REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: 2024 Moderators (Traditional Town Meeting) Workshop
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NHMA has a brand new member portal. Please read these instructions before you register!!
This workshop will be held in a hybrid format (In person attendance option and a virtual attendance option)
In person attendance - 25 Triangle Park Drive Concord, NH. In person attendance is limited to 60 people.
Virtual Attendance via Zoom
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Traditional Town Meeting
Saturday, February 17, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Registration Fees: $70.00 in person, $55.00 virtual
8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
Attendees will receive a complimentary electronic copy of NHMA's 2024-2025 edition of the Town Meeting and School Meeting Handbook. Additional materials such as the PowerPoint presentation will also be distributed electronically. If you would like to purchase a hard copy of the publication you may do so upon registering for the workshop for an additional $20.00. One hard copy is only available to purchase for registered attendees.
Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. If you register but cannot attend, a recording of the workshop will be provided as long as payment has been received.
Refund of the full registration fee will be made if cancellation notification is received 48 hours in advance. Cancellation less than 48 hours in advance, including no-shows, will result in you being charged the full cost of the workshop.
Questions? Please contact us at 603-230-3350 or registrations@nhmunicipal.org
2024 Town and School Moderators Hybrid Workshop
February 17, 2024
Traditional Town Meetings
Agenda
9:00 am - The Fundamentals of Town and School District Meeting For Traditional Town Meetings
A review of the law governing the annual meeting and the role of the moderator at town, village district and school district meetings. This presentation will cover debate, amendment and voting on warrant articles and the operating budget, essential statutes, postponement, electioneering and Right-to-Know Law issues.
Stephen Buckley, NHMA Legal Services Counsel, Peter Imse, Moderator, Town of Bow
10:30 am – Break
10:40 am - Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Order and Civility
At a time when public meetings seem to be getting increasingly contentious and confrontational, maintaining order and civility is as important as ever. This section will cover the basics of respecting an individual’s 1st Amendment right to free speech, how to handle disruptive behavior, and explore some useful practices and procedures for maintaining civility in a public forum.
Jonathan Cowal, NHMA Municipal Services Counsel;
William J. Phillips, NHSBA Staff Attorney & Director of Policy Services
11:20 am – Legislative Update: Legislation Passed in 2023 & Looking Forward to the 2024 Session
An update on election law changes last legislative session and a look toward what is currently pending at the legislature.
Natch Greyes, NHMA Government Affairs Counsel
12:00 noon - Break
12:20 pm - Hypotheticals
Break-out sessions for review and answering hypothetical situations that moderators might face.
1:30 pm - Workshop ends