British mediator Martin Golder explains the difference between empathy and sympathy in an article at Mediate.com. He says that empathy can be learned in five stages:The first stage is to think of yourself in a kind and loving way, this is then extended to a person that you like in the second stage. The third stage is to think of a neutral person and the fourth and perhaps most difficult stage is to project loving kindness (peace and good will) to an enemy or difficult person. The final stage is to expand the projection of good will to all.
(Mediate.com.)
IOA is offering several courses July 13 through 17, 2009, at the Marriott Denver West.- Ombudsman 101 (July 13-15) An introductory program for new Ombuds or those seeking information about the Organizational Ombuds role.
- Ombudsman 101 Plus (July 15) A special half-day program for organizations and entrepreneurs who want to get started.
- Intermediate Workshop: Skills for the Experienced Ombudsman (July 14-15) A workshop designed to help the Ombuds respond skillfully and masterfully to the challenges and opportunities presented to the Organizational Ombuds.
- Specialized Course: Contemporary Legal Issues for Organizational Ombudsman Programs (July 16) This course is designed for new and experienced Ombuds who are seeking additional understanding about legal issues affecting their program.
- Specialized Course: Conflict Coaching for Organizational Ombudsman (July 17) The session will provide a theoretical framework for conflict coaching as well as strategies and skills for helping visitors manage interpersonal conflict. This highly interactive session will be taught by Ross Brinkert and Trish Jones, authors of Conflict Coaching: Conflict Management Strategies and Skills for the Individual.
The priority deadline for these courses is May 29, 2009. (IOA Denver Training Info.)
Bruce W. Lyon, Faculty Ombuds, and Patricia Pinkard, Staff Ombuds, have published a report on the establishment of the UWG Ombuds Office. Between August 15, 2008, and April 15, 2009, the UWG Ombuds created marketing materials and a website, promoted the office, attending professional trainings, and handled 43 cases from faculty, staff and students. (UWG Ombuds Annual Report 2009.)Related posts: University of West Georgia Introduces First-Ever Ombuds for Faculty and Staff; University of West Georgia Debuts Ombuds Website and Charter.
Alan Lincoln, who served as the first Ombuds for the University of Massachusetts, Lowell for eight years and who was the founding editor of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association, has reconsidered his decision to retire. Lincoln has decided to continue working as an "Interim Ombuds," available for short term assignments to maintain continuity of existing offices in transition, experiencing a temporary absence, short-term leave, or an overload of cases. He can be reached via email (alan[dot]lincoln[at-sign]comcast[dot]net).Prior post: First Ombuds at U. Mass. Lowell Set to Retire.
Two Ombuds programs debuted impressive website updates this week. The Office of Ombuds at the University of Hawai'i Manoa's new website features links to annual reports, campus resources, annual reports and a visitor survey. The site also collects an extensive set of tips and strategies for visitors from other experts, including other Ombuds. (UH Ombuds.) Similarly, the Ombuds Office at the MD Anderson Cancer Center significantly upgraded its website with information about its services and links to other resources. Many downloadable materials are graphical or tabular, such as an overview of "Resolution Pathways." (MDAnderson Ombuds.) Although designed for their respective organizations, both of these websites offer important materials and inspiration for other Ombuds.
In February 2008, the Ombuds Office at the University of Arkansas established the Safe Zone Allies Program to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. This week, the University announced that the program had been transferred to the Multicultural Center, "a department where embracing and respecting different cultures is not only a central focus, but also a strongly desired outcome for students who come in contact with the center." (UArk Daily Headlines.) This move puts a worthy program in a more appropriate place and helps preserve the Ombuds' appearance of independence and neutrality.Prior post: U Arkansas Ombuds Creates "Safe Zones" for LGBTQ Community.
IOM, the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of migration which frequently serves as a classical Ombuds, has created an Organizational Ombuds program. The IOM Ombudsperson serves staff members with workplace and interpersonal issues, and also advises the Director General and the Staff Association Committee about issues and trends affecting staff. Daniel Rainey and the Internet Bar Organization have been consultants as IOM considers adding an online portal for the Ombuds to serve staff around the world. (IOM Ombudsperson; IOM 2009 Budget; Daniel Rainey's Blog.)Related post: Interview: Ombuds & Director of ADR Services for National Mediation Board.
Andrew Alexander, the recently appointed Ombuds for the Washington Post, concludes that news Ombudsmen are endangered by shrinking newsroom budgets. Alexander came away from the Organization of News Ombudsmen conference last week with survival tips that will resonate with all varieties of Ombuds. “One was to keep a ‘respectful distance’ from the people we cover in the newsroom, even though some of them may be friends. Another piece of advice that brought a collective nod of approval: ‘Keep a sense of humor.’” (Washington Post Omblog.)Related post: News Ombuds to Meet in Washington.
An Australian survey of more than 800 teachers found that 99.6 per cent said they had experienced bullying in the workplace. The biggest bullies are likely to be the principal, other school executives, or teachers. Deidre Duncan, of the ACU, said state school principals received the worst rating for bullying. "A total of 42 per cent of respondents in government schools said the bully was the principal." The behavior most commonly identified by teachers as bullying was the withholding of information that affected performance, followed by the questioning of decisions, procedures and judgment. (Queensland Courier Mail.)
