Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources will hold its annual holiday meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8, in Salem.
During the meeting, KP Law managing attorney Lauren Goldberg will provide “First Amendment audit” training.
In recent years, municipalities across the country have been increasingly subjected to First Amendment audits, where self-described “auditors” record interactions with public officials in government buildings and post their videos on the internet.
Goldberg will provide an overview of these activities, how municipalities can prepare, what to do when an auditor shows up at a municipal building, and what to do after a municipality has been subjected to a First Amendment audit.
The meeting will also include an MMA legislative update and a festive lunchtime performance of holiday classics by the Danvers High School a cappella group Falconize.
Registration and a networking breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. The program will start at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. A light lunch will be served.
The meeting will be held at the Hawthorne Hotel at 18 Washington Square West in Salem.
The registration fee is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.
Although we will no longer be checking vaccination status, the MMA is advising that all attendees stay up to date with the latest COVID vaccines for which they are eligible. In order to keep our meetings as safe as possible, we highly recommend all attendees take an at-home rapid antigen test prior to attending.
You are asked not to attend this meeting if you have any COVID symptoms or if a household member has tested positive for COVID, regardless of how you test.
The MMA encourages attendees to wear a mask, if that is your preference.
These safety protocols are subject to change based on the latest public health data and guidance.
9 a.m.
Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:30 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Dolores Hamilton, Stow Assistant Town Administrator, MMHR Chair
9:40 a.m.
Legislative Update
Dave Koffman, MMA Legislative Director
10 a.m.
First Amendment Audit Protocols
Lauren Goldberg, Managing Attorney, KP Law
In recent years, more and more municipalities have been subject to first amendment audits, in which “auditors” record interactions with public officials and post videos to the internet. This training will provide attendees with an overview of what a first amendment audit is, how municipalities can prepare for one, what to do if a first amendment auditor shows up at a municipal building, and what to do after a municipality has been subjected to a first amendment audit.
Noon
Lunch
12:15 p.m.
Live holiday music performance by Falconize, Danvers High School A Cappella
1 p.m.
Adjournment
Location
Hawthorne Hotel, Salem
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Isabelle Nichols Jenkins, ijenkins@mma.org
Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources