Virtual Coffee Chat

Mark your calendars for FCO’s monthly get together. Join fellow FCO members on the third Wednesday of each month at noon (Eastern) for a virtual get together and to discuss topics of interest to the Ombuds offices.

These chats offer members an opportunity to stay connected, share ideas and solicit feedback from colleagues on important topics and issues.

Members are encouraged to continue the conversation after the chat using the Coffee Chat message board.

Visit Events Calendar for more information and to register.
** Restricted to FCO members only. **

Not a member of the FCO? Learn more about Member Benefits.

Upcoming Coffee Chats

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - What are the necessary training needs for anyone working in an Ombuds Office, given current environment and pressures. How have they changed and why? --> Register now!

Past Coffee Chats

September 18, 2024 - Journey to Truth and Reconciliation in Ombuds Offices – What is your office doing in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action? What more could ombuds offices be doing?
June 19, 2024 - Tackling Unconscious Bias: How Do You Help Your Staff Identify and Address Their Unconscious Bias?
May 15, 2024 - Leadership of an Ombuds Office: Staff Retention and Recruitment – How Do We Attract and Maintain a Diverse and Talented Workforce?
April 17, 2024 - Leadership of an Ombuds Office: Fostering Leadership From All Levels of an Ombuds Organization - How to Encourage and Provide an Environment to Support It
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Leadership of an Ombuds Office: What Does a Modern Leadership Approach Look Like? What Makes a Good Leader?
February 21, 2024 - Collaboration - A Key Skill for Ombud Offices - How Do You Create a Collaborative Work Environment
January 17, 2024 - Psychological Safety - Creating a Supportive Team Environment, Including Supports and Services for Staff
November 15 - Use of AI in Ombuds Work: Benefits and Potential Pitfalls
October 18, 2023 - Getting Buy-In to Ombuds Processes and Recommendations
September 20, 2023 - Tips on Managing Complex Complaints
June 21, 2023 - Tools Ombuds' Use
May 17, 2023 - How to Measure the Success of the Ombuds Office
April 19, 2023 – Mentoring Staff Within Ombuds Offices
March 15, 2023 – Dealing with Reprisal and Retaliation/Whistle-Blowers
February 15, 2023 – Managing Querulous Complainants
January 18, 2023 – What is Fairness?
November 9, 2022 – Pros and Cons of Different Methods of Communication (email, phone, letter)
September 21, 2022 – The Future of Ombudsing in Canada
June 15, 2022 – Awareness: An Ombud’s Achilles Heel (Part 3 of Opportunities and Threats Facing the Canadian Ombuds Community)
May 18, 2022 – The New Normal: Investigations In the Hybrid Workplace Model (Part 2 of Opportunities and Threats Facing the Canadian Ombuds Community)
April 20, 2022 – Having an Impact: Ways to Measure Success (Part 1 of Opportunities and Threats Facing the Canadian Ombuds Community)
March 16, 2022 – You and Your Frontline Staff
February 16, 2022 – Dealing with Distressed Callers
January 19, 2022 – Case Management
November 17, 2021 – Emerging From the Pandemic