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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2019
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| 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm |
Concurrent Sessions |
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Sandbox Dilemma: Can Campaign Finance Disclosure Regulation and Social Media Play Well Together?
Moderator:
Brendan Fischer, Director of Federal Reform, Campaign Legal Center, @brendan_fischer
Panelist:
Jared DeMarinis, Director, Division of Candidacy and Campaign Finance, Maryland State Board of Elections, @jareddemarinis
Jordan Lieberman, General Manager, Politics and Public Affairs, a4 Media, @jslieberman
Richard Miadich, Chair, California Fair Political Practices Commission, @CA_FPPC
State regulators are paving new roads of regulating online campaign advertising. Private sector digital advertisers must comply with regulations that are still being created, interpreted and enforced. Can these two factions get along in the social media sandbox? Weigh in on recent advancements – and problems – in campaign finance and evaluate the perspectives of both the regulator and the regulated. The challenges of online campaign advertising aren’t going anywhere, so let’s jump into the sandbox together and figure it out!
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Campaign Finance
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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The Winter of Our Discontent: Do Ethics Still Matter in the Current Climate?
Moderator:
Delaney Marsco, Legal Counsel for Ethics, Campaign Legal Center, @delaneymarsco
Panelist:
Wesley D. Bizzell, Senior Assistant General Counsel and Managing Director of Political Law & Ethics Programs, Altria Client Services, @wesleydbizzell
Viki Harrison, Director of State Operations, Common Cause, @vikieharrison
Ashley Kemp, Executive Director, Oklahoma Ethics Commission, @ashleyk2515
We are in the midst of a cold, dark winter with the relevance and efficacy of ethics laws being put to the test. It’s almost as if John Steinbeck was predicting where we would be in 2019. Clearly, though, there is strong public support for ethics, as demonstrated by the recent initiatives passed in New Mexico and North Dakota creating independent ethics commissions.
In this frosty season of ethics resistance, how can the COGEL community navigate the threat of eroding ethical norms and the public’s call for greater accountability? This not-to-be-missed session will examine some of the big picture questions ethicists are grappling with in this moment and explore where we go from here.
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Ethics
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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“Speak the Truth, but Leave Immediately After:” The Art of Speaking on Your Feet!
Workshop Facilitators:
Greg Schneider, Information Systems Director, National Institute on Money in State Politics, @schneiderlorax
Susan Willeke, Education & Communications Manager, Ohio Ethics Commission, @OHEthics
Would you like to think better on your feet? React quickly to the unexpected?Improve critical thinking skills? Practice "on your feet" response-time?If so, this is the perfect session for you!Let’s face it: we live in an unscripted world. We can rehearse in front of a camera until the cows come home for that new training, for an upcoming keynote speech or for that budget meeting before the legislature. But the minute there's another person involved, the script goes out the window. If we want to make an impression, we have to be able to think on our feet, hurl ourselves into the moment and improvise.
How?Some people are simply naturals (think of the beloved late Robin Williams); for the rest of us, it takes hard work and practice.Luckily, COGEL is offering an interactive, hands-on, everyone-participates session of learning and fun!If you want an innovative, practical, “try it yourself” experience, then don’t miss out – this is the session that people will be talking about for the whole conference!
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Professional Development
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Los Angeles/ Miami/Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Hey Advice-Givers: It’s Game Time!
Moderator:
Betsy Byers, Business Services Director, Missouri Ethics Commission, @moethics
Panelists:
Michelle Renaud, Senior Advisor, Policy and Outreach, Ontario Office of the Integrity Commissioner, @_renaud_m
Richard Superfine, Legal Counsel, Chicago Board of Ethics, @ChicagoEthicsBd
Have you ever listened to “call-in” shows that purportedly provide legal advice?The on-air conversations are often quick-fire, live and highly entertaining. Actual “advice-givers,” however, know that it isn’t always that easy to rapidly narrow down a conversation, identify the issue and then appropriately advise. Here’s an opportunity for you to step up your game!
If you are charged with the responsibility of rendering advice under your agency’s jurisdiction, come network with fellow “advice-givers” who understand the challenges you face every day. Enhance your advice-giving skills through engaging exchanges as you learn new strategies, techniques and tips! Game on, advice-givers!
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Multi-Disciplinary
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4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Same Objective, Different Perspectives: Balancing Compliance and Enforcement
Moderator:
Daniel Cho, Assistant Executive Director for Candidate Guidance and Policy, New York City Campaign Finance Board, @danielmcho @NYCCFB
Panelists:
Dave Bainbridge, General Counsel, Fair Political Practices Commission, @CA_FPPC
Darrin Lim, Partner, Politicom Law, @darrinesq
Melanie Rushworth, Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Canada, @CIEC_CCIE |@CCIE_CIEC
Requirements, mandates and directives… oh my! We hear a lot about government oversight and in fact, it often receives negative press. But imagine an environment in which government does not enforce the rule of law; scary, isn’t it?Is the answer strict enforcement, then, or are we too often overlooking compliance programs instead? Or is there a balance to be struck between the two?
This riveting session will tackle these very issues and ponder how agencies, stakeholders and the regulated community may wrap their arms around these same “aches and pains” and uncover creative solutions. You might even be surprised to discover that different stakeholders with distinct agendas can still share similar views on the challenge of compliance vs. enforcement.
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Enforcement
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Chicago E
5th Floor
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Innovation Showcase: Highlights in Technology Advances!
