tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post3113545226771490535..comments2024-03-27T18:54:37.777-07:00Comments on The Ombuds Blog: Update: IOA Cancels 2020 ConferenceTom Kosakowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14264466024238046628noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-77382377498431026102020-03-13T10:27:53.628-07:002020-03-13T10:27:53.628-07:00Much as IOA decisionmaking was not ideal and even ...Much as IOA decisionmaking was not ideal and even opaque in this crisis, "efficient and decisive decisionmaking from a large consultative body" is kind of an oxymoron. I think the challenges IOA faced in acting quickly and decisively in the face of the rapidly evolving COVID 19 crisis come primarily from the innate human inability to understand non-linear change and rapid destruction of the status quo. I don't think those things will change anytime soon, although some leaders are better at it than others.<br /><br />One more concrete improvement IOA could make: Be more aggressive in negotiating hotel contracts favorable to IOA as an organization. Cookie-cutter contracts from the management company have proven less-than-ideal for IOA compared to other organizations dealing with conference cancellations decisions at the same time. IOA's staff who work with volunteers on a regular basis are very responsive and work super hard, but like all association management companies, SBI as a corporation wants all its clients line up uniformly and just do what they're told. And IOA as an organization is not one to line up uniformly... even internally.<br /><br />We also need legal counsel on retainer to review our contracts in advance and prepare for unexpected challenges better. Trying to pick up the pieces after a crisis occurs is not optimal, to put it mildly. This may require some financial outlay up front, but COVID 19 frustrations demonstrate the costs of doing otherwise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-28054683644611151672020-03-13T09:56:30.244-07:002020-03-13T09:56:30.244-07:00Contracts are already in negotiation for the next ...Contracts are already in negotiation for the next two years' sites. In light of challenges in the current crisis, we may need to add some termsMark P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16413003491425962287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-36348885185510987952020-03-13T09:20:08.390-07:002020-03-13T09:20:08.390-07:00Thank you, Jennifer, for acknowledging the challen...Thank you, Jennifer, for acknowledging the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for the 2020 IOA Annual Conference.<br /><br />The decision to cancel the Conference was one made after extensive due diligence to ensure that the Board was acting responsibly and in accordance with its fiduciary obligations to the organization. We began exploring our options as soon as it became apparent from media reports that there was a likelihood that the health crisis could impact our ability to deliver a meaningful conference in an environment that was safe for all participants. It required input from and coordination with the Conference, Professional Development, Finance, and Communications committees, as well as our staff who, in collaboration with volunteers, are our direct connection to registrants, sponsors, exhibitors, program presenters, course participants and instructors, the venue, and other suppliers. On a daily basis, staff and volunteer leadership have been continuously engaged in information gathering and discussions that led to the ultimate decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Conference. To have made the decision sooner or without this due diligence would have been premature and irresponsible and could have negatively impacted the IOA and its ability to serve its members over the long term. By proceeding in this deliberate manner, we have substantially mitigated the extent of any potential liability to the organization.<br /><br />For those who were not involved in these night and day, seven day a week discussions, it may be difficult to fully appreciate all of the threads that are woven together to bring about this annual event that is so valued by our members (never mind the unraveling needed to cancel). Nevertheless, IOA members can be sure that our volunteers and staff will continue to work tirelessly together to do our very best for our organization and remain fully accountable by name.<br /><br />Marcia Martinez-Helfman<br />President, IOA 2018-2020<br />Marcia Martinez-Helfmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17265250123911911216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-28868921197733496932020-03-12T16:53:26.462-07:002020-03-12T16:53:26.462-07:00I’m not sure IOA’s response was especially slow. T...I’m not sure IOA’s response was especially slow. These decisions are hard, and every organization with which I’m associated has only made this level of critical decision in the last 48 hours. I literally ache for those who work more than full time in their day jobs and also spend hundreds of hours planning a conference that won’t happen. I think that, in the end, it was the right decision, but I applaud IOA and SBI for their proactive, thoughtful, reasonable response to this unforeseen crisis. Is what it is. Jen Schneidernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-41331824730248290252020-03-12T13:42:17.613-07:002020-03-12T13:42:17.613-07:00In many ways the last few weeks have seemed to put...In many ways the last few weeks have seemed to put into clear focus for me the best and the worst tendencies of IOA. The best: people coming together, caring about the well being of folks beyond themselves, and a lot of people putting in A LOT of extra time to try and navigate complex circumstances unfolding in real time.<br /><br />It also showed real weaknesses, though, that I think extend beyond just these circumstances. We seemed continually behind the ball and slow to act, in part because communication and decision making is very tightly held by a very small group of people, and IOA is over-reliant on volunteers who are doing work on top of their professional responsibilities (and who often feel under-valued and unheard by those who hold the power). Ironic for the association of ombuds, but no less real.<br /><br />I am grateful the decision was finally made, even if it came late in this public health crisis. I am hopeful we can also take some time to catch our breaths and reflect on what comes next, both for the conference and for how we work together. b.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05807890936904441623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37417991.post-84754793969190905962020-03-11T21:25:13.611-07:002020-03-11T21:25:13.611-07:00If we are alive, where is IOA 2021? Is there an o...If we are alive, where is IOA 2021? Is there an opportunity to go to Portland in 2022?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com