For those wanting a crash course in upholding transparency, Oklahoma is setting the stage this fall. Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office, in partnership with the Oklahoma Press Association, is rolling out a series of free seminars aimed at schooling public officials and interested citizens on the state's open meeting and open records laws, starting Oct. 27.
Focused on fostering a government that operates with unveiled honesty, Attorney General Drummond has turned these seminars into a headlining act of his tenure. According to an announcement by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, Drummond expressed that "We must ensure that Oklahoma’s public officials are acting openly with honesty and integrity." After facing high demand last year, the seminars are back, poised to spread knowledge as a tool for accountability.
Deputy General Counsel Thomas R. Schneider, who will host the sessions, is all about empowering the electorate and public officers alike, offering clarity on the laws that are the lifeblood of transparent governance. Schneider will field questions on open meeting and records laws and dive into the duties of officials under these acts. He emphasized in a statement obtained by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office that "Aside from the ballot box, these two invaluable acts serve as the most potent insurance for citizens to hold government accountable."
Spanning four locations in Oklahoma, the seminars will unpack everything from the ABCs of public records access to the XYZs of appropriate public meeting conduct. The meetings will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., kicking off at the Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus on Oct. 27, before journeying to other locales, including Norman, Stillwater, and Oklahoma City. Pre-registration is a must, as seats, due to overwhelming demand last year, are like prime real estate. The full schedule and registration links are available through the Attorney General's office.
