OAR 199-050-0005: Definitions

The following definitions are provided for words or terms as they are used in ORS 192.610 to ORS 192.705 and as they are used in these rules: (1) “Communicate” means the act of a person expressing or transmitting information to another person through verbal, non-verbal, written, or electronic means. Non-verbal means include gestures, such as thumbs-up and thumbs-down, as well as sign language. (2) “Communication” means the expression or transmission of information from one person to another through verbal, non-verbal, written, or electronic means. Non-verbal means include gestures, such as thumbs-up and thumbs-down, as well as sign language. (3) “Decision,” “deliberation,” “executive session,” “governing body,” “meeting,” and “public body” have the meaning given those terms in ORS 192.610. (4) “Decision-making process” means the process a governing body engages in to make a decision, such as: (a) identifying or selecting the nature of the decision to be made; (b) gathering information related to the decision to be made; (c) identifying and assessing alternatives; (d) weighing information; and (e) making a decision. (5) “Deliberate” means to engage in deliberations . (6) “Discussion” means the consideration or debate of a matter. (7) “Intermediary” means a person who is used to facilitate communications among members of a governing body about a matter subject to deliberation or decision by the governing body, by sharing information received from a member or members of the governing body with other members of the governing body. The term “intermediary” can include a member of the governing body . (8) “Public Meetings Law” means ORS 192.610 to 192.705. (9) “Quorum” means the minimum number of members of a governing body required to legally transact business. In the absence of a statute, ordinance, rule, charter, or other enactment specifically establishing the number of members constituting a quorum, a quorum is a majority of the voting members of the governing body. (10) “Serial electronic written communications” means a series of successive or sequential communications among members of a governing body using written electronic means, including emails, texts, social media, and other electronic applications that communicate the written word .