The Georgia First Amendment Foundation was incorporated in 1994, and named Hollie Manheimer its part-time executive director in 1996.
Among our accomplishments:
• We suggested the open-government mediation program that now is in place in the Georgia attorney general's office
• We cooperated with Attorney General Thurbert Baker to publish "Georgia's Sunshine Laws, A Citizen's Guide to Open Government."
• We joined with police organizations to publish "Georgia Law Enforcement and the Open Records Act: A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Open Records in Georgia."
• We joined Georgia AP to lead the only survey of open-government compliance in the state's history in 1999, establishing a basis for where to proceed and place emphasis in open government advocacy.
• We successfully hosted the 1999 conference of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, which has birthed organizations like ours in 27 states where citizens desired a faster pace in, and a stronger emphasis upon, freedom of information.
• We created the annual Weltner Freedom of Information Banquet to raise funds for our work, and serve as an annual rally for freedom of information in our state.
• We have published, since 1994, the newsletter "Georgia FOI Access."
• We provide the analysis of bills called "Legislative Watch" during the 40 days of the January-to-March General Assembly session.
• We have led open government workshops across Georgia for citizens, public officials and the media.