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Human capital
Industrial products and services
Information technology
Office management
Professional services
Security and protection
Transportation and logistics services
Travel and lodging
Purchasing programs
Multiple award schedule
SmartPay (charge card services)
Assisted acquisition
Commercial platforms
Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
Federal strategic sourcing initiative
Fleet management
HCaTS and HCaTS SB
OASIS and OASIS SB
Requisition programs
State and local programs
Technology programs
8(a) set asides on GSA contracts
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Disposal of excess property
Fleet management
Interagency invoicing (G-Invoicing)
Payroll services
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Support services for CABs
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How to access contract opportunities
Conduct market research
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Market your business
Research active solicitations
Respond to a solicitation
What to expect during the award process
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Handle contract modifications
Monitor past performance evaluations
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Commissioning
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Project management information system
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Real property disposal
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For workers in federal buildings
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  1. Home
  2. Governmentwide Initiatives
  3. U.S. Open Government
  4. Open Government Federal Advisory Committee
  5. Oct. 18, 2024 — Administrative meeting #1
  6. Transcript

Oct. 18 administrative meeting #1 transcript

Oct. 18, 2024

1

00:00:00.030 —> 00:00:01.569

Arthur Brunson, DFO: A great pleasure that I will.

2

00:00:03.010 —> 00:00:10.679

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Good afternoon. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the open Government Federal Advisory Committee’s 1st administrative meeting.

3

00:00:10.900 —> 00:00:18.159

Arthur Brunson, DFO: The Open Government Federal Advisory Committee is a Federal Advisory committee subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

4

00:00:19.090 —> 00:00:24.319

Arthur Brunson, DFO: My name is Arthur Brunson, and I am the designated Federal officer, or Dfo.

5

00:00:24.370 —> 00:00:28.289

Arthur Brunson, DFO: And Daniel York is the alternate Dfo for this committee

6

00:00:29.450 —> 00:00:31.059

Arthur Brunson, DFO: as a reminder.

7

00:00:31.180 —> 00:00:34.870

Arthur Brunson, DFO: This meeting is open to the public and is being recorded.

8

00:00:34.960 —> 00:00:46.370

Arthur Brunson, DFO: A copy of the recording along with the meeting minutes, and a list of attendees will be posted@www.gsa.gov

9

00:00:46.420 —> 00:00:50.189

Arthur Brunson, DFO: forward, slash usopen.gov.

10

00:00:50.230 —> 00:00:51.900

Arthur Brunson, DFO: that’s you.

11

00:00:51.960 —> 00:01:01.080

Arthur Brunson, DFO: SOPE, n dot, GOD. In the coming days

12

00:01:01.550 —> 00:01:03.010

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Federal advisory

13

00:01:03.120 —> 00:01:12.530

Arthur Brunson, DFO: administrative meetings are generally closed to the public. But given the spirit of open government, we have elected to open this meeting up so that the public can watch.

14

00:01:13.220 —> 00:01:20.419

Arthur Brunson, DFO: as such members of the public will see that the Zoom, chat, box, and Q&A. Boxes are unavailable.

15

00:01:22.210 —> 00:01:23.840

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Now we will

16

00:01:24.260 —> 00:01:26.619

Arthur Brunson, DFO: conduct our attendance

17

00:01:28.130 —> 00:01:34.010

Arthur Brunson, DFO: at this time. I would like to request all members be unmuted, your microphones.

18

00:01:34.270 —> 00:01:37.090

Arthur Brunson, DFO: so that you can respond for the attendance

19

00:01:37.700 —> 00:01:44.450

Arthur Brunson, DFO: we now have as a note. We now have 15 members due to a member providing their resignation.

20

00:01:45.090 —> 00:01:49.799

Arthur Brunson, DFO: When you hear your name called, respond with present, or hear

21

00:01:51.500 —> 00:01:52.570

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Joyce.

22

00:01:53.830 —> 00:01:55.040

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Rj.

23

00:01:55.510 —> 00:01:56.410

Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: Present.

24

00:01:57.660 —> 00:01:58.960

Arthur Brunson, DFO: John Durkey.

25

00:01:59.300 —> 00:02:00.719

John Dierking, Member: John Deerking, here.

26

00:02:01.570 —> 00:02:03.000

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Charles Cutschel.

27

00:02:03.000 —> 00:02:05.250

Charles Cutshall, Member: Resent.

28

00:02:05.250 —> 00:02:06.550

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Amy Holmes.

29

00:02:07.130 —> 00:02:07.860

Amy Holmes, Member: Here.

30

00:02:08.850 —> 00:02:09.930

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Christine, honey.

31

00:02:10.300 —> 00:02:11.030

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: Here.

32

00:02:13.770 —> 00:02:15.100

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Jerk, Malski.

33

00:02:15.680 —> 00:02:16.420

Kiril Jakimovski, Member: Present.

34

00:02:17.030 —> 00:02:18.479

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Ronald. Keep over.

35

00:02:18.740 —> 00:02:19.440

Ronald Keefover, Member: There!

36

00:02:20.220 —> 00:02:21.430

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Steven cool.

37

00:02:24.760 —> 00:02:26.000

Arthur Brunson, DFO: He’s absent.

38

00:02:26.340 —> 00:02:27.820

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Janice long.

39

00:02:28.620 —> 00:02:29.250

Janice Luong, Member: Pleasant.

40

00:02:30.790 —> 00:02:32.100

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Aid Abdullah

41

00:02:36.390 —> 00:02:37.410

Arthur Brunson, DFO: absent.

42

00:02:38.520 —> 00:02:40.480

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Susan Pastraki.

43

00:02:41.240 —> 00:02:41.900

Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: Here.

44

00:02:42.960 —> 00:02:44.240

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Daniel Schumann.

45

00:02:44.640 —> 00:02:45.340

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Here.

46

00:02:46.050 —> 00:02:47.650

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Josh tuber.

47

00:02:47.670 —> 00:02:48.490

Josh Tauberer, Member: Here.

48

00:02:49.620 —> 00:02:51.070

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Bobby Tailbane.

49

00:02:51.300 —> 00:02:52.010

Bobby Talebian, Member: Here.

50

00:02:52.830 —> 00:02:54.160

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Karina Turps.

51

00:02:54.330 —> 00:02:55.050

Corinna Turbes, Member: Here.

52

00:02:55.960 —> 00:03:03.019

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you for your responses. We have a quorum. So we’ll proceed by reviewing the agenda for today’s meeting

53

00:03:08.070 —> 00:03:09.560

Arthur Brunson, DFO: on the agenda

54

00:03:10.870 —> 00:03:18.219

Arthur Brunson, DFO: for today’s meeting we will have the office of Government-wide policy leadership to provide opening remarks.

55

00:03:18.370 —> 00:03:23.309

Arthur Brunson, DFO: We will have a ceremonial swearing in of special government employees.

56

00:03:23.770 —> 00:03:26.469

Arthur Brunson, DFO: We will have remarks from our chair.

57

00:03:26.680 —> 00:03:27.953

Arthur Brunson, DFO: who also,

58

00:03:28.630 —> 00:03:30.750

Arthur Brunson, DFO: do member introductions.

59

00:03:30.890 —> 00:03:33.799

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and then we will have a review of our charter.

60

00:03:34.580 —> 00:03:36.090

Arthur Brunson, DFO: We’ll take a break.

61

00:03:36.310 —> 00:03:39.799

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and then from there we will have the ethics overview

62

00:03:40.180 —> 00:03:43.980

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and the Federal Advisory Committee act overview.

63

00:03:44.440 —> 00:03:47.389

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and then from there we will have a committee review

64

00:03:48.050 —> 00:03:51.740

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and the Ogfac bylaws and operations.

65

00:03:51.940 —> 00:03:56.839

Arthur Brunson, DFO: a vote on the bylaws, and then closing remarks, and and

66

00:03:57.120 —> 00:03:58.800

Arthur Brunson, DFO: do the adjournment.

67

00:03:58.820 —> 00:04:03.700

Arthur Brunson, DFO: which will include the going over the agenda for the meeting on the 23, rd

68

00:04:08.490 —> 00:04:18.710

Arthur Brunson, DFO: it is my distinct pleasure to extend a joyful welcome to all of our members, and those who decided to join us to witness the 1st administrative meeting of the Committee.

69

00:04:19.079 —> 00:04:25.769

Arthur Brunson, DFO: As a point of reference, I will interchangeably refer to the Committee as Ogfac or Committee.

70

00:04:26.380 —> 00:04:33.899

Arthur Brunson, DFO: The Open Government Federal Advisory Committee’s 15 member. Composition includes 11 special government employees.

71

00:04:34.020 —> 00:04:40.999

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Sges, sges are experts in their fields who serve on Federal advisory committees.

72

00:04:41.090 —> 00:04:46.050

Arthur Brunson, DFO: providing independent judgment based on their individual expertise.

73

00:04:46.210 —> 00:04:50.980

Arthur Brunson, DFO: They are subject subject to conflict of interest, laws and regulations.

74

00:04:51.120 —> 00:04:55.080

Arthur Brunson, DFO: We have 4 regular government employees, rges.

75

00:04:55.110 —> 00:05:02.060

Arthur Brunson, DFO: rges are Federal civil officers or employees appointed to serve on this committee.

76

00:05:03.580 —> 00:05:18.169

Arthur Brunson, DFO: The purpose of the Ogfac is to advise Gsa. On open government initiatives, including Gsa’s creation, implementation and monitoring of the Us. Open Government national action plans and commitments.

77

00:05:18.560 —> 00:05:30.870

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Additionally, the Ogfac will advise Gsa’s administrator on emerging open government issues challenges and opportunities supporting the Us. Open government secretariat.

78

00:05:31.120 —> 00:05:32.989

Arthur Brunson, DFO: This is exciting stuff

79

00:05:33.060 —> 00:05:37.269

Arthur Brunson, DFO: the chair, the chair will be sharing more during his remarks

80

00:05:37.560 —> 00:05:40.889

Arthur Brunson, DFO: before we get started. There are a few things you should know

81

00:05:41.620 —> 00:05:47.920

Arthur Brunson, DFO: as part of my role as a Dfo. I manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the committee.

82

00:05:48.200 —> 00:05:57.219

Arthur Brunson, DFO: I attend all committee meetings and ensure the Committee operates in full compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee act

83

00:05:57.910 —> 00:06:08.719

Arthur Brunson, DFO: reminder for all Og faculty members, please unmute yourself when it’s your turn to speak and state your name, to help the public identify who is speaking.

84

00:06:08.980 —> 00:06:19.260

Arthur Brunson, DFO: if you like. If you like to ask a question or make a comment, use the raise hand feature by clicking the reactions box at the bottom of your screen

85

00:06:19.370 —> 00:06:22.260

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and wait to be acknowledged before speaking.

86

00:06:24.180 —> 00:06:26.360

Arthur Brunson, DFO: At at this time

87

00:06:26.410 —> 00:06:27.740

Arthur Brunson, DFO: we will have

88

00:06:27.920 —> 00:06:31.219

Arthur Brunson, DFO: welcoming remarks by Mhugh

89

00:06:31.710 —> 00:06:32.630

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Peric.

90

00:06:35.460 —> 00:06:37.119

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Turn it over to you, Mihu.

91

00:06:41.260 —> 00:06:42.535

Mehul Parekh, GSA: Thank you, Arthur.

92

00:06:42.980 —> 00:06:51.910

Mehul Parekh, GSA: thank you for the introduction. I am the acting associate administrator for the office of Government wide policy at Gsa.

93

00:06:52.920 —> 00:06:56.679

Mehul Parekh, GSA: And it is my honor to welcome all of you to the 1st

94

00:06:56.760 —> 00:07:01.309

Mehul Parekh, GSA: administrative meeting of the Federal Open Government Advisory Committee

95

00:07:03.040 —> 00:07:08.309

Mehul Parekh, GSA: today marks a significant step forward in our collective journey to enhance transparency.

96

00:07:08.630 —> 00:07:12.099

Mehul Parekh, GSA: accountability and public participation in government.

97

00:07:12.800 —> 00:07:16.609

Mehul Parekh, GSA: I want to begin by express expressing my sincere gratitude

98

00:07:16.760 —> 00:07:20.559

Mehul Parekh, GSA: to each of you for your commitment to this very important mission.

99

00:07:21.590 —> 00:07:26.669

Mehul Parekh, GSA: Your expertise insights and diverse perspectives are critical

100

00:07:27.080 —> 00:07:31.210

Mehul Parekh, GSA: to the success of this committee and the work we’re about to undertake.

101

00:07:32.510 —> 00:07:36.760

Mehul Parekh, GSA: As many of you know, open government is not just a policy initiative.

102

00:07:37.790 —> 00:07:41.139

Mehul Parekh, GSA: It’s a fundamental principle of how we should govern

103

00:07:41.920 —> 00:07:45.270

Mehul Parekh, GSA: it. Empowers citizens, strengthens democracy.

104

00:07:45.490 —> 00:07:47.620

Mehul Parekh, GSA: and fosters trust between

105

00:07:47.640 —> 00:07:50.560

Mehul Parekh, GSA: the public and government institutions.

106

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Open government makes information more accessible and processes more transparent.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: ensuring that the voices of the people are reflected in the policies and decisions that affect their daily lives.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: But we also know that achieving these ideals require more than just good intentions.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: It requires a deliberate and sustained effort to engage with the public.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: to break down silos across agencies

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: and ensure that the promises we make are translated into concrete, measurable outcomes.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: That’s where this advisory committee comes in.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: You are here because we need fresh ideas, bold thinking

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: in a spirit of collaboration.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Your mandate is to serve as an advisory body to the General Services Administration

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: on open government initiatives, including Gsa’s creation.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: implementation and monitoring of the Us. Government, national action plans

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: and the themes of our open government commitments.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: The initial focus of this committee will be to provide advice to Gsa. On several very critical areas.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: The development of the 6th Open Government National Action plan.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: the crafting of open government policy

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: and public engagement strategies.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Further.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: this committee will play a key role in advising the Gs administrator on emerging open government issues.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: challenges and opportunities.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: helping to ensure that Gsa’s open government secretariat is well positioned to meet its objectives.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: The work we’ll do will help shape the future of how Federal government

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: approaches open government as a whole.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Today we’ll begin by laying the groundwork for what I know will be a series of impactful conversations and actions.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Together, we’ll identify key challenges.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: key challenges ahead and explore opportunities to strengthen

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: public engagement, improve access to government data and create a more inclusive.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: transparent Federal government.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: In particular.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: I hope we can focus on how we can build stronger partnerships

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: with civil society, advance equitable access to government resources, and make government data

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: more user friendly for the public and communities that need it most.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: The task ahead is ambitious

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: and the stakes are very high.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: but I have complete faith in your ability to tackle the challenges ahead.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Your collective experience and passion are precisely what’s needed to drive the open government

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: agenda forward as we, as we move beyond today’s administrative meeting and begin our very important work.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: I encourage each of you to approach our our discussions with openness and curiosity.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: ask the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and don’t shy away from exploring new and and sorry. Don’t shy away from exploring new and innovative ways to engage the public.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: and, above all, keep the public’s interest at heart of everything that we do.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: Thank you again for being here, and your dedication to this important cause is very, very important to us.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: I’m excited about the work we’ll accomplish together. I I look forward to partnering with each of you

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: as we advance the open government

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: a committee in ways that truly make a difference.

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Mehul Parekh, GSA: With that I would like to pass it back to Arthur, our designated Federal officer, Arthur. Thank you for the opportunity to open up the Federal Advisory Committee. Appreciate it.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Mahu.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: for those inspiring remarks and your remarkable leadership in the support of this challenging great work.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: At this time we will prepare for our special Government employees to participate in the ceremonial oath of office. Each member previously took the official oath and completed the necessary paperwork as part of their onboarding.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I will now turn the meeting over to our Hr. Specialist, Amari Daniels Amari.

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: Yes, thank you. Hello. I’m Amari Daniels, the Gsa. Office of Human Resources Management Representative. I’d like to ask each sge member to please raise your right hand or place it over your heart. I will recite the oath of office in its entirety, and once I’ve finished, I’ll ask you to affirm by saying, I affirm in unison.

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: now, after we’ll after that we’ll be done, so let’s get started.

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: I do solemnly swear or affirm.

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God, so you’re all done. Thank you so much. And back to Arthur, do you all affirm? Please say you’re affirm.

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John Dierking, Member: I affirm, I affirm.

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Ade Odutola, Member: If I’m thank you.

