Elected Essentials Workshops

Are you new to city government? Are you looking for a refresher on government fundamentals?

Speakers: LOC and CIS Staff

LOC is thrilled to offer our signature Elected Essentials training in person again this 2026-2027 winter.  The LOC’s Elected Essentials program provides newly elected officials, experienced elected officials, and city staff with free training on the basics of municipal governance in Oregon.

Topics include:

•  Certified Oregon Public Meeting Law Training. This is the Oregon Government Ethics Commission certified Public Meetings training. Attendees will learn what constitutes a public meeting, the legal requirements associated with public meetings, what is a serial meeting, reasons to hold executive sessions, minute requirements, and more!

 

• Public Records: What City Officials Need to Know. Attendees will learn what is considered, and what is not considered, a public record, gain an understanding of the state’s record retention schedule, and develop an appreciation for the requirements related to the inspection and disclosure of public records.

 

• Public Officials & Oregon’s Ethics Laws. Attendees will learn about the requirements under Oregon’s Ethics laws and the applicability to public officials. Specifically covered in this session are gifts and gift exclusions; prohibited use of office; conflicts of interest; nepotism; outside employment; and statements of economic interest.

 

• Networking Lunch with OCCMA and OMA Leadership. Enjoy lunch while participating in a guided conversation with colleagues in your region led by Oregon City/County Managers Association (OCCMA) and Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) leadership.  

 

• CityCounty Insurance Services: Legal Powers & Impediments Affecting Elected Officials.  Attendees will learn common mistakes elected officials make that result in the city getting sued. Learn ways that cities can utilize CityCounty Insurance Services (CIS) to assist in employment law matters and risk management which will minimize your city’s legal exposures. 

 

• Home Rule 101 & Parliamentary Procedure Basics. Take a crash course through Oregon’s Home Rule authority which sets the landscape for local governments to set policy and manage its own affairs without the need to obtain authority from a state legislature, except where preempted. Learn the basics of what Parliamentary Procedure is and how to use the procedures in your council meetings.

 

• OCCMA and OMA Discuss City Council and City Staff Roles & Responsibilities. Attendees will learn healthy habits of highly functioning city council addressing both the city council and city staff roles and responsibilities based on governing documents. 

Registration is FREE and lunch is included.

To view the step-by-step registration process, see How to Register for LOC Training and Events. 

NOTE regarding potential attendees who have not yet been elected

LOC’s system will not allow a registration with no name, and we know that many of our new officials will not be known until after the November 5 election.  These sessions have not traditionally sold out and we anticipate having plenty of room for all who are available for the full day training.  Cities who wish to plan ahead may do the following:

• Register a staff person (or someone who will still be on council); LOC has arranged it so that one person can add a maximum quantity of 5 registrations per person.
• After the election and closer to the date of each training, LOC will verify attendee names.