Gain Some Insight on Open Door and Public Access Laws This Saturday

Community leaders are invited to attend a forum on Indiana’s Open Door and Public Access Laws this Saturday on May 11th.

The day will start with some refreshments at 8:30 a.m. and the opening session will convene at 9 a.m. The conference is expected to wrap up by noon but speakers will stick around afterward to respond to any questions.

There is no cost to attend and no need to pre-register.

Jim Jessup of the La Porte County Better Government Study Group shared that the half-day conference is geared toward local elected officials, government boards and commissions, school and library board, township trustees and board, interested citizens and watch dogs.

According to the agenda for the event, attendees should expect to hear about the history and philosophy of Indiana’s public access and open meeting laws as well as information about Indiana’s transparency portal and Local Government Finance.

Another portion of the conference will cover various “pressure points” which could include the appropriate use of workshops, caucuses and executive sessions.

They may also touch on matters such as reasonableness of requests, timeliness of responses and noticing requirements. Attendees will be asked to submit topic requests during this session.

The event is being co-sponsored by La Porte County’s League of Women Voters and Better Government Study Group. It is being held in the Great Hall of the James Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex at Purdue University Northwest, located on Highway 421 in Westville.