In 2009 the CEDP hosted the first California Ethics and Democracy Summit, with a second to follow in 2012.  The first Summit was a collaborative start for interested municipalities and Pioneer Cities to learn more about the practical elements of implementing good government and community outreach programs.  With time for both even and odd-year election cycles to incorporate these good ideas, a second Summit was held in 2012.  The California Ethics and Democracy Summit II was an opportunity for those who had completed exceptional programs to share with their peers what went well, areas of concern and general best practices gleaned on the topic.

Second California Ethics and Democracy Project Summit

Santa Clara, CA January 27, 2012: On January 27, 2012 the California Ethics and Democracy Project hosted the second summit continuing to promote ethics, good government and voter engagement programs. The second California Ethics Summit included 24 participants with different backgrounds as well as ideas.

“The purpose of the summit was to determine which practices have been successfully implemented since the first summit meeting in 2009 and which practices have not been successfully applied. This second summit provided a forum for cities to share knowledge acquired over the past three years. Several participants shared experiences and dilemmas they faced while serving as City Clerks providing beneficial solutions for other clerks facing similar issues.”       — Tom Shanks

The program consisted of Panel Discussions, three workshops and a total of seven presenters who taught skills, and fostered peer groups focused on the implementation of ethics, good government and community/voter outreach efforts. All of these sections maintained adherence to the specific character and budgetary constraints of each unique community.

The California Ethics & Democracy Project continues to utilize the uniquely unbiased nature of the City Clerk/ Elections Officials to continue to implement good government programs. The CEDP will provide tools through these unbiased officials for California voters to be more positively engaged in the democratic process.