Public Meetings

Public meetings are gatherings organized to bring together diverse groups of stakeholders or the general public to share information, discuss issues, express opinions, and engage in dialogue about public matters or proposals. They serve as a platform for public participation and community engagement, allowing attendees to listen, talk, and collaborate on topics of common interest.

Key characteristics of public meetings include:

• They can vary widely in size and purpose, from simply providing information to building consensus or developing solutions.
• They are typically less formal than public hearings and do not require strict agendas, formal presentations, or official records of proceedings.
• Public meetings are designed to meet the specific needs of the project, agency, or stakeholders involved.
• They promote transparency and inclusiveness by allowing stakeholders to interact directly with each other and with public officials or agencies.
• They can be held in person or virtually and are open to anyone wishing to attend.

Legally, a public meeting often refers to the official convening of a public body (such as a government board or committee) to conduct public business, where a quorum is present, and the meeting is open for public observation to ensure transparency in governmental processes.

In summary, public meetings are established forums for open communication between public bodies and the community, aimed at fostering awareness, participation, and trust in public decision-making.

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Comparison with related terms:

Term	Description
Public Meeting	Open gathering for information sharing and discussion on various topics, less formal than hearings.
Public Hearing	A type of public meeting focused on receiving public comments or testimony on a specific proposal or project.
Executive Session	Closed meeting for limited purposes such as personnel or legal matters, not open to the public.

This distinction highlights that public meetings are broader and more flexible, while public hearings are more formal and issue-specific.