Here's an open meeting you don't want to miss

Despite nearly a year of COVID-19 throwing procedural norms to the wind, Idaho’s Attorney General and IDOG are validating the need for open meeting laws and the public’s right to attend.

The free hourlong virtual session Thursday at 1 p.m. is geared toward public officials, staff, and individuals interested in understanding their rights under the Idaho Open Meeting Law and how to comply better.

Hosted by Idahoans for Openness in Government (IDOG) and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, the “Open Meetings in the Pandemic: Setting the Record Straight” event will also feature Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane and IDOG President Betsy Z. Russell.

Since 2004, Wasden and IDOG have hosted 49 seminars regarding open meetings and public records to educate citizens and those who represent them on the importance of access to information. As of last week, 177 attendees had registered for Thursday's event, Russell said, including a mass of government officials and state employees.

“Our in-person seminars, held in different parts of the state each year, were postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19,” Russell’s event invitation reads. “For now, we hope this online session, specific to the challenges all of us are facing during the pandemic as public meetings are held in new ways, will be helpful to government agencies and districts across the state, the news media, and the public.”

IDOG is a nonprofit coalition whose mission is to promote open government and freedom of information.

Info: www.openidaho.org

To register (and all attendees must register): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6596762315239876365

Registrants are advised to check system requirements in advance to avoid possible connection issues.