Reader Poll: What Was the Ombuds Story of the Year?

What do you think was the most important story of the year for Ombuds?

1. Record Numbers of New Ombuds Offices Opened Their Doors

2. University of Iowa Ombuds Becomes a Lightening Rod for Bullying Issues

3. The Promise of Dodd-Frank Begins to Yield Opportunities for Ombuds

4. Chuck Howard Tours in Support of his Book and Organizational Ombuds

5. New Offices Open in Africa: University of Cape Town; University of KwaZulu-Natal; and American University in Cairo

6. Many Notable Ombuds Retire

7. NY State Ombuds for Developmentally Disabled Breaches Confidentiality, Routinely Revealing Whistleblowers ID

8. IOA Expands International Outreach Efforts

9. Post on YouTube Video by New University of Central Florida Ombuds Shreya Trivedi Draws Record Views

10. Several Notable Ombuds Passed Away in 2011

Related posts: The Ombuds Decade in Review; The Ombuds Year in Review: 2010;  The Ombuds Year in Review: 2011 (Part I); The Ombuds Year in Review: 2011 (Part II); The Ombuds Year in Review: 2011 (Part III).

Friday Poll: Ombuds, Why Are You Not Attending the IOA 2011 Conference?

Many American and Canadian Organizational Ombuds will meet up in Portland, Oregon for the sixth annual International Ombudsman Association conference. However, some Ombuds will not attend. (Last year, 55% of respondents cited "insufficient office budget" as the reason.) This week's poll asks why not this year?

• Insufficient office budget
• Organizational travel ban
• Workload/case coverage
• Lack of interest
• Choosing another conference
• Philosophical differences with IOA
• Other
• Not applicable -- I'm going!

Select all that responses apply. Results posted next Friday.

Related Friday Poll: Why Aren't You Attending the IOA (2010) Conference?

Friday Poll: Do You "Google" to Supplement Case Information?

The IOA Standards of Practice assert that Ombuds should have, "access to all information and all individuals in the organization." For many Ombuds, this means being able to access employee and academic records when relevant to the resolution of a case. But many Ombuds also use the Web or an intranet to access additional information about their visitors, parties and situations that may or may not be necessary for a resolution of the presenting concern. Background information is available from departmental webpages, Facebook, LinkedIn, employee newsletters, and local media. So how often do you look up information online as part of your case work?

• Often and for many reasons.
• Sometimes and if convenient.
• Only occasionally and if relevant to facts of case.
• Never--internet research isn't a habit.
• Never--I would have ethical concerns.

Prior Friday Polls.

Friday Poll: How is Your Office Evaluated?

The Northern Illinois University campus newspaper recently announced the annual performance review of its Ombudsman, Tim Griffin. Pursuant to the NIU Bylaws, the University Affairs Committee of the University Council will conduct the review and is soliciting information and comments from students, faculty and staff before March 1. (NIU Today.) 

This Friday Poll asks about your review process -- when, who or even at all.

How often does it occur?

• No set schedule
• Annually
• Every 2 years
• Other time period

Who evaluates?

• Direct report
• Ad hoc committee
• Standing committee
• Stakeholders (survey)

Or?

• No review process

(Check all that apply.)  

Prior: Friday Polls.

Friday Poll: Should Organizational Ombuds Disclose Their Interests?

The Legal Ombudsman is an independent service for complaints about lawyers in England and Wales that opened its doors on October 6. The service is independent and impartial. Although it is empowered to conduct formal investigations, it seeks to resolve complains informally. The office employs ten professionals, including eight Ombuds. One unique feature of the program is a detailed, quarterly disclosure of interests that may conflict with their work -- board interests, self employment, charities, public appointments, political activity, membership, close family links, etc. This level of disclosure is unprecedented in the Ombuds profession. No other Classical or Organizational Ombuds publishes potential conflicts of interest. On the other hand, many professional mediators indicate their interests for potential customers.  (Legal Ombudsman UK; BBC News.)

