VCOG Board of Directors meeting
Aug. 27, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m.
Virtual
Present: Bobbi Bowman, Brian Colligan, Maria Everett (President), Craig Fifer (Vice President), Richard Gard, Chris Gatewood, Stephen Hayes (Secretary), Joshua Heslinga, Reynolds Hutchins, Bruce Potter, Elliott Robinson, Jay Speer, Steve Stewart, Chris Tyree, Sarah Vogelsong, Steve Weddle, Jonathan Williams. Also present: Megan Rhyne (Executive Director), Marinda Risk (Development & Operations Coordinator)
The meeting convened at 11:00 with Rhyne presiding until Everett could join.
Rhyne introduced Risk, the board members also introduced themselves and Risk told the board a little bit about herself.
With an amendment from Colligan to add that he was in attendance at the Jan. 8, 2026, board meeting, Colligan moved and Bowman seconded a motion to approve the minutes for the Jan. 8, Feb. 26 and June 25 board meetings. The vote was unanimous.
Rhyne presented her executive director’s report, noting the work done by our summer legal fellow and our high school volunteer. She noted that Risk has stepped right in to line up our first official FOIA Officer training, which is scheduled for Sept. 17 in Williamsburg. We’re starting with a small group of people to see what steps we will need to follow for future events.
Rhyne said that some of the FOIA Council subcommittees have met, but others haven’t. Rhyne noted that the legislative proposal to make sure citizens filing in general district court don’t have to get the sheriff to serve process has been opposed at most every turn by the AG’s general counsel. Everett agreed. Vogelsong asked if we have contacts within the AG’s office we might be able to go to if things get tied up.
Everett asked for a correction for the June 25 minutes, and Heslinga moved, with Everett seconding, to reapprove the minutes as corrected.
Rhyne presented the FY26-27 budget that was adjusted per board instructions at the June 25 meeting. Rhyne confirmed that the June 2026 numbers are final and not projected, as they were at the June 25 meeting. Bowman moved to approve the budget, Potter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Rhyne directed the board’s attention to a chart on board terms that expire at the end of this year and other vacant seats. A discussion ensued about the size of the board, reaching a quorum for meetings and whether the same number of designated seats was still appropriate for both the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and the Virginia Press Association. Rhyne encouraged board members to refer possible board members to fill vacant seats and Vogelsong asked about who to send potential candidate names to. Rhyne explained the structure of the board with regard to the VAB and VPA guaranteed seats and how those seats were not intended to be a majority of the total board size since VCOG was to be the voice of the public. Stewart indicated he would convene the Governance Committee to further discuss terms and designations.
Bowman moved to have the Governance Committee study the size, proportion and composition of the board and whether it continues to meet the needs of the organization and to report back by the December meeting. Everett seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Bowman asked whether we charge for our FOIA training. Rhyne said she was hesitant to charge right at the beginning since they can get it for free from the FOIA Council. We want to encourage donations, and we want to charge attorneys for MCLE, but we’ll adjust accordingly as we move forward. Heslinga urged charging for FOIA officer training, even if it’s a nominal amount; he also suggested charging law firms on a sliding scale based on the size of the firm.
The board discussed having future board meetings in person, but did not settle on any specific time or place.
Gard revisited the Strategic Plan, including the annual conference, and he urged the Executive Committee to convene to talk about a bonus and review plan for Rhyne.
The meeting adjourned at 12:10.