6. IOA Releases Three Important Studies -- In 2015, the professional association surveyed the compensation and practices of its members; valuable data to be sure. In May, IOA released the report on the structure and function of members' offices. In June, the compensation report was released, which included salary, bonus, and budget information. A more timely report came in April, when IOA released survey data from over 120 academic Ombuds showing their reporting duties under the Clery Act and Title IX. These are the kinds of studies that contribute significantly to the credibility of the Ombuds profession. Unfortunately, IOA still relies on the work of volunteers to do the work.
5. American Bar Association Passes Resolution in Support of Ombuds -- At its annual meeting in August, the ABA adopted a resolution that endorsed Ombuds programs that follow generally recognized standards of practice. This surely ranked some Ombuds: What right does one profession have to define another? Yet the ABA resolution was another important step toward recognition by lawyers, one of Ombuds' most potent adversaries.
4. IOA Video Promotes Ombuds as Resource for Sexual Harassment -- As the Weinstein Effect and #MeToo campaign crescendoed in December, IOA posted a video across its social media platforms explaining why organizations should have an Ombuds program to help surface cases of sexual misconduct. The video was conceived, produced, and released in about a week, a remarkable act of nimbleness from IOA. Moreover, IOA seemed to embrace social media as never before. Hopefully these are harbingers of anew mindset by the leadership.
Related posts: Ombuds Year in Review: 2017 (Intro); Ombuds Year in Review: 2017 (Part 1).
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