Workshop Moderators:
Greg Schneider, Information Systems Director, National Institute on Money in State Politics, @schneiderlorax
Liz Ziegler, Executive Director, Missouri Ethics Commission, @moethics
The Technology and Training Breakout Session is an opportunity for COGEL member governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations that support the mission of COGEL to share their advances in technology and training with the COGEL community. If you are doing something innovative and exciting, we want to hear from you!
Participants will present a quick (5 minute) overview of their technology and training projects to all attendees. After presentations, there will be a half hour breakout session for participants to demo their innovative tools directly.
The goal of this Breakout Session is to exchange ideas and to provide the spark of creativity for those starting down the path of technology and training innovation.
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Multi-Disciplinary
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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To Build a Better Ballot: Designing Ballots and Forms to Encourage Fewer Administrative Errors and Better Electoral Accessibility
Moderator:
Charles Porter, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Operations, Elections BC, @ElectionsBC
Panelists:
Dana Chisnell, Co-Executive Director, Centre for Civic Design, @danachis, @civicdesign
Kammi Foote, Inyo County Clerk/Recorder & Registrar of Voters, @InyoElections
Nancy Southcott, Director, Electoral Operations, Elections BC, @ElectionsBC
Better ballots? Sign us up! But how? Don’t miss this exciting conversation with the Centre for Civic Design and other colleagues in election administration about designing more effective ballots in your jurisdiction! Tackle the exciting challenge of applying research, usability testing, plain language and best practices in accessibility and design to reduce administrative errors and improve voter accessibility.
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Elections
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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The Chicago Way: Is Chicago the “Most Theatrically Corrupt American City?”
Moderator:
Alisa Kaplan, J.D., PhD., Policy Director, Reform4Ilinois, @Reform4Illinois, @alisakaplan3
Panelists:
Paul Dailing, Freelance Writer, 1001 Chicago, @luigiDNapla
Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian of the City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, City of Chicago, @ChicagoDCASE
Bill Savage, Ph.D., Professor of English, Northwestern University, @RogersParkMan
Broadcaster and Pulitzer prize-winning author Studs Terkel once quipped that Chicago is “not the most corrupt American city, but the most ‘theatrically corrupt’ American city.”Join this lively discussion regarding Chicago’s unique (and sometimes unfortunate) past, including the history of reform movements, the prospects for political reform and Chicago’s lessons for the rest of us. Hear various perspectives from a cultural historian, a literary scholar, a former alderman-turned-political-science-professor and an outreach director from one of Chicago’s many “goo-goo” organizations.Come find out why this fascinating city’s history is as spicy as the pepperoni on a deep-dish Chicago pizza!
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Multi-Disciplinary
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019
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7:30 am - 8:30 am
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Breakfast & Table Topics
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Chicago D-E
5th Floor
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Conference Kick-Off & Opening Plenary Session
Kick-Off Remarks:
Amy McKeever Toman, COGEL President; Deputy City Attorney, City of Tallahassee
Susan Willeke,Conference Co-Chair; Education & Communications Manager, Ohio Ethics Commission, @OHEthics
Jennie Skelton, Conference Co-Chair; Partner, Politicom Law LLP
Featured Plenary Speaker:
Steven "Mac" Heller, Executive Producer, “Rigged: The Voter Suppression Handbook” @Riggedthefilm
Strategic Voter Disenfranchisement: Demanding a Change
“Voter suppression is wrong, and it’s real.” So says Mac Heller, the Executive Producer of “Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook, a new film from American Issues Initiative. This startling and even frightening documentary reveals the dark decades-long strategy to disenfranchise targeted segments of America’s voters.
This ground-breaking film follows the recent trajectory of voter suppression in the United States and even outlines concerted, well-funded efforts to try to deny voters the right to vote and maintain power. These tactics include purging voter rolls, strict voter photo ID laws and “cracking and packing” (gerrymandering) congressional districts to consolidate power for one group and break up power for another.
This riveting opening plenary session will be a powerful way to kick off COGEL 2019 as we examine whether our democracy is in peril. Join this essential conversation on ensuring that right to vote will not be undermined and that faith in our democratic institutions is restored. As Mr. Heller boldly notes, “Voters should choose their politicians; politicians should not be choosing their voters.”
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10:25 am - 11:55 am
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Concurrent Sessions |
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Campaign Finance Update I: The “Must Know” Litigation Developments
Moderator:
Jason Kaune, Partner, Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP, @NMGOVLAW
Panelists:
Adam Barnes, Manager, Investigations, Elections British Columbia, @ElectionsBC
Kevin Deeley, Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel's Litigation Division, Federal Election Commission, @FEC
Megan McAllen, Senior Legal Counsel, Appellate Litigation, Campaign Legal Center, @meganmcallen
A highly informative discussion of major court developments in campaign finance in the U.S. and Canada led by campaign finance experts and practitioners. You won’t want to miss this session! This popular session will explore high-profile enforcement actions, cutting edge challenges to campaign finance laws and emerging trends at the local, state, provincial and federal levels.
This participative session encourages dialogue among the attending agencies involved in significant litigation that could impact other jurisdictions. Don’t miss your chance to pick up the popular COGEL Blue Book, which compiles information provided by COGEL members!
