Past COGEL Connect Sessions

You're invited to a special Zoom meeting to reconnect after the inspiring experiences of the 2024 COGEL Annual Conference. From LA to Atlanta, we will reflect on key takeaways from 2024 and build excitement for what’s ahead in 2025.

The event will begin with a warm welcome from the 2025 COGEL President, Galena West, and the 2025 Program Committee Co-Chairs, Cathryn Motherwell and Patrick Llewellyn. After the welcome, join breakout sessions to engage with fellow members, share insights, and strengthen the collaborative spirit that defines our community. We look forward to seeing you there—and don’t forget to invite colleagues from your organization, especially those who are new or were unable to attend the conference!

We encourage cameras-on for this collaborative session.

Track: Training Track

You think you’ve got a great training program, but how do you know? Join this engaging session to explore ways to measure the quality and impact of your organization’s training. Come prepared to share your ideas and best practices and learn from others!

Track: Investigations & Enforcement Track

Kick off the Enforcement Track with an exciting virtual session where seasoned ethics professionals take you behind the scenes of real-life cases that tested the boundaries of good governance. From high-stakes investigations to unexpected ethical dilemmas, our experts will share their favorite case studies that highlight the complexities, challenges, and lessons learned in upholding integrity in government.

A candid discussion on the growing challenges facing election administrators, including changing levels of institutional trust, misinformation and disinformation, and election interference. In breakout sessions, participants will tackle the key question: What can we do about it?

Please note: This session was not recorded. Cameras-on encouraged; breakout rooms included.

Join us for an engaging discussion of U.S. and Canadian lobbying developments since the 2024 COGEL Conference, a preview of the 2025 Atlanta COGEL Conference, and an opportunity to connect with other COGEL members in networking breakout rooms.

Please note: This session was not recorded. Cameras-on encouraged; breakout rooms included.

This session introduces the basics of ranked choice voting (RCV) including a hands-on mock election to walk through the process. Then, a panel of experts will share how RCV has been implemented in their jurisdictions, what motivated the change, what makes their models unique, and the outcomes they saw.

Note: This is a 90-minute session.

Dr. Melodie Eichbauer is a professor of legal and medieval history. Her research demonstrates that the normative moral principles which govern the conduct of individuals, communities and professions are subject to debate, reflection, refinement and revision as new circumstances arise; and, that the exercise of power is what causes these principles to change.

In this discussion, Dr. Eichbauer draws on well-known historical case studies to show how ethics changed during periods of intense political conflict. These historical examples offer a window into the challenges faced currently.

Track: Training Track

Making your training accessible is about more than creating accommodations. Beyond accommodations, accessibility can and should be implemented across the entirety of every training. This presentation will focus on why thorough accessibility is important and provide an overview of ways accessibility can be applied to your future trainings.

Please note: This session was not recorded. Cameras-on encouraged; breakout rooms included.

The event will include a discussion of Ethics developments in the US and Canada since the 2024 conference and an opportunity to connect and share your updates with other COGEL members.

Please note: This session was not recorded. Cameras-on encouraged; breakout rooms included.

The February 2025 federal conviction of Michael Madigan, the longest-serving Speaker of the House in the Illinois General Assembly, for bribery and conspiracy, was seen as a watershed moment in the state’s colorful history. Can it lead to reforms? What might those reforms look like?

Please note: This session will be recorded. It will not be interactive.

Track: Investigations & Enforcement Track

When a matter lands on your desk, what happens next? This session will walk through the critical first steps of an investigation—from developing your plan and identifying key issues to gathering supporting information and determining who to interview.

Please note: This session will be recorded. It will not be interactive.

Track: Training Track

Begin at the COGEL Connect session: “Training Tracking! A Data Collection Conversation.” Join other training professionals to explore effective methods and tools for tracking attendance in training programs.

Please note: This session will be interactive. It will not be recorded.

CLE: Approved for 1 hour of CLE credit by the Idaho Bar Association (Course Number: 25-4443). Idaho has reciprocity with many other state bars.

This roundtable will engage COGEL members in conversations concerning two high profile recent developments regarding independent expenditures.

