Oregon Mediation Association

Promoting peaceful resolution to conflict in Oregon

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
You are here: Home / Blog

OMA Members Tell Us About You!

by

As part of OMA’s 2020 Communications initiatives, we want to hear from and celebrate our mediation community.  Consider being profiled on OMA’s Facebook page and our Blog!  It will give your colleagues an opportunity to find out what you’re doing, who you’re doing it with, and any successes and stories you’d be willing to share.

We plan on highlighting individual practitioners, mediation volunteers, and mediation organizations. We want to know what makes “you,” you and how you navigate in the world of mediation.

If you would like to be profiled (or there’s someone you think we should know about), drop us an email at oma@ormediation.org and we will send you our profile template to complete. We won’t profile anyone without their consent! Don’t be shy, be shiny and let us highlight you.

OMA has a New Home!

by

As seen on a Sussex Directories Inc site

We are very pleased to announce that OMA has found a new home.  Our new location is in Tigard with easy access from I-5 and 217.  If this location sounds familiar, it’s because it’s already an established mediation center. Genesis Mediation has graciously provided a space for OMA. Please call 503.872.9775 if you want to schedule a time to visit. We look forward to holding OMA sponsored events and meetings here soon. Our new mailing address is as follows:

Oregon Mediation Association
7307 SW Beveland Street, Suite 200
Tigard, Oregon 97223

Our phone and email remain the same:  503.872.9775 and oma@ormediation.org. Mail from OMA PO Box will be forwarded for the next few weeks.

Bridging the Gap Through Mediation and Beyond: Conference Update and Photos

by

Our OMA 2019 Conference was a great success! We hosted our 33rd annual conference back in Portland after spending 2018 in Eugene. We had great turnout – long-time practitioners, volunteer mediators, community members, students, and some new friendly faces to the profession. Our theme was “Managing Conflict: Bridging the Gap through Mediation and Beyond.”  Back in 2018, our committee decided to begin providing “tracks” throughout the conference, or certain strings of workshops to attend that would be dedicated to topics such as family, business, or diversity and inclusion. Based on the positive feedback in 2018, we decided to continue expanding upon those “tracks” to develop networking within conference participants. We grew our list to six tracks, and will continue to create robust opportunities for more specialized education throughout the year. OMA also created a new award for 2019, or the “Spirit of Mediation” award. The committee awarded four practitioners who embody the “spirit” of mediation through one or more luminaries. The award winners were: Bryan Egan, Rene Bove, Stuart Watson, and Jack Bevilaqua. The board also shared initiatives each committee is working on during our annual open meeting, including a Mediators of Color network across Oregon. Finally, we introduced our new mentorship program during the conference. Reach out to sosborn@uoregon.edu or c.rob.bearden@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more.

  • Rene Bouve, 2019 Spirit of Mediation Award Recipient
  • Devin Howington discusses Certification survey results
  • Tera Cleland, OMA Board Member and President
  • Amy Chase Herman and Meagan Robbins (Board Member)
  • Amy Chase Herman, Alice Inez and Gene Tish (new Board Member for 2020)
  • Keynote Speaker Alison Allen-Hall, The Oregon Peace Institute
  • Chris Sheesley, Donna Silverberg and Clare Fowler
  • Connections
  • Taking moments to connect
  • John Inglish, OMA Board Member and Secretary
  • Keynote Traci Rosi, and family mediator Kathleen Maloney
  • Keynote Speaker Traci Rossi, Portland State University Center for Women’s Leadership
  • Dr. Fowler with Mediate.com
  • Conveying Empathy in the Digital Age
  • Sam Imperati on Walking the Fine Line Between Impartiality and Advocacy
  • Yes, we love mediation

OMA 2020 New Board Members

by

  • Chuck Patishall
  • Gene Tish
  • John Lalla
  • Taran Nader

Please join us in welcoming Gene Tish, Chuck Pattishall, Taren Nader and John Lalla to the OMA Board! Each new member brings a wealth of experience and professional expertise to the table and we are excited for 2020.

In their own words…

John Lalla
I am a full-time domestic relations mediator in Lane County, I am reminded daily of the increasing need for public awareness and cultural acceptance of mediation as an alternative to litigation. Accordingly, my interest in serving on OMA’s board is largely motivated by my desire to foster OMA developed community outreach and promotional programs across the state.

I presently provide domestic relations mediation through Angeletti Law & Mediation in Eugene. In addition, I serve as a volunteer mediator for the small claims docket at the Lane County Circuit Court.

Guided by a resolute commitment to promoting the future of our vocation, my overarching goal as an OMA board member will be to increase public awareness of the many opportunities and benefits inherent to alternative dispute resolution practices. Accordingly, my principal goals will be to collaboratively develop outreach opportunities through which to inform and serve our communities, while normalizing and expanding our services in the private and public sectors alike.