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Campaign Finance
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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Ethics Update I: Advice, Legislation, Litigation & Enforcement Updates
Co-Moderators:
Steve Berlin, Executive Director, City of Chicago Board of Ethics, @ChicagoEthicsBd
Paul Nick, Executive Director, Ohio Ethics Commission, @paulincolumbus
The ever-popular Ethics Update is in such demand that it is divided into two sessions to provide ample time to explore new happenings in the field of ethics and conflicts of interest! Ethics Update I centers on recent advisory opinions and enforcement efforts. In addition, the co-moderators lead a robust conversation regarding legislation and litigation updates in the previous year. This in-depth conversation is based on survey results from the annual COGEL Bluebook Update. Your experiences, voices and insights matter at this session, so come prepared to share!
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Ethics
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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The Wide World of FOI and Sports
Co-Moderators:
Justin Gordon, Division Chief, Texas Office of Attorney General, @TXAG
Lisa Thornton, Public Records Officer, Office of Public Records, University of Oregon, @uoregon
America’s favorite past-time, a celebration of discipline, the creator of champions…sports is an integral part of our culture, isn’t it? And believe it or not, FOI’s influence on sports cannot be underestimated. FOI shines a light on many issues in this “arena,” including public incentive money for sports facilities, criminal investigations involving athletes and coaches and the inner workings of public college athletic programs.
If you thought FOI meant simply fulfilling public records requests, think again! This team of panelists will show up, suit up and huddle up to shed light on FOI’s fascinating impact on the world of sports.Play ball!
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FOI
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Clark
4th Floor
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Vote by Mail: Lessons from the Trenches
Moderator:
Yvonne Koehn, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for Corporate Services, Elections British Columbia, @ElectionsBC
Panelists:
Jim Allen, Communications Director, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, @chicagoelections
Anton Boegman, Chief Electoral Officer, British Columbia, @ElectionsBC
Amber McReynolds, Executive Director, National Vote at Home Institute, @voteathome , @AmberMcReynolds
Peg Perl, Principal, Democracy TNG, LLC, @Peg_Perl
Jeopardy Answer: postal strikes, staffing plans, package design and paper supply.
Jeopardy Question: What keeps vote-by-mail administration interesting?
Seasoned elections administrators would surely get this Final Jeopardy question correct! But what would you do in these situations? Run, do not walk, to this gripping panel where you will hear about recent innovations, unexpected wins and the unique challenges of vote-by-mail events from those with recent experiences to share. Bring your questions, bring your stories and most of all, bring your desire to learn new ways to solve voting-by-mail challenges.
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Elections
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Against the Wind: How to Promote and Protect Good Law when Legislators like the Status Quo
Moderator:
Catie Kelley, Senior Director, Policy & Strategic Partnerships, Campaign Legal Center, @HinckleyKelley
Panelists:
Melinda Bush, Illinois State Senator, 31st Senate District, @SenatorBush
Virlindia Doss, former Executive Director, Florida Commission on Ethics
Shannon Kief, Legal Program Director, Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission
In 1980, Bob Seger warbled about “breaking all of the rules that would bend and began to find myself searching for shelter again and again.” This famed American singer-songwriter isn’t the only one who has run against the wind, though. Even in the face of public support for campaign finance and ethics law restrictions, enacting and protecting effective laws is uniquely challenging since the lawmakers are also the regulated community.
How can legislative inertia be overcome to make necessary changes? Can public agencies effectively “push back” on efforts to weaken good law? What compelling arguments can be made to the very legislators who may benefit from inert laws? Join us for a candid discussion on the art of talking to legislators about laws that govern them.You’ll leave musing (as Bob Seger did) on “what to leave in, what to leave out” of effective ethics and campaign finance laws.
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Multi-Disciplinary |
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12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Chicago D-E
5th Floor
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Plenary Luncheon
Welcome Remarks:
The Honorable Lori Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago, @chicagosmayor
British Columbia Legislative Spending Scandal: A Moment that Changed Everything
Featured Speaker:
The Honorable Darryl Plecas, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, British Columbia
Lavish foreign trips, whale-watching voyages, expensive watches and business suits and crates of fine wine. Sounds like an episode of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” doesn’t it? This is no reality show, however – the allegations are very real.
In 2017, the newly appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Dr. Darryl Plecas, became concerned about financial irregularities involving two senior administrators of the B.C. Legislature, the House Clerk and the Sergeant-at-Arms. Stories of purchases including art, expensive luggage and even a wood-splitter and trailer valued at $13,000 – all billed back to the Legislative Assembly – circulated around the legislative offices.He also heard concerns regarding questionable retirement and pay benefits as well as major and costly changes to severance and wage payments to the two officials.
Sounding the alarm on these alleged misdeeds, however, cost him dearly. Friends, allies and media reports seemed to turn on him overnight.At this COGEL Plenary, hear the story from the man who continues to live it. Join us for a COGEL Plenary that will both appall and impress you, but most of all, will convince you that the B.C. Legislature will be forever changed.
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1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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#Woodsplitter: The Spending Scandal in British Columbia
Moderator:
Darrin Lim, Co-Founder, Politicom Law LLC, @darrinesq
Panelists:
The Honorable Darryl Plecas, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, British Columbia
Cathryn Motherwell, Director, Office of the Integrity Commissioner, Canada
A wood-splitter. Tech support for an iMac mouse that just needed its battery recharged. A subscription to Palm Springs Life magazine.
Those are a few examples of questionable expenses allegedly submitted by two of British Columbia’s top legislative officials, landing them at the center of a tremendous political controversy. In a sweeping 76-page report, B.C. House Speaker Darryl Plecas accused the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms of flagrant overspending and inappropriate payouts of cash "in the range of a million dollars.''
