City, county, school and other organizations are being invited to participate in another public meeting to share information on open meetings and records.
After overwhelming success in 2023, the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General is partnering again with the Oklahoma Press Association to host seminars on the state’s open meeting and open records laws in five locations across Oklahoma beginning in late September.
The seminars will be presented by Thomas R. Schneider, deputy general counsel to Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“Aside from the ballot box, these two invaluable acts serve as the most potent insurance for citizens to hold government accountable,” Schneider said. “At the same time, this training provides an opportunity for public body members to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of these acts and their important role in safeguarding democracy and preserving integrity in government at all levels.”
Schneider will answer questions concerning the state’s open meeting and records laws and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the acts. He will also discuss requirements on access to public records and the conduct of public meetings.
Drummond has made openness and transparency in government among his top priorities in office.
“It is important to establish the standard of transparency to ensure our public officials are acting with honesty and integrity,” he said. “I am thankful for the hardworking individuals in my office who are also dedicated to these principles, and who work tirelessly to educate others about the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts across the state.”
Seminars will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at five locations:
• Sept. 23 Lawton, Cameron University, 501 SW University Dr.
• Oct. 7 Woodward, High Plains Technology Center, 3921 34 St.
• Oct. 21 Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus, 801 E 91 St.
• Nov. 18 McAlester, Eastern Oklahoma State College, 1802 E College Ave.
• Dec. 16 Oklahoma City, Metro Tech Conference Center, 1900 Springlake Dr.
The seminars are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is now required due to overwhelming demand last year. Please visit okpress. com/seminars to save your seat.
Continuing education credits are available for attendance. Attorneys will receive three CLE credit hours.
New school board members can get three credit hours from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and new technology center board members can earn three credit hours from the State Department of Career and Technology Education.
Law enforcement officials are eligible to receive three credit hours from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.
For more information, visit www.okpress.com/ seminars or call OPA at 1-888-815-2672.