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Imari Daniels, GSA HR: So much. Now back to you, Arthur. Thank you.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Ms. Daniels. Next we will have remarks by the Og. Fact chair.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I have worked with him for almost 2 months now, doing preparatory work for this meeting, and I quickly learned that his resume is only a small snippet of his dedication

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: passion and drive, as it relates to simply getting the job done

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: and the advancement of the open open government.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: He is, like all of the appointed members of this committee, he has a track record of actionable advocacy for changes that strengthen mechanisms for Federal Government accountability, transparency, and reform.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: And he does it all with a smile. It’s my pleasure to pass the mic to the Og. Fact chair. Mr. Daniel Schumann.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So thoughtful. Thank you, Arthur.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Good afternoon. Everyone

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: congratulations, and thank you for your willingness to serve

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: on the inaugural open Government Federal Advisory committee.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you also to everyone at the open Government secretariat for all of your work here today.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: and a special thank you to Arthur Brunson, one of our committee’s 2 designated Federal officers.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: who has been a great support to all of us. As we prepare to embark on this great adventure.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: open government is fundamental to democracy.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: You can judge the health of our Republic by how well it fosters government transparency, accountability, and public participation.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Our Government’s commitment to these principles have waxed and waned over time, even as dedicated civil servants and civil society representatives have soldiered on.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: We are here to reinvigorate those commitments.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Our job is to provide independent expert recommendations to the Federal Government as it contemplates undertaking new commitments and strengthening old arrangements.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: We have the opportunity to provide these recommendations in the context of a newly formed instrument, the Open Government Federal Advisory Committee.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: This is a tremendous, if not unprecedented opportunity.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: We should strive to be fearless.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: We should strive to be fair.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Our charge is to provide timely recommendations to the Gsa. Administrator on the development of the 6th Open Government National Action Plan.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: and to provide our views on emerging open government issues, challenges and opportunities.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: This is a lot of territory to cover

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: in the upcoming months. We will learn the lay of the land, and receive advice and recommendations from people inside and outside the government.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: I will judge our success by the quality and utility of our recommendations.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: and by whether this open Government Federal Advisory Committee, which we inaugurate today becomes a lasting and productive nursery for good ideas

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: and implemented practices that transform how our government serves its people.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: It is my pledge to all of you to foster a space where we can bring our best selves to the pursuit of a more perfect democracy.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: I’m excited for the work ahead.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you very much.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So yeah, Arthur, do you want to do this? Or I can do this.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: It’s for you. It’s it’s for you to do. Thank you.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: you know I got the chance to say my say, but I think it’s good for us to hear from all the members.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: But if we do that at length, this would be a 7 h meeting. So we’re going to do a short version, which is, I’d like you to say your name.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Why, you care about open government in a short

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: snippet if you can, and also a fun fact about yourself.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: we’ll try to go through in alphabetical order by last name. I think we can sort that

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: through the Panelist list that you all should be able to see

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: and I’ll model this. So my name is Daniel Schumann.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: open go! Why? Open government is because it’s fundamental to our democracy. And a fun fact is that I sit here right here in my office. If I look to my right. There is a 12 foot tall, inflated, pennywise, intended to.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: be ready for Halloween just a just a handful of days.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So let’s go to the to the next person, please.

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Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: Hello, everyone! My name is Joyce. I’m a lawyer, and I work with the local government here.

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Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: Why, open government from when I was a teenager. I’ve been working on good governance and government transparency.

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Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: and it only makes sense that in my role right now in the community that I serve, I carry on that

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Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: passion for public service and government transparency

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Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: fun. Fact. I love to travel. I’m originally from Nigeria, and I love exploring other parts of the world. And I love creating stories around that with my kids.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Wonderful. Thank you so much.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: next person, please.

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Charles Cutshall, Member: Afternoon. Everybody.

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Charles Cutshall, Member: My name is Charles Patchell, but

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Charles Cutshall, Member: almost everybody calls me Charlie.

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Charles Cutshall, Member: And why open government? Because open government is foundational to maintaining trust in government

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Charles Cutshall, Member: and trusting government, as Daniel mentioned.

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Charles Cutshall, Member: is one of the pillars for

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Charles Cutshall, Member: a democracy

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Charles Cutshall, Member: fun fact about myself. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe.

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Charles Cutshall, Member: I love traveling, and today I am joining you from Montreal, or, as they would say, here, Montreal.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Wonderful. Thank you, Charlie. Glad that you can make it from Montreal.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So next up is John.

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John Dierking, Member: Greetings John Deerking, as was pre previously articulated

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John Dierking, Member: open government is foundational to our democracy.

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John Dierking, Member: especially embracing the ideas of transparency, accountability, public participation

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John Dierking, Member: and increase civic engagement

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John Dierking, Member: fun fact. By the time I was 10 I’d lived on 3 continents.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: You’re gonna leave us hanging for what those continents were.

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John Dierking, Member: Well, North America, Europe and Asia.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Wonderful. Thank you, John, appreciate it.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Next up is Amy.

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Amy Holmes, Member: Hello, everyone, Amy Holmes. Here I am, a little under the weather today, so please forgive me for not being on camera. I look forward to meeting you all next week, but I have been working on open government and transparency work for over 20 years. It’s what I think is most important to support our democracy.

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Amy Holmes, Member: I also think that it’s really important that in government and as a public servant for many years that we put people at the center of everything we do. And I really want to bring that and hope we work on that as part of this this opportunity. So I’m very happy to be with you all, and I also love to travel, and

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Amy Holmes, Member: and I just got back from Mexico City. So I think that’s why I’m a little under the weather, so thank you for the opportunity.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Wonderful, Amy. Thank you. I hope that you feel better.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Next up is Kristen.

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: Hello! I hope you all can see and hear me. I’m having tech problems. I apologize hopefully. We’ll get that worked out.

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: So

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: my connection to Opengov. Well, I’m the chief data scientist at Hhs headquarters with the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: currently on assignment to FDA. So why open Gov, I came to open government through the open data community and really unleashing, responsibly unleashing open data in a machine readable, easily discoverable way and huge proponent of open science, so free public access to federally funded science, but not behind paywalls

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: and having good open data. I think open government is just absolutely foundational for all of that. And then in my day to day job the kind of short mantra we often say to ourselves, is people 1st data always building on what Amy said. And I think open government, especially today, really embottle embodies that people 1st and hopefully, transparent always

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: fun. Fact about me. I have a high tolerance for risk. I dropped out of college after my sophomore year and went taught English in Indonesia backpack around the world.

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: I’ve climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. I’ve gone cage diving with great white sharks. Multiple times.

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Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: I’ve jumped off Bungee jumped Victoria Falls in Africa. So, yeah. So I am open to new experiences. And I like pushing boundaries and hopefully, that will help our open government community. Thanks.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you. It seems like there’s a lot of folks that are

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: interested in travel. Although Victoria Falls. Sounds like fun.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Ron, please.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: I am Ron Keepover, and the only people to call me Ronald. That I can recall are my 6th grade

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Ronald Keefover, Member: classroom teachers, but my interest in open government. Actually.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: you know, I can date that back to the 8th grade when my English instructor suggested that we needed a junior high school newspaper. So I was the 1st

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Ronald Keefover, Member: editor of

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Ronald Keefover, Member: the then only junior high newspaper, I think, in the city. But in any event, you know, from that led to editor of the High school and the college, and and then a 15 year spent as a journalist, and

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Ronald Keefover, Member: all of those have, you know, only in enforced my desire for open government. I left the journalism world and joined the administrative office of Cam Spring Court, where

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Ronald Keefover, Member: I immediately set about making court records and proceedings open to us. We wrote the 1st rule permitting cameras in the courtroom in Kansas, and that was back in 1981

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Ronald Keefover, Member: that I turn to the judicial

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Ronald Keefover, Member: candidate interviews. They were appointed by the Governor through a nominating commission. Those interviews had been closed, and even the name secret until they went to the governor. 3 went to the Governor. I opened the.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: you know. Brief Bios of everybody applied, and so on, so that we had open

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Ronald Keefover, Member: interviews of judges at all levels in in the State.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: Meanwhile, based on the camera rule that we had, I had produced a video or had a video produced

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Ronald Keefover, Member: about that topic, and that kind of sent me around the country talking about introducing Cameron.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: which then led to kind of a Speaker’s Bureau participation

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Ronald Keefover, Member: wound up, presenting 22 international

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Ronald Keefover, Member: projects on open government and open courts in particular.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: and meeting with a 5 year sent as a Fulbright special traveling around

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Ronald Keefover, Member: on.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: You’re dealing with the media and government in that particular case.

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Ronald Keefover, Member: My fun. Fact I could think of is, I’m a certified master barbecue judge. So if anybody wants to have a

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Ronald Keefover, Member: barbecue, give me a call and I’ll help you.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Well, I think you had a lot of fun facts, but the barbecue one is probably the most tasty.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you so much, Ron.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So next up Steve.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Is this

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Is absent.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Oh, he’s absent. Okay,

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: that’s right. I should have realized that.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Who’s next? Oh.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: hello! Please go ahead.

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Janice Luong, Member: Hi, everyone, Janice Luong here, and I’m super excited to join this committee.

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Janice Luong, Member: Why, open government, I mean the work that I’ve done so far, since higher education since I graduated has always been focused on exploring different recommendations and solutions on how to make government more effective and efficient. And why I’m so interested in this work is because I believe that.

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Janice Luong, Member: So I just remember, like

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Janice Luong, Member: the frustration of how fragmented our society is. And I just crave that social cohesion. So

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Janice Luong, Member: not only do I believe that creating that social cohesion is a public responsibility, but I also think that creating an open government, making it more effective plays a large role in it. So

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Janice Luong, Member: that is the main reason why I’m so interested and excited to be here.

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Janice Luong, Member: a fun fact about myself. This is

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Janice Luong, Member: this is the hardest question I’ve ever received honestly in an icebreaker.

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Janice Luong, Member: I’m short, but if you see me on the volleyball courts. You will see me play front row. Another fun. Fact is, I can read Korean, but

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Janice Luong, Member: I will not know what it means like. I won’t understand it, but I can read it, so

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Janice Luong, Member: I’ll leave it there.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Those are both great fun facts, and if you want to suggest a different question for the next meeting.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: that is a little less hard. I would certainly love that. And the fun. Fact is, I can read Hebrew, but I have no idea what is what it means, either.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Adi, you’re up next.

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Ade Odutola, Member: So before it was my turn. I’ve been telling my survey. You’re mute. Make sure when it’s your turn. Remember to turn mute, button off before you start talking, and guess what happened. I still did the same thing anyway. Thank you. Everyone. My name is. I am based in the DC. Metro area.

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Ade Odutola, Member: Guess the next question was, why open government? I’m a contractor. I work for. The Dod is one of my clients, and I’m into private privacy and cyber security, and it is what I’ve been doing for the last almost 30 years.

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Ade Odutola, Member: and I’ve always wondered about intersection of

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Ade Odutola, Member: government being transparent, inclusive, responsive. And how can they be transparent and not jeopardize national security? So you want an open government. But there’s also a national security component to it. How do you find that balance? How do you? What’s the? How do you optimize? How can government be transparent, inclusive, and still protect its people? So that’s what got me. That’s what excites me about this task. And I’m just so delighted to be part of this group, and I look forward to what we’re going to accomplish together

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Ade Odutola, Member: in terms of fun. Fact, I run the army 10 miler last Sunday.

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Ade Odutola, Member: and I’ve been running this 10 mile race for the last almost 14 years, and each time I tell myself it’s the last time you’re getting old. But I still go back, and it’s kind of addictive. When is one September? Once the registration comes around, I register, and I still go out there, no matter how I’m feeling, I get on the course, and they’re like 1030,000 good friends of mine. We run together, and it’s a lot of fun, and that’s my fun. Fact. Thank you. Everyone.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Oh, that’s great. How are your are your? I hope your knees are feeling all right. After after the 10 K.

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Ade Odutola, Member: So, too. It’s a

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Ade Odutola, Member: too. Thank you, Daniel.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you. Thank you. Ode. So, Suzanne, you’re up next, please.

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Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: Hello, Hi, Suzanne Futrowski! I am a professor at the School of Public Affairs in Rutgers, and

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Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: I think maybe I sort of approach the issue of open government. Slightly differently, sort of my role. I think of open government as a public sector management reform.

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Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: And I think I’m going to answer a slightly different question like, why, the why, the faca on open government and I’m just really excited that maybe we can set up a successful working multi-stakeholder Forum and get to co-creating a national action plan

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Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: my fun fact. I was trying to keep it on topic, so I don’t know how fun it is, but I teach an Mpa. Class called unlocking open government.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: I guess whether that’s fun is we’d have to talk to your students. Right?

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you. Suzanne. Really appreciate it. Next up is Josh.

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Josh Tauberer, Member: Hi, everybody! I wasn’t going to say this, but but Ron’s remarks reminded me that I think I 1st got like the bite of sort of proto open government in 3rd grade, when I when I got to help edit the school’s newspaper.

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Josh Tauberer, Member: and I never really got to have a career in journalism. But I think that’s that’s like trying to go back to like that 3rd grade. Excitement of editing, I think, is, you know, sticks with me

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Josh Tauberer, Member: most recently. So for the last 20 years I’ve been running a website called Govtrack, which is a legislative, independent legislative branch transparency site where we track bills in Congress and legislators, and create statistics, and so on.

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Josh Tauberer, Member: and part of what I really enjoy about that is, seeing seeing non-professionals come to use government transparency to learn about the nuts and bolts of

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Josh Tauberer, Member: in this case of Congress, like cloture rules and discharge petitions are currently kind of of interest to people. Anyway, I love sorry. I love seeing people learn these things and then become better advocates for themselves and feel more confident, interacting with government

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Josh Tauberer, Member: and a fun fact, I have a pet turtle and a toddler in that order.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you, Josh. We will. We can talk about Rupert.

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Josh Tauberer, Member: Yes.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Turtle another time.

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Josh Tauberer, Member: I owe any time.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Awesome next, please. Corinna.

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Corinna Turbes, Member: Hi, everyone. My name is Karina Turbos, with the data foundation. And I think, why.

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Corinna Turbes, Member: open government? It’s hard to come up with something that someone hasn’t already said. But I sort of grew up advocating for the Federal statistical agencies.

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Corinna Turbes, Member: and really had a culture of the public good that data can do, and bringing that spirit of public good to data as a whole, I think, can be a really powerful way to treat government data. And the fun fact that I always tell people is that I spent most of my twenties working as a professional beekeeper. So if you all have any questions about bees or honey. Let me know.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: That’s fantastic. So I’m seeing emerging themes of both food and travel. And I think a lot of people may have also been working on their school newspaper at 1 point. Thank you, Karina. I appreciate it.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Carol.

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: Hi, everyone! Good afternoon. I’m Kirill Tchaikomowski. I’m participating from my perch here at the Us. Department of State. Why, open government.

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: I would say that we see that Opengov is fundamental to a lot of the anti-corruption work that we’re doing worldwide. I’m the primary part of my portfolio is focused on anti-corruption, and I’m also

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: the delegate to the Us. On behalf of the Us. The Oecd’s working party on open government, as well as all the other Ogp work that I do. But, as I said, you know, we see it as fundamental to our A/C work and insofar as opengov helps to fill in these accountability and transparency gaps where corruption could otherwise flourish.

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: It’s also

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: an important means of promoting and maintaining resilient democratic institutions worldwide, which is also a huge foreign policy priority for the administration. My fun. Fact is, I got a few. I’ve been

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: played. I played piano through high school and through, you know through through college, but haven’t haven’t played in a few years. But a few weeks ago I bought a harpsichord, which was always something I’d been pining for as a piano player. And so I’ve been fiddling around with that, trying to relearn some of the old repertoire so hopefully with the windows open.

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: The neighbors are appreciative of, you know the dulcet sounds of Bach, and they don’t think that it sounds like nails on a chalkboard. So we’ll see, you know hopefully. I’m not that rusty. So, thanks.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you. Yeah. It’s something, maybe to practice, particularly as we get closer to Halloween. I always found the

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: the action for the harpsichord, because it’s pucking the strings and not being out like it’s. It’s such an interesting experience.

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Kiril Jakimovski, Member: It’s definitely spookier.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yeah, it’s yeah. It’s really fun. Thank you. Next up is Bobby.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: Hi! Everybody! Bobby! But I go by Bobby, obviously talk

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Bobby Talebian, Member: and so really grateful. And it’s a pleasure to be here. Why, open government? Well, I’ve been working in the space of freedom. All but 2 years of a partnership for my legal career. And it’s been just a privilege to be able to work in this space. At Oip. We are responsible, among other things, for encouraging governments.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: encouraging government, wide compliance with deploying information up which, of course, is very critical, to promoting open government and transparency, and ensuring that

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Bobby Talebian, Member: citizens can engage with their government fully on topologically of what government is doing. I’ve had the privilege during my time at Rip, so far, of working on

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Bobby Talebian, Member: developing and executing foia commitments and 3 national action plans. I look forward to building on that with our colleagues here today.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: But somewhat related fun. Fact is, my most prized possession of my office is the naturalization certificates of my 2 parents, who immigrated here from a country where Uncle Government is the opposite of what they, their government believes in, and so that

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Bobby Talebian, Member: to my work at oit, and we wanted to continue to work and be on the open Government partnership. So I’m not doing it for you.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: I really do enjoy actually cooking and spectrum barbecue. So I look forward to talking around.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: but also just keeping up trying to keep up with my 8 year old twins. So the most exciting thing.