If you were riveted by the Plenary session that peered into the spending scandal that rocked the core of the British Columbia Legislature, don’t miss the equally compelling plenary spotlight! Walk the path of the ensuing legislative and media firestorm and study the shocking report that has launched numerous ongoing investigations including a federal criminal investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (similar to U.S. FBI). Hear one person’s relentless quest to expose wrongdoing and to institute greater oversight of the public purse.
Join this intense follow-up discussion to the plenary presentation for a more in-depth view of a scandal that rocked an entire Canadian province. Speaker Plecas will share the sordid details, the personal price paid by those involved, and the subsequent investigations and actions that will hopefully lead to greater accountability and transparency.
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Ethics
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Kicking the Tires of a National Privacy Policy
Moderator:
Bryan McHale, Public Integrity Compliance Supervisor, Philadelphia Board of Ethics, @PhillyEthicsBd
Panelists:
David S. Goodis, Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Ontario Information & Privacy Commissioner, @IPCinfoprivacy
Colleen Murphy, Executive Director and General Counsel, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
Debbie Reynolds, Founder, CEO and Chief Data Privacy Officer, Debbie Reynolds Consulting
Bianca Wylie, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation, @biancawylie
The privacy engine in the United States looks increasingly geared to do something.Whether due to Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, Amazon and HQ2 or Google and Smart Cities, there is pressure to develop some vehicle to address privacy concerns. A year into Europe’s GDPR implementation, U.S. states and municipalities are pursuing their own privacy initiatives: California has passed its own Consumer Privacy Act, other states are considering similar legislation and the FTC and tech companies are seeking national action that preempts this patchwork of state initiatives.
Should these initiatives include a definition of privacy and what definition would best support the public? What does this movement do to the need for open and transparent government? How could a more delineated privacy framework impact how government defines and manages public information? This panel explores where lies the balance between personal privacy vs. the private, corporate and government actions powered by data.
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FOI
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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User-Experience Design: Make the Public Experience the Best Experience
Moderator:
Greg Schneider, Information Systems Director, National Institute on Money in State Politics, @schneiderlorax
Panelists:
Jonella J. Culmer, User Experience Designer, Federal Election Commission, @FEC
Kristi Leach, Co-Captain, Code for Chicago, @Kristil
Are you charged with designing new technical tools? Are you looking for new design techniques that can be used to understand the needs of the public user? If so, then look no further than this hands–on workshop!
In this lively, fully participative session, experiment with techniques used by user design experts. From soliciting input, to evaluating feedback and even implementing technical designs optimized for a terrific user experience, come learn more than you thought possible in 90 minutes! The tools tackled in this workshop are useful for anyone involved in the aspects of website design and who want to enhance the user experience. Learn from the experts and then copy and paste into your brain; your web developer will love you for it!
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Multi-Disciplinary
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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FARA: It’s Not Just the (Misspelled) Name of a 1970s Actress
Moderator:
Wesley D. Bizzell, Senior Assistant General Counsel and Managing Director of Political Law & Ethics Programs, Altria Client Services, @wesleydbizzel
Panelists:
Rob Kelner, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP, @CovingtonLLP
Melissa L. Laurenza, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, @akin_gump
Brandon L. Van Grack, Chief, Foreign Agents Registration Act Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, @TheJusticeDept
FARA – the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) – has been in effect since 1938 (well before a different Farrah starred in the Six Million Dollar Man and Charlie’s Angels!), but it is now receiving renewed attention. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice has said that FARA enforcement is one of its newest priorities, and it has brought several high-profile lawsuits against individuals and entities for violating the statute’s provisions. At the same time, Congress is considering expanding the reach of FARA. Join an expert panel of FARA practitioners to understand what FARA is today and what the future may hold for this statute.
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Lobbying
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3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Babysitting? “Hush” Payments? Legal Expenses?The Appropriate (and Inappropriate) Uses of Campaign Funds
Moderator:
Paul S. Ryan, Common Cause, Vice President of Policy & Litigation, @ThePaulSRyan
Panelists:
Allen Dickerson, Legal Director, Institute for Free Speech
Shannon Kief, Legal Program Director, Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission
Amber Maltbie, Partner, NOSSAMAN LLP, @amberrose302
Can candidates use campaign funds to pay for childcare? If making a “hush” payment to keep someone quiet right before an election, must a candidate use campaign funds and report it? What legal test applies in your jurisdiction to separate permissible from impermissible uses of campaign funds? Does it matter whether the candidate is using a private donor’s money or public funds from a public financing system? In this session, examine legal rules and best practices with the best in the business. Come prepared to participate!
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Campaign Finance
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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The Mayor, the Brothel and the Watchdog: A Conversation about the Decline in Local Journalism and what that Means for Government, Corruption and Ethics
Moderator:
Mary Ellen Klas, Tallahassee Bureau Chief, Miami Herald, @MaryEllenKlas
Panelists:
Marie Dillon, Director of Policy, Better Government Association, @mariecdillon
Yosef Getachew, Media and Democracy Program Director, Common Cause, @ygetachew2
“EXTRA EXTRA! Read all about it!” It’s an undeniable fact that local journalism resources are declining across the country. Global financial changes and the advent of digital journalism have weakened newspaper revenue resulting in reduction in staffing as well as the ability to hold government accountable.
