REPORT ON 2008 COGEL CONFERENCE

 The IEC's Chair, Nancy Friedman, and Executive Director, Jane Feldman, attended the 30th Annual COGEL (Council on Governmental Ethics Laws) Conference that was held Dec. 7-10, 2008 in Chicago.  COGEL is the preeminent organization of government ethics professionals.  Its annual conference is an invaluable opportunity for government ethics professionals to interact with their peers, discover first-hand their successes and innovations, obtain and nurture helpful contacts who have faced similar challenges, and learn about ongoing government reform efforts throughout the US and world.

This year's conference included attendees from Australia (3), Mexico (4), Canada (46), England (3), Scotland (2), and Kenya (1).  Thirty-five states and municipalities were represented, plus a contingent from Washington, DC.  Participants included 37 commissioners, 41 executive directors, and 126 "other staff," mostly counsels and trainers.  Numerous legislators and several lobbyists attended.  In addition, the Chair of the Federal Election Commission and one of its commissioners, one mayor, one secretary of state (Kentucky), one deputy secretary of state (Wyoming), two magazine editors, and a UN staffer attended.

Networking

 In addition to the sessions detailed below, there was ample opportunity for networking.  A welcome reception, awards banquet, and other meals offered the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other attendees.  Jane and I made sure to sit with different people each time in order to maximize that opportunity.  We returned to Colorado with numerous business cards and offers of advice, ideas and resources.

Sessions

December 8, 2008:

 The first plenary speaker was Prof. Paula Franzese of Seton Hall Law School and former Chair of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, who gave an inspiring introduction to the conference. 

 From 10:15-11:45 am, Jane and I both attended the Ethics Update, which consisted of a survey and discussion of developments and trends in ethics and conflicts of interest legislation, litigation and advisory issues within the past year. 

 From 11:45-1:30 pm, the second plenary speaker, Thomas P. Sullivan, former US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, spoke during lunch about  the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo bay and the legal and ethical issues involved.   

 From 1:45-3:15 pm, both Jane and I attended Educating Constituencies:  Cascade Training and Other Strategies, which discussed ways to effectively and creatively fulfill training and public education goals, with topics including on-line training and train-the-trainer methods.

 From 3:30-4:45 pm, Jane attended Personal Financial Disclosure, which examined sensible annual financial disclosure vs. overly intrusive disclosure.  I attended the Commissioner's Roundtable, which provided a forum to explore common leadership challenges.  Some of the more common issues raised involved staff direction, disinterested or hostile media, the need for independence, independent counsel, and avoiding decisions based upon party lines. 

 Following this last session was dinner "on your own," at which Jane and I joined the large group from Connecticut, comprised of commissioners, executive directors, counsels, and other staff from the Connecticut Office of State Ethics, the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission, and the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission.

December 9, 2008:

 Each table at breakfast was marked with a different topic.  Jane sat at the Executive Director's table, at which they shared common challenges and ideas.  I sat at the Agency Public Relations: Challenges and Strategies table.
 
 Following breakfast, the third plenary speaker, Ronald A. Gould, former Assistant Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, described his role in monitoring elections world-wide, and took the audience through several "election fiascos," especially a recent election in Scotland.

 From 10:15-11:45 am, Jane and I attended Electronic Agency Management - Tracking & Monitoring Agency Activity.  This panel reviewed electronic processes currently being employed by the NYC Campaign Finance Board and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance, that track filings, staff advice to the public, investigations, and other agency data to streamline agency efficiency and ensure that staff is providing accurate and consistent advice to the public.

 From 1:45-3:15 pm, I attended Impact of Non-Campaign Money on Public Officials, led by the President of the Center for Governmental Studies based in California.  This session explored ways in which money other than direct campaign contributions (such as office holder expenses, legal defense funds, PACs, inaugural committees, etc.) may influence public officials and their decision making.  Jane attended the Lobbying Update, which reviewed significant developments in legislation and litigation affecting lobbying registration, reporting and regulation in the US and Canada. 

 From 3:30-4:45 pm, I attended Message Management in the Real World, in which the panelists (including the Chief Communications Officer of the FEC) shared real-world strategies and experiences with message management, identifying constituencies and designing a strategy to communicate with each.  Jane attended Ethics Agency Organizational Structure, which examined different jurisdictional structures among commissions. 

December 10, 2008:

 Following the annual membership meeting of COGEL, Jane and I attended Drilling Down - Getting Local Agencies Off the Ground.  The panelists (from Philadelphia, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Connecticut) discussed getting local agencies started and dealing with limited resources.

 The 31st COGEL Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix from Dec. 6-9, 2009.  I highly recommend that as many commissioners as possible attend, budget permitting.  Most states had at least one or two commissioners present with some sending more (Hawaii sent 6; Florida sent 3: Pennsylvania sent 5).

Submitted by Nancy Friedman