Resources for Aspiring Ombuds

IOA offers tools for practicing ombuds and for promoting the ombuds profession. IOA members have access to these tools and much more. Consider an IOA membership for you and your team today. Group and individual memberships are available.

Learn more and join IOA today!

How Do I Become an Ombuds?

Unlike many professions, the journey to becoming an organizational ombuds, does not follow a clearly identified path. The global ombuds community is filled with professionals who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most of the ombuds in the IOA network have a diverse range of academic credentials and professional experiences. 

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Education & Training for Aspiring Ombuds

IOA offers a wide variety of courses to support training in the organizational ombuds profession, as well as a wealth of recorded webinars available to members for free.

Training Map for New Ombuds

The Value of the Organizational Ombuds Role

Whether you are in a higher ed, corporate, government, NGO/association, K-12 or research setting, adding an organizational ombuds is a proven and effective way to build and improve workplace culture, support employees and other stakeholders, and much more. 

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Ombuds-Related Networks and Groups

IOA Online CommUnity

IOA Online CommUnity is your hub for connecting and engaging with other IOA members and accessing a library of ombuds resources. Log in using your IOA username and password for access to the IOA Online CommUnity platform. Make sure to join the New & Emerging Ombuds discussion group!

Access the CommUnity

Emerging Ombuds Network (EON)

EON’s mission is to advocate for and support the development of emerging ombuds and the ombuds profession. We do this by:

• sharing resources
• engaging in dialogue
• identifying pathways into the profession
• providing a community of support

EON provides a wonderful, asynchronous opportunity to engage in conversation, participate in activities, and share resources via the Slack platform (eonombuds.slack.com). EON also provides messaging via X (formerly Twitter) @eonombuds. If you are new to the field, or are interested in jumping into the role of an ombuds, then EON is a viable place to provide support along the way.

Additional Networks and Communities

Learn more about other formal and informal ombuds-related communities available for ombuds to connect with.

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