|
Celebrating 50 Years of OGEC |
|
A Note from Staff
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission began in 1974 when over 70% of Oregon voters voted YES on Measure 14. In this issue of Ethics Matters, we revisit some milestone moments in Commission history.
Read on to learn more about OGEC's first 50 years - from the name change in the 90's, to the historic building that once housed staff, to the location of the first-ever OGEC training in 2008.
We at OGEC thank you for all that you do for the public bodies you serve - you make Oregon better, every day. We wish you a peaceful season! ~ OGEC Staff
|
|
A Thank You to Previous Commission Chairs
It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the Chairs that have led the Commission during our 50 years. Please join us in giving a big thank you to many of the Chairs who have helped guide the Commission:
|
|
|
Lewis Hampton
Gerry Thompson
Stan Bunn
Peter Bauer
David Friedly
Dewey Rand
Jolene Segel
Bill Hamilton
Tom Hartung
Rebecca Marshall
Christopher Pryor
Margaret Wright
Derek Johnson
Donald Dole
Thompson Faller
|
|
Timothy Bailey
Peter Gray
Mary McCauley Burrows
Ilo Bonyhadi
Don Reiling
Rachel Gerber
Tom Higashi
Katherine Tennyson
Alice Schlenker
Dave Moss
Ed Golobay
John Kopetski
Carl Visintainer
Judy Stiegler
Delna Jones
|
|
Charles Beggs
Kenneth Lewis
Larry Campbell
Ian Whitlock
Mary Kremer
Kenny Montoya
Chuck Tauman
Dan Golden
Alison Kean
Richard Burke
Nathan Sosa
Dan Mason
Amber Hollister
Shawn Lindsay
Dave Fiskum
|
|
The Impact of Watergate
While this newsletter is about us, we also want to recognize the development of ethics agencies and organizations throughout the country. Much like OGEC, these agencies were created shortly after the Watergate scandal in 1974. The scandal served as a bedrock for governmental transparency across the country. Since then, similar agencies have grown and continued to uphold their government ethics laws.
One such organization is the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL). COGEL began in December of 1974, when a group of newly formed federal and state ethics agencies gathered for a conference at the Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C. The Council of Government Ethics Laws supports government ethics agencies, such as OGEC, and has participants from various countries around the world.
50 years later, Oregon is 1 of 46 States, including the U.S territories of Puerto Rico and Guam, with an Ethics Commission. The jurisdiction of these Commissions varies, and can include government ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, freedom of information, and public meetings.
|
|
2024 COGEL Conference
Stephanie Heffner, our Curriculum & Training Coordinator, and Casey Fenstermaker, our Compliance & Enforcement Coordinator, recently attended the annual conference for the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL). This year's COGEL conference in Los Angeles celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary.
John Dean, former White House Counsel who served as a key witness during Watergate, spoke at the event regarding the importance of ethics in government. California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., spoke regarding the importance of public service and the right to vote. These were just two of many excellent speakers during the 4-day conference. The COGEL conference included various learning tracks on ethics, enforcement, training, lobby regulation, and campaign finance.
|
|
History of OGEC Since 1974
 OGEC has had a lot of milestones during its 50 years, including:
- 1974 - OGEC was established alongside Government Ethics Law (ORS Chapter 244) when over 70% of voters voted in favor of Measure 14.
- 1993 - The Oregon Legislature changed the agency's name to Government Standards and Practices Commission.
- 2007 - The Oregon Legislature changed the agency's name back to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
- 2008 - OGEC hosted its first training on Ethics Law for Jackson County.
- 2016 - The number of Commissioners was increased from 7 to 9.
- 2023 - With House Bill 5021A, House Bill 2805, and the addition of Public Meetings Law OGEC staff grew from 9 full-time employees to 15 full-time employees.
- 2024 - Ron Bersin, OGEC's longest serving Executive Director, retired and Susan Myers was hired as the new Executive Director.
|
|
Reminisce with Former Staff |
|
Thoughts from Ron and Virginia
Ron Bersin and Virginia Lutz shared their thoughts on the progress that OGEC has made, in honor of the 50th anniversary. Ron and Virginia spoke with our staff about their experiences working with OGEC.
Diane Gould Looks Back
Diane Gould, OGEC's Compliance & Education Coordinator until 2021, also worked as an Investigator before stepping into the Compliance & Education Coordinator role. Diane looks back fondly on her time with OGEC and has contributed her reminiscences for our special anniversary newsletter:
|
Virginia Lutz Tells It Like It Is
On Coworkers:
Every day was an adventure with challenges to overcome. It was not boring. There were always new things. Everyone had their own ownership of what their jobs were.
