Podcast: NGO Ombuds on the Impact of Incorrect Assumptions

Brian Bloch, an experienced Ombuds was a guest this week on "Conflict Managed," a podcast hosted by Merry Brown, a workplace conflict restoration consultant and mediator. Bloch has been an Ombuds for over two decades and currently is the OMbuds for the Global Green Growth Institute, the World Central Kitchen, ISKCONResolve, and is co-Ombuds at Ashoka and NASA. 

NASA Retains Two Ombuds Consultants

Brian Bloch and Elaine Shaw, CO-OP, have been selected to provide consulting services for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ombuds program. Together, they will provide training, develop materials and reports, manage a case management system, creating/analyze surveys, and provide policy and procedure support to 25-30 mostly collateral duty Ombuds. Their work comes through a contract between NASA and the McCammon Group, an ADR service provider that has recently added a panel of Ombuds, based in Richmond, Virginia. (McCammon PR.)

IOA Posts Agenda for 2024 Annual Conference in Indianapolis

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 19th annual conference. Traditionally, the event takes place in April. This year, the event is set for March 18-20, 2024 at the Marriott Indy Place in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. 

IOA has also published details for the conference:

IOA Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2023 Conference

Organizational Ombuds will gather in Seattle for the International Ombuds Association 18th Annual Conference on April 3-5, 2023. This the first in-person conference since 2019. IOA cancelled the event in 2020 shortly after the outbreak of COVID and held virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. The theme considers the role of Ombuds and also hints at the changes in Ombuds practice: "Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict." Registration is now open and now the detailed agenda is available.

Coalition of Federal Ombudsman Posts Agenda and Registration for 2022 Conference

COFO has opened registration for is 2022 annual conference, “Practice in the Modern World,” which will be held (now only virtually) from 9 am – 5 pm EDT on Friday, October 14, 2022. As usual, the conference is free and open to all. The agenda is primarily aimed at federal Ombuds practitioners of all models, but includes information and sessions which may be of interest to Ombuds and ADR practitioners anywhere, as well as those interested in other fields.

The CO-OP Recertification Committee has preapproved the conference for a total of 4.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH). David Schwartz’s presentation accounts for 0.5 PDH, with the other four presentations accounting for 1.0 PDH each.

Department of the Interior Adds a Seasoned Ombuds

Vik Kapoor has joined the Department of the Interior's Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution as an Organizational Ombuds. Previously, Kapoor worked with or for the UN Funds and Programmes, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security's Ombuds Forum. At CADR, he will work with four other Ombuds: Brian Bloch, Sigal Shoham, Tahirih Varner, and Mary Chavez Rudolph. 

COFO to Train New Federal Ombuds in Response to IOA Backlog

The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman will offer an interim training for new Federal Ombuds who have been unable to register for the International Ombudsman Association's Foundations training. Former COFO Chair Scott Deyo has pulled together members of the COFO community for an eight-hour training program for new Organizational Ombuds next week. 

After a Rocky Year, IOA Announces Search for Executive Director

The member-led, professional association for Organizational Ombuds is seeking applicants to be its Executive Director. The part-time, contract position will be the public champion and representative for the IOA, its members, and the organizational ombudsman profession. The Executive Director will carry out the strategic plan and policies as established by the IOA Board and managed by a staff team at an association management company, SBI Association Management. 

International Ombudsman Association Selects New Management Company for 2019

The IOA Board of Directors has awarded a contract to SBI Association Management for professional services, effective the first of the year. SBI is located in Seattle and serves 38 clients, including nine other international associations. SBI has 32 employees and is accredited through the AMC Institute.

ISKCON UK to Create Ombuds Program

There are reports that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is creating an Ombudsman program for devotees in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Dandavats, an independent website that chronicles Krishna activities and developments worldwide, posted the following update: 

Ombuds Head to Virginia for 2018 IOA Conference

The International Ombudsman Association will hold its 13th annual conference April 23-25, 2018 at the Richmond Marriott in Virginia. The event follows a now familiar format of keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. An agenda for the conference is now available and registration is open.

U.S. Geological Survey Creates Ombuds Program

The government agency that studies the country's biology, geography, geology, and hydrology has appointed J. Fernando Caetano as its first Organizational Ombuds. Caetano serves 9,000 USGS employees and is part of the agency's Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution Office. He is part of the team that provides ADR services to the Department of the Interior, of which USGS is part.

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.  

Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen Posts 2013 Meeting Minutes

CoFO has posted meeting minutes for January through July 2013.  These minutes update the work of many Federal Ombuds programs.  here are some of the highlights.

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 Elects Five to 2013 Board

The International Ombudsman Association recently conducted an election for its Board of Directors. Lanai Greenhalgh, Colorado State University, was elected to a two-year term as the Associate Member Representative. In addition, three incumbents and one new director were elected to three-year terms that will begin at the IOA conference in April 2013:

• Brian Bloch, Department of the Interior, Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (re-elected to second term);
• Nick Diehl, American Red Cross (re-elected to second term);
• Donna Douglass Williams, MD Anderson Cancer Center (re-elected to second term); and
• Jose Martinez-Aragon, United Nations.

Journal of IOA Spotlights Solo Practice

The just-released issue of the Journal of International Ombudsman Association looks at the concerns and challenges of solo practice. Editor (and solo practitioner himself) David Miller explains:

As if it were not difficult enough being in the centre of other people's storms, holding fast to principled interventions when interests and positions generate vortices of confusion and distress, so many of us in the Organizational Ombudsman world, do so alone.  How do we manage?

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.

2012 ACR Conference to Feature Work of Ombuds

The next Association for Conflict Resolution conference will include presentations by three Organizational Ombuds (including two IOA board members) and other programs about Ombuds.  The theme of the twelfth annual ACR conference is "Creating Connections: Conflict Resolution in Deeply Divided Times," and will take place September 12-15, 2012 in New Orleans.

IOA Opens Registration and Posts Agenda for 2012 Conference

Registration is now open for the Seventh Annual Conference of the International Ombudsman Association on April 13–18, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Houston, Texas. Special pricing is being offered for attendees who also register for Ombuds 101. Priority registration closes on March 23. IOA has also posted an expected agenda for the conference.