Introducing the Free Spirit Gathering Ombuds Team

Free Spirit Gathering is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone. To help us uphold that commitment, we have appointed a team of individuals to serve as Ombuds during the festival.

The Ombuds Team is available to listen and assist when attendees have concerns, experience problems, or are unsure how to address a situation. You may approach an Ombuds Team member about interpersonal conflicts, inappropriate behavior, misunderstandings, accessibility concerns, festival policies, or other issues affecting your experience at the Gathering.

An Ombuds Team member can:

• Listen to your concerns without judgment.
• Help you understand your options.
• Assist with communication or conflict resolution when appropriate.
• Help you identify the correct festival staff member or resource.
• Explain relevant festival policies and reporting procedures.

You do not need to have a formal complaint—or be certain that a rule has been broken—to speak with an Ombuds Team member. Sometimes you may simply need a neutral person to listen, help clarify a situation, or discuss possible next steps.

Conversations may be held privately. Before sharing sensitive information, attendees are encouraged to ask the Ombuds Team member about confidentiality and any circumstances in which information may need to be reported, particularly when someone’s immediate safety may be at risk.

The Ombuds Team does not replace emergency, medical, security, or law-enforcement services. Situations involving an immediate threat to health or safety should be reported immediately to festival staff, security, medical personnel, or 911 as appropriate.

Please do not hesitate to contact them. Asking for help is always appropriate, and concerns are easier to address when they are brought forward early.

Our goal is for everyone at Free Spirit Gathering to feel heard, respected, and supported.

Your 2026 Ombudsman team is: