Expand the Ombuds Profession for Greater Impact:  Internal and External Outreach Is up to Us

Course Description

Outreach is an integral part of our work as ombuds, as a means to inform us, cement our influence, and secure our positions. As critical as it is for our effectiveness, and even our survival, it often falls to the bottom of the list. This webinar will explore in depth the reasons that we must put more emphasis on outreach, both within and outside of our organizations. We will discuss in detail how to market your role to your constituents. We will also discuss how to reach out and inform those in our communities and in affiliated professions. We hope to integrate the ideas of participants through the online chat. We will end the webinar by facilitating the beginning of outreach plans by each of the participants.

Learning Objectives

1. To learn why outreach is important
2. To learn how to do outreach (including resources)
3. To start your plan for initiating outreach

Biographies

Randy Williams is the Managing Director of Redmond, Williams & Associates, LLC, helping clients establish, expand or enhance Ombuds programs.  Prior to RWA, Randy worked for American Express for 25 years and was Senior Vice President who ran operation centers in Phoenix and Europe.  She led an HR, Learning & Development and Quality team and led the global Ombuds team reporting to the CEO and Audit Committee of the Board.  She has co-authored numerous articles relating to the Ombuds profession and is an IOA Distinguished Emeritus.  Randy is a SCORE Mentor, Board Member of Prescott Area  Shelter Services and member of ABA Dispute Resolution Ombuds Committee.

Caroline Adams is the Campus Ombuds and Director of the Office of the Ombuds at the University of California-Santa Barbara where she serves faculty, staff, students and post-doctoral scholars. She has a J.D., a Master of Fine Arts, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner. She is currently Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee. She has worked as a mediator, facilitator, litigation attorney, professor, teacher, and employee and labor relations representative. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, triathlons, hiking and making jewelry.