FOIA Update: Access Professionals Organize; Plan Meetings Jan. 8, March 5

A cross-section of professional government workers--public affairs specialists, paralegals, attorneys and management analysts--have launched a new organization to assist those working with "access laws."

The American Society of Access Professionals (ASAP) will hold its first meeting of 1981 on Jan. 8, at the Flagship Restaurant. Reservations may be made with Russell Roberts, Health and Human Services, 472-7453. A newsletter announcing the name of the speaker will be circulated to ASAP members and others working with the so-called "access laws." These include the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, the Sunshine Act and other statutes dealing with the public's right to know. Robert L. Saloschin, Director of the Office of Information Law and Policy, will speak March 5.

ASAP was formally organized at a session in October. There are approximately 50 members to date. Kathy Semone, Merit Systems Protection Board, is membership chair and may be telephoned at 632-5425 for additional information.

Officers of the organization are: Roberts, HHS, president; Marilyn I McLennan, Commerce, vice president; Cathy McMillan, Justice, secretary; Ed Shomaker, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, treasurer; and Milt Jordan, Energy, and Gerry Deighton, Food and Drug Administration, board members.

Besides Semone, other committee chairs are McLennan, professional standards; Carl Coleman, HHS, publicity; and Kathryn Braeman, Justice, and Harold Relyea, Congressional Research Service, program.

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