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IOA's Ombuds ProgramVirtual Ombuds Services for the IOA CommunityNavigate this page:
IOA Members Seeking Ombuds ServicesIf you are an IOA member who would like to contact the IOA Ombuds, please use the confidential email: [email protected] or the phone number: +1 (503) 847-9854 to reach the IOA Ombuds, Breanne Taylor. If you have any questions about the IOA Ombuds please review our FAQ or reach out to the IOA office at [email protected]. Email the IOA OmbudsCall +1 (503) 847-9854 (Please Leave a Voicemail)View IOA's Ombuds CharterMeet the Current Ombuds, Breanne Taylor![]() Breanne Taylor has been an IOA member since 2013. She currently serves as Associate Ombuds at Oregon State University, working with faculty, staff, and students. Breanne is a certified administrator of the Conflict Climate Inventory, applying the tool to diagnose workplace conflict at a systems level. She is a professionally trained and experienced mediator who has been an active member of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds (CCCUO) since 2012 and began serving on the CCCUO Board of Directors in 2017. Breanne is available by phone at +1 (503) 847-9854 and via email at [email protected]. She serves as an independent, neutral, off-the-record, and confidential resource for members of the IOA community to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your practice, the profession, IOA, or other related issues and concerns. She will be able to provide information and a safe virtual place for people to discuss their concerns in a confidential way to explore options for any further action. She will not be authorized to serve as a place where notice of claims can be given to the IOA. Likewise, she will not have the responsibility or authority to investigate any issues raised. In addition to serving as a resource to assist individuals during this period, Breanne—without breaching the confidentiality of any communications by people using the services—will provide the IOA with feedback on the nature of issues raised and any insights or observations about systemic issues relating to the IOA. IOA Ombuds ReportsEach year a written report is presented to the IOA Board of Directors about the Ombuds Program’s performance. The report provides insight into the value of the ombuds office, data about that year's cases, observations made by the ombuds, and considerations for the future. You can read the latest reports below. IOA 2020 Ombuds ReportIOA 2021 Ombuds ReportIOA 2022 Ombuds ReportIOA Ombuds Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I contact the Ombuds? By Phone: +1 (503) 847-9854. Please note that Breanne is located in the Pacific Timezone and speaks English. When leaving a voicemail, please indicate your timezone and/or the best time to return your call and phone number with country code, and any other details you wish to share. If you require ASL interpretation or another accommodation in order to communicate with Breanne, please share this information with Breanne so she may assist with making appropriate accommodations if possible. Is the IOA Ombuds an organizational ombuds? What is an IOA Ombuds? How does an organizational ombuds differ from a lawyer? Is the IOA Ombuds the same as a Mediator? What sort of issues and concerns can be brought to the IOA Ombuds?
May I contact the IOA Ombuds for guidance concerning an issue I am having myself and also if I have a concern about others? Will my communications with the IOA Ombuds be confidential? Are there exceptions to this confidentiality? What authority does the IOA Ombuds have? What authority does the IOA Ombuds not have? Is the IOA Ombuds part of a formal complaint procedure? Does the IOA Ombuds report to the IOA on issues they dealt with? The History of IOA's Own OmbudsThe International Ombuds Association (IOA) is a worldwide professional association committed to supporting organizational ombuds. In December 2019, the IOA Board of Directors unanimously voted to launch a pilot program to find an appropriate Conference Ombuds. They started their search of an experienced organizational ombuds to provide this service to participants at IOA’s 15th Annual Conference 28 March–1 April 2020 in Portland, Oregon, and contracted retired ombuds, Elaine Shaw, CO-OP®. Unfortunately, due to constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the conference was canceled. Following the cancellation, in April 2020, IOA began providing virtual ombuds services on a temporary basis to all members and others within the IOA community as people cope with the stress, uncertainty, and possible changes to their ombuds practice. This also supports the IOA’s mission of promoting the profession, providing service to all members, and setting an example for other professional associations. The ombuds program proved successful and in July 2020, the Board unanimously voted to extend the pilot project for one year. On September 23, 2021, having confirmed success with the pilot IOA Ombuds Program, the IOA Board of Directors voted to establish a permanent IOA Ombuds Program. In 2020, IOA President Melanie Jagneaux spoke with our own first IOA Ombuds, Elaine Shaw, in a #GoodDayIOA video. The video features an interview with Elaine talking about serving as a resource to members during the challenges of COVID times. In July 2022, IOA welcomed a new ombuds, Breanne Taylor. |