4-Hour Ethics Course

During 2013-2014, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation designed to grow the professionalism of Florida's public servants and foster transparency and public trust. This 4-hour video series is a must for anyone in public service. Staff members from the Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Commission on Ethics explain what is expected of those in public service at the state and local levels.

(Note: the “4-Hour Ethics Course” meets the Legislature’s mandate that Elected Officials must have two hours of Ethics Law, one hour of Sunshine Law and one hour of Public Records training annually.)

This 4-hour course meets the following requirements and provides a certificate of completion:

•     1 Hour Open Records
•     1 Hour Open Meetings
•     2 Hours Florida Ethics (Voting and Gift Laws)
  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

•     State and Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials
•     State and Local Government Staff Members
•     State and Local Government Attorneys

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

Open Meetings and Public Records (Presented by Pat Gleason)

A detailed review of Florida’s laws and policies concerning open meetings and public records, including what constitutes a public record and how to avoid violating open meetings laws. And explanation of the changes to the open meetings law, as well as implications, will be discussed.

Pat Gleason serves as Special Counsel for Open Government for Attorney General Pam Bondi. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, she was the Director of Cabinet Affairs and Special Counsel for Open Government for Governor Charlie Crist. She has also served as the Advocate (Prosecutor) for the Florida Ethics Commission and Chief of the Administrative Law Section in the Attorney General’s Office. She is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee. She is the editor of the Sunshine Manual and the Public Records Guide for Law Enforcement agencies.

Voting Conflicts (Presented by Grayden P. Schafer)

Overview of how members of collegial bodies should respond when presented with measures which affect them, their family, or their employers.

Grayden P. Schafer has been a Staff Attorney of the Florida Commission on Ethics since April 2013. Previously, Mr. Schafer served as a law clerk to the Florida First District Court of Appeal, as well as to the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department. Mr. Schafer is a member of the Florida and New York State Bars, and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. Schafer also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cedarville University.

Gift Laws (Presented by Virlindia Doss and Kerrie J. Stillman)

This session will address laws pertaining to gifts, honoraria, unauthorized compensation, and “expenditures” under the Executive Branch Lobbyist law.

Virlindia Doss is a graduate of Florida International University and Florida State University College of Law. After law school, she spent two years as Assistant General Counsel to the Florida Sheriffs Association, then joined the Attorney General’s Office. Virlindia spent 15 years at the AG’s office, 13 of them as Advocate to the Florida Commission on Ethics, prosecuting allegations of violation of the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees. She joined the staff of the Commission itself in November 2003, was made Deputy Executive Director in January 2007, and became Executive Director on October 1, 2011. Virlindia is an AV rated attorney and is Board Certified in the area of State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice.

Kerrie J. Stillman is the Director of Operations & Communications for the Commission on Ethics, having been with the Commission since 1992. She left the agency in 1998 and worked in the private sector doing public relations and marketing for a financial services company and a market research firm. Kerrie returned to the Commission in 2001. In her current role, she assists with the agency budget and legislative lobbying, oversees office efficiency initiatives, conducts training, and responds to general information inquiries from public officials, employees and the press about the Commission and the ethics laws. Kerrie is a graduate of Florida State University, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in communication.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

4-Hour Course Fee is $79.00

The registration fee covers all materials, 24/7 access to course videos for 45 days, and certificate of completion.

To register for the online video course, please fill out the information below and contact our office to pay over the phone via credit card (850-487-1870). Once payment is received, course access information will be emailed directly to you. You will have 45 days to complete the course or until 12/31/2018, whichever comes first. Access to the course is 24/7 during the 45 days and you may start and stop the course as needed. Once you complete the entire course, you will be able to print a certificate of completion.
 

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes, we offer bulk purchases for groups of 20 or more. If you would like to make a bulk purchase, please email Amy Brewer (abrewer@fsu.edu) or Dena Hurst (dhurst@iog.fsu.edu).

When is this course offered?

The course is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 45 days once you first open the course. We will email you access codes and instructions for you to use.

How many times can I log into the course?

As many times as you like, during the 45 days.

How much time should I budget to take the course?

4 hours; The course includes 5 videos that are roughly 30 minutes to an hour long plus 3 review activities.

How can I receive credits for the course?

The course earns credit from the Florida Bar Association, and the Florida Association of City Clerks awards 2 points for all 4 hours. The CGCIO program awards 4 professional development hours. In addition, most organizations will award credits for our class if you send them the information the organization requires to meet their credentials for continuing education credits.

How will I be able to access my certificate after the course?

Our new online classroom keeps a record of every class you take in the system. After you take one course, you will be able to access your course history on your personal profile. You may print your completed course certificates any time you need them.

Questions? Please contact us by phone at (850) 487-1870, or via e-mail at info@iog.fsu.edu.