September 27th, 2010

Government Executive asks: should the office be fun? POGO might not have an official “chief fun officer,” rock-climbing wall, or zip-line to the coffee shop down the street, but we’re no strangers to good times in the office.

As proof, the Watercooler offers these photos from last week’s taco lunch:

And sure, Red Bull might have a slide for employees in its London office—but do they have an eight-hole putt-putt golf course? (Remember, the Aquarium* is slanted so the ball hooks left.)

For more POGO fun, be sure to follow our “Overheard at POGO” Twitter feed.

— Bryan Rahija

*For the uninitiated , Aquarium is the name for the office that houses the POGO golf gear.

September 14th, 2010

The Watercooler just got an update from Anay Shah, who interned with POGO back in 2003:

Hi POGO Alums & Family,

It’s been quite a while but once you’ve been inducted, POGO rarely strays far from the heart. With the sad news of Beth, I began thinking about how much my time at POGO meant to me and the lifelong relationships I built. I was an Everett Intern with POGO back in 2003 and learned that work could be meaningful, interesting AND fun. As everyone on the Watercooler knows, POGO is quite a magical place.

After interning at POGO I graduated from Wesleyan University and went to work in international development for DAI and USAID. Last year I decided I needed to stop flying across the world writing strategies for multi-million dollar projects and get my hands dirty. I saw the limitations of donor-funded development and realized the power of the private sector to drive social change. With an interest in clean energy and a desire to learn about my heritage, I packed my bags for India.

I was fortunate to get a fellowship with D.light Design, a global social enterprise providing solar lighting solutions to people living without reliable access to electricity. Working for a startup and working to build a new brand and new concept (affordable solar power) to the hardest-to-reach (rural villages) and most price-sensitive customers in the world has been a roller coaster. I secretly came here looking for another POGO—where work is your passion and passion is your work. And providing light to unelectrified rural villages fits the bill. It’s an amazing mix of marketing, sales, distribution, education, and innovative business models—and I think we are making headway. For more on our challenge, see this new video by Seth Godin’s son:

The Double Bottom Line from Alex Godin on Vimeo.

By the way, saw that Omidyar Network is funding POGO—they have become our largest investor at D.light Design. Glad to see Omidyar is also supporting the best watchdogs ever!

Anay, in the back row with sunglasses, with his new friends:

September 10th, 2010

With Congress in recess, the Watercooler was finally able to catch up with and interview the intrepid Angela Canterbury, POGO’s first Director of Public Policy. Angela joined POGO earlier this summer, and has been busy on Capitol Hill and in the policy community working to advance POGO priorities on financial reform and the Gulf oil disaster response, as well as fighting for whistleblower rights and against government secrecy.

WC: Why POGO?

AC: I’ve long been a fan of POGO—the quality of investigations, the policy impact, and the facility with which POGO works with diverse stakeholders are all well-known in Washington. While at my previous organization, I had a wonderful experience working in coalition with Beth Daley and Danielle Brian on whistleblower protections. When Danielle approached me about the possibility of coming on board at POGO, I was thrilled!

WC: What’s the last great meal you had at a restaurant in the District?

AC: Just the other week! I had lunch with POGO pals at Oya—an extraordinary indulgence because it was Restaurant Week in DC!

WC: Which parts of your kids’ personalities do you enjoy/learn from most?

AC: Both of my kids are crack ups. Sophie’s got a great wit, and Charlie likes to goof. I’m learning a lot right now about tweenhood…anybody?  But I think the thing I’m most challenged with in parenting is trying to keep my kids grounded. We are really fortunate to live in a part of the planet that enjoys extraordinary privilege and indulgence, but I do not want to raise people who feel entitled.

WC: In your opinion, what are the biggest areas of the federal government in need of reform/oversight/transparency?

AC: The challenge is that all of the federal government needs reform/oversight/transparency. That’s why whistleblower protections, open government initiatives, and other systems for watchdogging, like the Inspector General system, are so important. Clearly, spending, conflicts of interests, and industry capture of regulators are systemic issues in need of reform. But the area of the federal government with the least amount of oversight is the intelligence community.