On OGEC's Future:
Be ready for change. Learn as much as possible about the entire process whenever you can because that just strengthens the team environment. Always look for ways to improve the process.
|
|
Training at OGEC Since 2008 |
|
|
While the Oregon Government Ethics Commission began in 1974, it wasn’t until 2007 that it was given the budget to add a trainer to the team with HB 2596. The legislation came from a work group in 2006 realizing that education was an important part of OGEC’s mission. They knew at least one trainer was needed to help educate public officials across the state. Since then, OGEC’s jurisdiction and training team has grown.
Most recently, the training team grew from two to five trainers, including our Curriculum & Training Coordinator. Two of the trainers were added to support OGEC’s jurisdiction expanding to include all of Public Meetings Law with HB 2805.
The addition of the Curriculum & Training Coordinator gives OGEC's training program a well-versed lead to provide direction for the growing department. Having a larger training team has enabled OGEC to train more public officials than ever before.
|
|
|
With Public Meetings Law training going live this fall and more webinar opportunities available, more and more public officials are being trained by OGEC! In fact, we've trained more than 15,000 people in 2024, which is great, considering there are about 260,000 public officials across the state.
So why not celebrate OGEC’s 50th by taking a training from our staff? We have monthly live webinars, in-person trainings, and an on-demand course via Workday. Whether you’re interested in Ethics Law, Lobby Law, or Public Meetings Law, we can guarantee you’ll learn something with OGEC!
|
|
Farewell to Commission Chair Lindsay
Chair Shawn Lindsay joined the Oregon Government Ethics Commission in 2019 and faithfully served in multiple, vital positions. He was an integral part of the agency’s growth and development. As chair, he encouraged participation in the Commission meetings, but also ensured that the meetings proceeded smoothly and efficiently.
While he will be sorely missed, we at OGEC know that whatever Chair Lindsay takes on next, he will do passionately, and he will achieve success. Thank you so much for your leadership and hard work, Chair Lindsay, and may you find great success in all of your future endeavors!
Farewell to Commissioner Newell
Commissioner Channa Newell served with OGEC for almost a year before resigning to take on a new position in the judicial department. We appreciate her incisive commentary and focus in meetings and we will miss her dearly. Thank you, Commissioner Newell, for the clarity and insight you brought to the Commission, and congratulations on your next endeavor!
|
|
Farewell to Investigator Walker
We would like to thank Monica Walker for all her hard work and service to OGEC as we wish her a happy retirement. Monica was a dedicated public official for over 30 years, with the last 6 years at OGEC!
|
Meet Investigator Gallaver
We are excited to welcome a new investigator to the OGEC team, Lian Gallaver! Lian played Division 1 soccer in college and has lived in Michigan, Texas, Colorado, and British Columbia.
|
|
 Customer Satisfaction Survey
Last chance to fill out OGEC's Customer Satisfaction Survey for 2024!
Give us feedback on your experience with OGEC. The survey can be taken anonymously and no Google account is needed to participate.
Thanks for giving your feedback and helping us better serve Oregon!
|
Strategic Plan Updates
As a part of OGEC’s Strategic Plan, we provide progress reports with the understanding that change takes time.
OGEC had three primary strategic goals:
-
Serve Oregonians by educating public officials on laws within OGEC’s jurisdiction.
-
Ensure OGEC resources are available, and used efficiently, effectively, and transparently.
-
Strive for excellence and be accountable to the public we serve.
This update in our newsletter attests to our dedication to our plan and lines up to our third goal of accountability. Our agency takes accountability very seriously. That's why it is embedded into our Strategic Plan, DEI Plan, and Affirmative Action Plan. This is also why we have annual Customer Satisfaction Surveys and Executive Director Reviews.
Additionally, OGEC implemented post-training surveys this year. These help us better gather feedback on our educational offerings.
|
|
Looking Back and Looking Forward
It is remarkable to look back at how OGEC began, and where it is now. The past 50 years have shown us that Oregonians' commitment to public transparency and accountability is unwavering.
As Executive Director, I look forward to where OGEC will go in the future. Our Commission recognizes the challenges that public officials face, and our staff are motivated to provide the education and training they need. OGEC is and will continue to be a resource for all public officials in Oregon.
~ Susan V. Myers, Executive Director
|
|
Become an OGEC Commissioner
Are you interested in government transparency? There are periodically Commission positions open and applications are kept on file for two years. Meetings occur about every six weeks. Information on previous and upcoming Commission meetings can be found on on our Meetings webpage.
No more than three of the members of the Commission may be from the same political party. Please make sure to state your political affiliation in your application.
For more information and to submit your application, click the "Apply Here" button to see the position description on Workday.
|
|
Upcoming Commission Meetings
• January 24, 2025
• March 7, 2025
• April 25, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
