CIDR Posts Agenda for 2026 Symposium

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has announced the agenda for its 2026 annual symposium. The hybrid virtual and in-person event, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," is set for May 11-12, a beautiful time of year in Ottawa. 

Resolution Institute Presents Session with Aukland Ombuds

The professional association for dispute resolution practitioners in Australia, New Zealand (Aotearoa), and the Asia Pacific region will offer a presentation by Wayne Marriott on the evening of July 10, 2025. Marriott the inaugural Ombuds for Auckland University of Technology and is the President-Elect of the IOA Board of Directors. The event will be hosted by AUT and is open to the public. 

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 Elects 2025 Board of Directors

At its annual conference last week, the International Ombuds Association announced the results of its latest election for the Board of Directors. One new board member was voted onto the board after an unprecedented run-off election in early April. The new board member and four reelected incumbents for three-year terms starting after following the IOA Annual Meeting on 16 April 2025.

IOA Opens Election for 2025 Board of Directors

Members of the International Ombuds Association have begun voting for the next slate of IOA's Board of Directors. Seven candidates are running for five open seats with four current directors running for a second term and three new candidates on the ballot. All elected candidates will begin their service following the IOA Annual Meeting on 16 April 2025.

IOA Calls for 2025 IOA Board Nominations

The International Ombuds Association is seeking self-nominations for its Board of Directors. Five member-elected directors will serve a three-year term starting in Spring 2025. Only self-nominations are accepted and must follow a two-step process. The first step, an attestation of eligibility, is due by January 5, 2025. The second step, a statement of candidacy, is due by January 25, 2025.

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.

Victoria University of Wellington Creates an Ombuds Service for Staff

In September 2023, Te Herenga Waka, in Wellington, New Zealand, established an Employee Assistance Resolution Services (EARS) Te Rauawa. The new program provides Organizational Ombuds services for staff at the public university: "a confidential, impartial, informal service which can provide independent advice and resolution assistance for workplace issues." (The use of the term "Ombudsman" is limited by law in New Zealand, which may explain the name of the program.) 

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. 

Job Posting: Auckland University of Technology

The large public university in New Zealand has opened a search for the Head of Employee Advisory and Resolution Service (EARS). Wayne F. Marriott established the office, essentially an Organizational Ombuds, for AUT in September 2021 for a one-year pilot period. The Head of EARS heads the office that offers "confidential, impartial and informal support for AUT staff to discuss and seek support to resolve their workplace concerns with an independent party" and supervises the EARS Coordinator. The search is the next step in making EARS a permanent program.

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 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.

Auckland University of Technology Debuts Staff Ombuds Program

Wayne F. Marriott has been hired to lead the new Employee Advisory and Resolution Service at AUT for an initial 12-month pilot period. The new service, "EARS", offers confidential, impartial and informal support for nearly 3,000 AUT staff across four campuses. EARS will operate in compliance with the IOA Code of Ethics. 

Election for 2021 IOA Board: 5 Nominees for 6 Seats

The International Ombudsman Association has opened the voting process for its 2021 Board of Directors. The election is a bit of a surprise this year because there are fewer candidates than open director seats. The Board said that it is reconsidering the eligibility criteria, which may be discouraging people from becoming directors. An email about the election included this announcement:

Blogger Calls for International Sports to Adopt Ombuds

Wayne Marriott, a mediator, conciliator, and conflict coach in New Zealand, has written a blog post explaining why international sporting bodies should implement Ombuds. Most significantly, he sees how the shared goal of integrity, makes Ombuds a natural fit for sport: