CCM Workshop: FOIA, Ethics & Public Meetings

Workshop:

FOIA, Ethics & Public Meetings

June 24, 2009
New Haven, CT
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m

DESCRIPTION

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
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.

Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
The definition of ethics according to Webster is straightforward:
the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. But conflicts of interest arise from this definition and many municipal codes. Anyone in public office should not place him or herself in a situation which tends to weaken public confidence. Each municipality must decide what ethics regulations are appropriate and necessary for their constituency.

Effective Meetings
Bring order to your public meetings. Be certain all elected and appointed officials know the nuts & bolts of effective public meetings. Learn Roberts’ Rules of Order.

PROGRAM FOIA

Overview of FOIA legal requirements for public meetings
Maintaining public records
Handling requests in the proper timeframe
Handling complaints

Ethics & Conflicts of Interest

Overview of ethics & conflicts of interest
Understand disclosure
Learn how to avoid and resolve conflicts of interest
Find out what’s legal, appropriate, and fair regarding:

Gifts
Travel
expenses
Outside employment
Nepotism
Use of office equipment, supplies & staff

Meetings and Parliamentary Procedure

Managing your audience of citizens
Role of the presiding officer
How to properly call a meeting to order
Conducting the meeting and managing the agenda
Tips for maintaining order and public decorum

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

All Board, Commission and Committee Members
Mayors/First Selectmen
Town/City Managers
Town/City Attorneys

SPEAKERS Duncan Forsyth, Esq.
Halloran & Sage LLP

Thomas P. O’Dea, Esq.
Halloran & Sage LLP

WHERE CCM New Haven Office
New Haven, CT COST per attendee CCM Member, NO COST; Non-members $120

Sign Up On-line!

Please register me for:

FOIA, Ethics & Public Meetings - CCM Member, NO COST; Non-members $120

Space is limited to a first-come, first-serve basis.
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By submitting your on-line registration, you will be immediately registered. Payment is expected prior to workshop date. You will automatically be sent a registration confirmation form.

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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.

DIRECTIONS

FROM THE NORTH (I-91 from Hartford) I-91 South to New Haven, Exit 1
Take the "Downtown" New Haven exit (Exit 1), heading west which puts you on the Route 34 connector.
Immediately merge to the extreme right lane.
Take the first exit, "Downtown," "Church Street."
Keep straight to first light (Church Street).
Turn right at light onto Church Street, heading north.
Merge to second lane from left.
The third light is Chapel Street.
Turn left on Chapel, go for one block to Temple Street.
Turn left onto Temple Street.
Turn left again to go into the parking garage for Omni Hotel (Chapel Square Garage).* Alternate Parking also available - see below

CCM’s office is in the Chapel Square Tower at 900 Chapel Street, across from the New Haven Green. Enter the Office Tower through the revolving doors. Enter the main lobby and sign in at the guard station. Take the elevator to CCM’s main offices on the 9th floor.

FROM THE NORTH (I-95 from New London) I-95 South to New Haven
Take the "Downtown" exit in New Haven, which puts you on the Route 34 connector.
Immediately merge to the extreme right lane.
Take the first exit, "Downtown," "Church Street."
Keep straight to first light (Church Street).
Turn right at light onto Church Street, heading north.
Merge to second lane from left.
The third light is Chapel Street.
Turn left on Chapel, go for one block to Temple Street.
Turn left onto Temple Street.
Turn left again to go into the parking garage for Omni Hotel (Chapel Square Garage).* Alternate Parking also available - see below

FROM THE SOUTH (I-95 from Stamford) I-95 North to New Haven
Take the "Downtown" exit in New Haven (a left-hand exit), which puts you on the Route 34 connector.
Immediately merge to the extreme right lane.
Take the first exit, "Downtown," "Church Street."
Keep straight to first light (Church Street).
Turn right at light onto Church Street, heading north.
Merge to second lane from left.
The third light is Chapel Street.
Turn left on Chapel, go for one block to Temple Street.
Turn left onto Temple Street.
Turn left again to go into the parking garage for Omni Hotel (Chapel Square Garage).* Alternate Parking also available - see below

Alternate Parking
*Or, continue to the next light, which is Crown Street. Turn left onto Crown to enter the Temple Street Garage, or turn right onto Crown to enter the Crown Street Garage, on the right.
Alternate parking is available at the Crown Street Parking Garage on Crown Street between Temple and College Streets, or at the Temple Street Garage (entrance on Crown Street).

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
900 Chapel Street, 9th Floor
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: (203) 498-3000
Fax: (203) 562-6314