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COGEL Membership

Join the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)

Membership in COGEL is available exclusively to entities and individuals interested in the study, support, or enforcement of governmental ethics laws. Members gain access to a nationwide network of professionals, resources, and best practices in the field of ethics and accountability in government.

Membership Types

1. Governmental Members
For governmental entities responsible for administering or enforcing laws related to governmental ethics. Example: State or municipal ethics commissions.

2. Organizational Members
For non-governmental, non-educational entities that interact with, advise, study, or report on governmental ethics enforcement. Example: Nonprofits or research organizations focused on transparency or accountability.

3. Educational Members
For public or private educational institutions with an interest in governmental ethics. Example: Universities with ethics or public policy programs.

4. Individual Members
For former affiliates of COGEL member entities who are no longer employed by a member but continue to work with, advise, or study governmental ethics. Example: Retired ethics professionals or former commissioners.

Membership Structure

Each member entity must designate a Named Representative who:

  • Has the authority to vote on behalf of the entity at the Annual Meeting.

  • May designate a proxy for votes.

  • Receives invoices for annual dues.

Member Affiliates (Sub-accounts)

Individual officers and employees of member entities may become member affiliates, with access to:

  • Members-only resources on the COGEL website.

  • Opportunities to participate on committees, including the Board of Directors.

Membership Term & Dues

  • Annual Dues: $500

  • Membership Term: January 1 – December 31 (calendar year), regardless of when dues are paid.

Membership Benefits

We recently launched the COGEL Training library, a collaborative initiative where trainers share resources to enhance efficiency and impact. This library complements COGEL’s Connect series, which brings online education and expert panel discussions to our membership throughout the year. From discipline-focused roundtables to training solutions, we have you covered.

Private and open only to other COGEL members, online discussion groups and forums offer member support on general or specific law subjects. Posting or answering questions leverages the wealth of information of our membership body.

Whether your agency signs up one or one hundred people to attend the annual conference, each registered member of your agency will receive the member discounted price. Located in a different major city every year, the annual conference provides an opportunity for learning about the latest legal developments, sharing important tips and best practices with COGEL partners, and capturing new ideas to take back to your office. Around 500 participants attend each year! This is a unique opportunity to network and plug into the leading thinkers and actors in the fields of governmental ethics, elections, freedom of information, campaign finance, and lobbying law.

More than just a magazine, The Guardian provides updates on COGEL events, book reviews, and articles covering the most recent agency actions several times per year. COGEL Blue Books are annual compendia of legal updates in the fields of campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics. They are produced by COGEL members for COGEL members and are presented at the annual conference.

You have the capability of customizing and posting unlimited job openings that are vacant within your agency, and only searchable by COGEL members.

Members have exclusive access to our extensive membership directory that contains detailed information on commissions, agencies, boards, and offices responsible for the administration and regulation of governmental ethics throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, COGEL offers a list of members who are experts in their field who are open to receiving calls to discuss the issues you are facing. Altogether, COGEL supports you in your mission with the ability to network.

Many of the annual conference’s panels and year-round educational sessions qualify for continuing legal education (“CLE”) credits.

In addition to attending the annual conference and Connect events, COGEL offers members professional development opportunities. COGEL is member-led and relies upon its members to participate on administrative committees to develop programming, marketing and education initiatives, and to create content for publications. Establish yourself as a leader!

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