2019 Board Elections

It’s time for the 2019 Board Elections!

The 2019 Board nominations are in! You can read more information about the candidates below.

How does it work? Members in good standing will all receive a link to vote online by December 15th. Choices are due December  31st, and we will announce the new board in time for the New Year! Watch your inbox for a link to vote. Didn’t receive an email or have questions about your membership status? Email jamie@ormediation.org.

The Candidates

Note: Other than formatting, candidate answers are presented exactly as they were submitted without editing. Candidates are presented alphabetically by first name. 

Nyanga Uuka

1. Please briefly describe why you are interested in serving on the OMA Board Directors.
   To get involved in what’s going on in the Oregon mediation world and also to bring in ideas on how to make the mediation process more accessible for all people of Oregon
2. How long have you been an OMA member? Have you been involved with any OMA committees or projects?
   A couple colleagues and I just recently did a presentation on “equity informed mediation” at the 2018 OMA conference. I would like to be involved in creating a OMA special interest group for Mediators of Color.
3. What is your current occupation/employment/work?
   I am the Mediation Program Coordinator for Resolutions Northwest.
4. Please summarize your experience with non-profit organizations.
   I started working with non-profit organizations by way of the “We are Health Movement”, as an Oregon state certified Community Health worker through the Urban League of Portland in 2013. I was the Urban League’s lead organizer during the “Ban the Box’ campaign and have worked with various Racial and Social Justice centered non-profits and grassroots Organizations.
5. Please describe the contributions you expect to make to the OMA Board and how those contributions match the needs articulated by the Board under the “Qualifications” section of “Responsibilities and Qualifications for OMA Board of Directors.”
   The contributions I intend to make are; to continue the good work OMA is already doing and create space for Mediators of Color to inform OMA Board and OMA members on their potential blind spots with this outcome being best practices for all.

Sarah R. Osborn

1. Please briefly describe why you are interested in serving on the OMA Board Directors.
   I am thrilled to be considered for serving on the OMA Board of Directors for the 2019 year. After assisting in conference planning and networking within the larger group of community dispute resolution practitioners across the state, I have noticed an opportunity I want to help with: the need to recruit younger members. I have several ideas to include younger audiences in the field of mediation, such as informal mentorships and asking for greater involvement or partnership opportunities from student groups at PSU and UO. I’m also a member of the LGBQTIA+ community and want to bring more diversity to the board to reflect Oregon as a whole.
2. How long have you been an OMA member? Have you been involved with any OMA committees or projects?
   I have been a student OMA member for a year and a half, since I moved to Oregon for law school and my Master’s in Conflict and Dispute Resolution. I have attended two OMA conferences since joining the association. For the second conference, in 2018, I sat on the planning committee and specifically helped with marketing choices. I designed and purchased the logo for the conference theme and created a t-shirt design for fundraising purposes. I worked with the administrative assistant, Jamie Anderson, on various projects throughout the 6 months leading up to the conference. I also recruited larger student involvement, which reflected in record numbers of students and first-time conference participants that attended this year.
3. What is your current occupation/employment/work?
   I am a student at the University of Oregon School of Law. I have held various internships with OOCDR, the city of Springfield, Better Business Bureau and the Lane County Circuit Court in the last year and a half.
4. Please summarize your experience with non-profit organizations.
   I participated in the non-profit law clinic at the University last year and worked with an interdisciplinary team of students to provide governance assessments for two Oregon-based nonprofit organizations. I have also interned with two non-profits in the last year along with schooling.
5. Please describe the contributions you expect to make to the OMA Board and how those contributions match the needs articulated by the Board under the “Qualifications” section of “Responsibilities and Qualifications for OMA Board of Directors.”
   For time commitments, I can attend both the board orientation and retreats (depending on timing). I will have to ask for more flexibility with my schedule since I am also in and out of class for most of the day. However, I manage time well and can commit full days or weekends for specific trainings or events. I can also attend 5-6 meetings annually, as the commitment asks.  I have been donating as a student member and at conferences for baskets or raffles, so I expect to participate in contributing to various events such as board retreat costs and supporting OMA events.