Cal Caucus Announces 2025 Agenda

The agenda has been posted for the 2025 California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. The event, which has already sold out, runs from November 9 through 12 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove.

Here is the agenda for “Finding Solid Ground in Shifting Sands”:

IOA to Offer In-Person Foundations in New Zealand

For the first time ever, the International Ombuds Association's signature training course will be offered in Aotearoa. This offers a unique opportunity to take this training in person. The program is set for October 5-7, 2025, at Lincoln University (Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki) on New Zealand's South Island (Te Waipounamu). Registration is now open.

IOA Board Elects 2025 Leadership

The Board of Directors for the International Ombuds Association has announced the election of its officers for the 2025 term. All are long-time volunteers and professional Ombuds. The IOA Board meets at least monthly, with more meetings for the executive leadership.

IOA Publishes Long-Awaited Ombuds Book

The International Ombuds Association has published its first book: The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future. Written by practicing Ombuds, the book offers a thorough and current overview of the profession. Edited by Shannon L. Burton (Ombuds at Michigan State University) and Loraleigh Keashly (Professor of Communication at Wayne State University), the book is a comprehensive compilation of the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

IOA Posts Agenda for 2025 Annual Conference in Florida

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 20th annual conference. The event is set for April 7-9, 2025 in Miami, Florida at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The conference is preceded by three days of training session. Registration is now open and IO has published the tentative conference agenda:

IOA Board Selects Officers for 2024 Term

The Board of Directors for the International Ombuds Association has announced the election of its officers for the 2024 term. All are long-time volunteers and professional Ombuds. The IOA Board meets at least monthly, with more meetings for the executive leadership.

IOA Elects 2024 Board of Directors

In an email to members today, the International Ombuds Association announced the results of its latest election for the Board of Directors. Five directors, including two incumbents, will begin three-year terms starting later this month. Shortly after the annual IOA business meeting, the board will elect officers for the current year.

Here are the newly elected IOA board members:

IOA Opens Election for 2023 Board of Directors

IOA members are now voting on the slate of Directors for 2024. Eight candidates are running for five open seats with three-year terms starting in April 2024. Two current directors are running for reappointment. 

The Ombuds Blog does not endorse candidates; information is provided only for reference. Candidate statements and biographies are available to members only on the IOA website. Here are the nominees, along with links to any prior posts on the Ombuds Blog:

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 Board Selects 2023 Officers

The Board of Directors for the International Ombuds Association has announced the election of its officers for the 2023 term. All are long-time volunteers and professional Ombuds. The IOA Board meets at least monthly, with more meetings for the executive leadership. 

ABA's 2023 Dispute Resolution Section Spring Conference Includes Two Ombuds Sessions

Registration is now open f0r the American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Section Spring Conference. The in-person event is the world's largest ADR conference and will take place at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, May 10-13, 2023. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading Change Through ADR: Strategies for Navigating Our World Today.” Liz Hill, Ombuds at the University of Colorado Boulder, is the Planning Committee Co-Chair.

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.

USOA Resumes In-Person Conference for 2022 in New Hampshire

After a one-year delay, the United States Ombudsman Association will convene its 41st Annual Conference at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel in New Hampshire. Gregory Vincent, President of Talladega College, will give the keynote address on "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as a Public Good." Also, Jennifer Mahony, Ombuds Office Director, Boston Children’s Hospital, will be a plenary speaker. The conference is preceded by training workshops on September 12-13. (USOA Conf Info.)

IOA Announces Board Election Results; Current President to Leave Board

The International Ombuds Association has announced the results of its board election. Voting was delayed ten months ago while the association reviewed equity concerns, and updated its election process and other provisions of the bylaws. As a result, two cohorts were up for election: a total of ten candidates for nine open board seats. With the unexpected departure of the current board president, Melanie Jagneaux, all of the candidates will become directors.

IOA Releases Detailed Agenda for 2022 Virtual Conference

For the second year in a row, the International Ombudsman Association will hold its annual conference virtually. IOA's 17th annual meeting will take place April 4 through 6, 2022. Social events will use Gather.town, a virtual world with video features. Registration has been open for a few weeks and now the detailed agenda has been posted.

IOA Opens Election for Two Board Cohorts

After a delay of nearly a year, the International Ombuds Association has re-opened the election for its Board of Directors. Voting was delayed ten months ago while the association reviewed equity concerns, and updated its election process and other provisions of the bylaws. As a result, a third of Directors are serving well past their expected three-year term end date of April 2021. The election will fill nine positions from a field of ten candidates. Only IOA members may vote and the election closes February 25, 2022.

LinkedIn Discussion Group Offers Independent Forum for All Ombuds

Established in October 2021, OmbudsLinked has become an important place for all types of practicing Ombuds (regardless of model, sector, standards of practice, etc.) to gather, network, share information and ideas, build camaraderie, and unite the profession. Moreover, OmbudsLinked is independent and not affiliated with any of the Ombuds professional associations. The closed, LinkedIn group is moderated by Caroline Adams, Elizabeth Hill, and Jennifer Mahony.

Boston Children’s Hospital Selects First Ombuds

Jennifer Mahony will become the first Ombuds Office Director for the leading acute care children's hospital in Boston next month. Mahoney moves to the position from the National Institutes of Health, where she has been an Associate Ombuds since January 2020. In her new role at Boston Children's, Mahoney will create an office to serve all employees following IOA standards.

IOA Posts Details of 2021 Virtual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the agenda for its 16th annual conference. "Bridging the Distance: Paving the Way for Equity and Justice" (#IOA2021). The conference will offer a fully virtual program over three days, March 22-24, 2021. Registration is now open and a discount is available until the early bird deadline on February 22, 2021.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2019 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association convenes its 13th annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans on April 1-3, 2019. The three-day event will be familiar to anyone who has attended in recent years: the days start with keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. The full agenda with presenter bios is now available and registration is open.