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September 7th, 2010

I wanted to let you know how touched we all are here at POGO by your recent outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and donations. Saturday’s service to celebrate the life of our colleague Beth Daley was very hard, and yet I think it was also a very nice and meaningful time. I was especially touched by the number of POGO alums and family who attended. While there were too many of you there to mention everyone, I did want to just highlight these folks in particular :

-Seth Morris, who left POGO in 2003, might have had the oldest connection of the POGO alums.

-Kevin Phelps, who practically lives in Pennsylvania, probably drove the farthest of the alums.

-Lisa Driskill was a consultant with us for just a short period of time several years ago, so she probably had the briefest connection with POGO.

-Marthena Cowart brought ham and biscuits—even with a great caterer, they were one of the favorite food items.

-And then there’s Eric Miller and his wife Susan, who stayed until 8:30 and were a big help in cleaning up.

-Michael Smallberg stayed and cleaned ’til the very end, but that’s almost expected, because that guy’s a saint.  He’s also still on staff.   (You know if you help clean up your going to get a special shout-out.)

This is new territory for POGO so I don’t know what the future will bring. The last two weeks . . . last six weeks-have been extremely difficult for us. As someone at the memorial service said, “There will be a new normal,” and POGO will have to adjust to that new normal.

Thank you again for all your support and love,
Keith Rutter

Below is a look at the tribute card that was distributed at the event (click to enlarge). Other helpful links:

• A Tribute to Beth Daley
• Beth Daley Memories and stories
• The Beth Daley Memorial Impact Fund
  

August 23rd, 2010

Most people who know POGO know Beth Daley. For ten years, Beth played a vital role in all of our work. Beth was POGO’s first Director of Development and Director of Communication, helping to build a small non-profit into the institution it is today. She completed her career as the Director of Investigations. Everything that went out the door had her imprint.

Beth died in her sleep after a seven-year battle with breast cancer on Sunday, August 22, 2010. She is survived by her seven-and-a-half year old twin girls Ginger and Traci, of whom she was so proud, her husband Steve Holmer, mother and father Steve and Georganna Daley, sister and brother-in-law Gwen Daley and Brett Best, mother-in-law Terry Holmer, and sisters-in-law Chris Cofield and Kathy Holmer.

Beth’s soul will always be central to POGO. You can find more information about her work and impact here.

If you have any stories or memories you would like to share about Beth, we would encourage you to leave them in the comments below.

A celebration of Beth’s life will take place on Saturday September 4th at 122 Maryland Ave NE, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions to honor Beth’s life and work be made to the Project On Government Oversight. You may make a contribution in Beth’s honor here.

August 11th, 2010

POGO was able to accomplish a whole lot more this summer due to having three powerhouse interns in the office: Alex Bland, Jimmy Budnick, and Rick D’Amato. The POGO Watercooler took a few minutes to find out what the interns learned this summer, who is the best golfer, and what tips they have for future POGO interns.

Alex Bland

How much golf did you play in the POGO office this summer?

A lot, but only in the intern room.

I’ve heard stories about a POGO PGA tourney, and hope it comes to fruition.

What was your favorite experience at POGO this summer?

I was really happy that I was allowed to spend so much time researching and writing various things. Both of the other internships I’ve had involved a lot less actual work, and the work I did do was far less interesting than Area 51 and the other issues POGO deals with.

Where is your favorite place to eat in DC?

I found this little seedy diner “Lincoln’s Waffle Shop” around the corner that has great banana pancakes.

How has this internship shaped your future plans?

It solidified my government major. POGO showed me just how much work needs to be done to fix our government.

Jimmy Budnick

What was your favorite experience at POGO this summer?

My favorite experience was getting to see Danielle testify before Congress, especially at one of the MMS hearings where she was testifying right after the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. Also, Breakfast Day was a lot of fun—everyone was a lot more excited for the staff meeting since there were waffles.

How much golf did you play in the POGO office this summer?

Enough to know that I should stay in college and not try to go on the PGA tour.  A helpful hint for future interns is that the floor in the aquarium (the room where POGO interns set up shop) is slanted so the ball hooks left.

What surprised you at POGO?

