FOI Oklahoma seeks nominations for at large directors

Freedom of Information Oklahoma Inc. is seeking applicants to serve in at large positions on its board of directors beginning this month. Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide not-for-profit actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed.

Its members include teachers, politicians, journalists, librarians and other Oklahomans who believe government of the people means that citizens must have access to their government to have the power to affect it.

Directors serve three-year terms with at least two meetings annually. They also must be members of FOI Oklahoma. (Click here for membership dues and to join.)

Those who wish to apply for an at large board position should contact Lindel Hutson, nominating chair, at lh0722@gmail.com, by Thursday. Please include a brief (75 to 100 words) explanation of why you are interested in serving on the board.

Directors will be elected at the board meeting on Jan. 23, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at OETA.

Of the 33 directors, the 11 at large director positions are used to:

• Correct a geographic imbalance in representation on the board of directors;
• Provide representation for professions which are not traditionally represented on the board of directors, but which are related to freedom of information issues (i.e. government employees, elected officials, private investigators); or
• Provide significant representation of the general public by non-media related individuals.

Joey Senat, Ph.D. Associate Professor OSU School of Media & Strategic Communications

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, its board of directors or the commentator’s employer. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.