Join the North Carolina Open Government Coalition for "Sunshine Day in North Carolina: Securing a future for dialogue on open government" today, Thursday, March 17 at the Historic Salisbury Foundation train depot.
The schedule for the one-day conference includes:
11:30 a.m.
Registration
Noon
Lunch and Keynote address by University of North Carolina System President Tom Ross
1 p.m.
“Covering FERPA: A view from all sides”
Description: What is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and why do schools, the press and the public keep fighting about it? Join the debate and hear the pros and cons of this act that was designed to protect student privacy. Some say student rights must be protected at al costs; others worry that schools use the act to protect information that isn’t secret.
Panelists: Amanda Martin (general counsel, North Carolina Press Association), Sara Gregory (community manager, Daily Tar Heel), Tonia Black-Gold (communications officer, Catawba College)
2 p.m.
“Access to Local Government Records”
Description: This session will explore a records audit conducted by Campbell University and journalist and public official experiences with public records and how things could work better.
Panelists: Ed Johnson (associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Campbell University), Dan Maynard (business librarian, Campbell University), Sue Rowland (Cary town clerk), Stuart Watson (investigative Reporter, WCNC-TV Charlotte)
3 p.m.
“Using the new state personnel law“
Description: How much information about public employees should be made public and how much is protected under existing – and upcoming state laws? Lawyers for the press, for city government, and a reporter hash out what’s open and what’s not.
Panelists: John Bussian (legislative liaison and First Amendment counsel, North Carolina Press Association), Hope Root (senior assistant city attorney, City of Charlotte), Dan Kane (reporter, Raleigh News & Observer)
Who should attend: Citizens, journalists, government employees, librarians, lawyers, historians, public officials, anyone and everyone!
Where: Historic Salisbury Foundation, 215 Depot St., Salisbury, NC 28144 (exit 76 off I-85)
Cost: $30 (includes lunch). Student registration is $20. **Add $10 and join the NC Open Government Coalition for 2011 (normal annual dues $25)
Would your organization like to sponsor a table, which covers the registration cost for every individual at your table? Your table will include a table tent announcing your much-appreciated sponsorship.
Table sponsorship for a full table of eight individuals is $400 and for a half table of four is $250. Please indicate your level of sponsorship below and include payment information where indicated.
The N.C. Open Government Coalition is working to endow its educational efforts with the Sunshine Center. Please consider a gift to our endowment when you register for Sunshine Day so that we can continue our educational programming in the state.
Questions? Contact Pamela Baker at the Sunshine Center of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition at 336-278-5724 or e-mail bakerp@elon.edu. You may register for the conference by clicking HERE.