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Workshop:
FOIA - What Board, Commission, & Committee Members Must Know
April 15, 2009
Manchester Town Hall, Manchester, CT
Exact time TBA
DESCRIPTION
Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) details requirements
for notice and access to public meetings, recordkeeping, and requests
for information. It applies to all local government agencies, departments,
institutions, boards, commissions, and authorities and their
committees.
In this in-depth program designed specifically for board, committee,
and commission members, attendees will learn about:
- Three kinds of meetings recognized under FOIA
- Requirements for public access, recordkeeping, and release of information
- When can the public be excluded?
- How to handle complaints
A Freedom of Information Commission report concluded that the FOIA
is widely misunderstood and ignored by municipal officials. All board,
committee and commission members need to understand the requirements
of FOIA to avoid costly and embarrassing complaints.
PROGRAM
Overview of the FOIA
- FOIA – CGS Sections 1-200- 1-241
Legal requirements for meetings
3 types of meetings
Caucus or Meeting?
Public records
- Maintaining records
- Handling requests
- What must be disclosed
- What need not be disclosed
FOI Commission Complaints
- Top reasons for complaints
- How to handle
Penalties & Costs of
Non-compliance
- Criminal charges
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Board, Commission, and
Committee Chairs and members
- Staffs to Boards and Commissions
- Mayors/First Selectmen
- Town/City Managers
- Town Clerks
- Department Heads
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Here's what past attendees have said about our FOIA Workshop
"Very informative on current guidelines."
"Everything I could imagine about FOI was covered."
"Well presented and topic specific. Exceptional use of a
short period of time."
"Excellent in all areas — handouts are top shelf."
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WHY ATTEND
- Understand FOIA applications to
your board, committee or commission.
- Ensure compliance with Public
Meeting requirements
- Minimize your exposure to FOIA
complaints
- Prevent time consuming hearings
and possible criminal penalties
SPEAKERS
Speakers TBA
WHERE
Manchester Town Hall
41 Center Street
P.O. Box 191
Manchester, CT 06045-0191
Phone: (860) 647-3037
COST per attendee
Exact price TBD
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For more information, or to register, call the CCM Training hotlines at (203) 498-3018 at any time or call (203) 498-3000 during business hours.
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DIRECTIONS
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