The Ombuds Blog: Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles Creates Ombuds Program

April 17, 2018

Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles Creates Ombuds Program

DSA-LA, one of the largest chapters of the national organization, has created a conflict resolution team, "to ensure members have the support they need to constructively work through organizational conflict, and that our chapter addresses misconduct thoughtfully and consistently." The new program includes "Ombudspersons [who] are available for voluntary appointments with members to provide support, coaching, and mediation aimed at navigating conflict."

The new initiative came out of a white paper DSA-LA ratified in November 2017 that called for structure to address misconduct in ways that are consistent with the center-left values of the organization. The identities of the new DSA-LA have not been published. (DSA-LA Misconduct Policy White Paper; DSA-LA Conflict Resolution Team.)

Related post: Ombuds Year in Review: 2017 [Special Interest Groups Begin Appointing Ombuds to Protect Members]

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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April 17, 2018

Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles Creates Ombuds Program

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