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Web Training Videos
This presentation has been recorded by the Attorney General's Division of Open Government to serve as a resource to members of the public and public bodies seeking to understand the requirements of the Open Meeting Law. The presentation is divided up into six videos, and is current as of August 2015. The run time for all six videos together is about one hour. You may view the six videos in succession to cover the entire presentation, or you may select specific videos on topics of interest. While this presentation is meant to provide an overview of the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, specific questions should be addressed to the Division of Open Government at 617-963-2540 or by email.
All of the following videos may also be viewed on the Attorney General's YouTube Channel.
Video #1: Introduction and Open Meeting Law Definitions
This video introduces the Open Meeting Law, explains the Attorney General's role in enforcing the law, and provides an overview of the entire training presentation contained in the six videos. The video also explains the Open Meeting Law's definitions of "public body", "deliberation," and "meeting."
In part 2, we explore the OML's meeting notice requirements, addressing exceptions to the general notice rules and frequently asked questions.
Video #3: Accessibility of Meetings; Remote Participation; and Public Participation in Meetings
In part 3, we cover meeting accessibility, remote participation, and public participation in meetings of public bodies.
In part 4, we explain executive, or closed, sessions. We discuss the permissible reasons for holding an executive session, and the procedures that must be followed before the public may be excluded.
Video #5: Meeting Minutes and Records
In part 5, we discuss what information must be included in meeting minutes and what a public body's obligations are when it receives a request for minutes or documents used at a meeting.
In part 6, we explain the certification requirement for public body members and walk through each step of the OML complaint process.