Organizational Ombuds share the same duty of independence and impartiality. However, most do not disclose potential conflicts until they become apparent and then usually only verbally. Do you think Organizational Ombuds should be more proactive about disclosing their interests?

• Yes, this is an important issue.
• No, I disclose verbally if needed.
• No, my public profile is sufficient.
• No, my private life is private.

Comments are always welcome in addition.

Prior: Friday Polls.

Friday Poll: What's Your Reporting Line?

This edition of the Friday Poll asks Ombuds about their organizational status. IOA Standards state that Ombuds should report, "to the highest possible level of the organization," but for many this was determined before they were hired or is not negotiable for a variety of reasons. If you're a practicing Ombuds, whether embedded or as a consultant, to whom do you report?

• Governing Board (e.g., trustees, directors, regents, legislative body)
• Chief Executive or President
• Other C-Level or Senior Executive
• Middle Management
• Other (please add comment)

As usual, the poll will remain open for a week and the results can be found in the comments to this post.

Prior Polls: What was Your Path to an Ombuds Job?; In What Organizations Are You a Member?; Embracing Web 2.0; Why Aren't You Attending the IOA Conference?; Do You Publish an Annual Report?; Preaching to the Choir?

Friday Poll: Preaching to the Choir?

Have I written a post about you or your Ombuds program?

Prior: Friday Polls.

Friday Poll: Do You Publish an Annual Report?

Some, but not all Ombuds publish annual reports. Do you? If so, what gets included?

Prior Friday Polls: Will You Buy Charles Howard's New Book; What was Your Path to an Ombuds Job?; In What Organizations Are You a Member?; Embracing Web 2.0; Why Aren't You Attending the IOA Conference?

Friday Poll: Why Aren't You Attending the IOA Conference?

Although hundreds of Organizational Ombuds and others will gather at for the International Ombudsman Association's fifth annual conference April 7-10, 2010, many will not attend. This week's poll seeks to know why readers are not going to New Orleans.

Update: Early bird registration has been extended to March 19.



Related posts: IOA Annual Conference Marks Fifth Anniversary With Promise of Rebirth, Rebuild and Respond; Follow the IOA Conference on Twitter.

Friday Poll: Embracing Web 2.0

Many Organizational Ombuds are wary of social networking websites. The profession is built on confidentiality, discretion and informality. Web 2.0 presents an evolving landscape of privacy expectations and inadvertent electronic records. Nonetheless, some Ombuds are venturing on to social networking sites to stay connected with colleagues and constituents. This week's poll asks what sites you are using.

Related posts: Ombuds Not Exempt From Influence of Internet; An Ombuds Guide to Internet Tools; Higher Ed Ombuds Are Embracing Social Media; Ombuds Blog Now on Twitter.

Friday Poll: In What Organizations Are You a Member?

There are several professional associations for Ombuds (IOA, IOI, FCO, ACCUO, USOA). In addition, many Ombuds continue to maintain membership in professional organizations for their prior career (SHRM, NAFCM, ABA). Some also join professional groups in related fields (ACR, IACM). So, this week's question: What professional organizations have you joined?

Friday Poll: What was Your Path to an Ombuds Job?

There is no clear path to an Ombuds position. There are no established educational criteria or mandatory certification for Organizational Ombuds. Instead, many people seem to fall into the position from related jobs or from within the organization. This may be changing, for better or worse, with the emergence of Ombuds courses within conflict resolution degree programs and the prospect of a credible certification scheme. So, what was your job before you became an Ombuds (or, for those looking for a position, what is your current job)?

New Ombuds Blog Feature: The Friday Poll

I'm trying out a new feature: an interactive poll located in the right-hand column. The plan is to change the question every Friday. This week's question: Will you buy Charles Howard's new book, "The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles and Operations-A Legal Guide"?

Let me know what you think about this new feature in the comments section.