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IOA Foundations of the Organizational Ombuds Course

About the Course

The Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course is offered multiple times each year virtually and in person.

This flagship course is primarily designed for new and aspiring organizational ombuds and those interested in learning more about the profession. The course covers the fundamentals of the organizational ombuds role based on the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality. 

This fundamental three-day in-person or four-day virtual experience is packed with information on how to work with visitors, how to act as a change agent within an organization, and how to practice some of the key ombuds skills necessary for success. The course is taught by an experienced and highly committed faculty of ombuds who will share best practices around running an effective office as well as evaluating and communicating the effectiveness of that office.

2025 Virtual Foundations Course Registration

Participants learn how to...

• Recognize key characteristics and skills of effective ombuds.
• Apply the ethical principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.
• Use new strategies to build trust and show compassion with visitors.
• Demonstrate impartial listening techniques, including how to paraphrase, reflect, and reframe.
• Analyze visitor issues to identify positions, related feelings, and underlying interests.
• Better assist visitors in exploring and defining options.
• See the interdependence between how ombuds serve visitors and serve the organization at large.
• Align the ombuds function with the overall vision, mission, goals, and values of the organization.
• Work more effectively with organizational leadership.
• Address common challenges to conveying the value and impact of ombuds work.
• Appreciate the uniqueness and complexity of the ombuds role.
• Recognize the dimensions and parameters of the organizational ombuds role.
• Reflect on their own personal relationship to the role.
• Learn best practices.
• Identify resources to learn more.
• Build a community of practice.

Please note this course does not address some features unique to other models of ombuds practice, such as classical, advocate, or legislative.

"I took the IOA’s first virtual Foundations Course back in October of 2020, and I found it to be a very valuable experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and engaging, the material was presented in an organized way, and there were plenty of opportunities for both small-group and large-group discussions. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues all over the world without having to deal with the expenses normally associated with travel."

— Dr. Julia Farmer, IOA Member

2025 IOA Foundations Courses