The 2024 Coalition of Federal Ombuds Annual Conference will be held as a hybrid event all day on Friday, October 25th, 2024. We are excited to once again offer the camaraderie and fellowship of an in-person conference experience at the Clara Barton Auditorium at the US Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA. For those who are not able to join us in person in Alexandria, virtual attendance is available. Either way, we hope you are able to join us.
As always, the conference is free and open to all. The agenda is primarily aimed at federal ombuds practitioners of all models, but includes information and sessions which may be of interest to ombuds and ADR practitioners anywhere, as well as those interested in other fields.
The conference day has been approved for 5.0 PDH. An agenda is coming soon, but plenary speakers include:
Martha Patrick, MEd, CO-OP, University Ombudsperson at the University of Massachusetts Boston – “How are we doing?: Using the VXSA Audit to improve our visitors’ experience and operational integrity”
Nina Chambers, Digital Communications Specialist, Greg Edens, Public Engagement Specialist, and Allison Posner, Director of External Relations, all at the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman – “Marketing Your Ombuds Office”
Laurel Gordon, Deputy Ombuds at the United States Marshals Service – “The Secret of the Controlled Burn: Suffering in Conflict”
Tim Hedeen, Professor of Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University – “Insights and Implications on Government-sector Ombuds from IOA’s 2024 Practice Survey”
Sarah Kith, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at the Library of Congress – “The Intersection of Inclusive Leadership and Ombuds: Strengthening Systems”
Mary Chavez Rudolph, Organizational Ombuds, and Sigal Shoham, Organizational Ombuds, both at the Department of the Interior – “Recovering from Harassment Investigations – How Organizations and Ombuds can Support Repair”
When registering, please make sure your email address is correct. Information for attendees will be disseminated exclusively via email, and the virtual link to the conference will be provided via email 24-48 hours before the conference begins. Registration for all closes at 3 PM Eastern time on Thursday, October 24th.
An informal post-conference happy hour will be held nearby in Alexandria after the conclusion of the agenda.
If you will need an accommodation to attend the 2024 COFO Annual Conference, please send that information to paul.sotoudeh@uspto.gov as soon as possible. Thank you.
