Ombuds Year in Review: 2018 (Intro)

This is the ninth annual summary of the most important news items about Organizational Ombuds. (The first year of this feature was a ten-year recap of 2000-2009.) The list comes in three installments and concludes on December 27.  In the first week of January, readers will have the chance to vote on what they thought of the year. 

Before the list of top ten stories starts next week, here are some other notable items from 2018:

Clemson University Hires Ombuds for Staff

The public university in South Carolina has selected Allison Monyei as its next Ombuds for Staff. She starts August 1 and succeeds Tom Ward , who retired earlier this year. Most recently, she was recently an Associate Ombudsman at the Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products. Monyei will serve about 4,000 university employees and joins University Ombudsman for Faculty and Students, R. Gordon Halfacre.

Job Posting: Clemson University

The public university in South Carolina has opened a search for its next Ombuds for Staff. (Tom Ward has held the position since July 2006.) The Clemson Staff Ombuds serves about 4,000 employees and collaborates with the University Ombudsman for Faculty and Students, R. Gordon Halfacre and the Ombudsman Assistant, Glenda L. Dickson. It is a full-time position.

IOA Posts Agenda, Opens Registration for 2016 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association's eleventh annual meeting will take place April 10-13 at the Westin Seattle.  Here's an overview of this year's agenda:

IOA Opens Election for 2014 Board of Directors

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the slate of candidates for Board of Directors terms starting in April 2014. As it has in the past, the Ombuds Blog provides links to public information about the candidates to supplement the official ballot statements.

IOA Posts Agenda for 2014 Conference in Denver

Registration is now open for the International Ombudsman Association's Ninth Annual Conference at the Sheraton Denver Downtown April 4-9, 2014.  The priority registration closes on March 14 and the hotel group discount deadline is March 15.  

IOA Posts 2013 Conference Agenda, Opens Registration

Registration is now open for the Eighth Annual Conference of the International Ombudsman Association, April 19-24, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida. Special pricing is being offered for attendees who also register for a pre-conference professional development course. Priority registration closes on April 1.  

Here's an overview of the conference sessions:

IOA Opens Election for 2013 Board

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the slate for the 2012 Board of Directors election. As it has in the past, the Ombuds Blog provides links to public information about the candidates to supplement the official ballot statements.

IOA Course Focuses on Organizational Change and Conflict

The International Ombudsman Association has added a program to the trainings being offered in Baltimore next month.  A one-day course, "Organizational Change and Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities for the Ombudsperson" will be offered on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

Reposting: Public Invited to Comment on Proposed SEC Ombuds Office

Originally posted July 27, 2010.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is calling for public commentary on proposed regulatory initiatives under the Dodd-Frank Act, including the new Ombuds for the Office of the Investor Advocate. Members of the public can express their view by email or an online form.

FCO Training Will Feature a Wide Range of Ombuds Practices

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman has published the agenda for its first course on Ombuds fundamentals September 20 and 21, 2010. The two-day program for new and intermediate-level Classical Ombuds staff and complaint-handlers will feature nearly two dozen Canadian Ombuds. Many topics will be relevant to the practice of Ombuds in other fields.