Councilor Bender reports on League of Wisconsin Municipalities conference; emphasizes open-meeting rules and Robert’s Rules

Councilor Bender presented an 8-slide report to the Common Council on the League of Wisconsin Municipalities annual conference she attended and highlighted two recurring themes: compliance with open-meeting law and correct application of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Why it matters: Bender said the sessions emphasized that meetings with decision-making or fact-finding content need reasonable public access and notice; closed sessions require statutory authority and a recorded vote to reconvene in open session. She also summarized guidance on motions and votes under Robert’s Rules, urging members to follow formal procedures to avoid procedural errors.

Bender described sessions on leadership, community engagement and municipal awards, and noted that a workshop on staying out of trouble for elected officials received wide attendance. She reviewed practical points attendees raised, including the need to avoid walking quorums, to provide 24-hour meeting notices, and the formal steps required for motions, seconds, debate and votes. She said written ballots should be required for officer elections and reminded members that a “friendly amendment” is not a formal procedural device under Robert’s Rules.

Bender closed by saying the training was useful and that she would share notes with interested council members.