Dear OMA Members, Stakeholders, Colleagues and Friends,

Forty years ago today, a visionary group of four incorporators came together to start the Oregon Mediation Association (OMA). It must have been a celebration when the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Corporate Commissioner of the State of Oregon on July 11, 1986.

I imagine because of OMA’s Mission and Purpose that they were bound by a shared conviction: that peaceful conflict resolution is essential to a thriving society, and that mediators need a professional home to support, develop, and advocate for this vital craft. Today, as we celebrate OMA’s 40th anniversary, that mission remains our north star. 

Today Oregon’s conflict resolution support network is strong! Because of Oregon’s Community Resolution Centers, as of 2025, according to Resolution Oregon’s website, “72 percent of mediated cases were resolved due to 354 Pro bono mediators who served 16,729 people equating to 27 million dollars of downstream cost savings for housing stability cases alone! This does not include the statewide court connected programs and private mediators. WOW! What an impact.  

As mediators, we know that conflict is a natural catalyst for growth. We naturally view the world through different lenses, and it is expected that we will not always agree on the path forward. Disagreement within our community isn’t a sign of weakness—it is proof of our passion. What sets us apart is how we navigate those differences. We possess the unique tools to engage with mutual respect, patience, and kindness, even when the tension is high.

As those before me, leading an organization with a history as rich as ours requires balancing a multitude of perspectives with the operational realities of governance. OMA’s board members are often tasked with reviewing complex data, legal compliance and resource constraints that are not always visible from the outside. Because of these finite resources and the structural responsibilities they carry, it is a hard truth that not every opinion or preferred direction can be implemented.

If a decision is made to move in a different direction, it is never a dismissal of your voice; it is the result of weighing among many things, volunteer availability, compliance, and long-term strategic health of our association. Sometimes what may seem as a hard no, is in reality a no, not now because….

OMA’s mission and primary activities are what rally us together.

Mission:

The Oregon Mediation Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of members committed to the development, support and advocacy of mediation in the state of Oregon.

Primary Activities:

• Promoting and popularizing mediation.
• Providing training, support and continuing education to professional and voluntary mediators, and supporters of mediation.
• Developing credentialing, certification and/or programs that distinguish qualifications.
• Establishing ethical standards and mechanisms to respond to concerns and grievances.
• Developing partnerships to expand the availability of programs and services.

The power of mediation lies in finding common ground amid varying views of many passionate supporters, and that principle must guide our internal community just as fiercely as it guides our practice.

I am deeply confident in the future of OMA and the direction we are heading. Let us use this milestone anniversary to recommit to our foundational goals, to trust in the process, and to stand united in our service to Oregon.

Thank you for your dedication, your diverse perspectives, and your continued commitment to OMA. We look forward to seeing you at the OMA annual conference.

With strength and gratitude,

Stephanie Leffler

President, Oregon Mediation Association

 

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