It could be worse but it could definitely be better

If you missed the article in this month's Quill or just haven't read it yet, there is a reminder of how badly we need to look at reforming Maryland's Public Information Act.

A 2007 survey by the Better Government Association and the National Freedom of Information Coalition ranks Maryland 11th with a grade of D (D- if you look at the percentage grade).

The study looked at all 50 states. No state received a grade of A. Nebraska and New Jersey both came close, tying with an 87 percent. Thirty-eight states received a grade of F with Alabama and South Dakota finishing at the bottom with perfect goose eggs.

It's a curious situation where the state's letter grade actually dropped but its overall position improved over the last study which was released in 2002.

In that study, six states received a grade of B. Eight states graded at an F (Alabama and South Dakota received zeroes then, too). Everyone else fell in between.

There's still work to be done here in the Free State.

Maryland only received half the total points possible for Response Time, Appeals, Expedited Reviews and Sanctions. Those are good places to start and maybe we should look to Nebraska and New Jersey to show the way to improve. Nebraska scored 100 percent on Response Time, Appeals and Sanctions.

One thing is clear, it's getting tougher to keep government transparent.

Need for Bylaws

The last year as president has been quite the challenge and a learning experience.

Nothing has symbolized that more than when the Sarah, Justin and I learned from national that MD Pro Chapter has been operating without chapter bylaws for possibly as long as a decade.

National requires all chapters to have them. They can be as simple or elaborate as you can imagine. Believe me, over the last few months, I've read more than my share form chapters large and small all over the country.

By now, you should have received a draft copy of bylaws for our chapter. As the principal drafter, I believe these bylaws give us a good solid start as we move forward with revitalizing the chapter.

Per my conversations with national leaders including Dave Aeikens, the newly sworn in national president, I have promised to deliver bylaws after the next meeting of the chapter officers.

I invite you all to read this document carefully as it guides our little democracy here in Maryland.

After reading it, please feel free to e-mail me or any of the other officers with questions or comments. You can also leave your comments here on the blog and we'll answer them for everyone else to see and comment on.

The officers will vote on these bylaws when we meet on Oct. 7 at Panera in Towson, 1238 Putty Hill Avenue, Towson, MD 21286.

State board looks at 'pre-meetings'

The Baltimore Examiner reports that the state's Open Meetings Compliance Board is reviewing a complaint about pre-meetings held by two members of the Board of Public Works — Gov. Martin O'Malley and state Treasurer Nancy Kopp.

Mark your calendars

The Changing World of Journalism: From Teletype to Twitter...Where Do We Go From Here?

Sponsors: (Host) University of Maryland Student Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists; SPJ Washington Professional Chapter; SPJ Maryland Pro Chapter; Washington RTNDA Chapter

When: Monday, Oct. 6 6:30 - 9p

Where: University of Maryland, College Park
Plant Science Building, Room 1140
http://www.parking.umd.edu/themap/

This location is within easy walking distance from the Metro shuttle on campus and is across the street from a parking garage.


Who: Moderator: Jerry Zremski, Bureau Chief, Buffalo News, Immediate Past President National Press Club

Panelists:

• Mark Miller, News Director, WBAL Radio

• Leslie Walker, Knight Visiting Professor in Digital Innovation, Philip Merrill College of Journalism; former columnist/reporter The Washington Post and former editor washingtonpost.com

• Kevin Blackistone, Povich Chair, Philip Merrill College of Journalism; contributor to Politico, columnist for AOL Sports, commentator for National Public Radio and former reporter for the Dallas Morning News

RSVP to Sue Kopen Katcef susiekk@aol.com

FYI...the lecture hall seats 100.

This program is part of a nationwide celebration of the National Press Club's 100th anniversary and, as such, will feature an excerpt from the organization's special documentary, "A Century of Headlines." Copies of the documentary will be distributed to those attending the program.

Facebook group

The chapter has started a new Facebook group called (appropriately enough) SPJ Maryland Pro Chapter.

If you're on Facebook.com or considering it, I'd urge you to join the chapter group.

It's one more way for you to keep tabs on your chapter and one more way for us to get information out to you about upcoming events.

Oh, and there was business, too

Sarah and I inadvertently appear on the cover of this mornings SPJ Working Press doing what reporters at conventions and any where else love to do — get something to eat.

The photo was taken at the Opening Night reception and silent/live auction to benefit the Legal Defense Fund.

Had to leave in order to resist bidding on a chair signed by Washington Post Editor Ben Bradley, Woodward and Bernstein and others. All of the signatures came from the panel at last year's convention. And the chairs were actually used by one of the signers.

Way out of this journalist's price range.

Green Thumb award revisited and off to Atlanta

It's been mentioned here before but here is the official announcement about the award the Maryland Pro Chapter will receive in Atlanta this weekend.

Sarah Breitenbach and I are off to Atlanta to attend the business meetings and cast the chapter's three votes in this year's election.

Updates as warranted.