Afternoon Snack Sessions: 4 APRIL | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PT

Over the course of an hour, pick, choose, and explore bite-sized, interactive presentations on a variety of Ombuds topics relevant to practice, office setup, working with leadership, and system design.  Our nine presenters will simultaneously share short micro-learning sessions, allowing you to attend multiple sessions.

Session Topics

Let's Start at the Beginning: Quick Tips for Effective Office Set-up | Ronnie Thomson, Sandia National Laboratories and Reese Ramos, Virginia Tech

Setting up a new office?  Get a quick, high-level download on what you need to be thinking about to create an effective and sustainable office

Map It! | Teresa Ralicki, Pinterest

Mapping conflicts is an incredibly effective conflict analysis tool that helps both the ombuds and visitor see a situation from a new perspective. Take 12 minutes to be creative and fun while learning how to make relationship conflict maps. Increase your effectiveness with visitors by transferring what you learn here to your practice.

A Game-Theoretic Approach to Resolving an Authorship Conflict | Scott Cantor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Using concepts from game theory, I will present a simple model of authorship conflict, a not uncommon concern that is presented to ombuds in an academic institution.  The model will demonstrate that if ombuds can get visitors to think cooperatively – rather than competitively – this can lead to better outcomes. 

Getting Connected: An introduction to circle processes | Wayne Marriott, Auckland University of Technology

This session is designed to give you a taste of what circle process is and to experience it.  Using a connectedness prompt, participants will have the chance to experience the setup and execution of a circle.

*Please note this session is limited to 16 participants on a first-come, first-served basis and will be a double session in length. 

Bish Bash Bosh | Elizabeth Hill, University of Colorado Boulder

Match three or more marketing efforts, platforms and channels you currently use to get Bingo and win prizes. Leave with tips for new ideas to start using immediately. 

Five Conflict Management Styles: A Tool for the Emerging Ombuds | Michael Brochu, Louisiana State University

Conflict Styles provide individuals with an understanding of what their natural response is to conflict. The works of researchers Ken Thomas, PhD and Ralph Kilmann, PhD have provided insight to the five dominant conflict styles that are identified via the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI).In this session, I will provide a brief overview on the history of the conflict management styles and discuss my 15+ years of experience utilizing conflict management styles in my conflict coaching sessions and conflict resolution training sessions. Next, I will provide an overview of the five dominant styles. I will explain the spectrum of the conflict styles, based on ones assertiveness and cooperativeness in relation to how they respond to conflict. I will then provide a link via QR code (this can be adapted for accessibility purposes) that will connect participants to a free open-source Conflict Styles Assessment that is available through the United States Institute for Peace. Participants will have an opportunity to complete this short assessment. The participants will immediately have access to their conflict style results.

Quick and Dirty - The Demise of Death by PowerPoint | Sarah Klaper, Northwestern University

Death by Powerpoint is REAL. While ombuds have mad conflict resolution and empowerment skills, presenting might not be our strong suit. Or maybe public speaking is the bane of our existence. Regardless, presentation skills are essential for doing office outreach and for creating/presenting workshops that will hopefully help prevent/address conflict on a more systemic level. This session will give quick and dirty tips and resources for creating and presenting in an engaging, effective way.

What's Your Go-To Activity? | Caroline Adams, UCSB

This session is designed to make the most of us all being together. It also is to make the most of bringing people together from diverse educational and experiential backgrounds. Participants will be put in groups of 5 people and each will have 2 minutes to share ONE of their favorite group activities, whether to teach a skill or build teams.

Let's Get Visual: Using Visual Images as an Effective Facilitation Tool | Mike Rozinsky, RZNSKY LLC

In this fast-paced session, participants will use the Ethnographic Deck (a physical deck of 30 image cards) in a variety of scenarios--how to use it as part of a facilitated dialogue; how to use it as a way to get groups to think creatively about problem-solving; and how to help groups define issues.  Participants will receive a list of prompts to take with them as well as a link to a virtual set of images.  How to build their own library of images will also be discussed.

Coalition building through facilitation | Aaron Footman, USPTO Office of the Ombudsman

Description: In this session, participants will share best practices that energize stakeholders to work through challenging issues that generate impactful outcomes and secure buy-in. Participants will also gain insights into moving from an individualistic approach to a more collaborative mindset to build dynamic partnerships with shared values. 

Speaking Up With Confidence | Ellen Reardon,  MWI

Do you find silent or angry employees having difficulty communicating “what the problem is” at work or school, unable to be their own Change Agent?  This activity will provide you a tool you can use to help visitors feel more empowered and confident to advocate for themselves.

Coaching the Peace Pause | Stuart Watson, University of Oregon

The "Peace Pause" is an essential skill for both navigating conflict and self-regulation within couples and families. We will practice adapting this skill for coaching visitors in responding to their challenging workplace conflicts.

3 April | 4 April | 5 April