Virginia Commonwealth University Sets 2026 Conflict Resolution Day Program

VCU's Ombudsperson, William King, has announced details for his 13h annual National Conflict Resolution Day program on October 15, 2026. The keynoter for the program this year will be Linda Brothers, Georgetown University Staff Ombuds. The theme for the one-day conference is "Managing Conflict in a Changing Environment." The rest of the day includes panel discussions and group work, with several other Ombuds from the Mid Atlantic region will serve as facilitators. As usual, the event is free and open to the public.

IOA Announces Speakers for 2026 September Symposium

The International Ombuds Association has released the agenda for its 2026 September Symposium, "Reframing Power and Influence: Exploring Intentional Ombuds Sway and the Tension Around Influence."  The event for intermediate and advanced Ombuds practitioners will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC. 

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.

Agenda Now Available for 2021 Cal Caucus

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has posted the agenda for its 2021 conference, "Towards Restoration: What We’ve Lost and What We’ve Found," to be held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds on November 10-13, 2021. (Registration opened in July.) 

This is the first in-person event for Ombuds since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Attendees must be vaccinated and show proof of a recent negative Covid test, in addition to other health protocols.

Cal Caucus Opens Registration for 2019 Meeting

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has opened registration for its 46th annual conference set for November 10-13, 2019 at the Asolimar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove. The theme for the caucus is "Reflection: Power, Privilege and Identity in the Ombuds World." To accommodate the recent growth in demand, organizers have moved the event from the Kiln Room to the Fred Farr Forum, which accommodates about 25% more people.

Ohio Ombuds Organization Holds First Meeting

On September 15, 2017, nine Ombuds from Ohio held their first meeting at The Ohio State University. The group included: Kimberly Jackson Davidson (Oberlin College); Kim Fulbright (University of Cincinnati); Jill E. Rudd (Cleveland State University); Amy Quillen (Kent State University); Mac Stricklen (Ohio University); Sally Rudmann (The Ohio State University); Angela E. Dash (Northeast Ohio Medical University); Daniel Aleksiejczyk (intern at Ohio University); and Bob Towner-Larsen (The Ohio State University).

Oberlin College has a New Ombuds

Late last year, Kimberly Jackson Davidson became the Director of the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue and Ombudsperson for Oberlin. She had previously served as the position on an interim basis when the founding Ombuds, Yeworkwha Belachew, retired due to health issues. Previously, Davidson was an Associate Dean of Students.