What does this growing void in watchdog reporting mean for local officials? When there is no one to report when elected officials do things right, there is also no one to break the story when they do wrong. Are public officials getting away with more? What are the consequences for ethics oversight? How is journalism adapting to these changes and what does the landscape look like for the future? Enter into to these conversations with our panel of current and former journalists and an ethics watchdog to determine whether the reduction of investigative reporting is actually a crisis of democracy.
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Ethics
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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Lobbying Update I: Exploring Federal Laws in the U.S. and Canada
Moderator:
Ken Gross, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, @SkaddenArps
Panelists:
Nancy Belanger, Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, @OCL_CAL
Dan Schwager, General Counsel, U.S. Office of the Secretary of the State
No COGEL Conference would be complete without this engaging and interactive discussion of key developments affecting lobbying disclosure requirements at the federal levels in Canada and the United States. You’ll find it all at this session: an invaluable review of significant trends in lobbying registration and reporting, a stimulating and timely discussion of federal lobbying circles in two countries and – of course – the indispensable COGEL 2019 Blue Book on Lobbying. The fascinating conversations don’t have to end at this session, though; don’t miss the Lobbying Update II on Tuesday morning, which focuses on provincial, state and local lobbying laws!
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Lobbying
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Clark
4th Floor
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Election Update: Developments, Judicial Decisions and the 2020 Election
Moderator:
Anton Boegman, Chief Electoral Officer of British Columbia, @ElectionsBC
Panelists:
Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Ontario, @ElectionsON
Wendy Underhill, Director, Elections & Redistricting Program, National Conference of State Legislatures, @NCSLorg
An indispensable update session if you are involved in or have a particular interest in elections! Learn about recent (and sometimes controversial) developments in election laws, court challenges, charges laid and judicial decisions in the U.S. and Canada in 2019. This panel also explores the continuing developments related to modernization, innovation, digital warfare and information integrity as we head into 2020 elections!
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Elections
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Social Media in Government: A Public Voice Workshop
Workshop Facilitators:
Alex Kipp, Director of Education & Engagement, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, @nyccoib
Laurie A. Wong-Nowinski, Associate Legal Counsel, Honolulu Ethics Commission, @HonEthicsComm
Many organizations have embraced social media as a way to….um…engage with…people? If this sounds like the elevator pitch for your current social media strategy, this session is for you!
Social media is a tool, like a typewriter, or a screwdriver. To use a screwdriver effectively, you need to know how to use it; perhaps even more importantly, you must have a project or goal for its use! This animated workshop will help you define your audiences and goals for social media and give you tools to create consistent audience engagement. Come build your social media voice in ways you didn’t know were possible!
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Multi-Disciplinary
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019
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7:30 am - 8:45 am
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Breakfast & Table Topics
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9:00 am - 10:00 am
Chicago D-E
5th Floor
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PLENARY SESSION
White Collar Criminal Defense in the 21st Century: Changing Tides of Enforcement?
Featured Plenary Speaker:
Abbe David Lowell, Partner, Winston & Strawn, LLP
A senator facing corruption charges, a son-in-law of the president facing allegations of using private email for White House business and other political figures in hot water all have something in common: their lawyer, Abbe Lowell. One of the country’s leading white-collar defense and trial attorneys, Mr. Lowell is a veteran of Washington’s scandal wars whose clientele has included President Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Best known as a fixture in Washington’s legal circles for his engagement in high-stakes criminal, civil and political disputes, Mr. Lowell will bring to COGEL his observations and insights from years of defending the political elite. How do criminal defense attorneys address the issue that some people believe certain clients to not be worthy of representation? In the face of public vilification, how should legal circles avoid the dangerous slope of allowing public opinion to determine the outcome of legal matters? How can COGEL professionals apply his lessons-learned in separating public opinion from the reality of facts in the law?
If you want a new perspective and a fresh insight from the “other side of the table,” it’s imperative that you attend this fascinating plenary. It’s the one that will stimulate conversation for the entire conference!
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10:15 am - 11:45 am
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Crypto-Currency and the Blockchain Explained
Moderator:
Sukhi K. Brar Supervising Attorney, Legal Division, California Fair Political Practices Commission, @SukhiBrarCA
Panelists:
Brian Forde, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute, @BrianForde
A discussion of what cryptocurrency is and how it works from an expert who taught a President! Our expert speaker served as the lead of the MIT research lab on cryptocurrency, as a Senior Tech advisor who addressed Bitcoin issues for the Obama White House and was a congressional candidate who accepted more than $300k in crypto for his Congressional run. You would be crypto-crazy to miss this session!
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Campaign Finance
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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What to do When the Rules Don’t Apply to Everyone
Moderator:
Michelle Renaud, Senior Advisor, Policy and Outreach, Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario, @_renaud_m
Panelists:
Patrick Ford, Senior Policy and Legislative Affairs Counsel, San Francisco Ethics Commission, @sfethics
Chad Gholizadeh, Assistant Counsel, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board, @CGholizadeh
Paul Nick, Executive Director, Ohio Ethics Commission; @paulincolumbus
“Do more with less!” A familiar slogan as governments strive to offer more services for fewer taxpayer dollars, often by retaining contractors or aligning with not-for-profit organizations to carry out government duties or activities. Such arrangements, though, can fall outside the traditional employer-employee work model or can lead to “donate-for-play” scenarios. This can also mean that ethics rules and guidelines, which are tied to the public employee, don’t apply to a contractor or the not-for-profit. And what about appointees or special advisors who agree to take a position in public service for $1 a year?
