SAVE THE DATE: 2024 Academy for Good Governance, Course I. Governing Body Roles & Responsibilities

LOCATION: ZOOM PLATFORM

The Academy for Good Governance is a series of seven courses created by the NH Municipal Association (NHMA) and Primex, exclusively for elected governing body members (select board, town council, city council, board of aldermen, school board, and village district commissioners).  Courses are taught by experienced attorneys and staff from NHMA, Primex, HealthTrust, and the New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA).  Attendees will receive education and training intended to make them more knowledgeable and effective in their governing body roles.

Attendance at the Academy is free and open to governing body members from municipalities and school districts that are members of NHMA, Primex and NHSBA.  Attendees must attend all seven courses to receive a Certificate of Completion. 

Course Description: Good governance starts with understanding the roles and responsibilities of the governing body. In this kickoff session, attendees will learn what governing body members can and cannot do and the extent of their authority. The presenters will review the most important statutes applicable to governing body members for both towns and schools, with some time spent discussing the differences between them.

Presented by: Margaret Byrnes, Executive Director, NH Municipal Association
Barrett Christina, Executive Director, NH School Boards Association

 Biographies:
Margaret has served as Executive Director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association since 2019. She joined NHMA in 2014 as a staff attorney. Previously, she was an associate attorney with the firm Hage Hodes, P.A. in Manchester and an adjunct professor of legal research and writing at Northeastern University School of Law, Suffolk Law School, and The Massachusetts School of Law. Margaret has an M.B.A. from The University of New Hampshire Paul School of Business, a J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law, and a B.A. in English Language and Literature and Classical Languages from Smith College, and volunteers as a CASA (Guardian ad Litem) for CASA of New Hampshire.

 Barrett has been working at NHSBA since 2005 in the roles of Staff Attorney, Director of Policy Services, and Deputy Executive Director.  He was named NHSBA Executive Director in July 2017.  Barrett is a 2004 graduate of UNH School Law (formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center).

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN EARLY AUGUST