairview Avenue East

http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/

Thursday, June 24, 2010

AGENDA

Your Right to Public Records and Open Meetings

Featuring David Norman, Allied Law Group

Democracy has little meaning unless citizens can find out what government is doing. For accountability to work, openness is essential. Two bulwarks of open government in Washington State are the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act. In a not-to-be-missed presentation and question-and-answer period, David Norman of the Allied Law Group will explain how to use these laws, and how the laws can be strengthened.

How to file and follow up a public records request? What to do if open meeting requirements appear to be ignored? How to ensure access to public records if more documents are in the form of e-mails, Facebook and Twitter posts, and text messages? Can openness prevail if more meetings are in the form of retreats, executive or emergency sessions, and serial or virtual meetings with little notice or access?

Join us for this hands-on presentation and discussion. Access the unexcelled library of open government resources that David Norman helped assemble for the Washington Coalition for Open Government at http://washingtoncog.org/citizennetwork.php.

Time permitting, the June meeting will also include our monthly Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood. If you have informational materials you would like distributed at the meeting, please email electronic copies or links to Jeannie Hale at jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Call to Order and Introductions

Administration

1. Changes to the agenda

2. Treasurer’s report

3. President’s report

7:15 Your Right to Public Records and Open Meetings: David Norman, Allied Law Group

8:15 Round Robin

9:00 Adjourn

NOAA is a federal facility on high security alert, so attendees must enter by the security gate and may need to present photo ID. If you haven't attended a recent Federation meeting, please send your name, contact information, and address to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front.