Get Involved

Open government depends on engaged citizens. Here's how you can be an active participant in the Transparency Project of Georgia.

How Can You Be an Active Participant?

(1) Share Your Experiences

Have you fought for open records or open meetings in your community? Are you aware of situations where the state's Open Meetings Act or Open Records Act has been or is being violated? Whether you are a citizen or a member of the working media, do you have published reports or a narrative related to current government transparency issues?

Share those experiences with other members of the Transparency Project of Georgia by posting a brief narrative or published report, or by emailing [email protected].

(2) Editorial Submissions

Do you have an original editorial or a published work that may be posted with permissions for the benefit of Transparency Project of Georgia followers? Send MS Word documents, Pages documents, or PDFs to [email protected].

We welcome contributions from journalists, attorneys, academics, former officials, and engaged citizens. Content should relate to government transparency, sunshine laws, open records, or open meetings in Georgia.

(3) Blogging Team

Join our blogging team by replying to the current director's blog or by sending an original blog post to [email protected] for consideration.

We welcome contributors with firsthand knowledge of Georgia government and a commitment to factual, informative writing on transparency topics.

(4) Speakers Bureau

Do you have expertise, training, or personal experience in government transparency? Join a speakers bureau for recommendation to clubs, agencies, organizations, nonprofit groups, government bodies, watchdog groups, media companies, press associations, or other groups seeking public speakers to address government transparency issues.

Send a cover letter and resume of qualifications to [email protected].

Why Your Participation Matters

Open government does not maintain itself. Laws on the books are only as effective as the citizens who use them. Every records request filed, every public meeting attended, every transparency violation reported, and every editorial published contributes to a culture of accountability in Georgia.

Jim Zachary has written that government belongs to the governed — but that belonging is not passive. It requires active exercise. The Transparency Project of Georgia exists to make that exercise easier, more informed, and more effective for every Georgian who cares about their government.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Involved

How do I share my open government experience with the project?

You can share your experiences by emailing [email protected]. Tell us what happened, what records you sought or what meeting you attended, how the agency responded, and what outcome resulted. Include any documentation you have.

Your story may be published on this site (with your permission and appropriate editing) to help other citizens understand what they might face. Even experiences that did not result in a happy outcome are valuable — knowing where obstacles exist is the first step toward removing them.

What kind of editorials or articles can I submit?

We welcome original editorials, opinion pieces, first-person accounts, and published works related to government transparency issues in Georgia. Topics include open records battles, open meetings issues, local government accountability, commentary on pending legislation, and analysis of court decisions affecting sunshine laws.

Send MS Word, Pages, or PDF documents to [email protected]. We review all submissions and will contact you if we decide to publish your work. We cannot guarantee publication or provide editing feedback on rejected submissions.

How can I join the blogging team?

The blogging team is composed of citizens and journalists who contribute regular commentary on open government issues in Georgia. To be considered, reply to a current director's blog post explaining your background and interest, or send an original sample blog post to [email protected].

We look for contributors who have direct experience with Georgia government, a clear and engaging writing style, and a commitment to factual accuracy and the project's mission of promoting government transparency.

What is the Speakers Bureau and how can I participate?

The Speakers Bureau is a referral program that connects clubs, agencies, organizations, nonprofits, government bodies, watchdog groups, media companies, and press associations with qualified speakers who can address government transparency topics.

To be considered for the bureau, send a cover letter and resume of qualifications to [email protected]. Appropriate background includes journalism, law, public administration, government experience, academic expertise in public policy, or extensive personal experience as a citizens' advocate.

Can I financially support the Transparency Project of Georgia?

We encourage supporters to direct financial contributions to the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, our primary partner organization. The GFAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible. Contributions to the GFAF support the publication and distribution of the Red Book, Blue Book, and Green Book guides, as well as legal referral programs and legislative advocacy.

Volunteering your time — attending meetings, filing records requests, writing about local government, and sharing your experiences — is also a valuable form of support that directly advances the mission of open government in Georgia.