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About | Registration Info | Scholarships | Schedule | Be an Instructor IOA Foundations of the Organizational Ombuds CourseAbout the CourseThe Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course is offered multiple times each year virtually and in person. The IOA Foundations Course is designed for new practicing organizational ombuds and covers the fundamentals of the organizational ombuds role based on the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality. A limited number of scholarships are available to help IOA members take part in this course. This fundamental course is packed with information on how to work with visitors, how to act as a change agent within an organization, and how to practice the key ombuds skills of listening, asking questions, clarifying, generating options, and moving to actions throughout the ombuds process. 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. Each in-person course is three full days. Each online course is scheduled across four half-days. To ensure a meaningful and connected experience, each course is limited to 24 participants. Attendees engage in group learning via Zoom as well as self-driven online learning hosted on IOA’s Online Learning Center. Foundations Registration Information
Course payment is due at least four weeks before the course starts. Please review all payment, registration, and attendance policies prior to registering for a course. View Course Policies2024 IOA Foundations Course ScheduleThe Foundations Course is designed for recently appointed ombuds. You must hold an ombuds position to register. If you do not currently hold an ombuds position and/or you are exploring becoming an ombuds or are interested in learning about the organizational ombuds role, you may register for the May 2024 course. Additional courses for aspiring ombuds may be scheduled later in the year based on demand. 2024 Course Dates
Want to know when space becomes available in a sold-out course? Join 2024 Course Interest ListView the IOA Event CalendarWho should attend the Foundations Course?The course is designed for recently appointed ombuds. Its objectives are to help new practitioners:
Participants of this course will learn how to...
This course is also beneficial for anyone desiring to enter the ombuds profession or establish an ombuds function within an organization. This course applies to ombuds programs in organizational settings. (Ex. industry, government, education, and public or private social services agencies). It does not address some features unique to other models of ombuds practice, such as classical, advocate, or legislative. Foundations ScholarshipsIOA offers annual scholarships for the Foundations Course. The scholarship application window generally runs November-December of the year prior to the applicant's desired course year. Eligibility criteria and scholarship requirements involve financial needs, professional references, and a written summary of the recipient's experience from the course. This scholarship covers the course fee for either a virtual or in-person Foundations course. If the scholarship applicant elects to attend an in-person Foundations course, travel and lodging will not be covered by the scholarship. 2024 Eligibility Criteria & Scholarship Requirements
Application Submissions Closed
Other Resources & Related CoursesIf this course is not quite what you are looking for, please take a moment to review the list of other helpful resources and tools below.
Apply to Become a Foundations InstructorThe Professional Development Committee (PDC) is tasked with identifying qualified instructors and presenters who are willing to share skills and knowledge with ombuds from around the world. The PDC is excited to present its new Instructor Interest Form, which allows IOA members to apply to become an instructor or presenter for many of IOA's training opportunities. Learn More & Apply
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