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Bobby Talebian, Member: No, that offer for you

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Bobby Talebian, Member: reverse that. But that’s was more fun.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: That’s wonderful.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: At 1 point you’ll have to show up the certificate and maybe we’ll have to create a cooking and eating working group. I think that might be fun. A bunch of us have younger kids. So maybe a play date as well. Thank you, Bobby.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So I don’t need to. I already went, cause I provide the example at the beginning. So

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: of

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: my fun. Fact is that I spoke with all of the members of the Advisory Committee before the meeting, and that was fun for me.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: So next I think I’m going to hand hand it back over to Arthur, and he’s gonna talk about the charter.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Arthur, please.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Dan, and all of the team members who shared your interesting facts as well as wide open government. This is a great team, and I am looking forward to working with you. So thanks again, Daniel. As part of the Charter Review process, I will be highlighting a few areas of the charter.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Please be reminded that the charter can be found on the Gsa. Website, and all of the members have been provided a copy of the charter.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Now let’s get started.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: The Og. Fact is, a discretionary advisory Committee established by the administrator of the Us. General Service Administration

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: under agency authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act as amended.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Gsa’s open Government secretariat

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: is dedicated to fostering a more transparent, responsive, and inclusive Federal government by creating regular channels for public engagement.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: They we will work along with the Og fact, which will serve

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: as the advisory body to Gsa. On open government initiatives.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: particularly focusing on the creation, implementation and monitoring monitoring of the Us. Open government national action plans and related commitment themes.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: The themes include access to information.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: anti-corruption.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: civic space.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: climate and environment.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: digital governance.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: fiscal openness.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO:  justice.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: media freedom.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: public participation

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: and enhancing the delivery of government services and benefits.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Initially, the Ogfac will provide recommendations to Gsa. On developing Nap 6

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: open government policy and public and public engagement strategies.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: The committee will advise Gsa. Administrator on emerging open Government challenges and opportunities supporting Gsa. Open Government secretariat

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: in its mission

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: support for the

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Ogfac will be provided by the Gsa’s office of Government-wide policy

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: through the open government. Secretary.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Public meetings, whether open or closed, may be held in person

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: via teleconference, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: However, all meetings must be publicly announced at least 15 calendar days in advance, through a notice published in the Federal Register.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: To meet this 15 day notice requirement. The Dfo. Will need a minimum of 30 days, lead time to draft, receive approval for and submit the notice for publications.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: This means committee meetings cannot be scheduled or held on short notice they require advanced planning.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: The Og fact will. One fact is that the Og fact will terminate 2 years from the date of the charter filing, unless it is renewed prior to its expiration.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: however, Gsa. Will assess the needs for this committee on an annual basis.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: The records of the committee, including any subgroups, will be managed in accordance with the general record schedule

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: and other approved agency records, disposition schedules.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: These records will be available for public inspection and copying in compliance with the freedom of act, the freedom of Information Act.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: and

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: from there I just want to ask does any of the members have any questions

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: or anything that was presented.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: So if there are no questions.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I think it’s time that we take. Go ahead.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: Can we hold just a moment in case folks just don’t know how to ask questions, because this is a new medium.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: if on for your zoom account. If you see the 3 little buttons, the ellipse that says more, if you click on that, it says, raise hand at the bottom under the pop up tab

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: so whether for this or at other appropriate times, should you have questions, and I don’t think that there are any.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: But should you have questions? That is how you can signal that that Arthur, or whomever should call on you. But I think, Arthur, you’re probably good. I just wanted to make sure that we didn’t. Miss anybody. Thank you.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Okay. If there are no hands up. I think at this time we will take. We will pause for a 5 min break.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I have 1 43, which means we will come back at one.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: 40,

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: 8,

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: and start.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: There’s going to be a timer that you’ll see on your screen as well.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Arthur? I should have asked before. But who is controlling the slides.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Adam is, but when you if you say next slide, he’ll take it.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Perfect. I can do that. Thank you.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: You just let me know when we’re ready.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Daniel.

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Daniel Schuman, Chair: I think we’re good to go.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I I think we are. I I’m unable to turn my video on. But that will probably change fix in a second.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: There we go. Thank you.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: So welcome back.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: I hope everyone had a quick and refreshing break.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Let’s go ahead and get settled as we dive back into our agenda.

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Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thanks for rejoining us. Next on the agenda we will have our ethics training conducted by Lauren Jacobs Lauren. The floor is yours.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Thank you.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Welcome everyone to to Gsa. And now I know what to call you the Og.

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Back. My name is Lauren Jacobs. I’m a senior general counsel in Gsa’s office of the

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Lauren Jacobs, GSA: General Counsel Technology Law Division. But I used to be the team lead for the Ethics law Division as well. So I’m I’m here helping them out today.

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00:50:05.750 —> 00:50:16.740

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and I know nobody asked for my fun fact. But I did want to share, because there were some language examples in there that I have taught Yoga for almost 20 years.

428

00:50:16.750 —> 00:50:31.189

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and at the beginning of the pandemic I studied Sanskrit during, you know. During the the shutdown, when we were all quarantined at home, and I can say that I can neither read it nor can I understand it.

429

00:50:31.470 —> 00:50:33.990

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: but I tried with that.

430

00:50:34.620 —> 00:50:36.549

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I’m gonna focus now on

431

00:50:36.640 —> 00:50:42.830

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: ethics. Tried to bring a little humor in when I can, although, as you can already tell, it may not always be funny.

432

00:50:43.030 —> 00:50:45.419

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and just keep you all awake for

433

00:50:45.430 —> 00:50:48.760

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: about the next 29 min or so.

434

00:50:49.520 —> 00:50:59.930

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Now, this ethics briefing is specific to those of you who are sges special special government employees. So as sges, you’re legally required to receive

435

00:51:00.390 —> 00:51:04.770

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: new entrant ethics training before the 1st meeting of the committee.

436

00:51:06.390 —> 00:51:14.889

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I’m thinking that my colleague, if you’re here, if you can wave Caroline, my colleague, Caroline Bellison, was going to try to join, but she may not be on yet.

437

00:51:15.461 —> 00:51:18.548

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: But just so that everyone is aware.

438

00:51:19.210 —> 00:51:27.010

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for those of you who are sges. If you need ethics advice, you can reach out to ethics@gsa.gov. And I’m going to put their

439

00:51:27.460 —> 00:51:30.509

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: email address in the chat here.

440

00:51:31.020 —> 00:51:32.140

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And then

441

00:51:32.230 —> 00:51:37.059

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: those of you who are sges are also more than welcome to reach out to me or

442

00:51:37.300 —> 00:51:43.409

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Caroline. Every attorney in our office of the general counsel is an ethics advisor. So if you have questions about these rules

443

00:51:43.530 —> 00:51:45.639

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you can also reach out to us.

444

00:51:45.680 —> 00:51:51.810

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And then for those of you who are employees of other government agencies. Of course your agency ethics officials

445

00:51:51.820 —> 00:51:54.128

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: should be your go to

446

00:51:54.740 —> 00:51:59.739

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: although if something comes up where it’s appropriate for them to work with us, we’re we’re more than happy to work with them as well.

447

00:52:00.480 —> 00:52:09.329

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: One more thing after I’m done with this, I’m gonna send you off what we call the form 2160. Send it through docusign, and for sges. We just need you to

448

00:52:10.161 —> 00:52:14.740

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to sign that and acknowledge that you received this this briefing today.

449

00:52:15.660 —> 00:52:17.310

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

450

00:52:19.990 —> 00:52:21.020

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So

451

00:52:21.030 —> 00:52:25.013

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the ethics law division, the one that I don’t actually work for anymore.

452

00:52:25.350 —> 00:52:29.339

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: they are again your 1st line of defense. If you have ethics questions

453

00:52:29.560 —> 00:52:34.449

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and they’re the agency’s full time. Ethics, attorneys. They do all the stuff that’s listed here.

454

00:52:34.480 —> 00:52:43.019

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and I highlight advice and counsel, because that’s really the heart of their job, particularly as it’s going to relate to you. It’s all about helping you understand

455

00:52:43.030 —> 00:52:47.150

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: how all the ethics rules that I’m about to discuss apply to you.

456

00:52:47.290 —> 00:52:58.539

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: We’ve got a short amount of time to get through all the material today. But if you have questions that we don’t get to, and I will ask you to hold your questions for the end, unless it’s a clarifying question.

457

00:52:58.730 —> 00:53:08.850

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: If we don’t get through questions that you do have or you do want to discuss something further, please don’t hesitate to reach out again. It’s either ethics@gsa.gov, the email I put in the chat

458

00:53:08.870 —> 00:53:10.370

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: or on

459

00:53:10.400 —> 00:53:13.570

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the Gsa. Folks can help you to reach out to me or Caroline

460

00:53:15.080 —> 00:53:16.690

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: next slide, please.

461

00:53:19.500 —> 00:53:23.509

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So, as I already mentioned, and this 30 min briefing

462

00:53:23.540 —> 00:53:25.259

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: has a lot of repetition in it.

463

00:53:25.749 —> 00:53:34.479

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: As sges. You’re legally required to receive new ethics, entrant training before the 1st meeting of the fact. So

464

00:53:34.650 —> 00:53:37.599

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: just knowing that and to frame our conversation today.

465

00:53:37.700 —> 00:53:38.820

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I wanna

466

00:53:39.160 —> 00:53:41.180

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: have you all think about.

467

00:53:41.380 —> 00:53:43.460

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: why does ethics matter?

468

00:53:43.920 —> 00:53:51.870

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Why is ethics so important that we’re required to talk to you about it on your 1st day here before you can even start your work as a committee.

469

00:53:51.910 —> 00:53:54.060

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and I’ll just pause and let you all

470

00:53:54.190 —> 00:53:55.980

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: think about that just for a second.

471

00:53:59.710 —> 00:54:10.509

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Now, whatever your answer is or if you don’t have an answer yet, we can hopefully either create a foundation today or help you to build on it as we go through today’s training.

472

00:54:11.090 —> 00:54:24.450

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The office of the Government Ethics Office of Government Ethics is the agency that actually leads the executive Branch ethics program. And I’ve put an excerpt here of what they say is the most fundamental, fundamental principle of ethics.

473

00:54:24.520 —> 00:54:28.920

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and that is that public service is a public trust

474

00:54:30.750 —> 00:54:43.550

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: working for the government comes with the responsibility of safeguarding the public’s trust in the programs that they fund and ensuring that you’re doing your jobs faithfully, and I almost have to laugh that I’m saying this to all of you, but that you’re doing your jobs transparently

475

00:54:44.820 —> 00:54:46.300

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: next slide, please.

476

00:54:48.820 —> 00:54:51.440

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So how does that matter to all of you.

477

00:54:51.970 —> 00:54:59.530

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Most of you joined the fact as as special government employees, I believe, but there are quite a few who are already Government employees.

478

00:54:59.890 —> 00:55:05.390

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and those of you who are sges. You are considered Federal employees under the ethics rules

479

00:55:06.040 —> 00:55:29.470

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: that said, you are separate and distinct from the regular government employee, members and representatives. So some of the rules that I’m going to talk about today are less restrictive for you than they are for regular government employees. Some are only less restrictive if you serve a certain number of days. So there’s some counting involved. Just want to make sure you have the general idea. And then, again, if you have questions.

480

00:55:29.810 —> 00:55:34.149

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: we’re more than help, more than willing to to help you to work through them

481

00:55:34.180 —> 00:55:37.469

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: when it applies to counting days or just anything in general.

482

00:55:37.800 —> 00:55:38.780

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So

483

00:55:39.570 —> 00:55:46.339

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: again, you’re considered Federal employees for the purposes of the ethics, rules that includes the criminal conflict of interest statutes.

484

00:55:46.440 —> 00:55:50.989

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the employee standards of ethical conduct. I’ll share these materials with you all

485

00:55:51.140 —> 00:55:52.620

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: afterwards as well

486

00:55:52.750 —> 00:55:57.749

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: on the Hatch Act. Those are the rules related to your partisan political activities

487

00:55:58.060 —> 00:56:02.629

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and the foreign gifts and decorations. Act. And so

488

00:56:02.820 —> 00:56:15.399

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: these rules apply to you 24, 7. Except for when they don’t, some of the the Hatch Act rules, for example, only apply to you when you’re actually on duty, when you’re actually doing government work or in a government building

489

00:56:16.015 —> 00:56:19.040

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: are wearing some sort of government insignia that, like.

490

00:56:20.470 —> 00:56:25.419

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: really, you know, demonstrates that you are a government employee or Jsa employee.

491

00:56:26.790 —> 00:56:28.760

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So 2 quick questions for you.

492

00:56:28.890 —> 00:56:33.570

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: just to make sure everybody’s awake. Do these rules apply to you

493

00:56:34.200 —> 00:56:36.550

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: whether you’re paid or not.

494

00:56:36.880 —> 00:56:39.549

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Yes or no. Anyone want to type in the chat.

495

00:56:39.720 —> 00:56:43.910

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: just making sure you’re with me. Do these rules apply to you whether or not you’re paid

496

00:56:44.180 —> 00:56:47.120

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: correct? Yes, they apply to you whether or not you’re paid.

497

00:56:47.420 —> 00:56:53.619

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And do they apply to you on days when you don’t perform government services.

498

00:56:55.010 —> 00:56:59.310

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: do they apply to you on days when you don’t perform government services?

499

00:57:00.260 —> 00:57:07.235

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So they largely do apply to you on days when you don’t provide government services.

500

00:57:07.930 —> 00:57:12.280

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: some exceptions there, but just want you to be generally aware of that.

501

00:57:12.560 —> 00:57:18.719

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Speaking of my goal here is really just to make sure you’re generally aware of what these rules are.

502

00:57:18.870 —> 00:57:24.010

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: You’re not expected to memorize them. You’re not expected to be your own ethics attorney.

503

00:57:24.050 —> 00:57:35.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The idea is that you’ll hopefully leave this briefing, knowing enough that you would know when to reach out to the Ethics Law Division or when to reach out to me or to Caroline.

504

00:57:35.700 —> 00:57:38.749

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And with that next slide, please.

505

00:57:40.190 —> 00:57:43.610

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And this slide is hopefully gonna give you enough to just

506

00:57:43.730 —> 00:57:49.079

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: give you that gut instinct of Oh, I should probably reach out to an ethics official.

507

00:57:49.240 —> 00:57:51.990

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: What this slide does is

508

00:57:52.090 —> 00:58:01.930

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: summarizes the 14 principles of ethical conduct. The 14 principles of ethical conduct are your basic ethical obligations as a public servant.

509

00:58:02.510 —> 00:58:07.509

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and we usually begin our trainings with the discussion of these principles.

510

00:58:08.020 —> 00:58:13.139

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: They’re great to have as a reference, I will share them with you. They are the foundation of the government ethics rules.

511

00:58:13.350 —> 00:58:28.280

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: but we also just want to make it even easier for you to identify potential ethics issues and not have to memorize 14 different principles. So we summarize these 14 principles and categorize them into 3 buckets.

512

00:58:28.320 —> 00:58:31.239

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Actually, the office of Government ethics did that for us.

513

00:58:31.470 —> 00:58:35.590

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And whenever you take an action, whether it’s in your official

514

00:58:35.740 —> 00:58:40.039

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Gsa capacity you’re wearing that government hat or not

515

00:58:40.410 —> 00:58:54.039

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: make sure that you’re doing these 3 things. Make sure that you’re being loyal to the law. So whether that means following all of these ethics rules, or it means paying your debts and your parking tickets on time. I’ve got to be loyal to the law.

516

00:58:54.650 —> 00:58:59.222

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The second one is to serve the Federal government selflessly.

517

00:58:59.790 —> 00:59:08.660

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the idea that public service is a public trust. So you want to make sure that you’re not using your public office, your position on this committee

518

00:59:08.750 —> 00:59:19.590

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for your private gain, your, you know, outside organizations gain, but also just anybody else’s gain. Any other non Federal entities gain.

519

00:59:20.380 —> 00:59:22.150

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and then, last, but not least.

520

00:59:22.180 —> 00:59:33.660

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Please be good stewards of government resources when you’re on government time, right? When you’re on committee time, you’re doing committee work when you are on your own time. You’re doing your own stuff.

521

00:59:34.016 —> 00:59:43.429

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Make sure that if you have any sort of government property, government devices things like that, that you’re only using those in connection with committee work as well.

522

00:59:43.975 —> 00:59:50.779

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And that you’re not sharing non-public government information. Of course you want to be transparent with.

523

00:59:50.800 —> 00:59:57.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you know, a lot of this is all about, but make sure that you’re not sharing information that is not yet public.

524

00:59:58.170 —> 01:00:02.819

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: You also want to avoid just even the appearance of violating these principles.

525

01:00:03.270 —> 01:00:07.430

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: even if it just feels like it looks like you’re violating them. You want to avoid that as well.

526

01:00:08.340 —> 01:00:09.980

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

527

01:00:11.960 —> 01:00:14.129

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: This used to be one of my

528

01:00:14.190 —> 01:00:15.680

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: favorite slides.

529

01:00:17.060 —> 01:00:23.215

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: My favorite image is, if you can’t tell, kind of covered by words. This woman is

530

01:00:23.840 —> 01:00:30.030

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: just standing here. In business attire, wearing several different hats, all stacked on top of each other.

531

01:00:32.180 —> 01:00:39.377

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And what this is getting at is that the Federal ethics rules really require you to think about your lives and your work?

532

01:00:39.810 —> 01:00:51.450

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in a way, and to be able to separate them into 2 capacities. You have your official hat, and I think I have one here. Usually this is my official. This is my like

533

01:00:51.470 —> 01:00:54.080

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: doing Gsa. Work hot. If I’m American.

534

01:00:54.620 —> 01:00:56.710

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: let’s see now. I’m not even sure

535

01:00:56.790 —> 01:00:58.573

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: if if you can.

536

01:00:59.420 —> 01:01:10.790

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: But there’s your official hat, your government capacity. And then there’s everything else. There’s all the other hats that you wear. Don’t ask me why. My other example is a paw patrol like sunglasses thing, but that’s what I’ve got

537

01:01:12.000 —> 01:01:14.859

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So you want to be able to separate out what you’re doing

538

01:01:15.050 —> 01:01:16.629

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: on behalf of the Government

539

01:01:16.840 —> 01:01:18.560

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: versus everything else.

