Registration Opens for 2012 Cal Caucus

Registration has opened for the 40th annual California Caucus of College and University Ombuds in Pacific Grove, California on November 11-14, 2012. This year's theme is "The Work of Ombuds: Reflection and Practice" and organizers promise 16 presenters from the US and Canada.  This is the first time the caucus has offered online registration.  (CCCUO Registration.)

Webcast With Cornell University Ombuds

Linda Falkson and Adam Kleinberger from the Cornell University Ombudsman Office will be the guests on the next Blog Talk Radio program with Pattie Porter on August 14, 2012. Falkson and Kleinberger will talk about how their office helps people regarding a problem or conflict, as part of the caring community serving students, faculty and staff.

IOA Posts “State of the Association” Materials, Seeks Feedback for Strategic Plan

On the first day of the 2012 International Ombudsman Association annual conference, the Board of Directors presented its perspective on the current achievements and challenges facing the Association. The presentation summarized strengths and challenges in the external environment, economic trends, internal finances, leadership, and shared purpose. The Board has now posted the slides and audio file of this presentation.

Southeast Conference on Conflict Management to Feature Program on Ombuds

Lipscomb University Institute for Conflict Management in Nashville, TN will host the one-day conference on September 25, 2012. Attorney and author Chuck Howard is a featured speaker. The event is geared for professionals in HR, compliance, mediation, social work, counseling, ethics, and management/administration. The keynote address will be given by Neil Levine, Director of the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation at USAID. (Southeast Conference on Conflict Management.) 

University of Michigan Alumni Can Donate Directly to Ombuds Office

On-line donors can make gifts directly to specific Michigan departments including the Ombuds Office.  (UM Giving.)

California and Organizational Ombuds

Earlier this year, Kathy Biala, a consultant, RN, and Ombuds, launched a blog. Her latest entries discuss "three great reasons why California and organizational Ombudsman go hand-in-hand." 

Job Posting: MD Anderson Cancer Center

After several months, the leading cancer research and treatment center in Houston is still seeking an Ombuds Office Manager.  The MDACC Ombuds Office serves all employees, including faculty, administrative and classified staff, trainees and fellows and adheres to IOA standards.

Interview With University of Miami Ombuds

Gail Cole-Avent, the Assistant to Vice President and Ombudsperson for UM, was recently interviewed by the campus newspaper. Cole-Avent described her work:

Coalition of Federal Ombuds Posts Minutes from May, June 2012

CoFO has updated its website with summaries of its two most recent meetings. Dozens of federal Ombuds participated and the topics ranged widely. 

ABA Seeks Proposals for 2013 ADR Conference

The American Bar Association's 15th Annual Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference is set for April 3-6, 2013 in Chicago, IL (two weeks before the IOA conference).  The conference draws from varied and diverse groups including national and international ADR practitioners and organizations, corporate leaders, government employees, judges, court administrators, and academics.

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, one of the largest private medical centers in the world, is seeking applications for an Ombuds position in its Office of the Ombudsman. The position is similar to that of an Organizational Ombuds to the extent that it: Identifies, evaluates and resolves patient complaints; Aggregates and analyzes complaint and satisfaction data; and Determines proactive recommendations and provides feedback of resolution to appropriate parties. However, the Ombuds also, "Conducts investigations for Law Department, negotiates settlements as instructed."

Baker Hughes Names Director of New Ombuds Office

Martin Craighead, President and CEO of Baker Hughes, has announced Melanie Lewis will lead the company’s new Organizational Ombuds Office (known as the “o3”) based in Houston. Lewis, who started earlier this week, will assume responsibility for final preparations prior to the office’s September launch.

Town of Chapel Hill Appoints First Ombuds

The North Carolina town has named two full-time Ombuds: Faith Thompson and Jim Huegerich. Both are already municipal employees and will initially serve only employees before working with the community beginning in fall 2013.

Ombuds Programs are Growing Trend for Indian Corporations

A recent article in the India Times indicates that a growing number of Indian corporations are using Ombuds programs to handle internal and external grievances. In the past six months, HUL (Hindustan Unilever Ltd.), Ranbaxy Laboratories, SKS Microfinance Ltd., and Wipro Ltd. have created Ombuds offices. "It's not just about spelling out a whistleblower policy, but also about having a system that enables all stakeholders to raise concerns about wrongdoings fearlessly and have the confidence that issues, if any, will be resolved," says Alexis Samuel, Chief Risk Officer and Corporate Ombudsperson for Wipro.

Ombuds Blog Update

I'm serving on jury duty, so I'm unable to update the blog as usual.  That said, there has been scant Ombuds news in the past few weeks.  If you have tips or suggestion, please email them to me at tom.kosakowski atgmaildotcom.  Thanks.