last but not least, i would like to wouldmary beth richards -- i would like to thank mary beth richards. with that, i was like to introduce my incredibly smart and capable staff who have been extremely hard at work to make sure that we hit the ground running. they are over there. my legal adviser is going to be covering wireless and homeland security. they are great. my confidential assistant -- and she has us together. it is amazing. our receptionist is betty morris. i have enormous gratitude for all of your help and wisdom. thank you. i am honored and humbled and really thrilled to get to work at this incredible place. at this incredible crucial time in communications history. i look forward to working together to help bring the most advanced and efficient communications systems in the world to all american consumers. let's get started. >> perfect. thank you. i appreciated especially that the commissioners took the time to think their staff. i that we all know here on the commission deis that without the incredible work of our staff and offices and the commission, we would not get any

joining me today from fcc is kristen kane, national broadband task force, mary beth richards, special counsel, and steve van roekel, managing director of the office -- or office of the managing director. i would like to extend a special welcome to those of you joining us on line. i understand there are over 100 individuals and entities who are registered, including individuals through the webex online platform. it demonstrates the power of broadband technology to promote a more open and transparent government. this first workshop covers two topics -- open government and civic participation. for both topics we assembled some of the lead practitioners and experts from using broadband to build an open government and transform civic engagement. before we began, i would like to know this workshop is the beginning of the conversation. today's workshop will not answer all of the difficult questions for us. but it is a strong and important start. with the individuals gathered here today, through a conversation of commission staff, panel participants and the public, we aim to learn about best

mary beth richards special counsel for fcc for the office of the chairman and steve van roekel took director of the management of the office of director. i would also like to extend a special welcome to those of you joining online in cyberspace. and i understand there are over 100 individuals and entities that are registered including individuals through the wind online platform and second life, and clearly it is demonstrating the power of broadband technology to promote a more open and transparent government. this first workshop covers to topics: open government and civic participation. for both topics with a leading practitioners and experts who are using a broadband to build open government and transfer civic engagement. before we begin i would like to note this is the beginning of the conversation. today's workshop will not answer all the difficult questions before us. but it is a strong and important start. with the officials gathered here today, the conversation among the commission staff, panel participants, and the public at large, we aim to learn about and discuss best practices, ge