540

01:01:20.560 —> 01:01:26.139

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: a good thing to consider is what you might be doing in each of these capacities after today

541

01:01:26.300 —> 01:01:39.780

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and identify situations where you foresee any sort of overlap between what you’re doing officially for the government versus what you do outside of the government, and anywhere where you foresee any sort of overlap

542

01:01:40.140 —> 01:01:42.249

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: a potential area for a conflict.

543

01:01:42.330 —> 01:01:57.060

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: That’s a good time to reach out to me, to Caroline or the Ethics Law Division to just say, Hey, I’ve got this overlap, and then we can help you to understand if there is an actual ethics issue. And if there is, how do we separate out

544

01:01:57.080 —> 01:02:02.011

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: those 2 circles, or how do we make sure you’re not wearing 2 hats at once?

545

01:02:03.010 —> 01:02:05.700

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: that’s the general general idea, at least.

546

01:02:05.890 —> 01:02:07.340

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

547

01:02:09.160 —> 01:02:17.779

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So we’re gonna jump into a review of the rules. Now, we’re not gonna do an official reading of the rules, because, again, I will provide you with summaries of

548

01:02:18.110 —> 01:02:23.899

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: of all of those rules, and you are required to to read those. We’re kind of just the general concepts right now.

549

01:02:24.890 —> 01:02:25.940

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So

550

01:02:26.780 —> 01:02:31.439

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I want to start with a disclaimer. I mentioned this earlier. Many of these

551

01:02:31.530 —> 01:02:37.680

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: statutes make at least some special provision for the treatment of special government employees

552

01:02:37.780 —> 01:02:52.490

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in 30 min. We don’t have time to cover all of those. So the takeaway should be when in doubt, ask ethics, but I will share with you a legal advisory that talks a little bit about what those differences are as well.

553

01:02:53.250 —> 01:03:00.350

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So the bottom line with the 1st set of rules we’re going over. Those are the financial conflict of interest rules.

554

01:03:00.650 —> 01:03:06.660

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The bottom line here is that you really don’t want your wallet to affect your work.

555

01:03:07.200 —> 01:03:10.510

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So the criminal conflict of interest statute

556

01:03:10.700 —> 01:03:13.620

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: prohibits you from working on certain matters

557

01:03:14.080 —> 01:03:14.810

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for

558

01:03:16.120 —> 01:03:29.040

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for the Ogfac. That will affect your financial interests or the financial interests of certain others. Those certain others are the ones that are listed here. Those are the interests of your your spouse.

559

01:03:29.050 —> 01:03:35.490

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: You’re a minor child. If you’re an officer director, you have some sort of fiduciary role with an organization

560

01:03:36.700 —> 01:03:38.880

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with your outside employer.

561

01:03:38.980 —> 01:03:42.449

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Those would also be what we call those certain other

562

01:03:42.770 —> 01:03:44.900

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: interest, those that are imputed to you.

563

01:03:45.260 —> 01:03:59.199

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So I like to visualize this, the way that the Graphic is on the screen. You’ve got your fact duties, everything you’re doing for the committee, and then you also have all of those other outside financial interests.

564

01:03:59.420 —> 01:04:06.009

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: If there’s any crossover between the 2, it doesn’t automatically mean that there’s a conflict, but it means that there could be

565

01:04:07.480 —> 01:04:20.309

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the best practice here is if there’s any crossover reach out to us. This is a criminal statute. So violating this rule could result in hefty fines, it could result potentially in jail time.

566

01:04:21.710 —> 01:04:30.519

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: so the best thing to do is, just make sure that if there’s an issue you’re deconflicting yourself or separating out these 2 circles, and that you don’t have a problem.

567

01:04:32.890 —> 01:04:42.239

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I’ll just add a note that for sges you typically have substantial outside employment and other issues, other interests I was about to say other issues, but other interests

568

01:04:42.300 —> 01:04:45.229

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: they’re often related to the subject area

569

01:04:45.622 —> 01:04:51.969

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for which the government desires your services. So these kinds of issues do come up often for you.

570

01:04:53.070 —> 01:04:54.729

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: All right, next slide, please.

571

01:04:56.760 —> 01:04:59.019

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So here’s just a list of

572

01:04:59.070 —> 01:05:09.959

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: possible financial conflicts, kinds of things that you might see with those 2 circles I had on the other slide. Your stock ownership could be an issue. If you have over a certain amount.

573

01:05:10.240 —> 01:05:12.002

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: have money in

574

01:05:12.890 —> 01:05:21.139

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in stocks, bonds, interest through ownership, partnership, limited liability corporations, consulting agreements.

575

01:05:21.240 —> 01:05:30.969

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: grants, or contracts that you might have. And then, again, as I previously mentioned, your your employment outside of the Government could be an area of possible conflict

576

01:05:32.510 —> 01:05:36.546

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: there are for those of you who are sges. There’s

577

01:05:37.030 —> 01:05:40.136

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: an additional option of a waiver for

578

01:05:40.630 —> 01:05:45.680

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for a faca committee, members in certain circumstances, those of us who are regular

579

01:05:45.910 —> 01:05:53.539

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: full time government employees. They’re probably saying I’ve never heard of anyone getting a waiver for this rule, but it’s it’s a little more

580

01:05:54.110 —> 01:05:57.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: lenient when it comes to sges. Just so you’re aware.

581

01:05:57.220 —> 01:06:03.330

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So it’s not the end of the world. Necessarily. If you have a conflict. We just need to know about it before you take any action.

582

01:06:04.720 —> 01:06:06.350

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: All right next slide.

583

01:06:08.420 —> 01:06:09.520

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So

584

01:06:09.750 —> 01:06:13.120

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in my former life as a full time, ethics, official

585

01:06:13.540 —> 01:06:23.010

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: people would come to me and say, Oh, my goodness! I think I have a criminal conflict. And then, as we kind of peel back the layers, we’d realize that there actually wasn’t 1.

586

01:06:23.220 —> 01:06:24.070

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: But

587

01:06:24.310 —> 01:06:28.090

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: even when there wasn’t 1, sometimes there was still

588

01:06:28.940 —> 01:06:34.880

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: an impartiality, concern, or appearance concerns under the impartiality regulations.

589

01:06:35.130 —> 01:06:43.949

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So are they? There are these regulations. They’re not criminal related to impartiality in the performance of official duties in the employee standards of conduct

590

01:06:44.160 —> 01:06:53.539

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and the regulations are similar to the criminal conflict rule, but they deal with less direct relationships. And again, they also consider appearances.

591

01:06:53.720 —> 01:06:54.700

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So

592

01:06:55.010 —> 01:06:58.890

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: like we said at the beginning today, what we want to prevent is

593

01:06:58.950 —> 01:07:04.920

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you are violating these ethics principles, and also the appearance of violating these ethics principles.

594

01:07:05.150 —> 01:07:08.630

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So anytime that you’re working on committee

595

01:07:08.790 —> 01:07:10.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: duties, or

596

01:07:10.150 —> 01:07:12.400

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you realize that your committee duties

597

01:07:12.490 —> 01:07:15.119

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: somehow intersect with

598

01:07:15.700 —> 01:07:19.909

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the financial interests of a member of your

599

01:07:19.980 —> 01:07:30.220

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: household. So that’s not just the spouse or dependent children. But if you have roommates, for example or maybe you live, I don’t know. With an aunt or an uncle or a grandma.

600

01:07:30.775 —> 01:07:37.910

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Household members, financial interests matter here? Or if there’s some sort of crossover between

601

01:07:37.950 —> 01:07:39.080

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: your

602

01:07:39.710 —> 01:07:53.249

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: committee duties and someone with whom you have a covered relationship. Or who represents a party in a Gsa. Matter that could be an issue as well. So covered relationships could also be your

603

01:07:54.139 —> 01:08:00.770

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: previous employer within the last year. If you have been employed by by someone else within the last year.

604

01:08:01.229 —> 01:08:05.769

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: It could also be someone with whom you have a close personal relationship.

605

01:08:05.910 —> 01:08:07.454

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Things like that.

606

01:08:08.250 —> 01:08:16.679

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: any folks where you have that an outside relationship or a business relationship, could be an issue here. So

607

01:08:17.270 —> 01:08:23.619

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: all that we’re asking you to do is whenever there’s crossover between what you’re doing with the committee and

608

01:08:24.200 —> 01:08:31.620

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: your outside relationships, that before you take any action, with the committee related to that outside

609

01:08:31.729 —> 01:08:41.370

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: person or organization. That you just stop and reach out to the Ethics Law Division, to ethics@gsa.gov. Or to me or Caroline.

610

01:08:41.700 —> 01:08:44.162

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: We’re pretty quick when we need to be

611

01:08:44.479 —> 01:08:52.639

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and we can just help you to remedy the situation if it even needs remedying or send you underway, knowing that that it is okay.

612

01:08:53.520 —> 01:08:55.210

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

613

01:08:59.160 —> 01:09:00.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Now

614

01:09:01.010 —> 01:09:08.719

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you might be saying, maybe not. But you might be saying, how do I know whether there’s an appearance concern I mentioned, even when there’s not

615

01:09:08.729 —> 01:09:09.950

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and outright

616

01:09:10.410 —> 01:09:14.339

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: conflict, or even when there’s no

617

01:09:15.270 —> 01:09:21.540

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: stock work that meets the criteria that is necessary and outside relationship that crossover.

618

01:09:21.850 —> 01:09:30.439

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: even if something just doesn’t look good, doesn’t smell right. That can also be an issue. And how do you know whether something’s an appearance concern.

619

01:09:31.040 —> 01:09:39.401

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: so appearance concerns. They use a reasonable person standard. It’s like every lawyer’s least favorite phrase, or at least it’s mine.

620

01:09:39.810 —> 01:09:53.694

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: so it’s not like someone who knows you and knows your personality and your character. Looking at your situation, it’s someone who’s just looking at. What do you do for the committee, and what are these outside relationships?

621

01:09:55.450 —> 01:10:01.860

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: deciding? Is there an issue here? So this reasonable person, standard, 1st thing that I suggest doing is that

622

01:10:02.760 —> 01:10:07.719

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: if you consider yourself a reasonable person. You just do a little gut check

623

01:10:07.810 —> 01:10:12.870

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: if you’re about to do something, and you think this probably wouldn’t look great if it showed up

624

01:10:12.880 —> 01:10:19.249

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: on the news or on social media platforms. This, you know, people might say that I’m using my

625

01:10:19.740 —> 01:10:22.106

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: public office for private gain.

626

01:10:22.740 —> 01:10:26.320

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: then it’s probably not a great idea. So

627

01:10:26.600 —> 01:10:36.850

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you could just not do the thing if that’s possible. Or, again, you just reach out to us, but always take appearances into to account. What would it look like if

628

01:10:36.900 —> 01:10:46.313

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: whatever you’re gonna do showed up on the news or showed up on social media, you think that would create public controversy for for Gsa.

629

01:10:47.550 —> 01:10:53.690

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for the government, and if it would let us see if there’s a way that we can avoid it or remedy the situation.

630

01:10:55.450 —> 01:11:01.950

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: One last thing I’ll say about the impartiality rules is there is something called an authorization. So

631

01:11:02.750 —> 01:11:03.940

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Gsa.

632

01:11:04.060 —> 01:11:07.610

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Could authorize you to do something, even if

633

01:11:07.830 —> 01:11:16.210

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: it is, would cause someone to question your integrity or impartiality, even if it would create an appearance concern. They can say, You know what.

634

01:11:16.350 —> 01:11:18.880

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: as long as it doesn’t violate the criminal statute.

635

01:11:19.420 —> 01:11:26.300

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: We really need this person’s expertise. And so we’re going to authorize them to do it anyway. Just so that you’re aware that is also something that exists.

636

01:11:27.330 —> 01:11:29.830

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: We are almost there. Next slide, please.

637

01:11:31.610 —> 01:11:36.120

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So next up are restrictions on your representational

638

01:11:36.210 —> 01:11:44.829

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: activities. The basic idea here is that, with some exception, you cannot represent a 3rd party

639

01:11:45.180 —> 01:11:49.979

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in communications back to the Federal Government, whether you’re being paid

640

01:11:50.400 —> 01:11:52.239

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: or not paid to do that.

641

01:11:52.890 —> 01:11:57.630

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: sges are prohibited from receiving compensation for the representation of anyone

642

01:11:58.100 —> 01:12:06.800

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: before any agency, or a court of the Federal Government on a particular matter involving specific parties. Those are things like contracts, grants, investigations.

643

01:12:07.566 —> 01:12:14.209

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: That the sge personally and substantially participated in as an employee. That’s like a lot of words. And all those words

644

01:12:14.250 —> 01:12:25.630

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: have definitions. It’s kind of like the element of elements of a crime, because it is a criminal statute. And all of these things need to be in place. For there to actually be an issue.

645

01:12:25.690 —> 01:12:27.190

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: There’s also

646

01:12:27.530 —> 01:12:32.800

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: further restrictions on those sges who are serving more than 60 days. So

647

01:12:32.890 —> 01:12:37.109

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: what I suggest is, if you are in a position

648

01:12:37.290 —> 01:12:53.779

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with your work outside of Gsa. Or otherwise, where you’re planning to make communications to the Federal Government again, whether that be to get something like a grant from the Federal Government or helping your organization with an application for something.

649

01:12:54.700 —> 01:13:01.839

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Just reach out to us first, st and we can make sure that you’re steering clear of of this criminal law.

650

01:13:03.100 —> 01:13:04.640

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

651

01:13:06.340 —> 01:13:13.149

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Escaping from the criminal laws. We’re back to the land of regulation. There are no criminal penalties

652

01:13:13.550 —> 01:13:19.673

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to violating this rule, but of course it’s also important to understand it and ensure that you’re not violating it.

653

01:13:20.310 —> 01:13:24.560

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: this rule or these rules, I should say, are the rules on.

654

01:13:24.600 —> 01:13:32.159

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So this relates back to one of those core ethics principles that you cannot use your public office for private gain.

655

01:13:32.690 —> 01:13:33.730

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And

656

01:13:33.920 —> 01:13:36.699

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: basically, that’s the general

657

01:13:37.390 —> 01:13:39.210

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: overarching principle.

658

01:13:39.240 —> 01:13:50.290

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And then the rules say, Hey, here are some examples of things that you can’t do related to making sure that you’re not using your public office for private gain. But it’s not an exhaustive

659

01:13:50.410 —> 01:13:51.245

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: list.

660

01:13:52.350 —> 01:13:55.600

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: one of those things is

661

01:13:56.200 —> 01:14:02.100

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: don’t use non-public information. You cannot make financial transactions, using non-public information.

662

01:14:02.110 —> 01:14:09.129

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: or allow improper use of nonpublic information to further your private interests or to further the interests of someone else.

663

01:14:10.680 —> 01:14:13.750

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: don’t use government property

664

01:14:13.760 —> 01:14:15.733

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: or official

665

01:14:17.890 —> 01:14:32.339

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for your personal time, for your personal work, whatever you work outside of Gsa. And then, underneath that general use of public office for private gain. What we’re also talking about is making sure that

666

01:14:32.540 —> 01:14:33.680

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: you don’t.

667

01:14:35.780 —> 01:14:38.940

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: It doesn’t seem like you’re the government is endorsing

668

01:14:39.300 —> 01:14:47.689

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: your outside interests or any outside interests. Both actually endorsing or implied endorsement are a no, no.

669

01:14:47.740 —> 01:14:50.559

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: so in your government hat you can make

670

01:14:50.790 —> 01:14:52.470

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: factual statements

671

01:14:52.490 —> 01:15:07.579

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: about outside entities. But you don’t want to say anything subjective about like, maybe I don’t know one organization being like more fantastic than another doing a great job with something even you want to keep everything pretty factual

672

01:15:08.040 —> 01:15:17.820

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: when you’re talking about outside organizations, make sure that you are not endorsing them when you have that government hat on and that you’re not doing anything doing anything

673

01:15:17.930 —> 01:15:21.970

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with your government hat that creates the appearance that the government sanctions

674

01:15:22.310 —> 01:15:25.579

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: some outside product service organization.

675

01:15:26.810 —> 01:15:28.489

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

676

01:15:29.970 —> 01:15:38.460

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: We’re also in the world of regulation, not in the criminal statutes here. There are regulations on being paid

677

01:15:38.750 —> 01:15:43.720

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for teaching, speaking, and writing that relate to your official duties.

678

01:15:45.330 —> 01:15:52.420

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: it’s very specific right? You have to be paid for teaching, speaking, or writing, and has to relate to your official duties for it to be a problem.

679

01:15:52.600 —> 01:16:01.520

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And then there’s also an exemption for for teaching that is part of the regularly established curriculum of

680

01:16:02.510 —> 01:16:08.259

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: an institution of higher education. So you’re able to do that, even if you’re being paid for it. And even if it relates to your

681

01:16:08.690 —> 01:16:18.213

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Gsa duties, to the committee duties. Now, oftentimes, under this rule you actually end up perfectly fine because related to your official duties.

