Ole Miss AAUP Raises Alarm Over Camera Outside Ombuds Office

The University of Mississippi is facing new scrutiny over its Ombuds program after the university's chapter of the American Association of University Professors raised concerns about a facial-recognition camera outside the entrance to the Ombuds Office. The group says employees discovered the camera on July 13 and argues that its presence undermines the confidentiality that is fundamental to the Ombuds function, potentially deterring faculty, staff, and students from seeking assistance.

ABA Ombuds Committee Signals Pivot to State Legislative Strategy

Following the adoption of Resolution 503 by the American Bar Association House of Delegates endorsing the Organizational Ombuds Practices Act, the ABA’s Ombuds Committee is shifting its focus to state-level strategy. The committee will devote its meeting on March 24, 2026, to a discussion of next steps for advancing the Act through state legislatures, marking the beginning of the effort to translate the ABA endorsement into legislation.

Mediate.com Conference Aligns with Ombuds Day 2025

Mediate.com celebrates Ombuds Day at its next on-line conference, "Rising Tides: Raising the Standards of Mediation Conference," on October 8-9, 2025. This year’s Workplace Track (on Ombuds Day) is dedicated to the evolving role of Ombuds and workplace conflict resolution leaders. The keynote speaker, Chuck Doran, will highlight how Ombuds strengthen organizational culture, build trust, and address conflict before it escalates. 

CIDR's 2025 Symposium is Loaded With Ombuds Sessions

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has released the agenda for its second annual symposium and there are many sessions for and about Ombuds. Organized by two professors at USP: Brent Epperson and Jean-François Rioux, this year's theme is, "Building Better Workplaces: Toward Comprehensive Conflict Resolution Systems." 

Here is a list of the sessions relevant to Ombuds:

CPR Institute Ombuds Webinar is Aimed at Corporate Counsel

On March 5, 2025, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution will offer a webinar, "The Organizational Ombuds - What Corporate Counsel Might Want to Consider." Speakers are slated to include: Chuck Howard, Ombuds Consultant; Robyn Diaz, Senior VP & Chief Legal Officer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (which created an outsourced Ombuds program in 2023; and Chuck Doran, Ombuds and Executive Director of MWI. 

Journal of IOA: Why Ombuds Need a Charter

A new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association explains "What an Ombuds Charter is and Why it Matters." The authors are Chuck Howard (attorney and Ombuds consultant; former Executive Director of IOA, and Chuck Doran, CO-OP (outsourced Ombuds and Executive Director/Founder of MWI). They urge Ombuds to have a comprehensive written document that defines the role and relationship between Ombuds and the organization is serves. The article covers the benefits to all parties.

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 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:

Job Posting: Boston University

The private university in Boston is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position will report to University Ombuds, Francine Montemurro, and join Associate Ombuds, Riley E. Barrar, and Consulting Ombuds, Howard Gadlin. The office serves BU faculty, staff, and students on the Charles River and Medical Campuses.

IOA White Paper Summarizes U.S. Legal Context for Ombuds Confidentiality

The International Ombuds Association published a a new resource to assist program designers to better understand U.S. case law, statutory, and other established guidance relating to Ombuds confidentiality. "An Overview of Ombuds Confidentiality" summarizes the legal bases for confidentiality with ample references and examples. The paper outlines why a properly structured office is an essential component to creating an implied contract between Ombuds and visitors to further support the voluntary nature of the work. This paper resource will be shared at a session IOA has planned for the National Association of College of University Attorneys (NACUA)'s annual meeting later this month.

One Year After Lawsuit, University of Mississippi Honors Ombuds

One year after University Ombuds, Paul Caffera, settled his civil suit against Ole Miss, he has been given an Outstanding Staff Member Award. (Ole Miss News.)

ABA Webinar to Spotlight Ombuds

On March 29, 2023, the American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section will offer a webinar on "Why Your Company Needs an Organizational Ombuds Program to Succeed." Moderated by Elizabeth Hill, Associate Director, Ombuds Office for the University of Colorado Boulder, the program will feature former Head of Ombuds Services at Twitter Dina Lynch Eisenberg, Organizational Ombuds Consultant Chuck Doran, and former IOA Executive Director Charles "Chuck" Howard.

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.

Chuck Howard to Address Houston Bar

The professional association for lawyers in the Houston area will host Charles Howard for a one-hour virtual presentation on January 23, 2023. Howard, who is the past Executive Director of IOA and author of A Practical Guide to Organizational Ombuds, will speak on "Comparing Ombuds and Mediation Services." The event is free and appears to be open to the public. 

2022 Year in Review: Cheers & Jeers

Here's part two of the annual summary of news from the Ombuds profession. Before a final post of the most important trends from 2022, here are some short takes on the highs and lows. Most of these came in pairs.

Fundraiser Marks End of Litigation for Ombuds at University of Mississippi

United Campus Workers of Mississippi, an employee union at Ole Miss, has launched a fundraiser to offset legal expenses incurred by University Ombuds, Paul Caffera, in his existential litigation with his employer. After several years, the lawsuit has now apparently concluded.

IOA Honors Professional Leaders at 2022 Conference

At its annual conference last week, the International Ombuds Association debuted a new award and also recognized several outstanding retired members. Both awards show appreciation for significant contributions to the Organizational Ombuds profession and the association. IOA's first Trailblazer Award was given to Chuck Howard, for his lifetime of leadership and contributions, including serving as IOA's first Executive Director and writing two books.

IOA Updates Standards of Practice

The International Ombudsman Association's Board of Directors has approved updates to the documents that define professional standards for the Organizational Ombuds profession. The IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics were originally drafted in 2009 as part of the merger of the associations predecessors, The Ombudsman Association and the University and College Ombuds Association. The revisions do not significantly alter the parameters of Ombuds' practices.

CVS Surprises with Fully Formed Ombuds Program

The retail corporation (currently the fourth largest publicly-traded company in the U.S.) has unveiled a full-staffed Ombuds program. On Friday, Karen Lynch, the CEO of CVS Health, removed several executives following an investigation into the handling of employee sexual harassment complaints. According to the Boston Globe, Lynch also told senior leaders on Friday that she she planned to give employees a “confidential channel” to navigate what she described as a “challenging situation.” Then, over the weekend, a website for the CVS Health Ombuds Team went live.

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.