BEGA is hosting Ethics Week 2020 "Ethics and Open Government in a Virtual World" from October 19-23, 2020. 

We have scheduled several virtual presentations that will provide employees with information on ethics, FOIA, and Open Meeting Act and how those rules apply in a virtual world. 

Here are the course offerings. All of the presentations with the exception of the Ask BEGA session are for District government employees and public charter school boards and staff only. 

Monday, October 19, 2020

11:00 – 11:15am

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Council Member Charles Allen

 

11:15 – 12:00pm

Ethics Updates

Learn about current happenings within the Office of Government Ethics including the office’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic plans for adapting to a virtual world.

Rochelle Ford, Acting Director of OGE Register here

 

2:00 – 3:00pm

Local Hatch Act Training

This training will cover the political activity restrictions and how the rules apply while working outside of the office.

Ashley Cooks, OGE Attorney Advisor Register here

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

11:00 – 12:00pm

Seeking and Negotiating Future Employment and Post-Employment

This presentation will provide insight on conflicts of interests involving potential employers and the requirements for recusal, as well as the post employment restrictions that apply after government service.

Rochelle Ford, Acting Director of OGE and Asia Stewart-Mitchell, OGE Attorney Advisor Register here

 

2:00 – 3:00pm

Outside Employment

Learn the rules regarding outside employment and activities, and how those restrictions apply while working remotely.

Sonya King, OGE Attorney Advisor Register here

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

10:00 – 11:00am

FOIA Advisory Opinions Hot Topics

This session will cover the Advisory Opinions issued by the Office of Open Government and provide an overview of OOG's interpretation of federal and D.C. FOIA law.

Johnnie Barton, OOG Chief Counsel Register here

 

12:00 – 1:00pm

Open Meetings Act Basic Training

This session will provide training for administrative points of contact for boards and commissions and provide instruction on the Open Meetings Act and Open Meetings Regulations.

Sheree DeBerry, OOG Attorney Advisor Register here

 

2:00 – 3:00pm

Social Media and FOIA

Open records laws are just starting to catch up to social media and this training will provide instruction on how to comply with FOIA and other transparency laws when the government is utilizing Social Media to conduct public business.

Niquelle Allen, OOG Director Register here

Thursday, October 22, 2020

10:00 – 11:00am

Social Media and Ethics

This presentation will provide information on how the ethics rules apply to employees’ social media activity.

Sonya King, OGE Attorney Advisor Register here

 

12:00 – 1:00pm

Investigative Session

This session will include information on where to file specific types of complaints, conducting investigations, and challenges that investigators face when conducting remote investigations.

Ronald Cook, Ralph Bradley, Ileana Corrales, BEGA Investigators

Jaime Wojdowski, OHR Enforcement Manager

John Cheek, DCHR Attorney Advisor

Devonte Peterson, Sexual Harassment Program Coordinator 

Bernadette Todd, OIG Assistant Inspector General 

Matthew Wilcoxson, OIG Deputy Inspector General Register here

2:00 – 3:00pm

Ethics Best Practices - Panel Discussion

Hear from Agency Ethics Counselors about their challenges and experiences of maintaining an ethical culture in a virtual world.

Ashley Cooks, OGE Attorney Advisor

Keysha Taylor, OCP General Counsel

Elaine Block, OAG Ethics Counsel

Glenn Dubin, DDOT Senior Attorney Advisor

John Cheek, DCHR Attorney Advisor Register here

Friday, October 23, 2020

11:00 – 12:00pm

Ask BEGA

Informational and Q&A session for District employees and the public about BEGA’s functions.

BEGA Staff Register here

 

2:00 – 3:00pm

Legal Ethics for Government Attorneys

This session is a fully accredited course that will provide training for government attorneys on the legal ethics rules.

Hope Todd, Director of Legal Ethics

Erika Stillabower, Senior Legal Ethics Counsel

Rashee Raj, BEGA General Counsel

Asia Stewart-Mitchell, OGE Attorney Advisor Register here