I was really surprised by how laid back the office is. One day you could be in business attire because you’re going to a congressional hearing, and the next day you could be in flip flops and a polo. And it’s definitely easier to get work done when you’re comfortable.

What not-free DC activities did you like best?

Going to the congressional baseball game after work was a lot of fun.  The stadium was split with Democrats on the left and Republicans on the right, and it was amusing to watch all the old Congressmen try to play baseball.  Some of them were actually pretty good.

What advice would you give to a future POGO summer intern?

Take advantage of the city, especially if you’re not from the area.  DC is a relatively cheap city for tourists with free museums and a relatively cheap metro system, so get out there and see the city.

Rick D’Amato

How much golf did you play in the POGO office this summer?

Enough to become a POGO PGA champion as soon as Chris sets up the tournament.

What was your favorite experience at POGO this summer?

My favorite experiences have been going to a bill signing at the White House and going to POGO’s Muckraker Happy Hour and meeting so many interesting journalists, staffers, and non-profit workers.

What surprised you at POGO?

I was surprised by how everyone who works at POGO manages to be relaxed and fun while simultaneously being so passionate and dedicated in working toward good government. That combination really helps create an ideal work environment.

How has this internship shaped your future plans?

This internship has given me a greater appreciation of how government works, and in particular, given POGO’s nature, how much influence citizens really can have with enough teamwork, passion, motivation, and effort. Working at POGO has given me a firsthand look at how non-profits, Congress, and government agencies all work together to make changes that impact our world. The internship has inspired me to continue pursuing a career in government or public service in order to have a positive impact on my community, country, and world.

What advice would you give to a future POGO summer intern?

Take the initiative in asking for work, always say “yes” to projects (you’ll learn a lot and they’ll usually turn out to be interesting), and practice your putting game before you start your internship.

August 5th, 2010

Janet Su has been a POGO fellow since March of this year. While she will always be part of the POGO family, she is leaving us at the end of August to pursue a career in the medical field. The Watercooler sat down with Janet by the fountain across the street from POGO’s office to talk about her experience at POGO.

What were some of the projects you worked on at POGO?

I’ve had my hand in a little bit of everything here! I have worked on articles with our financial investigator covering the Small Business Lending Fund Bill and various other economic recovery related issues, I have helped send out press releases and maintain our media database, I’ve worked on the development side helping with donations and fundraising events, and I’m currently working on a promotion project for our Congressional Oversight Training Series (COTS) handbook.

Are there any government reforms or POGO recommendations that you feel strongly about and will continue to follow after you leave POGO?

Revolving door!

What was your most comical experience at POGO?

Oh man, I don’t think one day has gone by where I don’t find myself laughing about some occurrence in the quotidian life of POGO. The symphonic noises that the staff has come to appreciate from endless construction in and around the building. Adam’s rants. Keith’s snarky quips. The finger-pointing concerning dirty dishes in the sink. And of course it’s not a complete work day if at least one person hasn’t called the office inquiring about why their bonus points aren’t showing up on Bejeweled. [POGO is contacted several times a week by people who are looking for POGO Games, which can be found at pogo.COM.]

Describe POGO’s culture.

POGO is unlike any other place I’ve ever worked at. The environment is welcoming and relaxed. The staff at POGO does a wonderful job of fostering individual talents and interests in a way that benefits the organization. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and hardworking with a sense of humor. We bond over potluck breakfasts and make-your-own taco lunches while discussing the latest whistleblower story and whose FOIA request got denied that week.

If you could have a job at POGO, whose job would that be? Why?

I think our blog editor, Bryan, has a pretty sweet gig. He acts as the eyes, ears, and mouth of POGO to the virtual world of our online followers. He is immersed in everything from intelligence agency oversight to maintaining the ever amusing and insightful POGO Watercooler.

Where is your favorite place to eat in DC?

My favorite dine-in restaurant is a tie between Central and Oya. But I love a good cup of fro-zen-yo. [A pay-by-the-pound frozen yogurt shop is just across the street from the office, and is very popular with the POGO staff]

August 3rd, 2010

Looking for some reading material to accompany you on an August vacation? Why not consider some of the titles on the POGO summer reading list?

