2024 Moderators (SB 2 Town Meeting) Hybrid Workshop REGISTRATION CLOSES 01/11!
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
SB2 Meeting
Saturday, January 13, 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. Hard copies are only available to 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 nhmaregistrations@nhmunicipal.org
Workshop Agenda
9:00 am - The Fundamentals of Town and School District Meeting For SB 2 Municipalities
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 permitted amendments to warrant articles, voting on warrant article amendments, along with addressing the operating budget warrant article and the role of the default budget. Attention will also be paid to essential statutes, postponement, electioneering, and related First Amendment and Right-to-Know Law issues.
Stephen Buckley, Legal Services Counsel, NH Municipal Association and Lynn Christensen, Moderator, Town of Merrimack
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, Municipal Services Counsel, NH Municipal Association; William J. Phillips, Staff Attorney & Director of Policy Services, NH School Boards Association; Paul Inderbitzen, Moderator, Town of Hudson
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, Government Affairs Counsel, NH Municipal Association
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