REAL CIRCUMSTANCES PRESENT.
OF COURSE, ONE FACTUAL ELEMENT THAT COULD ALTER DRASTICALLY THESE GENERAL OBSERVATIONS WOULD BE THE CASE WHERE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF A PUBLIC BODY SUBJECT TO THE ACT APPEAR PERSONALLY TOGETHER AT SOME FORUM PUT ON BY SOME THIRD PARTY, AND PROCEED TO DISCUSS PUBLIC BUSINESS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION IN THE COURSE OF THAT OTHER MEETING OR GATHERING. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS REPEATEDLY ADVISED THAT EVEN SOCIAL GATHERINGS CAN TRIGGER THE ACT'S TERMS, AND A PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE PUBLIC ENTITY, EVEN IF UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF A THIRD PARTY GROUP OF A PRIVATE NATURE, COULD TRIGGER THE ACT INTO PLAY.
I HOPE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS OF SOME ASSISTANCE TO YOU. PLEASE REALIZE THAT THE FACTUAL DEPENDENCY OF THIS RESPONSE HAS COMPELLED THIS OFFICE TO RESPOND IN THIS INFORMAL LETTER FORMAT, AND THE ADVICE TENDERED HEREIN IS NOT A FORMAL, BINDING OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ADVICE TENDERED BY THE AUTHOR SOLELY.
(MICHAEL SCOTT FERN)