Recording: This session will be recorded. Please register to have the recording sent to you after the program.

Track: Investigations & Enforcement Track

After you’ve gathered your evidence, it’s time to make it all make sense! Join us for a discussion on best practices for writing clear & effective investigative reports.

Please note: This session will be recorded and not interactive.

Within days of his inauguration, the president removed officials at the Office of Government Ethics, Office of Special Counsel, offices of multiple independent inspectors general, and agency ethics officials. These watchdog agencies and positions were created as a part of ethics reforms at the federal level in the wake of Watergate.

COGEL has partnered with Campaign Legal Center for this critical discussion, which will include former officials with first-hand knowledge of the consequences of this dramatic shift in government ethics.

Please note: This session will be recorded.

Track: Training Track

Training units tend to be understaffed and underfunded, so even in the best of times and even with a training mandate, getting the word out can be a challenge. This rapid-fire session will provide practices and tips to get the most bang for your very small allotment of bucks by delivering better content and creating better relationships.

Please note: This session will have interactive breakout rooms and will NOT be recorded.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, guided by Atlanta Journal Constitution Journalist Greg Bluestein about election administration and voting rights in Georgia.

Please note: This session will be recorded and not interactive.

With just weeks to go until COGEL members meet in Atlanta, GA, join us for a sneak peek at the conference highlights. Members of the Program Committee will share the details of some of their favorite sessions, plus you’ll get a first look at some of the new features that will be introduced this year.

We encourage cameras-on for this collaborative session.

Join our post-2023 COGEL Conference Zoom meet-up! President Dan Cho and the 2024 Program Committee Co-Chairs Darrin Lim & Kristin Izumi-Nitao will kick it off as we re-engage with members, share thoughts, and build on our collaborative spirit. Let's foster connections and pave the way for a year of insights and growth. We will see you there and don’t forget to invite others from your organization who are new or may not have been able to make it to the conference!

COGEL members are well-versed in government ethics, lobbyists, elections, and campaign finance—topics that also frequently feature in journalistic reports. This panel discussion promises to be a fascinating discourse about the state of journalism and how it relates to the public trust. Our distinguished panelists will discuss the ethics of journalism, common dilemmas, the credibility of news media, the phenomenon of “fake news”, journalists privilege, “unidentified sources” and political spin. Gain valuable insights as our panelists share their firsthand experiences reporting on government corruption and local ethics cases, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of government ethics and ethical journalism.

Election administrators face a long list of challenges in 2024. These include potential cyberattacks from foreign agents, criminal ransomware gangs attacking computer systems, increased complexity in electoral processes, and the development of AI-fueled election-related disinformation and misinformation that has led to threats to election officials, and undermined public confidence. These challenges are present in both Canada and the U.S., however in the latter, these challenges have been exacerbated by partisan bickering, which has delayed federal funding and banned some previous partnerships that had been used to bridge financial gaps. Many jurisdictions have responded to this “Year of Challenges” by bringing forward new ideas and novel solutions. Join the roundtable to find out how your colleagues are addressing some of these challenges to ensure that our elections remain free and fair.

COGEL agencies are on a mission to develop training programs that are enlightening, successful, and efficient. While creativity may know no bounds, budgets certainly do. This COGEL CONNECT: Training Edition will explore designing training when funding is limited. What free resources exist? How can smaller staffs maximize their time and talent into creating a training that meets the learners’ needs but doesn’t break the bank. Join Michael O’Connell from the City of Detroit Board of Ethics and Mia Watson-Good from the County of San Diego for this interactive and enlightening COGEL Connect and walk away equipped with new information and resources at your fingertips!

In conjunction with the Brennan Center for Justice, this COGEL Connect program is open and FREE TO THE PUBLIC. It will be recorded.

In any system of public financing for campaigns, robust, accurate, and fair enforcement is necessary. This panel will discuss the policies and practices agencies use to get campaigns the public funds they are eligible for while protecting against misuse. Panelists will share firsthand experience with verifying candidate eligibility, assessing claims for funds, investigations, and audits. We will also discuss the crucial question of how to balance limited resources and the question of when enforcement is too much or too little?