682

01:16:19.670 —> 01:16:32.479

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: usually something does not seem related. If it’s based on expertise that you already had before you joined, joined the committee. So this isn’t a rule to panic about, but it is something

683

01:16:32.490 —> 01:16:34.370

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to just be aware of

684

01:16:35.446 —> 01:16:41.680

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: also, on this slide we’re talking about no endorsement or appearance of government sanction which I already

685

01:16:42.260 —> 01:16:45.410

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: went over. And then

686

01:16:45.430 —> 01:16:51.410

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: one last thing is that there is related to misuse of position. There

687

01:16:51.780 —> 01:16:53.230

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: is a

688

01:16:53.690 —> 01:16:58.107

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: prohibition on promoting personal interests at work. So

689

01:16:58.730 —> 01:17:05.940

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I heard one of you talk about the army. 10 miler. I have a similar problem. With the Marine Corps, Marathon.

690

01:17:06.180 —> 01:17:12.870

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and one year I couldn’t get into the Marathon. So I ran New York City on behalf of a the New York Marathon.

691

01:17:13.170 —> 01:17:15.650

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: on behalf of a

692

01:17:15.770 —> 01:17:20.880

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: a charity. I had to raise a lot of money right? I had to do a lot of fundraising

693

01:17:21.010 —> 01:17:27.360

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to to be part of a charity team. If that kind of thing comes up, you can’t ask other

694

01:17:27.370 —> 01:17:28.580

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: committee members

695

01:17:29.360 —> 01:17:32.769

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to donate to your

696

01:17:33.560 —> 01:17:41.880

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: be, and discount that sort of thing. Just make sure you’re not promoting your personal interests

697

01:17:42.240 —> 01:17:44.269

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with the committee members.

698

01:17:44.620 —> 01:17:48.629

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I see that my Internet connection is unstable. Can you still hear me?

699

01:17:50.720 —> 01:17:51.700

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I don’t know.

700

01:17:52.150 —> 01:17:53.030

Caroline Beleson, GSA: Yes, Lauren.

701

01:17:53.030 —> 01:17:53.360

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Okay.

702

01:17:54.260 —> 01:17:56.010

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Phew! We are almost there.

703

01:17:57.035 —> 01:17:58.489

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Next slide, please.

704

01:18:01.250 —> 01:18:03.620

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: It bubbled for a moment. Okay, phew!

705

01:18:03.850 —> 01:18:11.759

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So so close gifts from outside sources. The general rule here is that you should not accept

706

01:18:11.810 —> 01:18:12.990

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: gifts

707

01:18:13.290 —> 01:18:19.750

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: from and by outside sources we mean sources that are not other, you know, not from the government, not from the Federal Government.

708

01:18:20.531 —> 01:18:32.740

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: You should not accept gifts based on your official committee position. And you should also not accept gifts from prohibited sources prohibited sources. They’re going to be anybody who does business

709

01:18:32.810 —> 01:18:52.048

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with Gsa. Or trying to do business with Gsa, that’s kind of the general idea. There. Gsa has, like a contract with everyone and their mother right? We have a lot of vendors just based on the work that we do. So. Vendors are a good example of prohibited sources. We use a lot of contractors.

710

01:18:52.510 —> 01:18:57.579

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: so you generally cannot accept gifts from them or other prohibited sources

711

01:18:57.600 —> 01:19:03.539

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: that said, there’s a laundry list of exclusions to the gift rule and exceptions

712

01:19:03.590 —> 01:19:22.690

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: to the gift rules. So one good example is gifts that are based on your outside business relationships. So if you’re receiving a gift from somebody who does business with Gsa, but the only reason you’re getting that gift is because you work with them outside of Gsa. Or your spouse, perhaps works

713

01:19:22.850 —> 01:19:26.400

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: with them. Then you’re generally okay.

714

01:19:27.130 —> 01:19:53.539

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: because there’s such a laundry list of exceptions, though I just encourage you to again. You know I’m going to say it. Reach out to the Ethics Law Division or me or Caroline, and we can help walk you through these rules and make sure that you don’t have any issues. Hopefully, this goes without saying. But also, please don’t accept any bribes or illegal gratuities. This was an issue at my previous agency. I haven’t seen anything happen here but

715

01:19:53.890 —> 01:20:01.070

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: accepting bribes or illegal gratuities in exchange for an official act. That’s a crime. So don’t do that

716

01:20:02.110 —> 01:20:05.260

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: next slide, please it just the second to last one.

717

01:20:06.150 —> 01:20:07.439

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: It’s really the last one.

718

01:20:08.010 —> 01:20:19.719

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The last thing I want to talk to you about today is the Hatch act again. Those are the rules regarding your partisan political activities. I know we are almost at the

719

01:20:19.910 —> 01:20:26.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Presidential election time. So just want to make sure that you are crystal clear on this between now

720

01:20:26.210 —> 01:20:40.193

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and then, but even after them. What the Hatch Act does is it restricts certain political activities of Federal Government employees that includes sges when you’re engaged in in government business,

721

01:20:40.810 —> 01:20:44.119

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: for sges. The Hatch Act only applies

722

01:20:44.420 —> 01:20:46.900

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: when you are on duty

723

01:20:47.130 —> 01:20:53.879

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: when you’re doing committee work. When you’re doing og fact work. So

724

01:20:54.870 —> 01:20:57.260

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: when you’re on duty, those are the days that

725

01:20:57.330 —> 01:21:06.620

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the days that you perform their like counted work as an sge. You know I talked about those like 60 days of work. There’s

726

01:21:06.890 —> 01:21:13.829

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: a certain number of days that you can total work as an sge. I think there are rules to get around that. But like.

727

01:21:15.160 —> 01:21:16.730

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: if you are doing work

728

01:21:16.930 —> 01:21:21.075

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: in the morning, that day is considered a duty day.

729

01:21:22.160 —> 01:21:32.350

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: partisan political activity that’s going to encompass any activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party candidate for partisan political office

730

01:21:32.570 —> 01:21:42.060

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: or partisan political group. The definition is very broad. And I want you to anyone who’s a social media user to just be careful with social media

731

01:21:42.210 —> 01:21:45.559

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: because it includes something as simple as liking.

732

01:21:47.880 —> 01:21:53.420

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: resharing something, tweeting, retweeting. We still say tweeting and retweeting for X

733

01:21:54.920 —> 01:22:09.460

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: even sometimes commenting on someone’s post. If that post happens to be partisan political activity, something aimed at the success or failure of political parties, candidates for partisan political office or partisan political groups.

734

01:22:09.935 —> 01:22:16.130

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: If there’s something related to fundraising. So you just want to make sure, if you’re doing committee work, that you’re not

735

01:22:16.290 —> 01:22:17.870

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: on social media.

736

01:22:18.110 —> 01:22:19.440

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: just kinda

737

01:22:19.470 —> 01:22:23.980

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: liking, you know your your friends, your family stuff, and and accidentally violating

738

01:22:24.270 —> 01:22:26.277

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the the Hatch act.

739

01:22:28.280 —> 01:22:35.369

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: a lot of people forget that the Hatch Act doesn’t just cover candidates. It also covers political parties.

740

01:22:35.600 —> 01:22:38.649

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: So keep that in mind as well what it

741

01:22:39.010 —> 01:22:40.789

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: doesn’t cover.

742

01:22:41.776 —> 01:22:43.679

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: It doesn’t cover, like

743

01:22:43.980 —> 01:22:57.009

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: those policy issues that tend to be associated with one party or another. I just caution you, if you’re talking about those types of issues that tend to be aligned with one party or another that you’re really careful that your comments

744

01:22:57.100 —> 01:23:06.889

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: don’t cross over the line to be construed as aimed at the success or failure of a partisan political candidate party or a partisan political

745

01:23:06.940 —> 01:23:10.729

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: group. I think I I forgot to hit

746

01:23:10.810 —> 01:23:14.439

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: the reset button on my timer, so I think that I have

747

01:23:14.640 —> 01:23:17.580

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: gone over time, or just about there.

748

01:23:18.067 —> 01:23:19.440

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: The last slide

749

01:23:19.500 —> 01:23:26.390

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: right here is just a reminder. That you can reach out to ethics@gsa.gov. So if you go to that last slide.

750

01:23:26.560 —> 01:23:29.220

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: And then I also just wanted to

751

01:23:29.450 —> 01:23:30.510

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: remind

752

01:23:30.840 —> 01:23:36.780

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: everyone that they can reach out to me or Caroline. If you have any questions about these rules.

753

01:23:36.790 —> 01:23:42.339

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Last, but not least, I will send you summaries of these rules so that you can actually read the rules themselves.

754

01:23:42.500 —> 01:24:02.509

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: and I will be sending all of you. I’ll try to only send it to the sges. But if you provided a non-government email address, you’ll probably get it. Anyway, I’ll send all of you that form through docusign which you need to sign just to acknowledge that you received this rambling message from me.

755

01:24:02.610 —> 01:24:03.950

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: Thank you very much.

756

01:24:05.920 —> 01:24:06.980

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Lauren.

757

01:24:07.020 —> 01:24:12.949

Arthur Brunson, DFO: I I just want to confirm before we we move to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

758

01:24:13.460 —> 01:24:19.160

Arthur Brunson, DFO: training, that there weren’t any questions, no hands raised for Lauren.

759

01:24:22.160 —> 01:24:23.729

Lauren Jacobs, GSA: I’m still here. If there are.

760

01:24:23.730 —> 01:24:24.430

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Okay.

761

01:24:24.670 —> 01:24:30.289

Arthur Brunson, DFO: So next on our agenda we’ll have the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Overview will be conducted

762

01:24:30.430 —> 01:24:33.440

Arthur Brunson, DFO: by Jeremy Anderson

763

01:24:33.580 —> 01:24:38.640

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and Jeremy. I’ll send it over to you. He’s our faculty attorney.

764

01:24:40.190 —> 01:24:43.110

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Thank you. Happy to be here with you all.

765

01:24:43.180 —> 01:25:01.840

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: My name is Jeremy Anderson, and I’m actually my 1st year as the faca attorney here at Gsa. A bit of kinship with with what you do prior to that. For the last decade or so I was an information access attorney for the Federal Government. And so my fun fact is, as a

766

01:25:02.130 —> 01:25:18.630

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: foia attorney, I actually got to put together a denial letter one time that says we’re sorry your records don’t exist because they’re blown up by 107 meter or 107 Katyusha rocket. The rockets were in a container in Iraq

767

01:25:18.947 —> 01:25:25.779

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and were destroyed. So not a lot of foia attorneys have been able to write a letter like that. That’s that’s my fun

768

01:25:26.154 —> 01:25:31.175

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: participation in in open government, or at least unique. I don’t know that it’s fun.

769

01:25:31.580 —> 01:25:33.230

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: you know the next slide.

770

01:25:35.270 —> 01:25:42.390

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Well, it looks a little different than how I had it. All right. So hey? The Federal Government has since the very beginning

771

01:25:42.790 —> 01:25:49.810

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: needed to get the best advice that it could to govern well the very 1st Federal Advisory Committee.

772

01:25:49.990 —> 01:26:01.049

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: or something that we would recognize as one was actually formed by President Washington in response to the Whiskey rebellion. So this is something that’s been going on for a long time.

773

01:26:01.110 —> 01:26:09.269

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Frequently the Federal Government needs to get outside advice, but at the same time the public has a right to know who’s influencing that advice.

774

01:26:09.330 —> 01:26:10.014

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And

775

01:26:11.300 —> 01:26:37.580

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: who’s influencing decision making. And so in the 1972, they established the Federal Advisory Committee act. That rule has been amended a few times since then, and there are future amendments that seem likely to pass. They’ve passed in the House or in the Senate before, but haven’t made it through. About other laws apply as well. For example, the Sunshine Act and

776

01:26:38.283 —> 01:26:50.890

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Arthur kind of touched on briefly an interplay between Foia and and the the Federal Advisory Committee Act that I’ll touch on a little bit late here in a second, but we’re kind of breezing through this our our

777

01:26:51.870 —> 01:27:13.870

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: committee management people here at Gsa. That were outrun the faca secretariat or wealth of information knowledge. And so Arthur and his team have a lot of great resources to help. As you have questions about how this goes forward. No other agency in the government, as well as well equipped as Gsa. Is to address questions about the faca

778

01:27:13.930 —> 01:27:20.549

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: next slide. So what actually, is a Federal Advisory Committee act, or when does it apply?

779

01:27:20.750 —> 01:27:30.437

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Well, there’s 3 things that that are that need to be present. 1st of all. The group has to include some non federal members which we have here.

780

01:27:32.100 —> 01:27:38.340

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and then. Then the group has to provide consensus advice. Now.

781

01:27:38.820 —> 01:27:44.439

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: consensus advice doesn’t necessarily mean what most people think of when they think of consensus advice.

782

01:27:45.080 —> 01:27:56.902

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: You don’t all have to completely agree on everything that you put forward. As to advice. Sometimes Federal advisory committees publish minority opinions, or sometimes they they

783

01:27:57.570 —> 01:28:02.737

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: have disagreements with them. Then it doesn’t mean that the advice you you reach has to

784

01:28:03.520 —> 01:28:23.070

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: be unanimous at all time. It’s not that type of consensus, and then there has to be some level of Federal government exercise of control over the group. Obviously, that’s the case here, an example where that doesn’t apply as Federal Government gets outside advice when it comes to appointing judges from the Ada. Aba goes and gives recommendations about judges.

785

01:28:23.110 —> 01:28:24.410

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and

786

01:28:24.790 —> 01:28:31.799

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: the court said, Hey, that’s that’s not a Federal Advisory committee, because the Federal Government doesn’t control the Aba.

787

01:28:31.810 —> 01:28:36.520

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and therefore faca rules do not apply to that.

788

01:28:37.380 —> 01:28:40.159

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And so next slide.

789

01:28:41.230 —> 01:28:47.963

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: By the way you know. So I we also have on here. On on the call. Our committee management officer

790

01:28:48.800 —> 01:29:05.690

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Mackenzie Robertson and I haven’t sent her a message encouraging her to be a heckle, and then B jump in as I miss anything, and so the fact that she hasn’t heckled yet means I haven’t done anything too egregiously wrong yet, but we’ll get there, I’m sure we’ll get there

791

01:29:05.880 —> 01:29:10.109

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: alright. So, as I was alluding to before, Gsa.

792

01:29:10.230 —> 01:29:10.885

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Is

793

01:29:11.750 —> 01:29:33.020

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: got the expertise on faca that the Gsa. Is assigned to Monitor committee management activities. We do the annual reviews. We help agencies establish and renew committees, and we maintain a database. If you want to know about other advocacy committees that are out there, we’ve got a database. There’s just under a thousand of them. Last I saw.

794

01:29:33.020 —> 01:29:51.229

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and and we have information about each of them whether and there’s mandatory fields and some some voluntary fields. But we have a great deal of information about all of those. And just like all those, this committee’s information is going to be findable there. If you just Google.

795

01:29:51.260 —> 01:29:53.580

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Gsa faca database

796

01:29:53.680 —> 01:29:58.150

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: comes up as the 1st hit, usually, and you should be able to

797

01:29:58.520 —> 01:30:09.809

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: then go and pull up and and see what information we’re initially just putting out there and then. Of course, Tsa is going to have. We’re going to have a website for the committee, and and more information is going to be there, because

798

01:30:10.090 —> 01:30:15.989

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: you know, our our whole reason to be here is about government transparency.

799

01:30:16.100 —> 01:30:20.110

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And so that’s going to be key in how we carry these things forward.

800

01:30:22.160 —> 01:30:23.020

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: so

801

01:30:24.740 —> 01:30:27.290

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: But just to know that that

802

01:30:27.450 —> 01:30:33.219

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Arthur’s got a great support team, and we’re all here to help you be successful in in what you’re doing

803

01:30:33.880 —> 01:30:34.800

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: so.

804

01:30:34.930 —> 01:30:41.940

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: How does one form a faca? Well, there’s a couple different ways that they can be created next slide, please. Sorry

805

01:30:44.870 —> 01:30:48.780

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: so some are created by executive order. The President says

806

01:30:48.910 —> 01:30:51.610

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: we’re going to want. I want to create a

807

01:30:51.920 —> 01:30:53.709

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: advisory committee on

808

01:30:54.559 —> 01:30:55.279

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And

809

01:30:55.580 —> 01:31:03.960

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: one that was housed here in Gsa. Was related to election integrity during the previous administration that was formed at Gsa by executive order.

810

01:31:04.090 —> 01:31:06.719

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and it did some some

811

01:31:07.150 —> 01:31:23.080

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: looking into that issue, and and but then eventually was sunset. Then it could be done by statute. Some laws sometimes some agencies are ordered by statute to create 1 1 that’s like that at Gsa.

812

01:31:23.140 —> 01:31:28.140

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: We’ve got a advisory committee related to secure cloud

813

01:31:28.530 —> 01:31:29.510

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: things.

814

01:31:29.630 —> 01:31:53.180

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: I don’t know what that means other than it’s computers, and I couldn’t tell you, but some of them are created that way, and then some of them are just done within by the discretionary authority that exists within an agency, and that’s what took place here is that the administrator of Gsa. Robin Carnahan assigned the order creating this committee.

815

01:31:54.540 —> 01:32:01.820

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And so this is a discretionary committee rather than a mandatory committee.

816

01:32:03.040 —> 01:32:27.889

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So who’s who’s involved in these? Well, you all are involved right? We’ve got Federal employees. We’ve got sges, and you can have representatives, and each of those people is going to have different rules. You know, you’re very worried about conflicts of interest when it comes to sges, but not as much necessarily when it comes to representatives, because sometimes they’re brought in as a representative of another organization, specifically to pride

817

01:32:27.990 —> 01:32:31.367

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: a different viewpoint. That’s that’s why, they just

818

01:32:32.170 —> 01:32:36.525

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: I don’t know what conflicts can exist with the concept of open governance.

