I’m John Wonderlich, program director at the Sunlight Foundation.
For this introductory post, I’d like to do two things: explain a bit about what I do, and explain what I’m doing here.
One: My job.
I work for the Sunlight Foundation, advocating for transparent government, and helping to create the tools that enable increased public access. Through the technological expertise of the Sunlight Labs, we build databases, Web sites and tools that make government information easier to program and easier to understand.
Since disclosure is ultimately government’s responsibility, we also work with Congress on transparency reforms. That’s where I come in. Part policy analyst, part lobbyist, part blogger, part director, I write at theopenhouseproject.com, and on the Sunlight Foundation blog, and try to keep as much of my work as public as possible.
I’ve spent the day today, for example, obtaining, helping process, and writing about the proposed bailout legislation, which we posted earlier today, and posted for public commentary about an hour ago. (It’s been a busy Sunday!)
Two: Why I’m here.
I chose to participate in this group blog because I want to cultivate my writing on advocacy. The government reform community often talks about “empowered citizens” or “civic engagement” as a sort of abstract end, and that’s great. There is, however, a very real world of professional advocates, organizers, and analysts, all representing constituencies, for better or worse. If our work can be relevant to the professional advocate, just like it’s relevant to the congressional staffer or the public citizen, then I think that means I’m doing my job.
I also have something of an unusual perspective on advocacy, since I’m a sort of meta-advocate, being both a traditional (registered) lobbyist while also trying to alter the structures of influence and advocacy. This dual role lets me engage with legislation, walk around reading CRS reports and legislation, while at the same time reading tech-blogs and pontificating about social media. To me, that’s the best of both worlds.
Nice to make your acquaintance. Transparency is a good thing but an even better thing is authenticity, a concept the Arthur Page Society in New York has recently studied and reported on. Based on its research, the Society indicates that transparency without authenticity may only be a smart way to look like you’re open when, in fact, you’re not. In any event, you might want to add authenticity to your discussions with clients so they have another approach to consider, especially when it comes to communications.