Related posts: Study Finds Workplace Bullying Widespread; Maryland Considering School Bullying Ombuds; Washington State Schools Ombuds Describes First Year.
Clayton Gilman, an Organizational Ombuds consultant, offers his perspective on the use wide range of Internet technologies available to Ombuds. He runs down the benefits and risks of:- e-Payment;
- VoIP Communications;
- Audio Recording;
- Wireless G & Wireless N;
- WEB 2.0;
- P2P Networks;
- Blogs;
- Chat & IM; and
- Video Broadcasting.
He concludes with a warning. “Always, please, keep in mind the privacy and ethics we must comply with when using technology and be sure to select and use technologies that enable ‘secure’ and private interactions.” (Organizational Ombudsman Blog.)Related post: Trendspotting: Ombuds Not Exempt From Influence of Internet.
In the face of budget cuts, the President of Smith College has announced that College's 11-year-old Ombuds Office will close by July 1, 2009. Adrianne Andrews, who served as Smith College's first full-time Ombuds since July 2001 (and who also served as Mt. Holyoke's Ombuds on a shared part-time for 1½ years), will become an advisor for equity complaints in the Office of Institutional Diversity. (Smith College Close-of-Semester Update.)
The KSU Ombuds have posted reports for the past two academic years. According to the annual summaries provided to the Faculty Senate, the Ombuds handled 25 cases in 2007-08 and 41 cases in 2006-07. (KSU Ombuds Annual Reports.)
The UN is hiring a Director for its Office of the United Nations Ombudsman. Reporting to the UN Ombudsman, the Director will be responsible for formulating and implementing the substantive work of the office (preparing reports and studies, overseeing programs and projects, hiring and managing staff, assisting in resolving issues, and other duties). An advanced university degree and at least fifteen years of experience are required, with a minimum of five years experience with the UN or similar organization. Fluency in English and proficiency in another UN language are also required. Application deadline is July 6, 2009. (UN Job Posting, vacancy announcement no. 09-OMB-OMBUDSMAN-421299-R-NEW YORK (G).)
Related posts: UN Secretary-General Meets New Ombuds; UN Ombuds Reports on Reorganization Efforts; UN Struggles to Revise Justice System; Internship With UN Ombuds Office.
The public college in Madison has appointed David Paulk as its Student Ombuds, a position previously held by Stevie Fenton. Paulk has been a history instructor at the college since January 2007. He earned his BA and Masters in History and Masters of Public Administration from Valdosta State University. He also has a Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. (NFCC Ombuds; Spotlight on NFCC.)
David Miller has been named to lead the Editorial Board of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association as it enters its third year. Miller takes over from the founding editor Alan Lincoln, who stepped down after retiring last year from his position as Ombuds at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Miller served as Ombuds for the World Health Organization in Geneva from 2004-2008 and has been a member of the JIOA Editorial Board. Before entering the Ombuds field, Miller was a Clinical Psychologist and Public Health Specialist from the field of HIV/AIDS and sexual health medicine, and has published numerous books and articles. Mary Rowe, Ombuds at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Tom Sebok Ombuds, at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will continue as Associate Editors and will be joined by a new Associate Editor, Brian Bloch of ISKCON Resolve.
Related posts: Journal of IOA Releases First Issue; First Ombuds at U. Mass. Lowell Set to Retire; Ombuds Offer Insights on Dispute Systems Design; Journal of IOA Publishes Second Volume.
IOM, the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of migration which frequently serves as a classical Ombuds, has created an Organizational Ombuds program. The IOM Ombudsperson serves staff members with workplace and interpersonal issues, and also advises the Director General and the Staff Association Committee about issues and trends affecting staff. Daniel Rainey and the Internet Bar Organization have been consultants as IOM considers adding an online portal for the Ombuds to serve staff around the world. (IOM Ombudsperson; IOM 2009 Budget; Daniel Rainey's Blog.)
The UN is hiring a Director for its Office of the United Nations Ombudsman. Reporting to the UN Ombudsman, the Director will be responsible for formulating and implementing the substantive work of the office (preparing reports and studies, overseeing programs and projects, hiring and managing staff, assisting in resolving issues, and other duties). An advanced university degree and at least fifteen years of experience are required, with a minimum of five years experience with the UN or similar organization. Fluency in English and proficiency in another UN language are also required. Application deadline is July 6, 2009. (UN Job Posting, vacancy announcement no. 09-OMB-OMBUDSMAN-421299-R-NEW YORK (G).) 
David Miller has been named to lead the Editorial Board of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association as it enters its third year. Miller takes over from the founding editor Alan Lincoln, who stepped down after retiring last year from his position as Ombuds at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Miller served as Ombuds for the World Health Organization in Geneva from 2004-2008 and has been a member of the JIOA Editorial Board. Before entering the Ombuds field, Miller was a Clinical Psychologist and Public Health Specialist from the field of HIV/AIDS and sexual health medicine, and has published numerous books and articles. Mary Rowe, Ombuds at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Tom Sebok Ombuds, at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will continue as Associate Editors and will be joined by a new Associate Editor, Brian Bloch of ISKCON Resolve. 