819

01:32:37.030 —> 01:32:38.523

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: but but

820

01:32:39.520 —> 01:32:50.060

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: we can bring people in to to provide a different perspective and to help us see things eventually in in new ways and and different lights.

821

01:32:50.520 —> 01:33:01.949

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So as we we have who’s going to be members of it. It’s created in this case by the order of of the General Services Administration administrator.

822

01:33:03.280 —> 01:33:08.469

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And so how is it created? Well, so they file a charter, and that charter isn’t just

823

01:33:08.580 —> 01:33:13.600

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: here at Gsa. These things are are sent to Congress

824

01:33:13.670 —> 01:33:21.970

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and and to the Library of Congress. They asked for 7 copies in the statute or in the record previous regulations, but they actually don’t need that many

825

01:33:22.424 —> 01:33:29.309

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and then we have to provide lots of information about these committees and and what they’re doing we.

826

01:33:29.410 —> 01:33:34.740

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And this is going to be stuff that’s done by Arthur and his administrative staff that is supporting him.

827

01:33:35.185 —> 01:33:49.379

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: But we have to keep track of costs, meeting frequent meeting, frequency, and information about about what we’re doing before we even get started and then there’s reporting that has to be done

828

01:33:49.540 —> 01:33:51.940

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: as we move along.

829

01:33:53.610 —> 01:33:55.589

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So next slide, please.

830

01:33:57.350 —> 01:33:58.270

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So

831

01:33:59.470 —> 01:34:03.789

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: when it comes to faca meetings and record requirements.

832

01:34:04.640 —> 01:34:09.880

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: 1st off, as a general advisory committee. Meetings are noticed and open to the public

833

01:34:10.040 —> 01:34:13.540

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: in in the previous statements. They they say that they

834

01:34:13.810 —> 01:34:24.330

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: they have to be. That’s not necessarily case, because for every rule there’s always exceptions. But we go and put out a notice in the Federal Register telling the public how they can attend

835

01:34:24.708 —> 01:34:33.560

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: whether it’s virtually or in person. And then we make an effort to make those meetings accessible to all those involved

836

01:34:34.820 —> 01:34:42.230

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: as we talk through the various types of interactions through the community life again, keep in mind that many of the requirements are based on

837

01:34:42.390 —> 01:34:49.859

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: that concept of providing transparency. That’s what we’re here. Anything we do in the government, I think, needs to be fact.

838

01:34:50.890 —> 01:34:51.930

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: fair.

839

01:34:52.060 —> 01:35:08.760

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: accountable, and transparent fat. And as we strive, and we, we make those objectives. Then we’re doing what this committee is is set out to be. During the meetings the chairperson runs the meeting according to an established agenda

840

01:35:09.340 —> 01:35:17.840

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: the Dfo. Which in this case is Arthur should provide opening remarks at the start of each advisory committee and subcommittee meetings, start with

841

01:35:18.370 —> 01:35:29.209

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: stating, the meeting is subject to the fact requirements and for ethical purposes, whether the media membership is made up of Sges, rges, representatives, or a combination of the threes.

842

01:35:29.590 —> 01:35:37.630

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and if members were reviewed for conflicts of interest, for in person meetings, the Dfo. Should sit next to the chairperson or co-chair person

843

01:35:37.710 —> 01:35:48.519

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: at the table and monitor the actions for faca compliance, and confer with the chairperson or co-chair person and assist advisory committee or subcommittee as necessary during the meetings.

844

01:35:49.360 —> 01:35:53.340

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Committee members are expected to engage and participate

845

01:35:53.740 —> 01:36:14.040

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: the chairperson and co-chair person along with the Dfo. Should culture should foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion by encouraging engagement, participation, and expression of from all advisory committee and subcommittee members, and any members with dissenting opinions as applicable

846

01:36:14.300 —> 01:36:27.160

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: in addition to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Accessibility is key and and obviously important, as you can see from our hardworking Asl interpreters. Thank you very much for that. Hard work.

847

01:36:28.999 —> 01:36:37.480

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Translation. Simultaneous translation is very, very hard. I’ve done it with English to Brazilian, Portuguese, and I nearly break my brain every time I try.

848

01:36:37.620 —> 01:36:38.325

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So

849

01:36:39.220 —> 01:36:40.580

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: thank you to them

850

01:36:41.290 —> 01:36:52.580

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: committee members. So if a meeting is webcast, we need to ensure that it’s clear who is speaking. And remember that video is going to be posted on the committee website.

851

01:36:53.769 —> 01:36:54.679

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Sometimes.

852

01:36:56.300 —> 01:37:01.499

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: people forget that and don’t act as if they remember that things are being recorded

853

01:37:01.988 —> 01:37:10.691

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: please, as we, as we move forward with the committee. Keep that in mind. These comments that people make and sometimes

854

01:37:11.520 —> 01:37:18.469

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: intend to make to just one person end up being seen by everybody, and nobody wants to embarrass themselves, their agency

855

01:37:18.500 —> 01:37:20.660

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: or the Ogfac.

856

01:37:21.490 —> 01:37:33.779

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Between meetings a quorum of committee members should not meet either in person and virtually by teleconference over email or other electronic means to discuss substantive issues

857

01:37:34.345 —> 01:37:42.829

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: this could be considered a meeting under the faca, and it would not violate the act if the public is not involved.

858

01:37:43.060 —> 01:37:49.420

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: This includes exchanging substantive emails among a quorum of the committee or or the full committee.

859

01:37:49.610 —> 01:37:53.399

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So when you get something via email about a committee

860

01:37:53.970 —> 01:37:55.090

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: pro tip.

861

01:37:55.230 —> 01:37:59.700

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Don’t reply to all with substantive matters.

862

01:38:01.230 —> 01:38:08.750

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: now there is debate and and healthy debate about what’s the different line between an administrative and a substantive matter.

863

01:38:09.010 —> 01:38:14.230

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And you know, if you go and find a group of 5 attorneys and you ask them.

864

01:38:14.790 —> 01:38:23.389

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: give them a fact scenario and and ask them to analyze is this of an administrative or substantive issue. How many opinions are you going to get from those 5 attorneys.

865

01:38:24.680 —> 01:38:27.640

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and the answer is, anybody even want to guess in the chat?

866

01:38:28.420 —> 01:38:31.895

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The right answer is 6 at least, right

867

01:38:32.670 —> 01:38:40.659

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So the foot stomp thing there is, if you have a question, hey? Is this going to cross the line into a substantive matter?

868

01:38:41.070 —> 01:38:45.109

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Ask first, st before replying to all

869

01:38:45.457 —> 01:38:54.369

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: because it’s tough to put the toothpaste back into the tube. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle, and it’s you can’t unsend a reply. All email.

870

01:38:56.120 —> 01:38:56.733

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So

871

01:38:58.140 —> 01:39:10.719

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: in all substantive work. Include, please include the Dfo regardless of format, for example, include them on calls, copy them on emails, and make sure they’re aware of the activities and what you’re doing

872

01:39:11.530 —> 01:39:17.219

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: when it comes to public and press interactions. Can we go back to the previous slide, please?

873

01:39:19.560 —> 01:39:31.139

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: when, when referring to your membership status on the committee. You can mention it in your Bios and your Cvs. You can put it on Linkedin, but it shouldn’t be given any more importance than any of your other affiliations.

874

01:39:31.510 —> 01:39:38.160

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Please notify your Dfo. If you receive a request related to the committee and the nature of it.

875

01:39:38.480 —> 01:39:43.040

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Committee members should provide a disclaimer at the start of

876

01:39:43.100 —> 01:39:52.060

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: any interviews, that they are only speaking in their individual capacity, and are not speaking on behalf of the committee or on behalf of Gsa.

877

01:39:52.430 —> 01:39:57.430

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Committee. Members should only speak about topics that they’ve discussed during the public meetings

878

01:39:57.590 —> 01:40:01.622

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: information that is not public should not be discussed.

879

01:40:02.670 —> 01:40:09.310

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and then, as a general rule of thumb is to just discuss what is available on the website

880

01:40:09.500 —> 01:40:13.148

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: when it comes to talking about the work of the committee

881

01:40:13.500 —> 01:40:15.070

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and then

882

01:40:15.240 —> 01:40:20.899

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: point to the website in public meetings. If asked about the committee’s opinions or thoughts.

883

01:40:21.670 —> 01:40:25.792

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: because those should be able to to inform people as to as to

884

01:40:26.200 —> 01:40:28.140

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: what we are thinking on things.

885

01:40:28.520 —> 01:40:35.919

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So we do have committee website, database. The committee has a website managed by the Dfo.

886

01:40:35.980 —> 01:40:43.720

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And there’s going to be publicly available factor database. Then there’s also publicly available factor database which I mentioned earlier, which is maintained by

887

01:40:43.800 —> 01:40:53.819

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Gsa. Which will list you as a member of the committee, and the Debate base will include information, including committee membership costs for every chartered committee in the Executive Branch.

888

01:40:54.280 —> 01:41:01.759

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and there’s a record in in that database for the committee. Your Dfo. Will keep this record up to date throughout the lifetime of the committee.

889

01:41:02.960 —> 01:41:04.570

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Since this is a

890

01:41:05.190 —> 01:41:29.379

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: a committee about open governance. The next part it should be, you know, the most exciting part to all of you, and that is Rule 10 B or Section 10 B. This is a section in the public law. So if you look in the United States code, you’re not going to find it under 10 B. It’s moved around in the United States code a couple of times. It used to be the appendix. Now it starts in 5 Usc. 1,001 and following.

891

01:41:29.500 —> 01:41:39.380

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: But in the public law sections section 10, B states that records, reports, transcripts, minutes appendices, working papers, graphs, studies, agendas, other documents

892

01:41:39.490 —> 01:41:50.070

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: which are made available to or prepared by each advisory committee shall be made available for the inspection and copying until the advisory committee ceases to exist.

893

01:41:50.930 —> 01:41:51.860

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So

894

01:41:52.100 —> 01:42:07.450

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: I just listed through what’s what’s available to the public reports, transcripts, minutes, those agendas, but drafts. They are generally made available for public inspection and copying advisory committee’s offices or the agency it reports to.

895

01:42:07.852 —> 01:42:16.540

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: But also a lot of Federal Advisory committees just put them on their website. That’s the easiest way to to make things available.

896

01:42:18.280 —> 01:42:29.949

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: not everything that you that a Federal Advisory committee does is going to be accessible under the 10 B Rule rules records that are exempt under the freedom of Information Act

897

01:42:30.070 —> 01:42:33.519

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: may not be available to the public. However.

898

01:42:34.030 —> 01:42:42.810

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: everybody’s favorite foia, exemption, fire, exemption, 5 cannot be used to withhold documents that reflect the committee’s internal deliberations.

899

01:42:43.120 —> 01:42:46.940

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So, and I know that’s a that’s a

900

01:42:47.090 —> 01:42:56.020

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: popular topic in the world of open governance is as the availability of deliberative material, and and the extent to which that should be withheld

901

01:42:56.130 —> 01:43:06.679

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: doesn’t apply here. In this case, those those internal deliber liberation information if if they meet that record that those definitions of records that have to be released.

902

01:43:06.950 —> 01:43:10.149

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: then we can’t withhold it under exemption. 5.

903

01:43:11.610 —> 01:43:17.679

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: each committee is gonna have a public facing website that contains that information. And

904

01:43:18.430 —> 01:43:21.480

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: yeah, so anyway, next and then.

905

01:43:22.270 —> 01:43:34.289

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: yeah, yeah, like, the final blow there, things like classified Pii proprietary info, we’re not going to release. I don’t know if that’s going to be the case with this committee, but but for all Federal advisory committees

906

01:43:34.400 —> 01:43:36.829

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: those things can be withheld.

907

01:43:37.200 —> 01:43:43.199

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Alright. So, Committee roles, who are the key players in this. We’ve kind of touched on this a bit.

908

01:43:43.577 —> 01:43:57.149

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The 1st part is the committee members. That’s you guys. That’s all of you who are appointed to serve specific roles on the committees. Some appointments, as Lauren has said earlier, are subject to ethic and conflict of

909

01:43:57.320 —> 01:44:05.950

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: of interest, laws and regulations. You should report back to your appointment letter for specific membership designation and for your appointment term.

910

01:44:06.090 —> 01:44:22.539

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Not all people are appointed for the same length of time. That’s often particularly the case when a new committee is started, so that you don’t sign everybody up for 2 years and then lose the whole committee 2 years later, sometimes in committees, but people are signed up for

911

01:44:23.050 —> 01:44:31.159

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: that staggered terms so that we can replace people and keep some of that corporate knowledge within the committee as it moves forward.

912

01:44:33.020 —> 01:44:36.459

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Your. Your letter should identify you as a regular government employee.

913

01:44:36.590 —> 01:44:40.309

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: a fed who’s giving their agency expertise a special government employee

914

01:44:40.350 —> 01:45:00.739

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: who’s going to provide individual expertise or representative member where you represent a group or point of view as a member. You’re expected to attend and participate in committee meetings and any subcommittee meetings you are appointed to, and there should you refer to the committee bylaws for more information about how that is done

915

01:45:01.090 —> 01:45:04.921

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: within the committee membership is the chairperson role.

916

01:45:05.750 —> 01:45:14.990

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: the chair is the committee leader and is responsible for coordinating with the committee membership and the Dfo. Regarding technical aspects of the committee work.

917

01:45:15.160 —> 01:45:23.800

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The chair runs public meetings according to a pre-approved agenda and keeps committee members focused on areas relevant to accomplishing the committee charge

918

01:45:24.930 —> 01:45:31.449

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: chair typically moderates the meetings and determines when comments are not relevant when it’s time to end the discussion

919

01:45:31.520 —> 01:45:37.869

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: when a topic should be assigned for further consideration, or when discussion should be tabled until the next meeting.

920

01:45:37.880 —> 01:45:46.320

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The chair also certifies meeting minutes and coordinates the final work products for submission to the agency, receiving the committee’s advice.

921

01:45:47.470 —> 01:45:57.480

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Next, we have the Dfo. The designated Federal official, the Dfo is your central point of contact for all things related to the committee.

922

01:45:57.840 —> 01:46:03.430

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The Vfo’s primary role is to ensure that the committee and its meetings comply with the Vaca.

923

01:46:03.650 —> 01:46:13.739

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: It is important for you to work very closely with your Dfo. To ensure faca compliance and to assist you in any way you need to do the work of the committee.

924

01:46:13.980 —> 01:46:26.619

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The Dfo also serves as a liaison between the committee and Gsa. All communications, including verbal and email between the committee and Gsa. Should go through the Dfo.

925

01:46:26.710 —> 01:46:30.509

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The purpose is to ensure that the committee maintains its Independence

926

01:46:31.090 —> 01:46:35.390

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: committee members should also copy the Dfo on all of their communications.

927

01:46:36.450 —> 01:46:39.080

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Arthur, you’re gonna be getting a lot of emails.

928

01:46:39.420 —> 01:46:49.890

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The Dfo is also responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the advisory Committee, which includes drafting meeting agendas and distributing materials to the Advisory Committee.

929

01:46:50.060 —> 01:46:55.060

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: preparing Federal register notices, announcing public conference calls and meetings.

930

01:46:55.250 —> 01:47:00.799

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: attending conference calls and meetings, keeping records of the committee and deliberation making committee members.

931

01:47:01.010 —> 01:47:03.610

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: materials and minutes available to the public.

932

01:47:03.940 —> 01:47:09.180

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: ensuring all of advisory committee members have logistical information necessary to attend the meetings.

933

01:47:09.350 —> 01:47:12.769

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Whether that’s hotel and meeting locations or the Zoom link

934

01:47:13.030 —> 01:47:17.050

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and receiving and distributing public comments to the committee members.

935

01:47:17.090 —> 01:47:22.540

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The Dfo is also your point of contact for any needs during all public meetings.

936

01:47:22.930 —> 01:47:29.810

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and and then this was written on all caps in in the notes that I got from my predecessor.

937

01:47:29.870 —> 01:47:33.610

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: I’ll I’ll I’ll agree with them. Be nice to your Dfo.

938

01:47:34.520 —> 01:47:39.889

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: They’re they’re going to help you. And and and they’re they’re going to to help make this successful

939

01:47:40.430 —> 01:48:02.290

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: committee staff are there to support committee activities and can provide background materials and answer committee technical questions. What committee staff cannot do is work collaboratively with the Committee collaboratively with the Committee on their work products. Faca requires committees to provide independent advice and not work with

940

01:48:02.670 —> 01:48:05.890

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: agency staff to generate a solution to a problem.

941

01:48:05.960 —> 01:48:14.690

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Staff also cannot provide feedback on on the committee’s proposed recommendations before they are finalized by the committee and transmitted to Vaca.

942

01:48:15.160 —> 01:48:17.470

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: or transmitted to to Gsa.

943

01:48:17.920 —> 01:48:32.389

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So to recap under the faca. There are committee members which includes the chairperson, the Dfo. And the committee members. Everybody else is a member of the public. This distinction is important, because committee information and work should not be shared outside the committee structure.

944

01:48:32.610 —> 01:48:46.550

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Therefore, if the committee is working on a deliverable members should not be sharing the draft work products within their organization for input or opinion of the and the committee staff should not be sharing products within Jsa for input

945

01:48:48.980 —> 01:48:51.320

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: let me add to

946

01:48:51.680 —> 01:48:52.610

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: that.

