Forum of Canadian Ombudsman to Offer Training

FCO has published the agenda for its first-ever course on Ombuds fundamentals to be offered in Toronto, September 20 and 21, 2010. The two-day program for new and intermediate-level Classical Ombuds staff and complaint-handlers will feature nearly two dozen Canadian Ombuds. Many topics will be relevant also to the practice of Ombuds in other fields.

Day One

Welcome - Ian Darling, FCO President
Introduction to Ombuds Theory and Practice - Suzanne Belson, DND/CF; Nora Farrell, Ryerson University
Intake: Common Practices and Challenges - Fiona Crean, City of Toronto
Effective Intake Practices - Anna Martins, Fair Practices Commission of the WSIB; Shelley Lancaster, McMaster University; Marlene Chumak, Scotia Bank; Laura Bradbury, Fair Practices Commission of the WSIB
Informal Resolution Techniques - Rosie Dear, Ombudsman Ontario; Garvin De Four, University of Toronto; Ian Darling, Tarion Warranty Corp.; Mary Ward, Baycrest
Report on Effectiveness of Various Approaches - Bradley Moss, Newfoundland and Labrador
Introduction to Investigative Approaches - Kwame Addo, City of Toronto; Tom Irvine, Fair Practices Commission of the WSIB
Day Two
Investigative Approaches and Techniques - Suzanne Belson, DND/CF
Getting Started - Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator
Evidence Gathering - Elizabeth Weston, Ombudsman Ontario; Hervé Depow, Algonquin College; Nora Farrell, Ryerson University
Small Group Work - Rose Stanton, BC Ombudsperson Office
Making Recommendations and Follow-up - Kevin Fenwick, Saskatchewan Ombudsman; Bradley Moss, Newfoundland and Labrador
Reporting Back to the Complainant and Organization - Linda Carlson, BC Ombudsperson Office; Tom Goodbody, Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments; Kevin Fenwick, Saskatchewan Ombudsman
Challenges and Issues - Suzanne Belson, DND/CF Ombudsman Office; Laura Bradbury, Fair Practices Commission of the WSIB; Nora Farrell, Ryerson University
This looks like it will be a great program and Toronto is beautiful in the fall. The deadline to reserve a hotel room is August 19. (FCO Ombuds Fundamentals Registration and Agenda.)

Previously posted on the Ombuds Blog.