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2024 IOA September Symposium: Organization as Visitor

Join us virtually on 25-26 September. The dual role of ombudsing requires us to serve both our stakeholders and our organizations. The 2024 September Symposium will focus on working with the "organization as visitor" and include topics that will build our capacity including data storytelling, collection and management, trend analysis, providing systemic feedback, and perspectives from C-Suite leaders.

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View the Schedule

Payment Options 
Registration can be paid by credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express). 

Can I pay with a check? Payment by credit card is required at this time. Please contact the IOA office if your organization requires an invoice.

 Dates and Times

  • 25 September: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT
  • 26 September: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT

 

Registration Rates

  • Members: $275.00
  • Student & Retired Members: $150.00
  • Non-Members: $475.00

Schedule

The schedule is subject to change

Wednesday, 25 September Session
1:00 PM - 1:55 PM PT Ombuddy Networking Time: Connect with your fellow Ombuddies in open discussion rooms on a variety of topics.
1:55 PM - 2:00 PM  PT Welcome and Orientation for the Day
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM  PT

Experiences with the Organization as Visitor: In addition to providing confidential, informal, independent, and impartial assistance to individuals, Ombuds also serve the organization by being sensitive to the interests and concerns of the organization and helping the organization clarify goals and consider options to make the best decisions about next steps. This panel of Ombuds from various sectors will reflect on and share vulnerably about past experiences with viewing the organization as a visitor, including their successes and potential missed opportunities. Learn More
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM  PT Telling Stories with Data – A Tactical Formula: The most compelling way to communicate is to tell a story. 
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM  PT Break
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM  PT Beyond the Survey - Innovative Data Collection: Our stories are only as good as the data we have to anchor our insights. Join this combination of speakers who will share how they have used data in innovative ways.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM  PT Data Management Practices: Data has great power, but with great power comes great responsibility. The members of the data management team will share important considerations for data management and collection for different sectors and state/national/international governments and include how to manage and track DEIBA and other world topics. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to break into smaller groups to discuss challenges with data.
Thursday, 26 September  
7:00 AM - 7:15 AM PT Welcome and Reflections
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM PT Keynote
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PT Trend Analysis: A critical part of the OO model is identifying patterns and trends that are impacting the health of the organization. But how do you identify patterns and trends, hot spots, hot issues, and hot people? In this session, hear from ombuds who have embraced trend analysis.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT

The Art of Delivering Tough News: Talking about Divisive and Difficult Topics and with Divisive and Difficult People
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT Break and Small Group Breakouts
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Practice Delivering Tough Topics

Nominations Needed: We are looking for C-Suite level volunteers to assist in this session. In this session, C-suite leaders will sit with a small group of four to six September Symposium attendees to practice delivering the news given to them in from a case study. C-Suite leaders are expected to listen to each delivery and offer feedback. Nominate a C-Suite guest!
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM PT More Information Coming Soon!
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM PT End-of-Day Discussion

 

FAQs and Technology Questions

Technical Failure Policy: Check Your Tech

Make sure your computer or laptop speakers are properly connected and working prior to the conference, and confirm they are not muted or turned off. If your audio ever cuts out during a session, you can check it by clicking the up arrow next to the microphone icon in your Zoom window. Make sure the selected "Speaker" device is correct, and troubleshoot your sound by clicking "Test Speakers & Microphone."

Learn More

Past September Symposiums: 

2023 IOA September Symposium: Ombuds as Change Agents: Ombuds Intersections in the Modern World