2024 Moderators (Traditional Town Meeting) Workshop

Traditional Town Meeting
Saturday, February 17, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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

Video recording of afternoon session on hypotheticals:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4717djqI2xg     (Duration:  36:53)

Break-out sessions for review and answering hypothetical situations that moderators might face.
 
1:30 pm - Workshop ends