Governmental boards training to be offered

There will be a training series called "Serving on Public Boards" that will be held on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21 (one program, two nights) from 6 to 9 p.m. in five locations.

Locations include: Advanced Technology Center Room 167 in Mexico (2900 Doreli Lane), Putnam County High School, Brookfield Area Career Center, Grand River Technical School in Chillicothe and Scotland County High School.

The first session will include the following topics: Introduction to Missouri's Sunshine Law, University of Missouri Extension Resources for Public Boards, and Fiscal Responsibilities of Boards. The second session will include: Board Procedures and Personnel Policies - why you want it in writing - what it means to our board, Missouri's Sunshine Law Part II and Dealing with Sunshine Law Requests from Individuals and the Media.

"Many of our local governmental boards receive very little or no training, and yet we as a public expect them to carry out large responsibilities. This meeting is designed to assist them in that respect" says Joe Koenen, Agricultural Business Specialist with University of Missouri Extension who is helping coordinate this program. "It will help them better understand their role on the board and to know what resources are available to them if they have questions and concerns later on."

The governmental public boards that should be interested in this would include ambulance, fair, fire protection, health department, nursing home, public water supply and Soil & Water Conservation (SWCD) districts; 9-1-1, hospital, library, school boards, township, and village boards; City and Extension councils; and County Commissioners. Other boards may be interested and are welcome.

The training will be conducted via Interactive Television so you can speak and see the presenters. Also local facilitators will be on site. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 14. More details can be found on the class flyer online at http://extension.missouri.edu/audrain or Mary Sobba at the Audrain County Extension Center at 573-581-3231.