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The SRCD 2025 Biennial Meeting Ombuds: Your Resource for Addressing Concerns

Independent. Impartial. Informal. Confidential.

The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.”

The Ombuds is an impartial, independent, off-the-record resource who is available on-site to hear concerns confidentially. The Ombuds can assist with identifying options and resources to address conflicts or issues such as harassment, discrimination, or any violation of SRDC’s Code of Conduct. This resource is available to all attendees, staff, exhibitors, and anyone participating in SRDC’s 2025 Biennial Meeting.

The Ombuds will be available during the meeting for individual, confidential consultations in the Minneapolis Convention Center in Room M101A as follows:

  • Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Friday, May 2, 2025 |10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Use the form below to learn more or schedule an appointment with the ombuds.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about an ombuds function:

  1. What does an ombuds do?
  2. How do I contact the ombuds before, during, and after the meeting?
  3. What does an ombuds not do?
  4. Who can use the ombuds service?
  5. What types of concerns are brought to the ombuds?
  6. What happens when you contact the ombuds?
  7. What might I gain by contacting the ombuds?
  8. What authority does the ombuds have?
  9. What happens to information provided to the ombuds?
  10. How does the ombuds differ from employee relations or Human Resources professional?
  11. How does the ombuds differ from a lawyer?
  12. How does an ombuds differ from a mediator?
  13. What sort of issues and concerns come to the ombuds?
  14. If I have a concern on someone else’s behalf at the Meeting, may I contact the ombuds, or is this service only for people who are concerned about themselves?
  15. How does the ombuds remain neutral?
  16. Will the ombuds participate in formal meetings?
  17. How is the ombuds unique and different than other resources at SRCD?
  18. Are there some things that will not be kept confidential?
  19. Will the ombuds talk to my attorney or testify for me or for the company if I choose to file a grievance or lawsuit?
  20. Can the user of the ombuds services remain anonymous?
  21. Does the ombuds report to SRCD on issues they dealt with at the Meeting?
  22. What if my question is not listed here?

Resources

About the Ombuds

SRCD 2025 Biennial Meeting attendees have access to MWI ombuds Jai Calloway.

Jai Calloway ombudsJai Calloway is an experienced, people‐focused ombuds with a mission to redefine how people understand and work together by harnessing the power of difference. Jai has spent over fourteen years working and studying conflict resolution methodology and its intersection with diversity and inclusion within organizational settings. Jai previously served as Corporate Ombuds for Halliburton Oil Services and serves as an external organizational ombuds for small businesses cross‐industry. She is an alumnus of the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law – Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution. Jai was Vice‐Chair of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section and was Chair of the International Ombuds Association Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Task Force. In addition to her work as an ombuds and conference ombuds, Jai works as an organizational development consultant, where her focuses are conflict resolution, employee engagement, and diversity & inclusion.

Contact

  • Phone: (direct and confidential phone and voicemail) 
  • Confidential web form – If you would like to submit the form in confidence, you are not required to give your name.

Due to the confidential, impartial, informal, and independent nature of the ombuds function, communication with the ombuds does not constitute formal notice to SRCD.

The SRCD Charter for the SRCD 2025 Biennial Meeting Ombuds was established under a charter approved by the Executive Director. A copy of that charter is available here. The charter incorporates by reference the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and requires that the SRCD ombuds adhere to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The charter, as well as the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, contain important information about the ombuds and the manner in which the ombuds functions.

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