A NOTE TO JOHN ROSE: YOU MIGHT WANT TO PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR, OLGA TAKE NOTE ALSO

CCM, CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE OF MUNICIPALITIES TO OFFER FOI TRAINING SEMINARS
FOIA:
What Board, Commission & Committee Members Must Know


Saturday, February 6, 2010 Thursday, March 18, 2010
9:30am - 12:30pm or 6:00pm- 9:00pm
Russell Library, Middletown Senior Center, Farmington, CT


FREE to CCM Member Municipalities
$120 Fee to Non-members


FOIA:
Are You Aware of the Requirements?


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.

This workshop is 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.
Learning Objectives:
Overview of the FOIA
· FOIA - CGS Sections 12001241
Legal requirements for meetings
· Identify the difference between a meeting and caucus
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 Noncompliance
· 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
3 Ways to Register:

Online:
February 6th
or
March 18th

Email: CCM Training

Phone: CCM Training Hotline
203-498-3018

Please Register Early!


Cancellation Policy:
Please notify us within 24 hours prior to the workshop if you cannot attend, or a cancellation fee of $10 will be incurred. No Shows will also be billed at $10 per person. Substitutions are always acceptable.