Believe it or not, POGO-nauts occasionally find time for literature outside the usual IG and GAO reports.  Here’s a look at what certain POGO staffers are reading (along with a description of the book in staffers’ own words):

Danni Downing, Editor:
Lindbergh, by A. Scott Berg
An in-depth biography of Charles Lindbergh. It’s a long book, but is fascinating and well-written.

Mandy Smithberger, Investigator:
Finally trucking through the Sonora Review. There’s a short story about a woman dealing with a guy who wants to live in a suitcase.

Adam Zagorin, Journalist in Residence:
The Girl Who Played with Fire / Flickan som lekte med elden, by Stieg Larson
Translated from Swedish—free-ranging crime saga set in Scandinavia.

Chris Pabon, Director of Development:
Currently reading the New Krypton Series by Geoff Johns — a story of what happens when a man of two worlds is forced to choose one, and do what he can to prevent instigators from both sides hell bent on harming each other.

Neil Gordon, Investigator:
The Humbling, by Philip Roth
A short novel (150 pages) about an aging actor who is going through a personal crisis because he has lost his chops. Roth’s recent books all deal with the ugly side of getting old. It’s kind of depressing, but they’re all great reads nonetheless.

New York, by Edward Rutherfurd
A massive novel (800 pages) that traces the history of several New York families from the 1600s to today. Lots of real history is interwoven throughout the story.

Abby Evans, Development Associate:
Vanishing Point: Not A Memoir, by Ander Monson
A collection of essays that serve as a meditation and exploration of the self that question and play with the definition of memoir.

Pam Rutter, Web Manager:
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson
Just started so still too early to tell what’s going on!

Angela Canterbury, Director of Public Policy:
Just picked up Little Bee (Chris Cleave), but don’t expect to read it until I hit the beach after recess.

Danielle Brian, Executive Director:
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
I’m only in the beginning so can’t tell you what it’s about yet. But it’s the first selection in my new book club of Alex, Emma and me. On a fun note—there was a passing reference to the women “looking like Smith women”—wondering what he meant by that!

Bryan Rahija, Blog Editor:
How We Decide, by Jonah Lehrer
A fun survey of the science behind human decision-making.

See also:  Read ‘em and Weep

Image by Flickr user Horia Varlan , used under Creative Commons License

July 29th, 2010

Last Friday, Ingrid, Peter, and I got to attend one of the first showings of Countdown to Zero, a documentary about the dangers of nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War era. The film uses interviews with experts on nuclear weapons and proliferation, street polls with citizens, and terrifying imagery and anecdotes to send a strong and controversial message: the only way to ensure safety from nuclear weapons is to wipe them off the face of the earth.

The movie functioned like an excellent piece of propaganda. A good portion of the movie was filled with clips of nuclear explosions, deaths, and widespread destruction put together in such a way as to scare the audience into believing the film’s message. Even with the drama, however, the film made some great points about the dangers and risks associated with nuclear weapons, particularly those from terrorists and other non-governmental groups or individuals that can easily get hold of the materials used to make bombs. One expert told a story about how someone literally walked through a gaping hole around a fence in a nuclear complex in Russia, broke into a toolshed, and stole several grams of uranium. Another talked about how nuclear weapons being transported in planes sometimes come loose and fall out, posing huge dangers to the unsuspecting people below it. This has happened several times, including once over South Carolina.

While I enjoyed the movie overall, my one problem with it was that it was very one-sided. It did a good job of emphasizing how dangerous nuclear weapons were; however, it would have been nice to hear an expert or two discussing the balance-of-power politics and other forces that make international cooperation on issues such as disarmament difficult. It also surprised me that, given the emphasis on how easy it was to steal Uranium, the film didn’t talk more about specific security problems at the labs and how to remedy them, as POGO has in its work on Los Alamos and other nuclear sites

After the movie, I had the chance to have a chat with Ingrid and Peter, who were able to give a lot more interesting background and depth to fill out the things I learned in the movie. To hear what they had to say, check out POGO’s latest podcast.

— Rick D’Amato

July 26th, 2010

“By 1996 there were more payday lenders than all the McDonald’s and Burger Kings in the land combined.”

Source: Ezra Klein