public access to meetings

[Karen]

At a recent board leadership training conducted by the Local Government Center, MSU Extension, we learned that we need to revisit the Google group forum as a public meeting format.  Essentially we learned that because, because of the limits of internet access and differences within the public regarding their comfort with using the internet we must not rely exclusively on the internet for the posting of meetings and for conducting meetings.  I recently had a follow up discussion with staff from the Local Government Center that further confirms that we need to make some changes to ensure we comply with Montana's open meeting laws.

 

As a result, our office will be changing our approach to posting notice of meetings. Additionally, it is our recommendation that the Coordination Subcommittee reconsider the use of Google groups for its meeting format.  I will be making a brief announcement at the OLC meeting on this subject.