Notes from the office of Congressman McCollum relating to Imation tape issue:
McCollum Calls for Renewed Investigation of Data Tape Privacy Risks
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Imation recovers bank account numbers from used data devices that GAO deemed “a low security risk”
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Ask-a-Librarian at Government Information Online
Thanks to Karen Thompson and the SLA mailing list for sending the following our way:
Does the prospect of searching for government information give you the heebie-jeebies? Well, I have a pleasant surprise for you. It is a free online information service called Government Information Online (GIO): Ask a Librarian at http://govtinfo.org This live chat and e-mail service began in 2004, so it may already be in your favorites. If it is not, you might take it out for a spin or a five-minute exploration.
"...you can ask government information librarians who are experts at finding information from government agencies of all levels (local, state, regional, national international) on almost any subject..."
"GIO is ... supported by nearly twenty public, state and academic libraries throughout the United States. All participants are designated Federal depository libraries in the U.S. Government Printing Office's Federal Depository Library Program. Many are also official depository libraries for their other types of governments and public agencies."
Does the prospect of searching for government information give you the heebie-jeebies? Well, I have a pleasant surprise for you. It is a free online information service called Government Information Online (GIO): Ask a Librarian at http://govtinfo.org This live chat and e-mail service began in 2004, so it may already be in your favorites. If it is not, you might take it out for a spin or a five-minute exploration.
"...you can ask government information librarians who are experts at finding information from government agencies of all levels (local, state, regional, national international) on almost any subject..."
"GIO is ... supported by nearly twenty public, state and academic libraries throughout the United States. All participants are designated Federal depository libraries in the U.S. Government Printing Office's Federal Depository Library Program. Many are also official depository libraries for their other types of governments and public agencies."
Future Tense
Future Tense is the NPR radio show hosted by Minnesota’s own Jon Gordon – the February e-letter is always current and full of interesting tidbits. This particular issue seems especially relevant to MnCOGI readers.
Here are some of the topics:
Piecing together the shredded documents of the East German secret police
YouBama is a hub for Internet videos on Obama
The argument against government-funded journalism
Bailing out journalism
Complaints of the digitally privileged
Here are some of the topics:
Piecing together the shredded documents of the East German secret police
YouBama is a hub for Internet videos on Obama
The argument against government-funded journalism
Bailing out journalism
Complaints of the digitally privileged
Monday, February 11, 2008
Who Owns the News
Have you wondered who runs the Star Tribune? It is Thompson (Tom) Dean, CEO of Avista Capital Partners. You can view an interview of him in which he discusses the Star Tribune acquisition.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Great Freedom of Info Links
Preparing for Sunshine week we have run across a couple of great links. We don’t have time to elaborate too much on them – but we wanted to share them with you before they got away.
If you have a favorite or a minute to comment – please feel free to do so.
A of (and I quote) "insanely useful websites"
http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/resources
A diverse list I just want to mention 2 sites: Congresspedia.com (http://www.congresspedia.org) and Contractor Misconduct (http://www.contractormisconduct.org) (wonder who maintains that?!)
Follow the money:
http://www.followthemoney.org/index.phtml
A description from their site:
Money in state politics plays a pivotal role in shaping public policy in individual states and across the nation. The nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics tracks contributions in all 50 states and makes this data easily searchable online.
If you have a favorite or a minute to comment – please feel free to do so.
A of (and I quote) "insanely useful websites"
http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/resources
A diverse list I just want to mention 2 sites: Congresspedia.com (http://www.congresspedia.org) and Contractor Misconduct (http://www.contractormisconduct.org) (wonder who maintains that?!)
Follow the money:
http://www.followthemoney.org/index.phtml
A description from their site:
Money in state politics plays a pivotal role in shaping public policy in individual states and across the nation. The nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics tracks contributions in all 50 states and makes this data easily searchable online.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
National Conference for Media Reform: Minneapolis, June 6-8, 2008
Join fellow activists, media makers, educators, journalists, policymakers and concerned citizens in calling for real and lasting changes to our nation's media system.
2008 provides us with a great opportunity to put the issue of media reform in the national spotlight. Join us in Minneapolis and help us build this critical movement.
Registration is now open. (Learn more)
2008 provides us with a great opportunity to put the issue of media reform in the national spotlight. Join us in Minneapolis and help us build this critical movement.
Registration is now open. (Learn more)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Summary Minutes COGI Board Meeting Jan 7, 2008
Minnesota Coalition on Government Information
Summary Minutes - Meeting of the COGI Board
January 7, 2008
Attendees: Helen Burke; Katie Engler; Alan Malkis; Mary Treacy; Julia Wallace; and, Laura Wittstock.
Updates.
Information was provided on "a save the date" for the March 1, "Afloat" event, confirmed reservation of Pohlad Hall at the Mpls Central Library for the FOI Day event; and, a variety of legislative developments, including an alert concerning S.F. 2345 a bill that would greatly enhance the government's authority to declare certain data to be civil investigative data and therefore not public.
Board Development.
The Board agreed that we should recruit additional members so that the Board would have full membership of 15. COGI needs to function more formally including such things as election of officers, creating an executive committee of the Board, filing of reports, and following our by-laws.
Helen Burke was nominated to be Chair of the Board and elected unanimously.
Robbie LaFleur was nominated to be Treasurer and elected unanimously.
Don Gemberling was nominated to be Secretary and elected unanimously.
The Board agreed to create an executive committee of three members until such time as the Board gets to full membership of fifteen at which time the executive committee will be expanded to five members.
The Board asked that all members of the Board be provided with an up to date copy of our by-laws.
The Board discussed recruitment of persons to fill the Board vacancies. Various board members volunteered to contact groups and individuals to either recruit Board members or ask for nominations. Mary Treacy should be informed of progress on contacts. She should be provided with new and updated contact information.
Contract for Consulting Services.
The Board discussed the draft of a contract under which Mary Treacy would agree to perform certain services for the Board. Amendments to the contract were discussed and approved.
After being moved and seconded, the contract was unanimously approved with the changes as discussed.
Mary's Thoughts.
Mary Treacy reminded the Board of the document she prepared in which she presented her thoughts on what the Board needs to do to make COGI a successful organization. She asked that the Board keep those thoughts in mind as we continue our work.
FOI Day and the Finnegan Award.
Possible nominees were discussed. Mary Treacy will send copies of the nomination forms to the Board. As per last year's successful experience, the website and other mechanisms will be used to solicit nominations from the public
Meeting Schedule.
The Board agreed that we should be meeting more often. The Board agreed that it would meet on the following dates and at 4:00 p.m. on those dates: 1/21; 2/4; 2/18; and 3/3. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings will be held at the Midtown Commons Building.
The Board meeting was then adjourned.
Submitted by Don Gemberling, Secretary.
Summary Minutes - Meeting of the COGI Board
January 7, 2008
Attendees: Helen Burke; Katie Engler; Alan Malkis; Mary Treacy; Julia Wallace; and, Laura Wittstock.
Updates.
Information was provided on "a save the date" for the March 1, "Afloat" event, confirmed reservation of Pohlad Hall at the Mpls Central Library for the FOI Day event; and, a variety of legislative developments, including an alert concerning S.F. 2345 a bill that would greatly enhance the government's authority to declare certain data to be civil investigative data and therefore not public.
Board Development.
The Board agreed that we should recruit additional members so that the Board would have full membership of 15. COGI needs to function more formally including such things as election of officers, creating an executive committee of the Board, filing of reports, and following our by-laws.
Helen Burke was nominated to be Chair of the Board and elected unanimously.
Robbie LaFleur was nominated to be Treasurer and elected unanimously.
Don Gemberling was nominated to be Secretary and elected unanimously.
The Board agreed to create an executive committee of three members until such time as the Board gets to full membership of fifteen at which time the executive committee will be expanded to five members.
The Board asked that all members of the Board be provided with an up to date copy of our by-laws.
The Board discussed recruitment of persons to fill the Board vacancies. Various board members volunteered to contact groups and individuals to either recruit Board members or ask for nominations. Mary Treacy should be informed of progress on contacts. She should be provided with new and updated contact information.
Contract for Consulting Services.
The Board discussed the draft of a contract under which Mary Treacy would agree to perform certain services for the Board. Amendments to the contract were discussed and approved.
After being moved and seconded, the contract was unanimously approved with the changes as discussed.
Mary's Thoughts.
Mary Treacy reminded the Board of the document she prepared in which she presented her thoughts on what the Board needs to do to make COGI a successful organization. She asked that the Board keep those thoughts in mind as we continue our work.
FOI Day and the Finnegan Award.
Possible nominees were discussed. Mary Treacy will send copies of the nomination forms to the Board. As per last year's successful experience, the website and other mechanisms will be used to solicit nominations from the public
Meeting Schedule.
The Board agreed that we should be meeting more often. The Board agreed that it would meet on the following dates and at 4:00 p.m. on those dates: 1/21; 2/4; 2/18; and 3/3. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings will be held at the Midtown Commons Building.
The Board meeting was then adjourned.
Submitted by Don Gemberling, Secretary.
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