MWI Ombuds Community of Practice
MWI’s Ombuds Community of Practice is a benefit for being approved as a Panel Member with MWI. These programs bring MWI’s ombuds together to discuss new ideas, strengthen ADR skills, and provide opportunities to learn from and engage with top-notch ombuds. These sessions are voluntary (not billable) and free for all approved MWI ombuds.
Schedule
All programs occur via Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (unless otherwise indicated) from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET. A calendar invite with Zoom information will be sent out monthly.
Upcoming Programs
- February 11, 2026
- March 11, 2026
- April 8, 2026
- May 13, 2026
- June 10, 2026
Past Programs
- January 14, 2026: Open Round Table
- December 10, 2025: Spotlight Q&A with IOA President, Ellen Miller
- November 12, 2025: Learning from Mistakes
- October 8, 2025: Open Round Table
- August 8, 2025: Hot Topic – Capturing and Conveying an Ombuds Value
- July 11, 2025: Hot Topic – What Makes an Effective Ombuds?
- June 13, 2025: Hot Topic – What are the Core Characteristics of an Ombuds?
- May 9, 2025: Open Round Table
- April 11, 2025: Hot Topic, IOA Conference Learnings
- March 14, 2025: Open Round Table
- January 10, 2025: Open Round Table
- December 13, 2024: Open Round Table
- November 8, 2024: Spotlight Q&A with Liz Hill, Associate Director for the University of Colorado Boulder Ombuds Office
- October 11, 2024: Hot Topic – Ombuds and AI
- September 13, 2024: Open Round Table
- August 9, 2024: Hot Topic – Outsourced and In-House Ombuds
- July 12, 2024: Summer Break! No Meeting
- June 14, 2024: Neuroscience Applied to Ombuds Practice with Dr. Francisco Espejo
- May 10, 2024: Ombuds Spotlight Q&A with Tom Kosakowski
- April 12, 2024: Hot Topic – Group Work
- March 8, 2024: Open Round Table
- February 9, 2024: Ombuds Spotlight Q&A with Chuck Howard
- January 12, 2024: Open Round Table
- December 8, 2023: Hot Topic – Reporting
- November 17, 2023: Ombuds Spotlight Q&A with Mary Rowe
- October 13, 2023: Open Round Table
Program Descriptions
Open Round Table
- Introductions
- Discuss pressing ombuds practice-related questions or issues you would like to share and discuss
- Share something you have watched or read recently that has informed your work (or that you would just like to share with others)
- Share any recent wins (positive feedback from a visitor, fulfilling facilitated discussion, aha moment, etc.)
- A “What would you do?” case discussion
Ombuds Spotlight Q&A
A facilitated Q&A session with prominent ombuds in the field. Questions can be submitted by participants in advance or during the session. Questions will explore topics such as:
- What do you think is the most pressing concern for ombuds today?
- What is one of your most memorable ombuds cases?
- What is one piece of advice you would give to ombuds?
- How have you seen our field change over time?
- Where do you think our field is heading?
Hot Topics
A facilitated discussion around hot topics in the ombuds field. Topics will be voted on in advance by participants and may include:
- What are the limits of confidentiality? Where might there be gray areas?
- What are the limits of impartiality? Where might there be gray areas?
- Reporting: How do you do it? Is it useful? What have you found helpful?
- What is it like to be a conference ombuds?
- What ombuds can learn from the coaching world.
- Benefits of mediation training for ombuds.
- To CO-OP or not?
- Other topics submitted by you!
Tool Share
An opportunity to learn about a new tool or tools that can help you in our practice.
For More Information
Please contact Dana Hinojosa at dhinojosa@mwi.org or 617-895-4032.
