WashCOG Postpones 2021 Sunshine Awards Event

Dear Friends and Supporters of WashCOG,

After much reflection, we decided out of an abundance of caution to POSTPONE the Sunshine Breakfast and Awards Program until March of 2022.

We have all been eagerly anticipating our 2021 Sunshine Breakfast and Awards program at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 17. But as the excitement continued to build, so, unfortunately did COVID cases in our state. As that happened, we worked on mitigation measures we thought would keep our guests safe. The state is under a mandatory mask order and we talked about adding tables and moving guests to increase social distancing. We were also planning to have all the windows open in the event space. But in the past two weeks, we watched as COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in Washington kept spiking. In the end, we felt it was better to be safe than sorry and to postpone this event.

But here is the good news: 2022 is the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Coalition and March 18, 2022 falls during Sunshine Week so we have the perfect opportunity to promote this event and celebrate in style. We have a great venue. We have a great program. We have great heroes of transparency to honor. We have sponsors and we have great support for the event. We just need to wait a few more months before we feel it is safe to gather in person once again to celebrate open and honest government.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our guests but we are confident this is the very best way to go forward in these uncertain times as we look to keep everyone safe and healthy during an ongoing global pandemic. In the coming months, we will be talking about this event and raising the level of excitement once again as we look forward to a healthier and safer Spring event.

Thank you and we will see you in March.

Juli Bunting, Executive Director
Washington Coalition for Open Government