Academy guide
Open meetings, step by step
How an Oklahoma public body plans, posts, runs and records a lawful meeting, with the public in the room and the records online.
The Open Meeting Act exists to encourage and help an informed public understand how government works (25 O.S. § 302). When in doubt, choose more notice, more detail and more access.
File the year's regular meeting schedule
Give written notice of the date, time and place of regular meetings for the coming year by December 15 to the proper clerk (25 O.S. § 311). City Suite has a builder for the annual schedule.
Write a specific agenda
Describe every item clearly enough that a resident knows what the body may discuss and decide (25 O.S. § 311). Skip vague items like "personnel matters" or "general business." Use the free agenda builder to check your wording.
Post it on time and in plain view
Post the agenda at least 24 hours before a regular meeting, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, in a place the public can see it, and on your website if you have one (25 O.S. § 311). Special and emergency meetings have their own notice rules in the same section; follow them exactly.
Use executive session only for lawful purposes
Closed sessions are allowed only for the purposes listed in 25 O.S. § 307. List the purpose and authority on the agenda, vote in open session to go in, and take any action back in open session.
Vote in public, by name
Every member's vote must be publicly cast and recorded (25 O.S. § 305). No secret ballots, no voting by text, no deciding before the meeting.
Welcome the public
Hold meetings where people can attend, start on time, and let residents watch and record. If your body takes public comment, apply time limits the same way to everyone.
Keep complete minutes
Minutes must show the members present and absent, all matters considered and all actions taken (25 O.S. § 312). City Suite turns meeting recordings into draft minutes for the clerk to review.
Put agendas, minutes and recordings online
Post every agenda, approved minutes and the meeting recording online. Residents should never have to file a records request to see what happened at a public meeting. Link them to The Paper Trail so they are easy to find.
Check every meeting
Run each agenda through the free checker before posting, and use the annual compliance checklist in City Suite.
Train every member
New and returning members should take the free Open Meeting Act course and earn a certificate. Trained officials appear on our honor roll.
General education, not legal advice. Citations refer to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, 25 O.S. §§ 301 through 314. Check the current statute text and your attorney for your situation.