VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

In fulfilling its statutory mission to conduct educational programs about FOIA, in odd-numbered years, the FOIA Council conducts a series of day-long workshops around the state. In addition, the FOIA Council provides training upon request to interested groups. Both types of training are described below:

• Workshops

Once during odd-numbered years, usually in the fall, the FOIA Council organizes a series of workshops to be held at various locations around the state. These workshops are day-long events, and include segments on public records, public meetings, law-enforcement records, and other topics relevant to access law in the Commonwealth. Participants are provided with copies of the law and educational materials designed to answer questions about the application of FOIA and facilitate compliance with the law. Continuing legal education credits are available to attorneys through the Virginia State Bar, in-service credit is available for law-enforcement personnel through the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and academy points for school board officials by the Virginia School Board Association.

The workshops are open to anyone interested in FOIA, and are attended by citizens, members of the media, law-enforcement and state and local government employees and officers. Pre-registration is required. A minimal fee, generally around $45.00, covers administrative costs, handouts, continental breakfast and a box lunch.

• Individualized Training

In addition to planning the statewide workshops, the FOIA Council also provides training to interested groups, such as the staff of state and local agencies, members of local governing bodies, media organizations, and any other group that wishes to learn more about FOIA. Staff from the FOIA Council will travel within the Commonwealth to the location of the group requesting training. The training is tailored to meet the needs of the particular group, can range from 45 minutes to several hours, and can present a general overview of FOIA or focus specifically on particular exemptions or portions of FOIA frequently used by that organization. Organizations requesting individualized training are encouraged, but not required, to consolidate training by including other like organizations within a single or neighboring jurisdiction(s) wherever possible.

This training is free of charge and is available March through November. Because the FOIA Council is a legislative agency, training is generally not available while the General Assembly is in session. This training has been approved by the Virginia State Bar for continuing legal education credit for licensed attorneys. If you are interested in setting up FOIA training, please call the FOIA Council at (804) 225-3056 [local] or 1-866-448-4100 [toll free]. We suggest that you contact us as soon as you have potential dates in mind for training so as to avoid scheduling conflicts.