WashCOG hosts Open Government Town Hall in Bellingham
The Washington Coalition for Open Government is hosting an Open Government Town Hall on Sunday morning, Oct. 9, in recognition of the Coalition’s 20th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the state Public Disclosure Commission, which includes the Public Records Act.
Communications Facility, on south campus of Western Washington University
The role of civic education and journalism in a democracy is the topic of the workshop on the campus of Western Washington University. An info-fair featuring tables from participating organizations begins at 10 a.m.; the program starts at 10:30 a.m. and goes until approximately 2 p.m. It will take place in the Communications Facility, Room 115.
Erasmus Baxter and Asia Fields with WashCOG President Toby Nixon in 2018
The Town Hall features two sessions. The first is a presentation by Western alumni who will share their experience seeking public records from the university when reporting on sexual harassment on campus for their student publications. Asia Fields and Erasmus Baxter received a Key Award from the Coalition in 2018 for their persistence and strong reporting.
George Erb
The second session is a panel discussion, “Informed citizens are engaged citizens,” addressing how open government and civic education strengthen democracy. Moderator is George Erb, a WWU instructor and WashCOG board member. Participants include representatives of the League of Women Voters, the Associated Students Office of Civic Engagement and the Munro Institute.
University parking is free on weekends in two lots near the south end of campus: 12A and the C lots, off West College Way. (Click here for a visitor parking map)
This is the first of several Open Government Town Hall events planned for college campuses around the state to raise awareness of government transparency issues. Initiative 276, which became the state Public Records Act, was enacted by a vote of the people in November 1972. WashCOG is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 2002. We are an independent, broad-based advocate for public records, open meetings and informed citizens.
