Southern Connecticut Rotary Creates Ombuds Program

Rotary District 7980, a regional district of Rotary International encompassing local clubs in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties, has established a three-member Conflict Resolution Team to provide an informal resource for members whose concerns cannot be resolved at the club level. The team "will be guided by" IOA’s four core principles of confidentiality, informality, neutrality and independence. The program began accepting inquiries on September 1, 2026. 

Members of the Conflict Resolution Team are: Crystal Engram, HR Manager at Greater Bridgeport Transit; Paul Begemann, retired attorney and Vice President of the Hamden Land Conservation Trust; and Mark Soboslai, collaborative lawyer and mediator. The team will also provide quarterly reports to the District Board using non-attributed data about the types, causes and frequency of cases. District 7980 also plans to periodically offer information sessions on conflict resolution for Rotarians and clubs. (District 7980 Stories; LinkedIn: Crystal Engram, Paul Begemann, Mark Soboslai.)