In this challenging and thought-provoking session, delve into how ethics agencies can ensure that those who fall outside of the rules accept and follow existing ethical frameworks. How can agencies focus their education and outreach to encourage ethical behavior even among those who are not bound by statute? Come share your experiences and gain new insights from those who have been there.
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Ethics
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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Lobbying Update II: Exploring State, Provincial and Local Lobbying Laws
Moderator:
Ken Gross, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, @SkaddenArps
Panelists:
Shane Creamer, Executive Director, City of Philadelphia Board of Ethics, @PhillyEthicsBd
Leeann Pelham, Executive Director, San Francisco Ethics Commission, @sfethics
Oline Twiss, Commissioner, Deputy Registrar, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, @olineTwiss
And the conversation continues! Join a continuation of the popular Lobbying Update I, with a special focus on developments at the state, provincial and local levels. Learn about what’s new for 2019 in investigations, increasing compliance reviews and the growth in lobbyist registries at the provincial and municipal level. You might want to wear your Oscar attire, too, as this session reveals which jurisdiction has received the 2019 “Gross Award!”
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Lobbying
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Investigations of Public Officials: How Much Should the Public Know?
Moderator:
Sherry Liang, Assistant Commissioner, Tribunal Services, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, @sherryliangg
Panelists:
Stacie Christensen, Director, Information Policy Analysis Division, Minnesota Department of Administration, @ADMN_Minnesota
Allison Knight, Senior Director of Investigations, Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada, @OIC_CI_Canada
Matt Topic, Attorney, Loevy & Loevy, @LoevyAndLoevy
An ousted mayor. A disgraced Congress member. An arrested governor. We’ve all witnessed allegations of misconduct by high-ranking public officials or political representatives, which led to an investigation. When it’s all been “said and done,” though, does the public have a right to access the investigative report? What do the FOIA laws say in the U.S. and Canada? Does it make a difference whether the person is a salaried public official or a politician? And ultimately, does the public’s right to know supersede individual privacy? Investigate these issues and many more as this panel debates what public and private interests are at stake when it comes to investigations and FOI.
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FOI
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Clark
4th Floor
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Foreign Interest in Elections. What is Happening? Why is it Happening? What Can We Do About It?
Moderator:
Adav Noti, Senior Director of Trial Litigation & Chief of Staff, Campaign Legal Center, @AdavNoti
Panelists:
Mylène Gigou, Director of Investigations, Commissioner of Canada Elections
Christopher E. “Chris” Piper, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Elections, @vaELECT
Saleela Salahuddin, Cybersecurity Policy Lead, Facebook
Foreign intrusion into elections poses an enormous risk to democratic legitimacy, but not every form of “foreign interference” is cast from the same mold. The modes of intrusion often lumped together under the foreign interference umbrella – such as hacking election machinery, tampering with voter databases, running covert information operations and disseminating illegally obtained information – vary widely in their likelihood, detectability and potential damage. This session will separate the hype from the reality; distinguishing the complex and varied interferences that present threats to legitimacy and highlighting strategies being implemented to mitigate the risks.
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Elections
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1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Campaign Finance Update II: Exploring Legislative and Regulatory Trends
Moderator:
Darrin Lim, Partner, Politicom Law LLP, @darrinesq
Panelists:
Austin Graham, Campaign Legal Center, Legal Counsel, State and Local Reform Program, @CampaignLegal
Neven F. Stipanovic, Federal Election Commission, Acting Associate General Counsel, @FEC
Josee Villeneuve, Elections Canada, Senior Director, Political Financing, @ElectionsCan_E
What are the latest trends, innovations and highlights in campaign finance legislation and regulation? This always-popular and exceptionally interactive discussion analyzes the hot issues and challenges in the U.S. and Canada, including foreign money, money laundering, disclosure and third-party spending. The detailed COGEL Blue Book: Legislative and Regulatory Campaign Finance Update will be available for you to pick up, peruse and analyze with COGEL colleagues.
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Campaign Finance
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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The King of Frauds: Conversation with Washington Post Wire Services Editor Bob Mitchell
Moderator:
Madeleine Doubek, Executive Director, CHANGE Illinois, @mdoubek, @CHANGEIL
Panelists:
Robert B. Mitchell, Editor, Washington Post News Services and author, Congress and the King of Frauds (Edinborough Press, 2018)
In 1873, the Credit Mobilier scandal rocked Washington, ruining reputations, contributing to massive defeats in congressional elections and validating public anxieties about political corruption and concentrated economic power. Few other political scandals have been so consequential in the United States.
Acclaimed author and Washington Post Wire Services Editor Robert Mitchell probed this historic scandal and its lasting effects over politics in his 2018 book Congress and King of Frauds: Corruption and the Credit Mobilier Scandal at the Dawn of the Gilded Age. This year, COGEL will dive deep with the author into his in-depth exploration of this scandal. His compelling, in-depth narrative of the first great modern American political scandal will leave you breathless as you hear this tale of corruption in Congress, excessive corporate power and sensational hearings on Capitol Hill that may sound eerily familiar!
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Ethics
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Freedom of Information (FOI) Legislation and Litigation Update
Co - Moderators:
David S. Goodis, Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner, Ontario, Canada, @IPCinfoprivacy
Harry Hammitt, Editor/Publisher, Access Reports
Paula Pearlman, Staff Attorney, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
This moderated discussion explores legislative and litigation developments from the past year involving freedom of information. After a comprehensive report on everything FOI, an animated dialogue encourages attendees to exchange information and insights from their own jurisdictions concerning government access. At every COGEL conference, this session remains an invaluable one for those with responsibility over FOI and open records issues!
