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At its fall meeting on November 18, 2009, the Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen announced the results of its Executive Committee elections:- Chairperson -– Wendy Kamenshine (Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Office)
- Vice Chairperson -– Sarah Zeigler (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- Secretary -– Jim Sheldon (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)
- Coordinator -– Joyce DeMoss (Transportation Security Administration)
As the new Chair, Kamenshine thanked her successor, Michael Turpenoff (Department of Education), for his work on behalf of CoFO. The minutes from the meeting reflect continued coordination with USOA and advocacy on behalf of Federal Ombuds programs. Attendees also supported surveying members to determine whether their focus was on external or internal or internal constituents. CoFO will convene again later this month. (CoFO Meeting Minutes, 11/18/09.)Zeigler and DeMoss are also active in IOA. (IOA 2008 Conf. Speaker Bios.)Prior posts: COFO Sets Conference Agenda; CoFO Continues Work on Thorny Issues Facing Government Ombuds.
The American newsmagazine expects the alternative dispute resolution field to grow at an above-average pace over the next decade. According to a recent article, "Employment in arbitration, mediation, and conciliation is expected to expand by 1,400 jobs, or 14 percent, between 2008 and 2018—a growth rate above the average for all occupations." The article also observes there is a no clear educational path, training regimen or certification scheme for the field. (US News & World Report via ACR Update.)Related post: "Best Careers" Include Mediators.
Marsha Wagner, the Columbia University Ombuds Officer, is featured in the current issue of her campus newsletter. Wagner has worked at Columbia for 31 years and helped establish the Ombuds Office in 1991. Before becoming the Ombuds, Wagner taught classical Chinese literature and was director of the C.V. Starr East Asian Library. She says that the best part of her job is helping people move through an issue. “It is wonderful to observe two people who have had a serious misunderstanding come together to talk through their differences and end with a conciliatory handshake.” Every year, Wagner and Associate Ombuds Officer Bathabile Mthombeni handle about 600 new cases. Wagner also reveals she is a quilter and gardener. (Columbia Record.)Wagner is recognized as a leader in the Ombuds field and has been actively involved in UCOA and IOA. She speaks often at regional and annual meetings. Most recently, she has lead the effort to establish an optional certification program for practitioners.Related posts: Ombuds to Speak at ACR Regional Conference in New York; Where Are All the Women Who Mediate?; List of Leading Dispute Resolution Processes Omits Ombuds; Directors Appointed to Ombuds Certification Board.
Organizational Ombuds routinely counsel employees unhappy about some aspect of their work. Options for resolution generally range from doing nothing to quitting. Most of the more attractive options lie between and include informal and formal attempts to address the causes of dissatisfaction. In many cases, the employee stays in their position. An article in the US News & World Report summarizes some tactics for those who decide to try and cope in an unpleasant job.- Figure out what's changed -- examine the reason for dissatisfaction as a first step toward changing the situation;
- Start a research project -- alter your routine to see whether changes have a positive effect;
- Start with gratitude -- recognize the benefits of your position;
- Look around the office -- connect with coworkers to make positive changes;
- Help colleagues with three things -- give feedback to alleviate feelings of anonymity, irrelevance, and lack of success.
(US News & World Report.)Related posts: Deciding Whether to Quit; Study: Complaining Makes it Worse; The Power of Nice; Working Happily With Colleagues; Advice for Visitors Who Need to Get Along With Their Bosses.
In October 2009, Nancy Deering was appointed as the first Ombudsman for the Newark Public Schools, a district comprising about 40,000 students and 7,500 staff. District Superintendent Dr. Clifford Janey said, “Ms. Deering is an outstanding professional with more than two decades of experience managing the kinds of collaborative partnerships between management and staff and management and community that are sorely needed in the district. I believe she will work well with the team we have put together.” Previously, Deering was an Ombuds for Merrill Lynch. She earned her BA in Communications from Rutgers University and a a masters’ degree in Organizational Development from the University of Phoenix. Deering has been an active member of IOA, including service on the 2007-2008 Conference Oversight Committee. (Newark Public Schools Press Release, Newsletter; IOA 2008 Annual Report.)Prior posts: Newark Public Schools Hiring First Ombuds; Job Posting.
Bill Warters at the Campus-ADR Tech Blog notes that the Princeton University Ombuds has updated the website:A feature of special interest is the Online Conflict Management Coach tutorial. The flash-based tutorial explains some key concepts about conflict ... and then walks the viewer through a series of questions about a current conflict you may be involved in. Based on your responses, a recommendation of a strategy is provided, along with some tips on how that strategy might be carried out effectively. The viewer is introduced to the various conflict management styles and the potential pros and cons of each. The "online coach" tool appears to be free for use by folks both on and off campus, providing a great resource to promote self-reflection or to prepare for a shared conversation about handling a difficult situation.
(Campus-ADR Tech Blog; Princeton Ombuds Office.) Related post: Princeton Ombuds to Head World Bank Mediation Office.
The original version of this post mistakenly indicated that the Online Management Coach tutorial was created by the current Princeton Ombuds, DA Graham. In fact, the tool was developed and launched by Camilo Azcarate before he moved to the World Bank. I apologize for this error.
The FDA is hiring an Ombuds for the newly created Center for Tobacco Products. The position reports to the Center's Director in Rockville, MD and is responsible for developing an ADR program and supervising third party neutrals. This appears to be unlike most other FDA Center Ombuds positions that are primarily for external constituents. One or more positions may be filled. Applications for the GS-15 job are due by January 11, 2010. (Federal Government Jobs, USA Jobs, Job Ann. No.: CK-305837-FH; NY Times.)Related post: FDA Drug Evaluation Ombuds Issues Annual Report; 2007 FDA Job Posting.