The event will include a discussion of U.S. and Canadian lobbying developments since the 2023 COGEL conference, a preview of the 2024 Los Angeles COGEL conference, and an opportunity to connect with other COGEL members in networking breakout rooms.

Online training is here to stay, and your agency is onboard! But now what? Choosing the right online tools can be as intimidating as convincing your board to fund your training program in the first place. How to choose? What’s available? What are the pros and cons of each platform? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be – COGEL Connect: Training Edition is here to help! Join Rashee Raj and Asia Stewart-Mitchell of the Washington D.C. Board of Ethics & Governmental Accountability to explore these and many other questions to help you make confident online training choices.

This will be a roundtable discussion of freedom of information developments since the 2023 COGEL conference.

In conjunction with the Campaign Legal Center, this COGEL Connect program is open and FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

From routine exhibitions of a lack of decorum to serious allegations of corruption, the conduct of some American and Canadian legislators has led to members of the public to question the competence and effectiveness of not only these legislative bodies, but the system of democracy itself. Join Kedric Payne of the Campaign Legal Center (a COGEL member) as he moderates a discussion on legislative ethics with two keynote speakers: U.S. House of Representatives member Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Senator Brent Cotter, Senate of Canada (Saskatchewan). This distinguished plenary session will discuss whether these perceptions are deserved and what can be done to help increase the public’s trust and confidence in our systems. Speakers will draw on their own experiences and perspectives in this engaging COGEL Connect session. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared with questions.

The event will include a discussion of Ethics developments in the US and Canada since the 2023 conference and an opportunity to connect and share your updates with other COGEL members.

This event will cover campaign finance trends since the 2023 conference, with a focus on litigation and disclosure, in anticipation of the 2024 COGEL Conference in Los Angeles and with an opportunity to network with other COGEL members.

Yogi Berra once said, “You don't have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it'll go.” The concept of “timing is everything” is hardly limited to baseball, it’s equally applicable to the training provided by our agencies. Is training more effective proactively or reactively? Does frequency matter? How and when are learners more receptive? What about the in-person vs. online training battle? If you want to dive deep into the practical logistics of training, you won’t want to miss this COGEL Connect: Training Edition moderated by Anne-Sophie St-Gelais of the Quebec Ethics Commissioner. Hear and share training experiences that will make your agency’s training program stronger and even more effective.

As we prepare for our Annual Conference in Los Angeles in December, Dan Walters reminds us that even though California is constantly changing, its colorful history of corruption continues. He will touch on the history of 19th and early 20th century corruption, including the populist movement; Artie Samish's long reign over the California legislature; and more recent examples mostly involving small cities in Southern California. Dan argues that, in those cities, corruption has flourished due to a lack of media coverage and because marginalized populations of recent immigrants and the financially disadvantaged are more likely to be disengaged from local politics and more likely to become victims of entrenched local political machines.

You’ve yawned through it yourself, having you? The monotone speaker at a podium reciting statutory language with a power point loaded with thousands of small font words. Remember? Of course you don’t. Even if you remember the experience, you certainly don’t recall the information shared. And why? Because we don’t learn that way! Join panel members Susan Myers of the Oregon Ethics Commission, Cynthia Raulston of the Alabama Ethics Commission, and Camille Jobin-Davis of the Office of the New York State Comptroller to ensure that our training program never resembles a sleep aid! Dissect new ways to make your training delivery innovative and effective! What storytelling techniques can you learn? How to assemble case studies that pique the learner’s interest? What online tools can you use to your advantage? Don’t miss this COGEL Connect: Training Edition for a conversation that will get you excited about your training program again!

Excited for the Los Angeles COGEL Conference? If you're attending your first COGEL Conference or looking to meet new COGEL members, join us for this special Conference Preview where attendees will get to learn first-hand what to expect in December. It's an opportunity to ask all the questions everyone in the room has, like: What is COGEL? How to manage the conference schedule? How can COGEL benefit your professional life?

Being new in the room can be challenging, but we'll make sure you feel comfortable!

We encourage cameras-on for this collaborative session.