News Release

Free Open Meetings and Records Workshops Offered Statewide

August 20, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
The Oklahoma Press Association at (405) 499-0026

The Oklahoma Arts Council encourages all grantees to attend a free seminar on the Oklahoma Open Meetings and Open Records Acts to be offered at several locations across the state.

This information is especially important because any entity that receives public (state) funds is required to follow the Open Meetings/Open Records Acts.

Beginning this month, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, the Oklahoma Press Association, Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation and FOI Oklahoma will hold seminars designed to answer questions concerning the state’s open meeting and records laws and inform officials about their responsibility under the acts. Edmondson will also discuss requirements on access to public records and the conduct of public meetings.
The seminars are free of charge and open to the public. No reservations are required.

Each session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

Aug. 28, Southwest Technology Center, Altus
Aug. 30, Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater
Sept. 11, Canadian Valley Technology Center, Chickasha
Sept. 20, Rudisill Regional Library, Tulsa
Oct. 9, Pioneer Technology Center, Ponca City
Oct. 25, Miami Civic Center, Miami
Oct. 30, Frisco Conference Center, Clinton
Nov. 6, Pontotoc Technology Center, Ada
Nov. 13, Metro Tech, Oklahoma City
Dec. 6, Southeast Expo Center, McAlester

“We have found in the past that officials want to comply with the law, but there is some uncertainty about how to do that,” Edmondson said. “These seminars provide a thorough review of the law and allow participants to ask questions about its practical application.”

Assistant Attorney General Gay Tudor, one of the state’s foremost authorities on the openness laws, will assist Edmondson in presenting the seminars and answering questions.

The Open Meetings and Open Records Acts are designed to bring government closer to people and to allow the actions of public bodies maximum access and input from their constituents.