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FOI
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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The Tale of Whistleblowers
Moderator:
Michael Kanovitz, Partner, Loevy & Loevy LLC, @LoevyAndLoevy
Panelists:
Pamela Lopez, Partner, K Street Consulting LLC, @kstcapital
The Honorable Darryl Plecas, Speaker, British Columbus Legislature
“I just couldn’t stay silent any longer.” Those who blow the whistle on government wrongdoing can be believed or doubted, encouraged or ostracized and celebrated or disdained. What is the political and professional fallout for calling to light illegal behaviors in government? Is the price of doing the right thing too high?
Come walk in the shoes of two whistleblowers who wrestled with these very questions. California lobbyist Pamela Lopez’ allegation of sexual harassment against a former California Assemblyman led to his resignation and an enhanced discourse in the Sacramento state assembly regarding a much-needed change of culture. The conversation continues with Monday’s plenary speaker Darryl Plecas, British Columbia House Speaker. You’ve already heard Speaker Plecas’ public story of uncovering the malfeasance of legislative senior staff. Now hear the personal side: the toll on his legislative efforts, his professional relationships and even his family. These stories will be hard to hear, but the importance of these stories being told cannot be overstated.
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Multi-Disciplinary
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Clark
4th Floor
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Just the Facts, Ma’am: Asking the Right Questions to Give Good Advice
Moderator:
Saundra Arberry, Executive Director for the Conflict of Interest Commissioner and the Deputy Registrar of Lobbyists, Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Saskatchewan
Panelists:
Sukhi Brar, Supervising Commission Counsel, Fair Political Practices Commission, California, @sBrarCA
Caroline Klancke, Senior Attorney, Florida Commission on Ethics
When public servants ask a question about their compliance with the rules, how carefully is that query crafted to get the answer they want? Does your jurisdiction answer what’s asked, or do you engage in a deeper exploration of the issue? Analyze with us real-life scenarios of requests for ethical advice, using a workshop approach to get the best question and advice possible. Joe Friday told us we couldn’t “Dragnet” him away from this session!
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Professional Development
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3:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Chicago D-E
5th Floor
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PLENARY SESSION
Comptroller, Horse Lady and Crook: A Town Forever Changed - An EXCLUSIVE Screening of the Award-Winning Documentary “All the Queen’s Horses” followed by a Q&A with the Director & Producer Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope!
As city comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, Rita Crundwell stole $53 million of public funds across 20 years – making her the perpetrator of the largest case of municipal fraud in American history. She used the funds to build one of the nation's leading quarter horse breeding empires, all while forcing staff cuts, police budget slashing, and neglect of public infrastructure.
All the Queen’s Horses investigates Rita Crundwell’s crime, her lavish lifestyle and the small town she left in her wake.
Kelly Richmond Pope is an Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy and MIS at DePaul University in Chicago, IL and founder of Helios Digital Learning, Inc. Richmond Pope’s work and research across her academic and professional careers has centered around fraud, and her first educational documentary, Crossing the Line: Ordinary People Committing Extraordinary Crimes, has won numerous national education innovation awards. She was selected by the TED Ed team to develop a teaching lesson on “How People Rationalize Fraud” which can be found on the TED Ed website. Her TEDx talk “Why We Hate Whistle-blowers” discusses the whistle-blower dilemma and the need for whistle-blowers in fraud discovery.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019
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| 9:15 am - 10:30 am |
Concurrent Sessions |
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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#MeToo- Now What? Addressing Sexual Harassment Issues through Government Ethics
Moderator:
Wesley D. Bizzell, Senior Assistant General Counsel and Managing Director of Political Law & Ethics Programs, Altria Client Services, @wesleydbizzell
Panelists:
Judith Marrs, Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Human Resources
Adrienne Olson, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, @AdieOlson
Jamillah Bowman Williams, Associate Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, @GeorgetownLaw
As the #MeToo movement has shown, sexual harassment is pervasive throughout our society, and it often occurs in the very buildings that symbolize democracy and justice. Across the country, female legislators, lobbyists and government employees are coming forward with horrifying accounts of sexual harassment. At the same, much harassment within capitols, city halls and other government buildings goes unreported, especially when powerful government officials are the perpetrators.
Join this highly relevant panel to learn about the severity of sexual harassment within government and to discuss recent and current proposals designed to combat this persistent problem, as well as the challenges faced in setting truly effective and enforceable standards for conduct among government officials and employees, lobbyists and candidates.
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Ethics
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Chicago F-H
5th Floor
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One Day a Campaign Staffer; the Next a Lobbyist. Is It All “Too Cozy?”
Moderator:
Beth A. Rotman, Common Cause, Director of Money in Politics and Ethics, @BethRotman
Panelists:
Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission, @sea_elections
Craig Holman, Ph.D, Government Affairs Lobbyist, Public Citizen, @CBHolman
LeeAnn Pelham, Executive Director, San Francisco Ethics Commission, @sfethics
Is there a conflict of interest when campaign managers and consultants help candidates win elections and become public officials and then lobby the same people they helped elect? Is there a threat of undue influence or even corruption? This panel highlights some of the rich and different ways states, cities and the federal government address the “changing roles” or “switching hats” dilemma and launches a conversation about legal standards and best practices in the face of often high obstacles.
