When sensitive topics require maintaining confidentiality and need to be addressed by a board, council, or committee, a meeting that is open to the public or held in open session isn't effective. For this matter, a dedicated closed meeting should be held.
In this workshop, we'll discuss the essentials of a closed meeting: its purpose, benefits, rules, and potential pitfalls. We will also review a closed session protocol, which sets out the rules for holding closed council meetings. This protocol involves requirements for notice, recommendations, minutes, voting, and transparency, which we will discuss in detail. Additionally, participants will receive a template for closed meeting minutes, reports, and motions that they can customize to their specific meeting needs.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the purpose, benefits, rules, and risks of closed meetings
- Understand the elements of a closed session protocol
- Understand how to develop your own closed meeting materials
Speaker
Joanne Hyde
Clerk & Manager, Policy, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
Joanne is a nationally recognized municipal leader with over 16 years of senior government experience. In her career, she has served as a clerk in both large and rural municipalities, a policy advisor for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, an instructor of municipal governance at Durham College, and as clerk of the largest conservation authority in Ontario.