IOA Annual Conference Marks Fifth Anniversary With Promise of Rebirth, Rebuild and Respond

It has been five years since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the formation of the International Ombudsman Association. The annual IOA conference in New Orleans, April 7-10, 2010, draws on this coincidence and envisions a bright future. A preliminary agenda for the event promises a rich array of programs for Organizational Ombuds:

Pre-Conference Full-Day Courses

• John Buck ― “Dynamic Governance: Addressing Conflicts Inherent in Organizational Structure”
• Roger Schwartz ― “Developing Your Facilitation Mindset and Skill Set”

Pre-Conference Half-Day Courses

• David Talbot, Tim Griffin ― IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics: Understanding the Core Principles of an Organizational Ombudsman Practice”
• Kerry Egdorf ― “Talking About Fairness in the Workplace: Making Fairness Explicit in Training, Coaching, and Policy Discussions”
• Lauren Bloom ― “Therapeutic Skills for the Ombuds: A Family Systems Approach”
• Nancy Erbe, Carolyn Noorbakhsh ― “Change Agent: Ombudsmen's Contribution to Organizational Value”

First Day of General Conference (Rebirth)

• Dr. Michael Martin, Chancellor of Louisiana State University ― Welcome Remarks
• André Marin, Ombudsman of Ontario, Past President of FCO and North American Regional VP of IOI ― Keynote Speaker
• Chuck L. Howard, Esq., Partner, Shipman & Goodwin LLP ― General Session Remarks

Second Day of General Conference (Rebuild)

• Sandra Stokes, PhD, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ― Keynote Speaker
• [Mary Rowe's] Crystal Ball ― General Session

Third Day of General Conference (Respond)

• Robert C. Bordone, JD, Professor and Director, Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program ― Keynote Speaker

Discounted registration deadline is March 5. (IOA 2010 Conference Info.)