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Jun 29, 2022

Thanks and Farewell

On Thursday, June 30, 2022 I will leave my position as NC State Faculty & Staff Ombuds. This was and is my choice and I want to thank NC State for its support! With 40 years in the conflict resolution field as mediator, attorney, educator and ombuds, it’s time to take a break! Thus, farewell…

Jun 6, 2022

Staff Senate Appreciation

Last week I attended my “final” Staff Senate meeting at NC State (I’m retiring at the end of June). Staff Senate meetings occur once a month where elected staff representatives from across campus meet to discuss issues and develop services for their colleagues and the university. I’ve been attending meetings since January 2017 and learned…

May 24, 2022

Being an ombuds is an interesting job!

Check out this interview of Roy Baroff about being an ombuds with Ask A Manager.

Apr 28, 2022

Ombuds Retiring – NC State 68th Faculty Senate Thank You

Apr 19, 2022

Ombuds Retiring

Mar 28, 2022

A Reminder to Be Nice – hard on problems and soft on people

Dear NC State Faculty and Staff: I’m Roy Baroff, the NC State Faculty and Staff Ombuds. This is my 8th year of service in this role and it’s been an honor and privilege to be your ombuds. Over the last two years, I’ve heard from faculty and staff across the university with a range of concerns. I’ve done my best to provide support…

Mar 4, 2022

Let’s Go Fishing – BrainFishing

That’s the premise from experienced mediators and conflict coaches Gary Furlong and Jim Harrison in their wonderful book – BrainFishing – A Practice Guide to Questioning Skills (2018). I recently attended a presentation by Furlong and came back hooked!! Here’s a strategy for how to engage in thoughtful conversation – Go BrainFishing!! According to Furlong…

Jan 4, 2022

Conflict Resolutions 2022

It’s that time of year – time for New Year’s resolutions! You know – when we put into practice the well thought and well planned changes for our lives!!!  Right??!!  We’ve used the end of the year holidays to reflect, to recharge, and make plans for the new year – well maybe – and maybe not…

Dec 6, 2021

The Ombuds – We Listen

I was speaking with a visitor late last week. We ombuds identify people who we meet with as visitors because when they meet with us its off the record. They are not our clients and we don’t represent them; instead they are visiting. So, I was speaking with the visitor who was sharing a concern…