OPAA ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS TRAINING – 2024
Thursday, October 17th
Marriott Columbus Northwest
5605 Blazer Pkwy
Dublin, OH 43017

The OPAA Administrative Professionals training will be in a new venue this year, the Marriott Columbus Northwest! This year’s seminar will feature sessions on releasing public records; dealing with the media; using technology to make your work easier; and helping victims of sexual assault trust the legal process. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Download the full agenda and registration form here

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17TH 

8:00 – 9:00                   Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00                 Public Record, Open Meetings, and First Amendment Auditors
Public offices and officials across the nation are faced with increasing interactions with “Auditors” whether in the form of Public Record Auditors, Open Meetings Act Auditors, or First Amendment Auditors. These auditors attempt to locate blind spots and technical violations in record retention policies, record responses, open meetings act procedures, and when videotaping in public spaces. The following presentation will assist prosecutor staff in identifying these different types of auditors, assessing the potential claims that could arise out of these interactions, and the proactive measures that can be taken to lessen any impacts. This presentation will also cover the new and developing trends in Public Records and Open Meetings Act litigation across the state.
David C. Moser, Partner
Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff
New Albany       

10:00 – 10:15               Break

10:15 - 11:45               Feeding the News Media and Cultivating the Social Media: How Prosecutor Staff Members Can Advance the Work of the Office Ethically and Effectively
Mark Weaver, a long-time prosecutor, and media expert will review the best ways to deal with reporters and use social media tools to communicate the work of your office. Bring your device and get hands-on with some of the social media tactics.
Mark R. Weaver, Founder
Communications Counsel, Inc. and
Assistant Prosecutor, Marion County

11:45 – 12:45               Lunch

12:45 – 1:45                 Apps to Make Office Life Easier!
Think AI will take over your job? Seems unlikely, but it may make your job easier. Learn new tools and techniques you can implement today!
David Phillips, Prosecutor
Union County

1:45 - 2:00                   Break

2:00- 4:00                    Persuading Victims of Sexual Assault to Trust the Criminal Justice System
Bill Cosby victimized nearly sixty women and was convicted of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand and sentenced to prison. However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed his convictions indicating he could not be tried again. In this presentation we will discuss statistics indicating that victims of sexual assault do not report these crimes especially when alcohol and drugs are involved. We will review bias by law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and jurors and how the legal system has a history of protecting the predator and not the victims of sexual assault. Further, we will discuss why this occurs, how to prevent these miscarriages of justice and what steps we can take as prosecutor personnel to ensure that the legal system treats victims of sexual assault with dignity and respect.
Philip Bogdanoff
Retired Career Prosecutor

The OPAA member registration fee of $200.00 covers handout materials, continental breakfast, beverages, lunch, and break refreshments. Please submit registrations to OPAA by Monday, October 7, 2024. Cancellations received after October 7th will be assessed a total of $100.00. This will help to defray the cost of food guarantees required by that time. Non-member pricing is double the member prices shown above.
OPAA has requested approval from the Ohio Advocate Network (OAN) for victim-witness advocates to receive continuing education hours for this training.

OPAA has received approval from the Ohio State Bar Association Paralegal Certification Board for paralegals to receive continuing education hours for this training.

If you wish to arrive Wednesday evening, OPAA has blocked a few rooms at the Marriott Columbus Northwest. Reservations can be made online at: https://tinyurl.com/2uwpex5k or by calling either 800-228-9290 or 614-365-4500 and identifying yourself as being with “OPAA Training” group. The room rate is $169.00 which is subject to all applicable taxes. All rooms are King bed. The cutoff date for room reservations is September 25, 2024. All reservations need to be guaranteed by each individual with a credit card or advanced payment. To avoid cancellation charges, reservations should be cancelled by 11:59 PM 2-days (48 hours) prior to arrival. Guest check-in will be at 4:PM on arrival day and guest check-out at 11:AM on departure day. Any attendee wishing special consideration for late checkout should inquire at the front desk on the day of departure. Payment at the Marriott Columbus Northwest must be made with either an office check or office credit card to receive tax exempt status. If payment is made with personal check or personal credit card with the expectation of being reimbursed by your office, tax exemption cannot be claimed (state law). You can email your tax exemption form to Michael McCann at michael.mccann@marriott.com or fax to his attention at 614-336-4701. Please be sure your tax exemption certificate is received prior to arrival.

NOTE: If any registrant has special dietary needs, contact Delores at 614-221-1266 so that advance arrangements can be made. If the request can be handled by the hotel food service, there will not be a charge. However, if it is necessary to go to an outside source, there will be a charge, and the registrant will be notified in advance.