We are a nonprofit alliance formed to promote expanded access to government records, meetings and other proceedings at the state and local level. Our efforts are focused solely on local/state information access. While we do some lobbying (within limits imposed by IRS rules), our primary work is educational. The Coalition was formed in 1996, after a year-long organizing effort. Our 23-member board of directors represents the state's access activists and friends of open government, including Virginia's librarians, genealogists, broadcasters, newspapers and the public at large. Start-up funding was provided by the Virginia Press Association, the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, Media General, the Landmark Communications Foundation, America Online, all of the major in-state newspapers, public radio and television stations, a number of commercial stations and other friends of open government. Supporters also include Dominion, Appalachian Power, SunTrust, LexisNexis, Christian & Barton, Conservation Voters League, Woods Rogers, Gentry Locke.

Click here for our bylaws. (Microsoft Word document)

Founding or current members include USA Today, Associated Press, the Freedom Forum, the Virginia Genealogical Society, Library of Virginia, Roanoke Office of City Attorney, journalism schools, student newspapers, First Amendment lawyers, the League of Women Voters, the Virginia Library Association, the Association of Law Librarians, Lexis/Nexis and some 75 interested individual citizens and public officials. Click here for a roster of current members

Dues are $30 for individuals ($10 for students); $110 for nonprofit groups. (Please contact us for other categories.)

Minutes, 3/25/11, board of directors meeting, Glen Allen

Minutes, 10/21/10, board of directors meeting, Richmond (also, minutes from the annual meeting, Oct. 22)

Minutes, 6/24/10, board of directors meeting, Virginia Beach

Minutes, 3/19/10, board of directors meeting, Roanoke

Minutes, 10/15/09, board of directors meeting, Staunton (also, minutes from the annual meeting, Oct. 16)

Minutes, 6/25/09 board of directors meeting, Virginia Beach

Minutes, 3/20/09 board of directors meeting, Norfolk

Minutes, 11/21/08 board of directors meeting, Glen Allen

Minutes, 5/22/08 board of directors meeting, Fredericksburg

Minutes, 3/14/08 board of directors meeting, Roanoke

Minutes, 11/29/07 board of directors meeting, Glen Allen

Minutes, 6/14/07 board of directors meeting, Virginia Beach

Minutes, 3/23/07 board of directors meeting, Norfolk

Minutes, 11/16/06 board of directors meeting, Richmond

Minutes, 6/8/06 board of directors meeting, The Homestead

Minutes, 3/24/06 board of directors meeting, Roanoke

Minutes, 11/17/05 board of directors meeting, Lexington

VCOG is registered under section 57-49 of the Virginia Sollicitation of Contributions Law. Our financial statement is available on written request from the Office of Consumer Affairs.

As a tax-exempt 501c3 organization, our IRS 990 form for the past 3 years is available for public inspection. Our reports are also posted at the Guidestar site.

Our board of directors:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, VIRGINIA COALITION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT

PRESIDENT Dorothy Abernathy, chief of bureau, The Associated Press
EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PHONE 800.552.9935
ADDRESS: 600 E. Main St., Suite 1250, Richmond, VA. 23219

VICE PRESIDENT: Dick Hammerstrom, local news editor, Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PHONE 540-374-5414
FAX 540.373.8455
ADDRESS 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401

SECRETARY: Craig T. Fifer, E-Government Manager, City of Alexandria
EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PHONE 703.746.3965
ADDRESS 301 King Street, Box 3230, Alexandria VA  22314

TREASURER: Paul Casalaspi, Director, Information Technology, Library of Virginia
EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PHONE 804.692.3756
ADDRESS 800 East Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Lawrence McConnell, Charlottesville; publisher, Daily Progress
EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PHONE 434- 978 7200
ADDRESS: Box 9030, Charlottesville, VA 22906