It has become apparent that the Ombudsman is one of the most important Offices / Services which needs to be fully functioning in order that we can hold elections and seat our assemblies.

This group is tasked with researching and defining the Office of Ombudsman and the role of the Ombudsman Committee going forward (to be ratified by election by the General Assembly). This service could be a national Office / Service that the Local Area general assemblies (people) make use of when they cannot resolve issues themselves, it may be required in all Local Area Assemblies or shared between a number of assemblies.

The Ombudsman service can be provided internally (ie by election of an Office from the General Assembly) or externally (by asking the TAPKTF to provide the independent service).

Interested in researching and defining this important service? Reach out 🙏

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Fiduciary: Requested that PKTF put an article out about Ombudsman position and points of contact for those in the position or interested in the position, so they can get together as a group for support and training.

Debra-Ann is hosting international meetings for education about the industry standard of the Ombudsman office taught by Joe as a pilot education series with anticipation that it will transition into an effort to develop training for them.

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💬 Role of the Ombudsman Committee in Land Jurisdiction ⚖️
according to L&S Assistant (Bot)

The Ombudsman Committee functions as an arbitration and conflict resolution body within state jural assemblies, with the following responsibilities and structure:

• Purpose:
  • Addresses disputes among assembly members and between subgroups (e.g., IBA, militia).
  • Focuses on non-criminal issues like communication breakdowns, personality conflicts, and unprofessional behavior.
• Structure:
  • Typically 3 members, though no strict limit on size.
  • Operates independently of criminal oversight, concentrating on resolving civil disagreements.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Mediates and negotiates conflicts between members.
  • Resolves issues not involving criminal activity (e.g., arguments, inappropriate conduct).
  • Ensures smooth communication and maintains harmony within the assembly.
• Independence & Bias:
  • Must remain unbiased and free from influence by other oversight committees or the jural assembly coordinator.
  • Prioritizes fair dispute resolution without political interference.
• Coordination with Others:
  • Liaises with other assemblies’ oversight committees for serious criminal allegations but does not manage criminal matters directly.
  • Investigations are kept confidential until final recommendations are reported to the assembly.
• Eligibility:
  • Open to Jural Assembly members with negotiation and peacemaking skills.
  • No stated age or residency requirements.
• Distinction from Other Roles:
  • Separate from roles like State Coordinator (administrative) or Marshal at Arms (law enforcement).
  • Ombudsman members do not require attendance at every meeting unless the complaint involves them personally.

1. Introduction to Ombudsman Services within American State AssembliesDefinition and Purpose: Explain the role of an ombudsman within a state assembly, focusing on oversight and accountability.Types of Ombudsmen: Discuss relevant types such as Legislative and Executive Ombuds, emphasising their roles in government oversight.
2. Key Responsibilities in Land and Soil JurisdictionComplaint Handling: Address complaints related to land and soil jurisdiction, ensuring fairness and compliance with state laws.Systemic Advocacy: Identify systemic issues from complaints to propose policy changes.
3. Integration with Marshal-at-Arms and Oversight CommitteeRole of Marshal-at-Arms: Maintain decorum during investigations and meetings.
4. Oversight Committee Collaboration: Work with the committee to escalate serious organisational criminal investigations discovered through ombudsman activities.Skills Required
   1. Conflict Resolution: Training in mediation and negotiation specific to land and soil disputes.
   2. Communication: Skills for effective interaction with state officials and citizens.
5. Industry Standards and Best Practices
   Industry Standard Guidelines: Organisational standards for:
   A - independence, B - impartiality, and C - confidentiality.State-Specific Regulations: Comply with state-specific lawful frameworks driven by established and published organisational Best Practices and Procedures Guidelines governing land and soil jurisdiction.
6. Case Study Example: Nebraska State Ombudsman’s Office

Overview: The Nebraska State Ombudsman’s Office promotes accountability by independently investigating citizen and sovereign complaints against state offices.

Characteristics:
- de-escalation
- listening
- conflict resolution
- non-violent communication

The Ombudsman investigates and assists resolve non-criminal complaints (criminal claims are investigated by Oversight Committee).
Built in lamb = Ombudsman
Built in Lion = Marshal-at-Arms

Not a counsellor
May offer service to families (eg where one partner participates and other doesn't)