947

01:48:52.790 —> 01:49:01.119

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The committee roles. There’s another role outside of the committee is that every agency they have multiple committees. They have a

948

01:49:01.140 —> 01:49:06.999

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Cfo. And and that is Miss Mackenzie Robertson, and she has a wealth of information.

949

01:49:07.610 —> 01:49:17.768

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: that Arthur has at his disposal to help make sure that we do this right, because I know a lot of people. This is their 1st time. Advise serving on the Federal Advisor Committee, and for some people it’s it’s the

950

01:49:18.820 —> 01:49:20.700

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: It is the

951

01:49:21.570 —> 01:49:34.439

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: 1st time working in the Federal government. And so a lot of these things are new, and and Mackenzie and the people that work with her are going to help us stay on track and and and make sure that everything goes well

952

01:49:34.690 —> 01:49:35.910

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: next slide.

953

01:49:35.970 —> 01:49:37.459

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: And this is my last one.

954

01:49:38.930 —> 01:49:41.459

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and that that’s a committee meeting. So

955

01:49:41.700 —> 01:49:47.570

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: some of this is is kind of a repeat, but faca requires that all committee meetings be open to the public.

956

01:49:47.700 —> 01:49:56.900

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Now, an exception into that is type of meeting that we’re having now, which is called an administrative meeting, because administrative meetings don’t involve substantive work of the committee. They’re not required to be open to the public.

957

01:49:56.930 —> 01:50:05.230

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Another exception is a preparatory meeting, where members are convey to convene solely to conduct work such as gathering information or conducting research.

958

01:50:05.330 —> 01:50:12.590

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Now, just because a meeting is not required to be open to the public doesn’t mean we can’t open it. And as we’ve done here in the spirit of openness.

959

01:50:12.630 —> 01:50:16.360

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: We are allowing public to see what we’re doing here today.

960

01:50:16.450 —> 01:50:25.120

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: Public meetings, whether they’re open or closed, can be held in person via teleconference virtually or in a hybrid environment, but all must be noticed publicly.

961

01:50:25.200 —> 01:50:31.689

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and at least 15 calendar days in advance, through a meeting notice published in the Federal register.

962

01:50:32.020 —> 01:50:40.200

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So, as Arthur alluded to in order to comply with that 15 day calendar, notice, the default is going to need at least 30 days, because

963

01:50:40.530 —> 01:50:44.639

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: this is a Federal agency. It takes a while to get everything

964

01:50:44.770 —> 01:50:47.630

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: staffed, approved, and then submitted.

965

01:50:47.980 —> 01:50:53.209

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: So that means that meetings can’t just be scheduled and held on the spot they require advanced planning.

966

01:50:53.410 —> 01:50:58.090

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: This deliberation requires some deliberation and deliberate conduct.

967

01:50:58.130 —> 01:51:08.530

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: It also means that committee meetings cannot be spontaneously closed. Meetings can be closed so long as it’s proved advanced by Gsa’s general counsel and the Gsa. Administrator.

968

01:51:08.690 —> 01:51:13.880

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and the reasons for closure meets one of the criteria in the government in Sunshine Act

969

01:51:15.580 —> 01:51:19.710

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: you’ve probably seen the the fact is a very procedural act.

970

01:51:20.020 —> 01:51:28.039

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The public is also allowed to file written statements with the committee, and depending on the agenda may provide oral statements during committee meetings.

971

01:51:28.642 —> 01:51:36.170

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: The Dfo. Must be present at every committee meeting and the subcommittee meetings. Same goes for the committee, chair or subcommittee chair.

972

01:51:36.970 —> 01:51:55.589

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and then meeting minutes are required for each and every meeting open to the public or closed, and the administrative and preparatory for the administrative preparatory meetings, and the chairman must certify the minutes. Within 90 days of the meeting. After certification certification the minutes are of open meetings are posted to the committee website.

973

01:51:57.650 —> 01:52:15.960

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: so that is my summary of the faca. If people have questions moving forward, please feel free to reach out through through Arthur, and we will try to handle things. And the best way going forward to make sure that we do all that we can to make this meeting successful, and this committee successful.

974

01:52:18.120 —> 01:52:20.209

Jeremy Anderson, GSA: and with that turn the time back over.

975

01:52:21.000 —> 01:52:35.840

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Jeremy. That was very informative. A lot of information, but we definitely appreciate it before we move to the next item on the agenda. I just want to make sure that no one has a question. And or

976

01:52:35.850 —> 01:52:37.570

Arthur Brunson, DFO: the Hamries.

977

01:52:43.520 —> 01:52:44.530

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Okay.

978

01:52:44.580 —> 01:52:57.109

Arthur Brunson, DFO: So next on the agenda we will have our chair. Daniel Schumann will provide information on his vision for committee work and have a discussion on the bylaws before we hold a vote.

979

01:52:57.826 —> 01:53:00.669

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Now I turn the meeting over to you, Daniel.

980

01:53:01.700 —> 01:53:06.134

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Great. Thank you very much, Arthur. I appreciate it, and I wanted to thank Jeremy.

981

01:53:06.510 —> 01:53:10.180

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Oh, gosh! And I just. I’m sorry I forgot our attorney’s name.

982

01:53:10.180 —> 01:53:10.960

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Anderson.

983

01:53:11.590 —> 01:53:15.843

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yes, thank you. Thank you both for the those detailed presentations.

984

01:53:16.632 —> 01:53:26.589

Daniel Schuman, Chair: It’s a lot of information to absorb both the ethical requirements and the operational requirements for the Federal Advisory Committee. It’s it’s very sort of interesting

985

01:53:26.979 —> 01:53:33.339

Daniel Schuman, Chair: circumstance, and I know that we’ll be coming back to both of you with many more questions, either directly or through Arthur.

986

01:53:34.040 —> 01:53:36.240

Daniel Schuman, Chair: So thank you both.

987

01:53:37.655 —> 01:53:38.700

Daniel Schuman, Chair: So

988

01:53:38.770 —> 01:53:41.039

Daniel Schuman, Chair: many of the presentations today

989

01:53:41.290 —> 01:53:46.290

Daniel Schuman, Chair: concern the rules that government have the open government. Federal Advisory Committee must operate.

990

01:53:46.640 —> 01:53:51.979

Daniel Schuman, Chair: As everyone knows, we receive significant operational support from Gsa. We’re also

991

01:53:52.160 —> 01:53:57.730

Daniel Schuman, Chair: limited by both law and practice concerning where and how we can conduct our deliberations.

992

01:53:57.890 —> 01:54:03.789

Daniel Schuman, Chair: It’s my hope that the open Government Federal Advisory Committee can both model best practices for open government.

993

01:54:03.850 —> 01:54:11.070

Daniel Schuman, Chair: and also to move expeditiously to establish our committee structure and to begin to get to work on the substantive issues before the committee.

994

01:54:11.250 —> 01:54:18.749

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Our recommendations are ours to make. We are an independent body of experts, and we can set our agenda within the framework of the Charter and the bylaws.

995

01:54:18.940 —> 01:54:38.899

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Each of us brings our own strengths and experiences. It is my intention to foster collaboration, discussion, and collective decision making. My hope is that we can reach this decisions that are acceptable to the vast majority of us. I think this is in line with the presentations that we heard in just a few moments ago.

996

01:54:39.470 —> 01:54:42.919

Daniel Schuman, Chair: in light of the significant work ahead, we’re gonna have to hit the ground running.

997

01:54:43.410 —> 01:54:56.139

Daniel Schuman, Chair: It’s my intention, or at least I hope, to hold in consultation, of course, with with folks at the Secretariat Monthly meetings of the full committee, at least for the next few months, as we get our house in order

998

01:54:56.807 —> 01:55:09.420

Daniel Schuman, Chair: my goal is to keep these meetings comparatively short, out of respect for your time. I figure that shorter meetings at a more rapid cadence might be better than having lengthy meetings. But of course, if folks feel differently.

999

01:55:09.480 —> 01:55:14.629

Daniel Schuman, Chair: just drop Arthur and me a note, and we can, we can figure out a way to to balance it for y’all

1000

01:55:14.965 —> 01:55:24.140

Daniel Schuman, Chair: and of course, once we start to establish subcommittees or working groups, or whatever we end up calling these things we can change the cadence of our full committee meetings.

1001

01:55:24.600 —> 01:55:27.799

Daniel Schuman, Chair: There are some preliminary questions that we have to address.

1002

01:55:27.930 —> 01:55:38.590

Daniel Schuman, Chair: How are we going to evaluate ideas for inclusion in our recommendations? How we receive and disclose input from stakeholders, how we structure our subcommittees to manage our work.

1003

01:55:38.780 —> 01:55:44.720

Daniel Schuman, Chair: these 3 issues of developing an evaluation rubric, managing public input and establishing substantive working groups

1004

01:55:44.760 —> 01:55:59.840

Daniel Schuman, Chair: are going to be key to getting us started, and of course this will all have to be done in consultation with ethics and advice from the Secretariat, so that we do this within the framework and the scope of the Federal Advisory Committee

1005

01:56:00.285 —> 01:56:12.499

Daniel Schuman, Chair: in advance of our 1st substantive meeting next week. I’m I have been putting pen to paper to flesh out specifically what I’m looking for, and with Arthur’s help I’ll be sharing with you and with the public.

1006

01:56:12.610 —> 01:56:36.769

Daniel Schuman, Chair: not today, but in the future. I’ll be asking for volunteers to help with some preparatory meetings on these different topics for the purpose of conducting research and identifying possible best practices. We’re going to try to. We’re going to do this, of course, in compliance. So you saw that there is a 30 day requirement for certain types of meetings and and for sub core means. There’s other ways, this works.

1007

01:56:36.880 —> 01:56:49.220

Daniel Schuman, Chair: We’re gonna figure this all out. And of course those will not be deliberative meetings. Deliberation has to take place either at the full committee or when we stand them up. The subcommittees for both collective evaluation

1008

01:56:49.230 —> 01:56:50.590

Daniel Schuman, Chair: and deliberation.

1009

01:56:50.720 —> 01:57:08.330

Daniel Schuman, Chair: It’s my hope that even for these preparatory meetings that while they’re not required to be open to the public to the extent we can, we should try to open them up just as today’s administrative meeting wasn’t required to be open to the public. But with the help from our friends over at the Secretary. We were able to do so anyway.

1010

01:57:08.470 —> 01:57:20.569

Daniel Schuman, Chair: for any members of the public who are watching these proceedings now or online. If you have suggestions on any of these topics or anything else. I’d encourage you to email ogfac@gsa.gov in advance.

1011

01:57:21.700 —> 01:57:24.340

Daniel Schuman, Chair: we’re gonna have ample time to talk about all of these things.

1012

01:57:24.640 —> 01:57:32.990

Daniel Schuman, Chair: This is an administrative meeting today. I’m not trying to get us into the substance, but I did want to give you a a preview of coming preview of coming attractions.

1013

01:57:33.658 —> 01:57:37.960

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I I think where we need to go now, though, is for

1014

01:57:38.453 —> 01:57:44.969

Daniel Schuman, Chair: discussion of the bylaws they were transmitted to everyone. You had an opportunity to review them.

1015

01:57:45.040 —> 01:57:52.029

Daniel Schuman, Chair: You’ll probably know that the bylaws do not spell out some of the details about how this committee or the subcommittee or the working groups will operate

1016

01:57:52.290 —> 01:57:57.829

Daniel Schuman, Chair: some of this. We’re just gonna have to figure out as we go along in consultations with committee staff.

1017

01:57:58.480 —> 01:58:07.190

Daniel Schuman, Chair: There are also some constraints about what can be included in the bylaws, but it is worth noting that we can make recommendations to the Gs administrator.

1018

01:58:07.519 —> 01:58:20.399

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Should we should we collectively determine that it makes sense to update the charter and bylaws, if appropriate, that is also not something that we need to do today. Thing, think, you know, have 2 h into this? I think that that would be a lot.

1019

01:58:20.550 —> 01:58:21.640

Daniel Schuman, Chair: But

1020

01:58:21.670 —> 01:58:33.729

Daniel Schuman, Chair: this is a moment since you have had the opportunity to review some of these documents. If you have any questions or any concerns, or if you’d like to make any amendments, offer any amendments to the bylaws. Obviously this would have to

1021

01:58:34.601 —> 01:58:42.440

Daniel Schuman, Chair: still comply with all relevant law. But if there are things that you would like to raise. I think this is the time to do so.

1022

01:58:42.841 —> 01:58:47.019

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Arthur, do you want me to manage this conversation, or do you wanna

1023

01:58:47.170 —> 01:58:48.180

Daniel Schuman, Chair: manage it?

1024

01:58:48.910 —> 01:58:50.589

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Do you? Do you have a preference.

1025

01:58:52.000 —> 01:58:55.019

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Nope, Dan, you you’re doing a great job. Keep going.

1026

01:58:55.020 —> 01:59:03.460

Daniel Schuman, Chair: So okay, so I’ll say so. If folks have either questions or concerns, or comments or amendments.

1027

01:59:04.800 —> 01:59:07.171

Daniel Schuman, Chair: this is the time to offer them

1028

01:59:07.790 —> 01:59:08.949

Daniel Schuman, Chair: and of course.

1029

01:59:09.520 —> 01:59:15.560

Daniel Schuman, Chair: if you don’t want to offer them now, we can discuss this later on. But we are. But we do need to

1030

01:59:16.101 —> 01:59:22.420

Daniel Schuman, Chair: make a determination about whether we are going to approve the the bylaws. So

1031

01:59:23.360 —> 01:59:36.460

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I’m looking for hands. If folks have hands that they’d like to raise. Remember, it’s just the ellipse in the bottom right of your screen, and at the bottom of that you can raise your hand, and I’m just gonna pause for a couple of seconds, because I know sometimes can take a moment

1032

01:59:36.540 —> 01:59:38.399

Daniel Schuman, Chair: as people are thinking it through.

1033

01:59:39.200 —> 01:59:43.609

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I wish we had some jeopardy music. But I that’s probably would create some conflicts.

1034

01:59:43.820 —> 01:59:46.009

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Oh, okay, Ron, please go ahead.

1035

01:59:49.810 —> 01:59:57.549

Ronald Keefover, Member: I just had one, I think, semi subdiny suggestion for amendment, and that is under

1036

01:59:57.670 —> 02:00:02.300

Ronald Keefover, Member: the provision for keeping minutes.

1037

02:00:02.340 —> 02:00:12.459

Ronald Keefover, Member: That we it says, note who is there, and I’m just wondering if we ought to know who isn’t there. That’s a member of the Og.

1038

02:00:12.540 —> 02:00:13.920

Ronald Keefover, Member: FAC.

1039

02:00:15.310 —> 02:00:20.979

Ronald Keefover, Member: Just, you know, another line. So we’re making a record of of attendance.

1040

02:00:24.400 —> 02:00:34.549

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I should figure out how to use the mute button, so just to just to repeat it back, to make sure that I understand. So it should be a listing of all the folks who are supposed to be there and then, whether they are present and whether they are not. Is that what you’re suggesting.

1041

02:00:34.910 —> 02:00:51.751

Ronald Keefover, Member: Well, exactly, and I thought that tied in with another part of the of the bylaws that indicated that, you know, after 2 missed meetings. There might be some discussion about that, and I just thought that would be a more straightforward way of of determining.

1042

02:00:52.520 —> 02:00:54.549

Ronald Keefover, Member: you know, those situations.

1043

02:00:54.860 —> 02:00:57.180

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yeah, I mean, that’s that certainly seems

1044

02:00:57.200 —> 02:01:04.650

Daniel Schuman, Chair: result. Let me let me turn to you. Stay with us, Ron, for a second. Let me turn to Arthur, just because in part the minutes are something that you will be

1045

02:01:04.800 —> 02:01:10.250

Daniel Schuman, Chair: drafting. Is this something that you can incorporate into your practice? Or is it something that we should

1046

02:01:10.737 —> 02:01:15.729

Daniel Schuman, Chair: or is this what your practice would be, anyway? Or is there something that we should consider.

1047

02:01:16.890 —> 02:01:25.109

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Ron, for your question, and Dan for sending it over. Yes, that will be a normal part of our record keeping.

1048

02:01:27.250 —> 02:01:28.619

Daniel Schuman, Chair: So, so.

1049

02:01:28.620 —> 02:01:32.630

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Limit, or that update is would is, it’s not an issue.

1050

02:01:33.000 —> 02:01:40.530

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Alright. So just to confirm. So, Arthur, it will be your practice to indicate who should be there, and whether or not they are present. Is that correct?

1051

02:01:40.840 —> 02:01:41.650

Arthur Brunson, DFO: That’s correct.

1052

02:01:41.850 —> 02:01:42.580

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay.

1053

02:01:42.750 —> 02:01:49.439

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Ron, does that? Does that address your concern? Or would you like to? Go forward and we can, and consider changing the language as well.

1054

02:01:49.760 —> 02:01:50.355

Ronald Keefover, Member: No.

1055

02:01:51.060 —> 02:01:58.519

Ronald Keefover, Member: I just thought it might be clear. But if it’s fine, if that’s going to be the practice, you know.

1056

02:02:00.870 —> 02:02:02.099

Ronald Keefover, Member: that’ll be good.

1057

02:02:02.450 —> 02:02:08.829

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay. And and if it turns out that I mean, I can’t imagine it would be an issue. But if it turns out to be an issue, we can come back and revisit it.

