Training for Boards and Commissions

Wheatland County Extension in partnership with Wheatland County Growth Council is offering a training to cover the material included in the new handbook.  The training is set for February 19, 2008 from 1-3 pm at the Wheatland Memorial Health Education Center. 

"Serving on County Boards, Districts, Commissions and Committees in Montana: A Handbook for Members, Local Government Officials and Citizens" is a 45-page resource for people supervising, serving on or interested in public boards across the state.

Authored by Paul Lachapelle, Montana State University Extension community development specialist, and Mary Anne Anderson, MSU Extension agent in Park County, the handbook was produced by MSU's Local Government Center as well as Extension.

Among the topics covered in the handbook and the training are Montana's open meetings law, code of ethics, board liability, information on wrongful discharge, discrimination, and use of Robert's Rules of Order and motions. The handbook also provides details on the creation, purpose, membership requirements, authorizing language and funding information for 43 distinct boards, committees, commissions and districts in Montana. It refers to the Montana Code Annotated so that readers can obtain more detailed information about legislative statutes or Justice Department opinions.

While the handbook is written specifically for county-level public boards in Montana, those who serve on municipal, state or even private boards should find the information useful, said Lachapelle.

"Since beginning this project, I have been surprised at how much conflict, bad press and potential for litigation there is across the state because boards failed to follow basic legal requirements, mostly from a lack of knowledge and not deliberate neglect," he said.

The handbook and training will address legal requirements, and also provides suggestions on how best to run a meeting to encourage public input.

The cost of the training and the handbook is $8.00, and the Horizons Grant will cover the cost for anyone who wishes to attend.  If you are interested, please call Mandie Reed, Wheatland County Extension Agent at (406) 632-4728 to reserve a space.