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Lobbying
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Freedom of Information Roundtable
Co-Moderators:
Tom Hennick, Public Information Officer, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
Mary Schwind, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
Wrap up your conference experience with a lively and wide-ranging discussion about emerging government access issues. Join your colleagues from all COGEL disciplines in this roundtable discussion into the challenges, emerging issues and best practices of freedom of information and how best to make government open and transparent.
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FOI
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Clark
4th Floor
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Addressing Cyber Security Deficiencies: Illinois Case Study
Moderator:
Amy Kelly, Special Projects Manager, Illinois State Board of Elections, @illinoissbe
Panelists:
Adam Ford, CISO, Department of Innovation and Technology, @IllinoisDoIT
Rahul K. Patel, PhD, Elections Information Security Officer-Cook County, @CookCountyClerk and @ChicagoElection
Alana Sorrentino, Cyber Security Information Sharing Program Manager, SBE/STIC, @illinoissbe
After hackers penetrated Illinois’ statewide voter registration database prior to the 2016 U.S. election, the Illinois State Board of Elections was tasked with creating and implementing a program to support all 108 local election officials to “defend, detect, and recover” from cyberattacks. As a result, the Illinois State Board of Elections is spending nearly $7 million in federal funds to create and administer the Cyber Navigator Program which provides training, grants and risk assessments to all program participants. Cyber Navigators work directly with election officials to ensure the use of best practices and to assist in increasing cyber security posture prior to 2020.
If you are concerned that election systems remain alarmingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, make sure you get a seat at this important session. Hear from the trail-blazers who are taking important first steps toward improving the security of our election systems and ultimately protecting citizens’ faith in our democratic institutions.
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Elections
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Moving Training from Good to Great
Workshop Facilitator:
Alex Kipp, Director of Education & Engagement, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board - @nyccoib
“Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you – trippingly on the tongue.” Maybe Hamlet knew it all along: treating our mandatory government compliance classes more like a performance can go a long way in getting our audiences more engaged! To be sure, training classes in government compliance are different from theatrical performances, but if putting on our “producer” hats and playing with new methods makes dry content more relatable and bad venues more inviting, then we say, “The play’s the thing!”
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Multi-Disciplinary
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10:45 am - 12:00 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Chicago F-H
5th Floo
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Ethics Update II: Education, IT & Financial Disclosure
Co -Moderators:
Steve Berlin, Executive Director, City of Chicago Board of Ethics, @ChicagoEthicsBd
Paul Nick, Executive Director, Ohio Ethics Commission, @paulincolumbus
Because sometimes, one Ethics Update just isn’t enough! This “Part Two” session of the incredibly popular Ethics Update focuses on organizational and "political" challenges, education initiatives, information technology and financial disclosure. This is an interactive and dialogue-rich session, so come prepared to discuss changes in your own jurisdiction and learn about developments across North America!
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Ethics
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Chicago A-C
5th Floor
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Engaging Citizens to Follow the Money
Moderator:
Amanda Melillo, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, NYC Campaign Finance Board, @NYCCFB
Panelists:
Paul Clark, Disclosure Business Architect, Federal Election Commission, @FEC
Brian Katz, Director of Campaign Finance & Campaign Finance Counsel, Ohio Secretary of State, @franklarose
Pete Quist, Research Director, National Institute on Money in Politics, @MoneyInPolitics
If you want to know what’s going on in politics, the old adage is: “Follow the money.” For offices that regulate and track hundreds of millions of dollars flowing through federal and local politics, how can that most effectively be accomplished? You’ll be “all in” when this panel rolls out new tools that make it easier to access up-to-date campaign finance data. Hear real-life examples of ever-developing tools that citizens can and will want to use to follow who is funding campaigns. After attending this session, your new motto will be: “Show me the money!”
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Campaign Finance
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Denver/Houston/Kansas City
5th Floor
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Enforcement Update: Trends, Challenges and Charges in Enforcements and Investigations
Moderator:
Erin Lama, Partner, Politicom Law LLP
Panelists:
Sarah Hartry, Deputy General Counsel, Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, @OCPFReports
Charles Kitcher, Acting Associate General Counsel, Federal Election Commission, @FEC
Stephen Littlejohn, Inquiries and Investigations, Counsel, Office of the Toronto Lobbyist Registrar, @TO_LobbyistReg
This highly anticipated session examines the 2019 leading trends and emerging developments in investigations and enforcement actions across all the COGEL disciplines for all levels of government. Hear highlights from the COGEL Enforcement Survey and what enforcement trends you should expect to see in 2020. Most importantly, come and share what’s new with your agency in investigations and enforcements!
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Enforcement
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Los Angeles/Miami/ Scottsdale
5th Floor
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Hand-in-Hand: The Science of Hiring And Retention
Moderator:
Valissa Turner Howard, First Assistant Deputy Inspector General, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Guest Speaker:
Elena Valentine, CEO, Skill Scout, @_ElenaValentine
Jobs are dynamic, but our job postings and internal communications are often boring. The future of hiring and retention is creating an experience that immerses candidates and current employees in what the job is like and the myriad of career pathways they could take. Community organizer and visual story-teller Elena Valentine reveals why interactive video and behind-the-scenes media are the ways to make this happen.
Recently named “HR Superhero of the Year” by the DisruptHR Chicago community, Ms. Valentine provides data, examples and tangible tips around video storytelling creation that COGEL members can integrate into their current hiring and retention strategy. This important session reminds us that, at the end of the day, we rely on people, not strategies!
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Professional Development
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