Ombuds Day | 8 October 2020

Celebrate with IOA in 2020

What Is Ombuds Day?

Every second Thursday of October 2020 people around the world take time celebrate Ombuds. IOA wants to invite you to take part in the celebration. 

Ombuds Day serves as an additional opportunity to educate and raise awareness among the public about the history and practices of the ombuds profession including the various ombuds models, the roles they play, the services they offer and the value provided.

The primary goal of Ombuds Day is to improve public awareness of ombuds. 

Our actions are intended to

• Educate the public about the role of ombuds
• Explain the wide variety of services that ombuds provide
• Encourage greater use of ombuds programs and services
• Highlight the value ombuds bring to the institutions and constituents they serve.

We encourage all ombuds and those interested in the ombuds profession to participate and take this day to help spread the words about how ombuds can benefit people and organizations.

There are many ways to help celebrate this awesome holiday. You can create a local celebration, join an online celebration, and/or engages with folks on social media. Learn more about Ombuds Day on this page on the ABOM Ombuds Day Website. 

Consider Registering for One of these Virtual Events:

• Register for Ombuds Day morning session - October 8, 2020 – 10-11:30 AM ET
• Register for Ombuds Day afternoon session October 8, 2020 – 4-5:30 PM ET

Interested in hosting your own Ombuds Day event or activity?  Perhaps obtain a state or local Ombuds Day proclamation?  Find materials, templates, inspiration, and more in the Ombuds Day Toolkit.

Ombuds Day is fast approaching and IOA wants to share your message! We will be creating a video that we will post on IOA’s YouTube channel to highlight the work of ombuds around the world, and we need your help. We want to make this a representative and truly international effort, with comments from ombuds in all sectors and from programs throughout the world.

Using your smartphone, please record a message of 20-60 seconds long and send to [email protected] by September 25th.

 

In Your Recording Tell Us

1. Your name and organization
2. Where you are in the world
3. Why is ombuds work more important than ever?
4. Share a message of hope for those currently experiencing hardship and/or conflict

This will give IOA time to review your message – along with those from other IOA colleagues – to create a video that will be shared on the IOA website, through social media, and on the IOA YouTube channel. Also, our plan is to make the video available to IOA members for posting on your program's website if you would like to do so. We strongly encourage everyone to participate!

Thank you in advance, and please feel free to contact [email protected] with any questions. 

Contact your 2020 Ombuds Day Task Force Liaison.  Liaisons also want to hear about your events and proclamations! 

• International Ombudsman Association Liaison: Katie Swanson at [email protected]
• The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman Liaison: Ken Skodacek at [email protected]
• Corporate Organization Ombudsman Roundtable Liaison: Elizabeth Lopez at [email protected]
• United States Ombudsman Association Liaison: Amy Calderwood at [email protected]
  
• All others: Liz Hill at [email protected]
  

Proclamations (2020)

• Bullets will be updated as proclamations are obtained
• Sample Ombuds Day Proclamation – City
• Sample Ombuds Day Proclamation – University

Proclamations (2018-2019)

• State of Colorado Signed Proclamation
• State of Connecticut Signed Proclamation
• Commonwealth of Virginia Signed Proclamation
• State of Texas Signed Proclamation
• State of North Carolina Signed Proclamation
• State of New Mexico Signed Proclamation
• State of Washington Signed Proclamation
• State of Arizona Signed Proclamation
• State of Iowa Signed Proclamation
• State of Maryland Signed Proclamation
• City of Boulder Signed Proclamation
• City of Denver Signed Proclamation
• City of Aurora Signed Proclamation
• City of Anchorage Signed Proclamation
• City of East Lansing Signed Proclamation
• City of Des Moines Signed Proclamation
• Washington D.C. Signed Proclamation
• King County, Washington Signed Proclamation
• Frederick County Public Schools Proclamation
• Grinnell College Signed Proclamation
• Memo from U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry
• Video message from U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette
• IOA City Proclamation for Richmond, VA (from IOA 2018 Annual Conference)

Celebrations (2018-2019)

• Ideas for Celebrating Ombuds Day
• Ideas from Conflict Resolution Day
• Mediation Week toolkit
• Ombuds Day YouTube Playlist curated by IOA members
• CSU San Bernardino Event Flyer
• State of Alaska Ombuds Event Flyer
• National University Event Flyer
• Northern Illinois University Event Flyer
• University of New Mexico Event Flyer
• University of South Florida Event Flyer
• Eastern Michigan University Event Flyer
• Oberlin College “Beyond Protest” Event Page
• Grinnell College Event Flyer
• Georgia State University Event Flyer
• University of Cincinnati Event Flyer