Congressional Oversight Training Series
POGO's Congressional Oversight Training Series aims to educate Hill staffers and other people in the legislative branch about the oversight powers of Congress.
Designed for veterans and neophytes alike, the seminars feature a combination of hands-on training and exercises, case reviews, and lessons from some of the most accomplished current and former congressional oversight experts and practitioners. Though seminars are targeted towards personal staff, much of the skills and information shared during the seminar will be helpful to committee staff in their investigations.
For congressional staff only—not open to the public.
To register, email Ms. Danni Downing or call POGO's office at 202-347-1122.
Next seminar:
“Personal Offices
& Oversight: What You Can Do ”
Friday, November 18, 2011
For congressional and other legislative branch staff only
Lunch provided
In the Capitol Visitor Center—room number provided upon RSVP
Additional information:
The Art of Congressional Oversight: A User's Guide to Doing It Right
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POGO has developed a congressioanl oversight handbook as a solution to widespread concerns about the quality and quantity of oversight activities on the Hill. Practical, humorous, readable, the handbook is a treasure-trove of valuable information for congressional staffers, students, political scientists, and the public.
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Thoughts from COTS participants:
"Excellent discussion and great guest speakers. Very knowledgeable with good handouts."
"Real life situations and tips very helpful to new investigator."
"I like the fact that this is a series—that you continually remind staff of the need to do oversight. As opposed to one seminar at the beginning of the session which we promptly forget about in the rush of everything else we’ve got to do."
"It was too short!"
"Each session gives new ideas as to how oversight can be done – based on the firsthand experiences relayed by the panelist. It helps answer the question: 'Where do we start?'"
Media Coverage
- New book seeks to train Hill oversight watchdogs, by Max Cacas, Federal News Radio, August 12, 2009.
- Noteworthy New Publications, by Steven Aftergood, Secrecy News, October 30, 2009.
- Congressional staff members gather tips on oversight, by December 1, 2006.
