Northwest Ombuds Group Meeting: June 17, 2008
Hosted by Frank Fowlie, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN) and co-chaired by
Martine Conway, University of Victoria, and Gary Insley, Camosun College
The Northwest Ombuds Group (NWOG) is a regional cross-sector gathering of practicing ombuds and others interested in supporting the work of ombuds. Participants from the US northwest and Canada's western provinces come together to network, to engage in educational activities, to explore best practices, and to discuss issues relevant to ombuds practice. The resulting dialogue is strengthened through exploring the ombuds role within and across a wide-range of academic, governmental, healthcare, corporate and not-for-profit settings.
Since its inception in 2001, the NWOG has met 2-3 times each year. A participants-driven, informal organization, NWOG has been hosted by ombuds in Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, B.C. and now in Victoria, B.C.
The June 17 NWOG meeting is held in collaboration with the International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution (UNODR), June 18-20, 2008 at Royal Roads University: http://odrforum2008.icann.org/welcome
NWOG participants will be welcomed as delegates to the UNODR Forum and its social events. UNODR registrants are invited to participate in the morning session of NWOG. This session will include introductions and networking, an educational presentation, and a participant exchange. The featured topic is “Community of Practice”.
Please note: There is no cost for registration to UNODR or NWOG, but separate registration is required.
To register for NWOG, please email Martine Conway at ombuddy@uvic.ca
NWOG registration includes morning break, lunch and afternoon break refreshments. On June 17th, there will be a dinner hosted by the Royal Roads University Foundation at Hatley Castle (Royal Roads University) for the UNODR, and NWOG members will be welcome to attend.
or travel and hotel information, please see the UNODR site: http://odrforum2008.icann.org/welcome
Proposed agenda NWOG June 17, 2008
Morning
Community of practice: presentation and discussion: Ombuds have much to learn with and from each other. NWOG colleagues Martine Conway, Gary Insley and Susan Neff will guide this introduction to the "Community of Practice" concept and its potential value to ombuds as a tool for practice-based reflection, education and research.
Online Dispute Resolution and Ombudsing from a distance: Interactive Exchange. Ombuds and UNODR Forum participants will share best practices, ODR tips & tactics for all.
Afternoon
Data collection & case tracking across practice sectors. What do we track/collect? How do we track/collect? Why do we track/collect and what do we do with the information? How do we capture and communicate the value of the Ombudsman’s Office? Gary Insley will share his recent work in this area and invites others to share their systems so that we can compare, contrast and learn through the exchange.
Roundtable on topics raised by participants.
