American Statistical Association Implements Ombuds Program for Members

The primary professional organization for statisticians in the U.S. has retained ProActive ReSolutions, to provide Ombuds services during its annual conference later this month in Vancover, BC. The Ombuds service is part of a new conduct policy that promotes, "a welcoming environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation."  ProActive ReSolutions is an international consulting company and the Ombuds working for ASA include Richard Hart, Ashley Moore, and Shirley Nakata (also the long-time Ombuds at the University of British Columbia). 

The ASA Ombuds will practice to the usual standards for Organizational Ombuds. A guide for conference attendees explains:

The ProActive Ombuds will keep all information you provide confidential unless the ProActive Ombuds assesses and finds an imminent risk to safety. Over the days of the Conference, the ProActive Ombuds will identify any trends and patterns arising from consultations and inquiries received; following the Conference, ProActive will report to the ASA on those trends and patterns in a completely anonymized manner.

(ASA Conference Conduct Policy; ASA Ombuds.) 

Related posts: Ombuds Year in Review: 2017 (Special Interest Groups Begin Appointing Ombuds to Protect Members); February 2018 ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Newsletter Features; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Endorses Ombuds for Higher Ed's Sexual Harassment Problem.