Please join us for this year's online program:
Options in Action: Where Mediation Meets the Ombuds World
on October 8, at 9am PT/12pm ET
Ombuds and mediators share a foundational mission: helping individuals and organizations navigate conflict with dignity, autonomy, and respect. Rooted in shared values of confidentiality, fairness, and self-determination, both disciplines empower people to communicate across differences, bridge divides, and discover constructive paths forward. They also share many of the same skills and approaches.
This Ombuds Day program explores the natural overlap between two fields mediating interests between individuals, groups, and organizations. It will explore alignment in philosophy and practice between two fields dedicated to resolving human and institutional friction.
In exploring the theme, "Office of Options," we will delve into how the core philosophy and values of ombuds work connect with broader mediation practices across ombuds models. The program aims to elevate the profile of the ombuds profession while demonstrating how our distinct frameworks empower individuals and institutions to navigate complex conflict.
Program Overview:
- Welcome
- Ken Skodacek, former chair Ombuds Committee and Ombuds Day Committee
- Featured Conversations: Recorded conversations between ombuds and ABA Dispute Resolution Section leaders reflecting on shared values, philosophy, and interest-based problem-solving across practice settings.
- Doug Mintz, DR Section Chair & Mediator with Marcus Stergio, former Co-Chair Ombuds Day Subcommittee
- Ellie Vilendrer, DR Section Chair-Elect & Mediator/Arbitrator with Bathabile Mthombeni, Co-Chair Ombuds Committee
- Felicia Harris Hoss, DR Section Vice Chair with Caroline Adams, former Co-Chair Ombuds Committee
- Christopher Ernst, DR Section Mediation Committee Co-Chair, with Ryan Smith, former Co-Chair Ombuds Committee
- Cristina Blunt, DR Section Mediation Committee Co-Chair, with Matt Ricke, Co-Chair Ombuds Committee
- Lou Hockman, Co-Chair, DR Section Ethics Committee, with Meg Willoughby, former Co-Chair Ombuds Committee
- Live Expert Panel & Analysis: Commentators, including Alec Chapa, Chair Ombuds Day Subcommittee, and experienced housing and long-term care ombuds, and Paul Sotoudeh, experienced federal and university ombuds
All are welcome to attend, whether experienced ombuds, aspiring ombuds, or ombuds-curious. The registration link is here: https://americanbar.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xu2HNnHMR7CIzJW7PyO5zQ
Presented by the American Bar Association's Section of Dispute Resolution- Ombuds Committee