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Workshop:
FOIA - What Board, Commission, & Committee Members Must Know
December 3, 2008
Torrington Town Hall, Torrington, CT
8:30 a.m. - 12 noon, Registration 8:30 a.m.
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
Henry J. Zaccardi, Esq.
Shipman & Goodwin, LLP
Mr. Zaccardi is involved in representation of public and private
employers and nonprofit
organizations in all aspects of labor
relations and employment law.
Thomas A. Hennick
Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission Mr. Hennick is the Freedom of Information Commission's PublicEducation Officer.
WHERE
Torrington Town Hall
140 Main Street
Torrington, CT, 06790
COST per attendee
CCM Members $60/pp, Non-members $120/pp
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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
From Hartford Area:
I-84 West to Exit 39 (Route 4, Farmington)
Follow Route 4 West through Farmington, Unionville, Burlington, Harwinton and into Torrington At intersection with Route 202 (East Main Street), take a left onto 202. Proceed to major intersection of East Main, Main, South Main, Water and FranklinStreets. Turn right onto Main Street. Proceed one block to find City Hall on your right hand side (140 Main Street). Take a right onto City Hall Avenue and park in the municipal parking lot. This lot is directly across the street from City Hall’s side entrance.
From Waterbury Area:
Route 8 North to Exit 44 (Downtown Torrington)
At end of ramp, turn left onto Route 202 (East Main Street)
Proceed to major intersection of East Main, Main, South Main, Water and FranklinStreets. Turn right onto Main Street.
Proceed one block to find City Hall on your right hand side (140 Main Street).
Take a right onto City Hall Avenue and park in the municipal parking lot. This lot is
directly across the street from City Hall’s side entrance.
From Route 44 Corridor:
Follow Route 44 West to Route 202 West
Route 202 becomes East Main Street in Torrington
Proceed to major intersection of East Main, Main, South Main, Water and FranklinStreets. Turn right onto Main Street.
Proceed one block to find City Hall on your right hand side (140 Main Street).
Take a right onto City Hall Avenue and park in the municipal parking lot. This lot is
directly across the street from City Hall’s side entrance.
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