About | Registration Info | Scholarships | Schedule
IOA Foundations of the Organizational Ombuds Course
About the Course
The Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course is offered multiple times each year virtually and in person.
This flagship course is primarily designed for new and aspiring organizational ombuds and those interested in learning more about the profession. The course covers the fundamentals of the organizational ombuds role based on the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.
This fundamental three-day in-person or four-day virtual experience is packed with information on how to work with visitors, how to act as a change agent within an organization, and how to practice some of the key ombuds skills necessary for success. 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.
Participants learn how to...
- Recognize key characteristics and skills of effective ombuds.
- Apply the ethical principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.
- Use new strategies to build trust and show compassion with visitors.
- Demonstrate impartial listening techniques, including how to paraphrase, reflect, and reframe.
- Analyze visitor issues to identify positions, related feelings, and underlying interests.
- Better assist visitors in exploring and defining options.
- See the interdependence between how ombuds serve visitors and serve the organization at large.
- Align the ombuds function with the overall vision, mission, goals, and values of the organization.
- Work more effectively with organizational leadership.
- Address common challenges to conveying the value and impact of ombuds work.
- Appreciate the uniqueness and complexity of the ombuds role.
- Recognize the dimensions and parameters of the organizational ombuds role.
- Reflect on their own personal relationship to the role.
- Learn best practices.
- Identify resources to learn more.
- Build a community of practice.
Please note this course does not address some features unique to other models of ombuds practice, such as classical, advocate, or legislative.
"I took the IOA’s first virtual Foundations Course back in October of 2020, and I found it to be a very valuable experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and engaging, the material was presented in an organized way, and there were plenty of opportunities for both small-group and large-group discussions. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues all over the world without having to deal with the expenses normally associated with travel."
— Dr. Julia Farmer, IOA Member
2025 IOA Foundations Courses
Dates are subject to change. Each virtual course will support 24 participants.
Please note: There are two virtual courses that run concurrently for the months of May, October, and December. When registering, please make sure you select the date and time you are available to attend.
If the course date you are interested in attending is sold out, please fill out our waitlist form. Select the date you are interested in attending and we will reach out if cancellations occur on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 13 - 16 January | Virtual | SOLD OUT | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 10 - 13 February | Virtual | SOLD OUT| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 4 - 6 April | In-Person | REGISTRATION CLOSED | Friday & Saturday, 4-5 April - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET and Sunday, 6 April - 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM ET
- 19 - 22 May | Virtual | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 19 - 22 May | Virtual | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
- 14 - 17 July | Virtual | SOLD OUT | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 4 - 7 August | Virtual | SOLD OUT | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 16 - 17 September | In-Person | Denmark | Tuesday & Wednesday, 16-17 September - 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM CET and a 2 Hour Virtual Component, Schedule to Come
- 5 - 7 October | In-Person | New Zealand | Sunday & Monday, 5-6 October - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM NZDT and Tuesday, 7 October - 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM NZDT
- 20 - 23 October | Virtual | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 20 - 23 October | Virtual | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
- 8 - 11 December | Virtual | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
- 8 - 11 December | Virtual | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Registration Information
- Virtual Rates
- $1,895 USD for IOA members
- $2,495 USD for Non-Members
- In-Person Rates
- $2,095 USD for IOA members
- $2,595 USD for Non-Members
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.
Foundations Scholarships
IOA 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 a Virtual Foundations Course.
Applications for the 2025 Virtual Foundations Courses are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!
Eligibility Criteria & Scholarship Requirements
- Applicants must be a member of IOA.
- Applicants must not have additional financial support from their employer or other organization to attend a Foundations course.
- Applicants must provide one reference with their contact information in their application.
Other Resources & Related Courses
If 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.
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