1058

02:02:09.213 —> 02:02:14.810

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Just just to make sure that we can. We can do it because your your recommendation, I think makes a lot of sense.

1059

02:02:14.830 —> 02:02:15.990

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you for that.

1060

02:02:17.706 —> 02:02:22.683

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Does anybody else, or or Ron? Of course you’re welcome to go again. But does anyone else have

1061

02:02:23.460 —> 02:02:29.549

Daniel Schuman, Chair: questions or comments, recommendations or amendments to the bylaws.

1062

02:02:36.370 —> 02:02:39.079

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I’m comfortable with this with silence. So like.

1063

02:02:39.170 —> 02:02:40.629

Daniel Schuman, Chair: it’s fine for me.

1064

02:02:41.740 —> 02:02:56.720

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, so I I think that, for for my part, having looked at them closely, I think that in the future we may wish to revisit some, both the bylaws and the charter, but seeing no concerns at the moment.

1065

02:02:58.020 —> 02:03:01.860

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Arthur, I’m gonna hand it over to you because I think you need to conduct the vote. Is that right?

1066

02:03:02.050 —> 02:03:04.180

Arthur Brunson, DFO: That’s correct. Thank you, Dan.

1067

02:03:04.540 —> 02:03:14.424

Arthur Brunson, DFO: So at at this point we will start with the roll call. What I’d like to ask is that each of the members?

1068

02:03:15.200 —> 02:03:17.359

Arthur Brunson, DFO: take yourself off of mute now.

1069

02:03:17.430 —> 02:03:24.909

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and when your name is called you could say yes, your response could be Yes, no, or abstain

1070

02:03:25.150 —> 02:03:27.780

Arthur Brunson, DFO: as a reminder on how to cast your vote

1071

02:03:28.190 —> 02:03:39.049

Arthur Brunson, DFO: when I call you calling you by name, please respond with Yes, no, or abstain. Members must be in attendance to cast a vote just for your

1072

02:03:39.100 —> 02:03:52.250

Arthur Brunson, DFO: understanding. A majority requires 51% of the members present. For example, if we have 15 members in attendance. A minimum of 8. Yes, votes is required to adopt.

1073

02:03:52.500 —> 02:03:59.299

Arthur Brunson, DFO: In the event of the tie, a tie, the chair will call for a revote with discussion.

1074

02:04:00.330 —> 02:04:05.749

Arthur Brunson, DFO: so at this time I will call you by name, and then wait for your response.

1075

02:04:06.060 —> 02:04:07.140

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Joyce.

1076

02:04:08.090 —> 02:04:08.860

Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: Yes.

1077

02:04:09.080 —> 02:04:10.180

Dr. Joyce Ajayi, Member: yes.

1078

02:04:10.730 —> 02:04:11.710

Arthur Brunson, DFO: John.

1079

02:04:12.160 —> 02:04:13.959

John Dierking, Member: Yes, yes.

1080

02:04:14.220 —> 02:04:15.880

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Charles Cutshaw.

1081

02:04:16.420 —> 02:04:17.300

Charles Cutshall, Member: Yes.

1082

02:04:18.080 —> 02:04:19.590

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Amy Holmes.

1083

02:04:20.430 —> 02:04:21.300

Amy Holmes, Member: Yes.

1084

02:04:22.000 —> 02:04:23.200

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Christian honey.

1085

02:04:23.440 —> 02:04:24.310

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: Yes.

1086

02:04:25.020 —> 02:04:25.869

Arthur Brunson, DFO: For real.

1087

02:04:27.370 —> 02:04:28.130

Kiril Jakimovski, Member: Yes.

1088

02:04:30.430 —> 02:04:31.200

Ronald Keefover, Member: This.

1089

02:04:33.210 —> 02:04:34.230

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Janice.

1090

02:04:34.560 —> 02:04:35.600

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Yes.

1091

02:04:36.500 —> 02:04:37.430

Arthur Brunson, DFO: aid.

1092

02:04:38.290 —> 02:04:39.150

Ade Odutola, Member: Yes.

1093

02:04:40.160 —> 02:04:41.120

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Suzanne.

1094

02:04:41.570 —> 02:04:42.430

Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: Yes.

1095

02:04:43.710 —> 02:04:44.660

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Daniel.

1096

02:04:44.970 —> 02:04:45.800

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yes.

1097

02:04:46.710 —> 02:04:47.680

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Josh.

1098

02:04:47.680 —> 02:04:48.600

Josh Tauberer, Member: Yes.

1099

02:04:49.540 —> 02:04:50.360

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Bobby.

1100

02:04:50.840 —> 02:04:51.470

Bobby Talebian, Member: Yeah.

1101

02:04:52.410 —> 02:04:53.400

Arthur Brunson, DFO: And karina.

1102

02:04:53.560 —> 02:04:54.420

Corinna Turbes, Member: Yes.

1103

02:04:56.260 —> 02:05:00.129

Arthur Brunson, DFO: With all, with all yeses. The bylaws have been adopted.

1104

02:05:00.780 —> 02:05:09.880

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Our chairman would like to have some closing remarks before. I think we get ready for our closing. And I

1105

02:05:10.180 —> 02:05:16.180

Arthur Brunson, DFO: I think you you’re also going to ask them if we have any more questions before we end. So I turn it back over to you, Daniel.

1106

02:05:16.180 —> 02:05:23.740

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yeah, that that’s right. Thank you, Arthur. Congratulations! We have reached unanimous agreement on something at least.

1107

02:05:24.346 —> 02:05:27.679

Daniel Schuman, Chair: So so congratulations to all of us.

1108

02:05:28.910 —> 02:05:33.869

Daniel Schuman, Chair: so I wanted to thank everyone for your participation at today’s meeting.

1109

02:05:33.910 —> 02:05:42.329

Daniel Schuman, Chair: We have a big task in front of us, and I think the reward will be worth the effort. I’m excited to work with each and every one of you, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you so far.

1110

02:05:43.710 —> 02:05:50.659

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I did want to just take a moment to open up the floor. This has been a lot of presentations and a lot of conversations.

1111

02:05:50.790 —> 02:05:56.490

Daniel Schuman, Chair: And if people had something they wish to intervene with. I would love to hear from you all

1112

02:05:56.680 —> 02:05:58.170

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I see

1113

02:05:58.661 —> 02:06:02.720

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Kristen has an intervention. So, Kristen, you are recognized.

1114

02:06:03.480 —> 02:06:10.130

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: Thank you so much, Daniel. So in this spirit of you know the open government, fox

1115

02:06:10.460 —> 02:06:38.150

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: og, or whatever we call it you know, creating a culture and a norm where everyone’s voices are equally valued. And it’s true open government of the people by the people, for the people. Where lived experience, and all of our experiences are really elevated and given space to come through in that kind of vein and spirit. I’d love to put kind of a norm, a cultural norm, forward for us to use 1st names

1116

02:06:38.150 —> 02:06:55.290

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: without doctor titles, or whatever you know, honorable, and all that that within the the Foc. And the committees, and how we conduct our business with each other. Obviously, if you know the President or secretaries walk in. We may have to use formalities, however.

1117

02:06:56.003 —> 02:06:59.369

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: Amongst ourselves and all the

1118

02:06:59.490 —> 02:07:09.439

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: events, opportunities, discussions that we lead. I would love to have kind of a universal policy that we forget titles, and we’re all on a 1st name basis.

1119

02:07:10.020 —> 02:07:14.510

Dr. Kristen Honey, Member: So I guess I put that forward as a motion. For, like a cultural norm, for the for the fox.

1120

02:07:14.840 —> 02:07:25.920

Daniel Schuman, Chair: That sounds great. So there’s an opportunity for debate. So do you folks, would folks, if you would like to weigh in either in favor, or an opposition, or to raise a concern. Just raise your hand and I’ll recognize you.

1121

02:07:26.570 —> 02:07:29.590

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I’ll and I’ll do it in the order. So I see, Suzanne.

1122

02:07:30.690 —> 02:07:33.330

Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: I I fully support this.

1123

02:07:34.650 —> 02:07:36.110

Suzanne Piotrowski, Member: I think it’s a great idea.

1124

02:07:36.510 —> 02:07:37.310

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Wonderful

1125

02:07:38.369 —> 02:07:42.800

Daniel Schuman, Chair: anyone else who would like to weigh in for against or otherwise.

1126

02:07:45.690 —> 02:07:49.040

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I see, Janice, you recognized.

1127

02:07:49.830 —> 02:07:51.050

Janice Luong, Member: I second.

1128

02:07:52.560 —> 02:07:55.010

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you. Amy.

1129

02:07:55.800 —> 02:08:00.460

Amy Holmes, Member: I also wanted to to note support of Christian’s proposition.

1130

02:08:02.180 —> 02:08:03.605

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you kindly.

1131

02:08:04.310 —> 02:08:07.660

Daniel Schuman, Chair: And I saw one other Josh, were you? Oh, Ade.

1132

02:08:07.830 —> 02:08:08.680

Daniel Schuman, Chair: please.

1133

02:08:08.920 —> 02:08:10.359

Ade Odutola, Member: I support as well.

1134

02:08:11.190 —> 02:08:12.400

Daniel Schuman, Chair: No, you’re great. We heard you.

1135

02:08:12.640 —> 02:08:13.380

Ade Odutola, Member: Okay. Good.

1136

02:08:13.570 —> 02:08:17.070

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Yeah, anyone else who would like to be recognized.

1137

02:08:18.610 —> 02:08:19.540

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Josh.

1138

02:08:19.760 —> 02:08:25.939

Josh Tauberer, Member: So I think, just as someone that’s watched public meetings it can sometimes be hard to follow from. As a member of the public

1139

02:08:25.960 —> 02:08:42.399

Josh Tauberer, Member: when committee members are overly familiar. I think so. We should just keep in mind that if we’re referring to people by 1st names that may not match, maybe how they appear on Zoom or something like that, you know. Maybe, like, you know, on, you know, 1st time we mentioned someone we should just be clear who we’re talking to for the public. But I agree otherwise.

1140

02:08:43.350 —> 02:08:50.140

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, that’s fair, and and it may be sorry I shouldn’t respond. I will respond after other folks have a chance to win

1141

02:08:51.170 —> 02:08:52.480

Daniel Schuman, Chair: anybody else

1142

02:08:53.640 —> 02:08:54.879

Daniel Schuman, Chair: who hasn’t spoken.

1143

02:08:57.170 —> 02:09:08.139

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, so I I think to Josh’s point, one thing that we could do is as we put our names in the in the zoom box. If for for the extent that we’re virtual

1144

02:09:08.605 —> 02:09:20.300

Daniel Schuman, Chair: we can try to use the names that we would. You know that would be reflected that we would use as a group, and I will try. You know I will use people’s 1st names, but I’ll also try to

1145

02:09:21.010 —> 02:09:28.769

Daniel Schuman, Chair: be clear and intentional, so that if it’s if if there’s some possible confusion about who is speaking to make it so that it’s easier for whoever might be

1146

02:09:28.900 —> 02:09:30.433

Daniel Schuman, Chair: listening along.

1147

02:09:31.850 —> 02:09:34.129

Daniel Schuman, Chair: And of course, when looking over the minutes.

1148

02:09:34.470 —> 02:09:39.819

Daniel Schuman, Chair: that’s you know, when reviewing those, because I think I’m the one who has to approve them, I think that’s how it works.

1149

02:09:40.147 —> 02:09:48.750

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I’ll try to make sure the minutes are also reflective of the conversation. So if there’s something that’s not clear, we can can have it reflected there.

1150

02:09:48.990 —> 02:09:50.216

Daniel Schuman, Chair: but otherwise

1151

02:09:50.940 —> 02:10:05.059

Daniel Schuman, Chair: I didn’t see any descend. So what I’m going to do, unless unless, Arthur, unless you think there’s a different approach. But I’m just gonna say, I’m gonna say, we’re going to do this by unanimous consent. So unless there is an objection, then this will be our practice going forward. So.

1152

02:10:06.220 —> 02:10:20.689

Daniel Schuman, Chair: not seeing any concern at the moment from Arthur. So I’m saying, all right, I’m I’m moving this on unanimous consent basis. So if there’s anybody who disagrees with this, please, this is a good time to speak up, and I’ll just wait a couple of moments. You can either come off mute or raise your hand, and I’ll recognize you.

1153

02:10:25.700 —> 02:10:33.040

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, seeing no dissent. This is adopted unanimously. So we will refer to each other by our 1st names.

1154

02:10:33.355 —> 02:10:39.480

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Unless, of course, it’s the President. And then we’ll figure out what makes sense in that context. But we should be lucky to have that problem.

1155

02:10:39.760 —> 02:10:42.890

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, are there other folks who would like

1156

02:10:43.160 —> 02:10:46.130

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Kristen? Thank you so much for for raising that issue?

1157

02:10:46.220 —> 02:10:52.570

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Are there other folks who would like to either ask a question, make a comment, or raise an issue that we should address at this point.

1158

02:10:59.340 —> 02:11:05.200

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Okay, I don’t see anyone. So with that since there are no further questions.

1159

02:11:05.570 —> 02:11:15.000

Daniel Schuman, Chair: Thank you all for today. I’m going to turn this back over to Arthur, because I know that he has some concluding remarks, and he will also adjourn our meeting. Thank you. Everyone.

1160

02:11:15.800 —> 02:11:16.839

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you, Daniel.

1161

02:11:16.850 —> 02:11:18.309

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Great meeting

1162

02:11:18.470 —> 02:11:24.240

Arthur Brunson, DFO: in closing, I just want to say to the members, understand your role and expectations.

1163

02:11:24.410 —> 02:11:27.829

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Refer to the bylaws in your appointment letter.

1164

02:11:27.980 —> 02:11:34.230

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Be aware, if you are subject to ethics or conflicts of interest laws, and understand what that entails.

1165

02:11:34.860 —> 02:11:37.209

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Keep your Dfo informed.

1166

02:11:37.290 —> 02:11:40.680

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and include them in all relevant communications.

1167

02:11:40.900 —> 02:11:43.359

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and when it comes to member interactions.

1168

02:11:43.410 —> 02:11:52.999

Arthur Brunson, DFO: any communication among the majority of the committee about committee work can be considered a meeting under faca, and must be conducted publicly.

1169

02:11:53.160 —> 02:11:56.270

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Always reference the committee Charter

1170

02:11:56.660 —> 02:12:03.590

Arthur Brunson, DFO: bylaws, and your appointment letters as needed when in doubt, reach out to your chairperson

1171

02:12:03.680 —> 02:12:05.709

Arthur Brunson, DFO: or the Dfo.

1172

02:12:05.950 —> 02:12:12.449

Arthur Brunson, DFO: As your Dfo. I am always available to answer any questions, so please please

1173

02:12:13.020 —> 02:12:15.030

Arthur Brunson, DFO: don’t hesitate to reach out.

1174

02:12:15.510 —> 02:12:26.260

Arthur Brunson, DFO: I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our presenters, attendees, stakeholders for joining us today, including those who provided

1175

02:12:26.340 —> 02:12:29.070

Arthur Brunson, DFO: the comments.

1176

02:12:29.330 —> 02:12:39.009

Arthur Brunson, DFO: I’d like to also give a special thank you to everyone who has contributed to the successful establishment of this committee and to those who supported today’s meeting.

1177

02:12:39.430 —> 02:12:48.520

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Please remember to join us for our public. Our 1st public meeting on October 23, rd 2024 at one Pm.

1178

02:12:49.020 —> 02:12:59.770

Arthur Brunson, DFO: The so the agenda agenda items that we plan to cover is, we will have the welcome. We will be provided. Remarks by Gsa. Leadership.

1179

02:12:59.800 —> 02:13:02.379

Arthur Brunson, DFO: white House remarks.

1180

02:13:02.420 —> 02:13:08.060

Arthur Brunson, DFO: we will have an overview by the open Government secretariat.

1181

02:13:08.100 —> 02:13:10.750

Arthur Brunson, DFO: The chair will provide some remarks.

1182

02:13:11.229 —> 02:13:15.419

Arthur Brunson, DFO: there will be a history and overview of the Open Government Partnership.

1183

02:13:15.610 —> 02:13:21.170

Arthur Brunson, DFO: a brief history of US. Open government efforts starting in 2,009,

1184

02:13:21.390 —> 02:13:24.340

Arthur Brunson, DFO: a napsics, timeline overview

1185

02:13:24.800 —> 02:13:27.320

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and organizing the Og fact

1186

02:13:27.340 —> 02:13:29.130

Arthur Brunson, DFO: committee discussion.

1187

02:13:29.300 —> 02:13:33.929

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and then from there we’ll have. We’ll be open for public oral comments.

1188

02:13:34.210 —> 02:13:39.859

Arthur Brunson, DFO: And then, last, but not least, we will have a White House closing remarks.

1189

02:13:39.940 —> 02:13:43.520

Arthur Brunson, DFO: and then our closing remarks and adjournment.

1190

02:13:45.150 —> 02:13:46.180

Arthur Brunson, DFO: So

1191

02:13:46.550 —> 02:13:56.869

Arthur Brunson, DFO: please be reminded to register registration. Information is available on our website and in the Federal Registry notice for our meetings.

1192

02:13:57.000 —> 02:13:59.420

Arthur Brunson, DFO: This meeting is now adjourned.

1193

02:13:59.620 —> 02:14:01.569

Arthur Brunson, DFO: Thank you again for your time.

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Last updated: Feb 3, 2025
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