Taran Nader
I am interested in serving on the OMA Board of Directors because I am passionate about mediation and facilitation as integral tools to conflict resolution. As a lawyer and past mediator I found mediation to be an essential (often missing) element in sustainably resolving conflicts. Now, as a frequent facilitator I would love the opportunity to reengage with the Oregon mediator community and help in its development and promotion.

I am currently the Quality Assurance Coordinator for Multnomah County Aging and Disability Adult Protective Services, and have participated in the Multnomah County Small Claims Court Volunteer Mediators program for over a year.

I have a variety of experience with non-project organizations including legal internships at National Law Center for Homeless and Poverty and Al-Haq, and volunteer work for Rogue Climate, 350 PDX, and XR PDX. I am also an avid photographer.

Gene Tish
After retiring from a 45-year career in law and commerce, I began searching for an avenue to remain relevant and to give back to my community. Through a Continuing Legal education course in 2018, I was introduced to the potential of mediation.

Taking a 40 hour basic mediation course from Dr. Clare Fowler in Eugene followed soon thereafter. I was hooked. I have since taken a 40 hr course in Restorative Justice and Victim Offender Dialogue in Beaverton from Carley Adams and Amy Watts-Padilla, an 8 hr course in Facilitation Skills For Mediators in Beaverton presented by Mary Forst, a six hour course in Employment Mediation from Dr. Clare Fowler, as well as shorter training courses offered in both Beaverton and at Clackamas County Resolution services. Mediation and Restorative Justice are now my passions.

Along the way I became aware that OMA is in need of Board Members with knowledge and proven skills in leadership, organizational development and management, non-profit operations, as well as potentially in marketing. In addition to private practice, my career also included serving as in-house general counsel in private sector companies, and migration into Executive management positions including General Marketing Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

Chuck Pattishall
My interest in serving on the OMA Board actually began after I learned about the reduction in funding for the CDRC’s in the state. I had always been interested in OMA, as I feel it is an important organization for promoting mediation in the state. The reduction in funding has made me become interested in the politics involved with funding and how much the citizens of this state need the services of CDRC’s and mediation in their communities.

I have become involved with local politicians and have been invited to deliver a presentation to the House Committee on Human Services and Housing this November. As part of OMA, I would like to focus on building relationships in Salem regarding local and state politicians.

I am also the Executive Director of Your Community Mediation of Tillamook and Yamhill Counties. This is the first time I have been in charge of a non-profit organization. I have served as president of the board of a 501(c)(3) in the past. I have also owned and operated three businesses and hold an MBA in International Management.

If you have questions, give us a call at 503.872.9775 or email OMA at oma@ormediation.org.

Meet Dr. Meagan Lawler, OMA’s New Executive Director

by

Feel free to give me a call 503.872.9775 or email me at OMA@ORmediation.org, if you’d like to connect– I want you to reach out to me to talk about ways we can improve OMA together! Meagan Lawler

Please meet Meagan Lawler, OMA’s new Executive Director.  Meagan earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy after which she received a scholarship from the German Academic Cultural Exchange program to study  at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.  Meagan was a research assistant and translator for the Institute of Family Therapy Research at University of Heidelberg School of Medicine for five years  where she completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. 

Meagan returned to the states where she was Director of Family Reconciliation Services for King county (Seattle), an innovative program providing free intensive conflict resolution services to families in their homes for over a decade. Since that time, she has held leadership positions in both the nonprofit and for profit organizations.

Meagan became a student at Marylhurst University in the field of Gerontology (2007), and then went on to teach psychology and later gerontology at Marylhurst for over 10 years. Meagan has a particular interest in workplace mediation “as I have observed that individuals bring their family of origin perspectives into the workplace and then enact these family roles in the work setting leading often, to confusion and conflict in ways that are subliminal and persistent.”

Meagan currently mediates for Clackamas County Dispute Resolution Services mediating small claims and community cases.

Meagan specifically took on this position to support OMA membership with customer service at the forefront and looks forward to being of service to the members because, “we all as mediators endeavor to bring some peace to society, each in our own individual way, in these unparalleled times of division and polarization of our country.”

Welcome to OMA

Conflict is a natural part of life. Managed correctly, conflict can positively transform lives and relationships. Mediators are trained to understand the source of conflicts and identify a path away from adversarial positions toward positive growth and change. Mediators create a safe space to have difficult conversations. The Oregon Mediation Association works to build greater awareness of mediation as a useful conflict management tool.

OMA in a Nutshell

OMA is a network of over 350 mediators and supporters of mediation who are committed to the development, support and advocacy of mediation in Oregon.

Mission

OMA's mission is to help Oregonians transform the way they confront and resolve conflict in their personal lives and in their communities.

Contact Us

Oregon Mediation Association
7307 SW Beveland St, Ste 200
Tigard, OR 97223
Phone: 503-872-9775
OMA@ORMediation.org

JOIN OMA

If you're a current mediator, aspiring mediator, or just a big fan, we'd love to have you join our community! Click the "Join OMA" link in the menu at the top of this page to sign up today!