Virtual Speakers Program

Educators and parents looking for engaging online learning sessions during the current school closures should contact the Washington coalition for Open Government, now offering “Virtual Guest Speakers.” Through video conferencing, we will bring a speaker and/or panel discussion to you and your students for a lively, interactive session on topics such as transparency in the time of pandemic; transparency laws and media; and open government as a cornerstone of our democracy. We want to join “virtual classroom” educators all over Washington using innovative ways to expand our students’ knowledge of civics and government. This is our way of providing a meaningful supplement to assist the hard work of teachers and home educators.

Here are the basics:

• Your video conference will be set up through the WashCOG offices.

• Educators will be provided an invitation to forward to students.

• All lectures will include time for a question and answer session.

• This is a free service of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

List of Suggested Topics:

• How can we abide by the Open Public Meetings Act when meetings cannot be held in public?

• How can we have public meetings with social distancing?

• Why is open government so important?

• What does WashCOG do?

• Do reporters get access to information the public does not?

• Can reporters publish ANY information they get from public records?

To schedule a WashCOG virtual speaker, please contact Juli Bunting, executive director, at info@washingtoncog.org.