Oversight Boot Camps

How was the boot camp?

• “Definitely exceeded expectations.”
• “Excellent mix of concrete tips & advice, and 50,000-foot lessons and advice about approach, philosophy, outlook, etc.  Both are essential.”
• “I appreciated the depth of expertise of the boot camp, the structure of the process, and the role-playing.”
• “Enjoyed meeting other oversight staffers.”
• “Such a great course. I particularly enjoyed the structure of walking through the process.”
• “The stories and real-life examples are what made the course come to life.”

How were the instructors?

• “I appreciated the depth of knowledge as well as their candor.”
• “[G]reat enthusiasm, excellent anecdotes.”
• “[V]ery bipartisan.”
• “They were very engaging and approachable and provided insights in a very practical way.  The recommendations for follow-up were incredibly helpful!”
• “Highly experienced, entertaining, also very good at simulating scenarios for us, made it all fun too!” 

How was the boot camp in promoting bipartisanship?

• “10 on a 10 – this is my biggest take-away.”
• “I appreciated the tips and insights into how to promote bipartisanship in investigations.”
• “Definitely inspired me to develop connections with colleagues from the other party.”
• “Made me want to be more bipartisan.”

How were the handouts?

• “Wonderful. I loved the way the investigation unfolded step by step.”
• “Excellent. I plan on keeping these at my desk for future reference.”
• Investigative plan handout: “Eye-opening, since we’ve never taken that approach on my committee.”
• Hearing plan handout: “Great thoughts on witnesses, media.”

How were the role-playing exercises?

• “[P]articularly useful exercise because the instructors can replicate the way the actual conversation goes.”
• “Excellent!  Good scenarios and situations.”
• “Really liked the exercises & role-playing. Sounded hokey at first, but it’s been really great.”

Boot Camp No. 1

• Aug. 11-12, 2015
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Steve Groves, Zack Schram
• Campers: 18
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 2

• Feb. 17-18, 2016
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Ray Shepherd, Margaret Daum
• Campers: 25
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 3

• July 27-28, 2016
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Katie Bailey, Andy Wright
• Campers:  26
• Location:  HOGR hearing room

Boot Camp No. 4

• Feb. 22-23, 2017        
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Mark Greenblatt, Mohammad Aslami
• Campers: 20
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 5

• May 31-June 1, 2017
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Andy Dockham, Andy Wright
• Campers:19
• Location: HOGR hearing room

Boot Camp No. 6

• Aug. 23-24, 2017
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Jim Secreto, Machalagh Carr
• Campers:19
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 7

• Feb. 21-22, 2018
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Chris Lucas, Portia Bamiduro
• Campers:20
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 8

• Aug. 22-23, 2018
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Jen Barblan, Jim Secreto
• Campers: 23
• Location: Energy & Commerce Hearing Room

Boot Camp No. 9

• Feb. 21-22, 2019
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Amanda Neely, Veronique Pluvoise
• Campers: 26
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 10

• Oct. 10-11, 2019
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Donald Sherman, Liam McKenna
• Campers: 24
• Location: HCOR hearing room

Boot Camp No. 11

• Feb. 20-21, 2020
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Pablo Carrillo, Peter Kenny
• Campers: 28
• Location: HSGAC hearing room

Boot Camp No. 12

• Feb. 18-19, 2021
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Justin Rood, Allison Murphy, DeLisa Ragsdale
• Campers: 18
• Location: Online using the Zoom platform

Boot Camp No. 13

• Aug 24-25, 2021
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Tim Stretton, Alan Kahn, Jonathan Skladany
• Campers: 27
• Location: online using Zoom platform

Boot Camp No. 14

• Feb 24-25, 2022
• Instructors: Elise Bean, Tim Stretton, Jen Gaspar, John Strom
• Campers: 25
• Location: online using Zoom platform
• Read POGO’s article about our 14th Boot Camp

Boot Camp No. 15

• Aug 17-18, 2022
• Instructors:  Elise Bean, Tim Stretton, Carol Wayman, Sang Yi
• Campers: 35
• Location:  106 Dirksen the first day; Zoom platform the second day

Boot Camp No. 16

• Feb. 22-23, 2023
• Instructors:  Elise Bean, Tim Stretton, Jen Gaspar, Lauren Stimpert
• Campers: 21
• Location: 2044 Rayburn House Office Building

Boot Camp No. 17

• Aug. 15-16, 2023
• Instructors: Tim Stretton, Andy Wright, Elliot Smith, Dave Rapallo
• Campers: 27
• Location: 902 Hart Senate Office Building

Boot Camp No. 18

• Feb. 21-22, 2024
• Instructors: Tim Stretton, Elise Bean, Jon Skladany, Arya Hariharan
• Campers: 24
• Location: 2044 Rayburn House Office Building

Boot Camp No. 19

• Aug. 21-22, 2024
• Instructors: Tim Stretton, Elise Bean, Kaity Wolfe, Dan Goshorn
• Campers: 33
• Location: 902 Hart Senate Office Building

• Read POGO’s article about our 14th Boot Camp
• “Elise Bean, Justin Rood appear on bipartisan podcast ‘Bipodisan'” Google Play (Sept. 14, 2018)
• “Elise Bean, Justin Rood appear on bipartisan podcast ‘Bipodisan'” Apple iTunes (Sept. 14, 2018)
• “This exclusive ‘boot camp’ for congressional staffers is trying to make America bipartisan again,” CNBC (Aug. 19, 2018)
• “Levin Center unveils new online tutorials,” Macomb County Legal News (July 31, 2017)
• “The Levin Legacy: Next-Gen Congressional Oversight,” Roll Call (June 6, 2017)
• “How to Master the Congressional Investigation,” Government Executive (August 18, 2015)
• “Carl Levin touts his Wayne State center for good governance,” Bridge (June 4, 2015)

Levin Center video series –  Online tutorials

POGO Biweekly Paper Trail newsletter with congressional oversight news (no charge)

POGO Free monthly sessions with bipartisan oversight training