COFO Updates Governance Structures

This week, the Coalition of Federal Ombudsman dramatically revised its governing documents, which included an updated name. A redrafted Charter serves as the primary governing document of the organization and, for the first time, creates an Executive Committee Charter to more clearly delineate leadership roles and responsibilities in the coalition. As part of the update, COFO also changed its name to “Coalition of Federal Ombuds.”

COFO Announces 2020 Conference and New Officers

The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman will hold a virtual conference on Friday, October 16th, 2020. For the past several years, the annual event has been available for attendees in person or online, but coronavirus concerns have forced the change. Organizers are seeking more volunteers for the conference committee.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2019 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association convenes its 13th annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans on April 1-3, 2019. The three-day event will be familiar to anyone who has attended in recent years: the days start with keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. The full agenda with presenter bios is now available and registration is open.

Updated Website is Great Resource for U.S. Government Ombuds

The Coalilition of Federal Ombudsman has entirely overhauled its website. The result is a significant resource for members and other needing information about Ombuds programs in the federal sector. The new site offers an overview and history of federal Ombuds group, meeting information, links to relevant documents, and more. 

IOA Announces Agenda for Minneapolis Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has posted details of its 13th annual conference set for Minneapolis, April 21-23.  While the full agenda is not yet complete, most of the speakers and topics have been announced.  For the first time, conference organizers are trying to give attendees more information by indicating the level of experience and sector (industry) for each session.

Coalition of Federal Ombuds Announces Executive Officers

According to recently posted minutes from its meeting in February 2016, COFO has elected officers for 2016-18:

U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Publishes 2015 Ombuds Report

Scott Deyo, the NGA Ombudsman, reports that his office had a substantial increase in visitors for the fourth consecutive year: from 2011 to 2015, the annual number of cases increased from 100 to 803. In addition to qualitative and quantitative summaries about his visitors and cases, the report also details organizational changes that better aligned the office with IOA Standards.

IOA Opens Elections for 2016 Board

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the slate of candidates for Board of Directors with terms starting in April 2016. The election will fill three seats from a slate of four nominees. 

Federal Ombuds 2015 Conference Agenda Announced

The Coalition of Federal Ombuds has published the details of its 2015 annual conference, set for September 30, 2015 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, DC. The event will feature Howard Gadlin as keynote speaker and special guest Mary Rowe.

Ombuds at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Publishes Public Report

Scott Deyo, the Ombudsman for the NGA, has released a summary of his work for the 20014 fiscal year. Deyo reported that 443 visitors came to his office in the twelve months that ended September 30, 2014, a 68% increase from the prior year. The report also announced the expansion of the office with the appointment of Guy Weber, as Associate Ombudsman at NGA Campus West.

Coalition of Federal Ombudsman Elects Officers for 2014

CoFO has elected new officers.  Wendy Kamenshine (CFPB), Neal Cohen (CPSC), Craig Cabrera (TSA), and Virginia Behr (FDA/CDER) have all rotated off the board.  

Here are the new officers: