The dozens of volunteer members of Barrington’s board and commissions and every town department head will get a course in ethics and Rhode Island's public records and open meetings laws on Nov. 28.

The Local Government Workshop will run from 6 to 8:30 pm in the Barrington Public Library auditorium, said Town Councilor Cynthia Coyne, who is organizing the event. Outgoing Town Councilor Jeff Brenner will serve as moderator.

"We want to make sure that those who volunteer, in particular, get the training they need," Coyne said. "Those who serve need the tools to do the job so people get the open government they are entitled to."

For those 75 people who attended the previous government workshop in March of 2011, Coyne said, it will be very similar.

"But this will be a little more advanced," she said. "Last year was Government 101; this will be Government 201."

Assistant Attorney General Michael Field, who spoke in 2011, will brief everyone on the access to public records and open meetings laws.

"He will focus on the recent changes to the laws," Coyne said.

Assistant Solicitor Andrew Teitz, who also talked in 2011, will focus on Ethics Commission rules and some of the overlapping legal regulations.

"He will focus on how to run a fair public meeting efficiently and the free speech requirements to make that happen," Coyne said.

Invitations to the workshop went out this week, she said. About 75 people attended last year; a similar turnout is anticipated.