Also, get this, there is a nonprofit: The League of Technical Voters ... dedicated to motivating and assisting technical experts to improve lawmaking and governmental process. http://www.leagueoftechvoters.org/
Totally worth going to if you can make it.
Meet cool people who are dedicated to open government. It's a great location.
Any idea what skill level they want or is it just showing up and getting plugged into a team?