First Amendment News
September 5 , 2019
Message from FAF President Barbara Petersen
To all our supporters and friends:  
 
As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, I’ll be retiring from the Foundation at the end of this year. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Pete Weitzel, former managing editor of the Miami Herald and FAF founder, hired me as the Foundation’s director.  
 
Looking back over my years at FAF, I’m filled with gratitude for the support we’ve received from folks all over Florida. When Pete offered me the job in 1995, the FAF consisted of an office, a telephone, and a computer, and although our resources were thin, I knew that I had just been given the opportunity of a lifetime. I have a deep and abiding passion for government transparency, knowing that citizen access to government information is essential to the health and stability of a democratic society.
 
The First Amendment Foundation is the only organization in Florida 
that focuses all its energy and resources on protecting the public’s right to oversee its government and hold it accountable for its actions. Of course, that effort requires the continued vigilance of hundreds of people across the state —reporters, editors, citizens, public officials and government employees — who work hard to make sure our government remains open and accessible to its people.
 
It’s been an honor to serve as the president of the First Amendment Foundation for the past 25 years, and it’s been a privilege to work with so many people so devoted to ensuring our government remains in the sunshine. Our work is far from done, though, and we all must work with you, there for all to see and participate in, a standard we all must be willing to continue the fight into the future.
 
I am so thankful for your support of the Foundation and I ask that everyone who shares my passion to continue to support the Foundation as it continues its important work on behalf of all Floridians. I don’t like good-byes, but  I hope   you will join me in Tallahassee on Thursday, October 17 at the FSU Law School to celebrate my retirement and the lead-in to FAF’s 35 th  year.

Sincerely,
Barbara Petersen, President First Amendment Foundation
Quotes-of-the-Month - Catfish Edition
“Barbara is an irreplaceable asset to Floridians. She has fought hard to keep doors and public records open to reporters and Florida citizens seeking help. She will be missed by all.” - Lucy Morgan, the Pulitzer Prize - winning reporter for the St. Petersburg Times

“Barbara has been a vigorous voice for openness in local and state government. She has built the First Amendment Foundation into an effective advocate for transparency, providing an important check on proposed legislation and on local and state government actions that shaded the actions of government. And she has provided Sunshine Law training to both officials and citizens throughout Florida. An important job superbly done.” - Pete Weitzel, FAF’s co-founder

“Barbara Petersen is a fierce advocate for all Floridians on open access to government meetings and public records. Her tireless work as president
of the First Amendment Foundation has set the framework for so many battles to come.” - Jim Baltzelle, FAF’s Chairman of the Board and the Director Local Media, Southeast for the Associated Press
Job Posting Alert: FAF seeking Foundation President
Job Posting Alert: FAF seeking Foundation President

The First Amendment Foundation (FAF) seeks a president who is passionate about its mission as an advocate for open government in Florida and has a vision for the foundation’s future. FAF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984 to protect and advance the public’s constitutional right to open government through advocacy, educational training, and strategic support for citizens, public employees, and journalists. The candidate must have the ability to translate that passion into effective advocacy and development. The candidate must demonstrate an aptitude for fundraising, particularly in soliciting major gifts needed to increase the revenue of an established organization with a growing staff and statewide reach. The ideal candidate would have legal, legislative, advocacy, and similar experience. While FAF is based in Tallahassee, periodic travel throughout the state of Florida is required to serve FAF’s mission and development priorities. Executive-level organizational and management skills required. Conversational Spanish is a plus.

Please provide:
  • Your resume along with three references
  • A cover letter
  • A 500-word (maximum) statement of your vision for FAF
  • A one-page development plan that outlines key strategies, major donor opportunities, and the recurring Fiscal Year fundraising targets you envision for FAF
Salary range: $85,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience and skills. Interested candidates should send the above-requested materials in a  single .pdf document to   [email protected] .

Position open until filled, and the selected candidate would begin in the Fall of 2019.

2019 Sunshine Seminars - Reserve your seat TODAY!
This Fall marks President Barbara Petersen’s last Seminar Series as our President . You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from Florida’s Sunshine Law expert and receive your Continuing Education Credits.
*Private seminars also available by contacting Erika Benton at: [email protected]
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