NOV. 15, 2022 As part of my drive to be the best ombuds for UNLV that I can (and, I won’t deny it, because they are extremely interesting people), I’ve cultivated as many opportunities as I can to speak with ombuds at other colleges, laboratories, and universities. I’m writing about this today because I spent time […]
Is the Grass Really Greener? | From the Ombuds Read More »
author, From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsOCT. 31, 2022 Last week, the Ombuds Office released its third quarterly report, which contains a wealth of information about the work the office has been doing in recent months. The most basic question the report answers is, “Is the office getting used?” The response is a definitive “yes.” From July 1 to September 30, 2022,
Just Released! Ombuds Office 2022 Third Quarterly Report | From the Ombuds Read More »
author, From the Ombuds ArchiveOCT. 24, 2022 Ombuds Week, which UNLV celebrated two weeks ago, provided many opportunities for members of the campus community to engage with the Ombuds Office. Whether it was at our Difficult Conversations roleplay workshop or with our Escape Room, students, faculty, and staff got to learn more about healthy ways to resolve conflict. They
Why Not the Visit the Ombuds? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’ve got another post up on From the Ombuds. This one is about the exciting week of activities our office has planned from October 10-14: Each year, the ombuds profession celebrates Ombuds Day on the second Thursday of October. Intended to educate and raise awareness about the nature ombuds work, the day is commonly marked
Ombuds Week is Nearly Here | From the Ombuds Read More »
ombudsI have a post up on From the Ombuds today about an ongoing professional development series that I am leading at UNLV: This fall, UNLV is offering a large number of professional development workshops for employees, and the Ombuds Office is happy to take part in the Human Resources Professional Development program (HRPD). Our six-part
The Working Better Together Series Is Happening This Fall | From the Ombuds Read More »
authorSEP. 12, 2022 I’m not going to lie to you. It feels great to have an advocate. Someone standing tall, standing strong, with a loud, clear voice fighting for you and only you. Determined to make sure you get what you have earned. Someone eloquent, sure, and fierce. Or at the very least, someone who
Finding Your Strongest Advocate | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsSEP. 5, 2022 With the start of the semester, I am getting to know many new faculty, staff, and students. One of the biggest questions I get (after my new acquaintance struggles over the word “ombuds”) is, “What does an ombuds do, anyway?” First things first: how do you say it? This is one that
What Does an Ombuds Do (And How Do You Say It)? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsThere are a ton of interesting programs being sponsored by the Ombuds Office this fall. In my latest From the Ombuds post, I share some news about them: Last Monday, I was privileged to take part in this year’s New Faculty Orientation. The event, organized by the Faculty Center, welcomed well over one hundred new
New Semester, New Programs at the Ombuds Office | From the Ombuds Read More »
ombudsAUG. 11, 2022 I recently participated in a three-day virtual International Ombuds Association core course on effective communication. While I have many, many takeaways from it, there is one that I want to share right away: Marshall Goldsmith’s concept of feedforward. When workshop leader Vikram Kapoor introduced it to the group, I saw immediately the potential of feedforward
A New Way to Grow: Feedforward | New From the Ombuds Read More »
author, From the Ombuds ArchiveJUL. 21, 2022 The Ombuds Office has just released its Quarterly Summary covering the second quarter of 2022. This brief report reviews the work that was done in the office from April to June, 2022. I will summarize a few main observations here, and I encourage you to read the report if you would like to learn
Ombuds Office Quarterly Summary: April to June, 2022 Released | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsAs Ombuds, I spend much of my time working with people one-on-one, whether it is in consultations or conflict coaching. I also dedicate a good part of my time to developing and presenting workshops to campus groups. I would like to tell you why I offer workshops, and explain what they entail. My overarching goal
Learn About Ombuds Interactive Workshops | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 30, 2022 The International Ombuds Association outlines four fundamental principles that buttress the practice of organizational ombuds. They include independence, impartiality, informality, and confidentiality. I would like to talk a little about what confidentiality is and why it is such an important part of any ombuds office. According to the IOA’s Code of Ethics, confidentiality “is the defining characteristic of
Confidentiality and the Ombuds Office | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 24, 2022 As June 1, the first anniversary of my assuming the Ombuds role, approached, I wanted to take a few minutes to share some reflections on my first year in the position. That I’m finally writing this more than three weeks later is evidence that I have been, and continue to be, busy
Thoughts on My First Year as Ombuds | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombuds, writingThe Ombuds Office has just released its Quarterly Summary covering the first quarter of 2022. This brief report, true to its title, summarizes the work that was done in the office from January to March, 2022. I’d like to share a few of the most salient points with you here, and encourage you to read the
Ombuds Office Quarterly Summary: January to March, 2022 Released | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsMAY. 10, 2022 It’s understandable. Maybe you started your new job with a feeling of hope, looking forward to making new friends. Maybe you thought your new boss was going to be better than your old one. Maybe you knew, for sure, your supervisor—who has had nothing but praise for you since you started—would be
When Should I See the Ombuds? (And Who Can Stop Me?) | From the Ombuds Read More »
author, From the Ombuds Archive, ombuds
Want to talk about a future post-apocalyptic vision of Las Vegas in a historic setting? On May 4, and 6pm, I am giving a talk at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park called “Rebuild and Reeducate: Fallout: New Vegas, Freeside, the Old Mormon Fort, and the Meanings of Memory:” The land we
Upcoming Talk: Fallout: New Vegas and Reclaimed Memories at the Old Mormon Fort Read More »
eventsI’ve got some good news to share for those of you who want to hear more about the Sands. On Thursday, October 7, I’ll be giving a talk in the Clark Country Library’s main theater on the history of the Sands. It is an outgrowth of my most recent book, At the Sands. Here’s the
Upcoming Talk: The Sands at the Clark County Library Read More »
bookThis Friday 8/20 at noon (PDT), I am giving a talk for the UNLV Alumni Association’s Rebel Recharge series called “Lessons Learned from COVID and the Path Ahead.” I’m going to be looking at has happened to Las Vegas over the past 18 months, and suggest four lessons we can learn from it. The event
Upcoming Online Talk: Lessons Learned from COVID and the Path Ahead Read More »
eventsIf you like listening to books and are partial to the history of Las Vegas, I have great news for you: the audiobook version of At the Sands is now available. Follow these links to get the book on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books/iTunes. If this news prompts you to use Audible for the first
“At the Sands” Audiobook is Available Read More »
bookFor my latest commentary, I started thinking about how two recent bits of pop culture reflect on casinos. The answer: not well: The casino gaming industry is in a funny place. For those of us inside the bubble, it’s a business brimming with regulations, compliance, and integrity. For those outside it, though, casinos are still,
Marty Byrde, King Dice, and gaming’s enduring image problem – CDC Gaming Reports Read More »
CDC Gaming