Oregon Mediation Association

Promoting collaborative and equity-informed conflict resolution.

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OMA Committees

Many of OMA’s activities are carried out by committees. Committees address the many goals and needs of the organization.  As an OMA member, you are invited to participate in one or more committees. A “convener” coordinates committee communications, with committee members sharing a variety of tasks. Committees set their own meeting schedules based on the needs of their members. Committees meet virtually through Zoom to accommodate a diverse group of members located throughout the state of Oregon.
For more information about a committee’s current activities, please contact the board President.

Committees

Advocacy

Conveners: [email protected]

The Advocacy Committee is comprised of members who help track legislation and other public policies that affect the practice of mediation.  Committee members develop information to share with OMA members, develop responses for the Board to consider making to specific legislation, and, when needed, attend hearings to either hear testimony or make statements about proposed rules and regulations. Ideally, committee members have experience and knowledge of public processes and/or the ability to research and track laws, rules, and regulations.

Communications

Conveners: [email protected]

The Communications Committee is in the process of forming a new team to help keep members and others informed and engaged across a variety of platforms. We are looking to fill roles that range from Social Media Manager to Blog and Flash Editors to Content Provider. Whether you are interested in helping build out and manage a platform or occasionally provide content, we have a role for you. Contact the co-conveners for more information.

Conference

Conveners: [email protected]

This committee designs, plans and implements OMA’s Annual Fall Conference.  Because of the many tasks to be done to put on the Conference, this committee is OMA’s largest in terms of active participants.  It meets monthly from January through October.

Education

Conveners: [email protected]

This committee works to support, sponsor, and promote educational programs, trainings, and workshops for mediators and those interested in mediation.  This includes supporting the fall conference, spring training, and more. Core to OMA certification is ongoing training designed to increase mediation quality throughout the State.  The committee will be working closely with Oregon Centers for Conflict Resolution, as well as institutes of higher education and private trainers throughout the State.

Member Services

Conveners: [email protected]

The Membership Committee is all about helping members connect to OMA, and each other. We also work to increase the value of OMA membership. The committee helps plan and host networking and social events, represent the interests of members by finding innovative ways to enhance membership benefits, and acknowledge members for achievements and contributions to OMA.

Standards and Practices

Conveners: Kate Hall, [email protected] Steven Leskin [email protected]

Paul Allen [email protected]

This committee considers other issues that impact the practice of mediation in Oregon and/or the ethical standards of OMA member mediators.  In doing so, this team develops, reviews, and implements a wide variety of guidelines for the development and practice of mediation in Oregon.  These inclue:

  • Core Standards of Mediation Practice
  • Voluntary Mediation Process for Resolving Disputes with OMA Mediators,
  • Model Guidelines for Private Practice Mediator Education, Training, and Experience
  • “Ask OMA” columns and other OMA Newsletter articles.

For full details, visit the Guidelines for Mediators page.

Technology

Conveners: [email protected]

The Technology committee is not only responsible for reviewing and updating all of the OMA  technology, including phones, computers, media and sound systems, but it is in charge of the development and implementation of OMA’s web presence.  This committee also makes recommendations for how to update our current systems with regards to efficiency and cost-effectiveness.


Please contact the committee conveners or the OMA Office if you are interested in learning more or joining any of the above committees!


Other Committees

Other committees that exist for the orderly functioning and governance of OMA, and which report to the OMA Board, include:

Executive Committee

Convener:  Stephanie Leffler, OMA President, [email protected]

This committee includes OMA’s Board Officers. The committee oversees the operations of the Board and helps to bring to the strategic, long-range development of the organization.  When OMA has paid staff, the Executive Director reports to this committee and through it to the Board the monthly progress that has been made in support of the business and operational goals set forth by the Board.

Finance Committee

Convener: Miles Mabray, Treasurer [email protected]

This committee assists the OMA Board of Directors in its oversight responsibilities relating to fiscal management. It reviews and recommends approval of an annual operating budget, reviews financial results, ensures the maintenance of an appropriate financial management structure and oversees the management of organization-wide financial assets.

Nominating Committee

Convener: The OMA Board of Directors, [email protected]

This committee coordinates the process for recruiting new members to the OMA Board of Directors.

History and Milestones

The spirit behind OMA’s formation was making mediation more accessible with advances in technology. Our founder refers to the following major technological disruptions that were key to advancing the field: 1) PC and Word Processing, 2) The Internet, 3) Mobile devices with bandwidth, 4) The Cloud.

1985 Our founder gets started
PCs and the launch of word processing was a precondition for modern mediation because agreements could now be drafted. The birth of this technology allowed the field to move forward at an accelerated rate.

In the news: Tools for desktop publishing begin to be commonly used. Microsoft releases Windows 1.0, radio pagers and wired car phones are in use, 1st mobile phone is released (came in a suitcase.)

1986 The Oregon Mediation Association is founded 
Learn more about our purpose here. In the news: Commercial workstations were introduced; Steve Jobs purchases a division from Lucas films for $10MM and renames it Pixar.

1988 OMA adopts “Standards of Practice”
However, no efforts were made to adopt competency standards until the Oregon Mediator Competency Work Group (“Work Group”) was convened in 1995.

1989 The Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission (“Commission”) is established by legislature
The Commission is charged with the statutory mandate of developing qualifications, rules and standards for individuals and programs providing dispute resolution services with state funds. These include community dispute resolution centers, court-annexed domestic relations and civil court mediations, and the court systems.

In the news: The 486 series of microprocessor is released by Intel, opening the way for the next generation of much more powerful PC’s, Microsoft releases Office Suite, Berlin Wall collapses.

1995 The Oregon Mediator Competency Work Group (“Work Group”) convened
The Work Group was a joint effort between OMA and the Commission. In February, an invitation to participate in the Work Group was broadly distributed to practitioner organizations, trainers, university programs, court services and others involved in mediation. The following mission statement was agreed to by the Work Group:

To encourage a collaborative process based on consensus principles that will: identify stakeholders; design and then implement a statewide dialogue by which the stakeholders can communicate their thoughts and ideas on qualifications and competencies of mediators in the State of Oregon; and recommend a course of action to ensure competency of mediators.”

In the news: dot.com boom starts, Amazon.com opens, Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 1.0 and Windows 95, eBay was founded, Yahoo! was incorporated.

1998 The Oregon Mediator Competency Work Group issues its Final Report

2000 OMA establishes Core Standards of Mediation Practice
After a multi-year process, OMA revised its Standards of Practice and adopted the Core Standards of Mediation Practice on September 9, 2000.

2003 The Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission is eliminated during the legislative session
The Community Dispute Resolution Center program was moved to the University of Oregon Law School. The Oregon Office of Community Dispute Resolution (OOCDR) office oversees grants generated from state funds and is now administered through the U of O Law School.

2005 OMA revises Core Standards of Mediation Practice
After another multi-year process, OMA adopted revised Core Standards of Mediation Practice (“Core Standards”) on April 23, 2005. The Core Standards use non-mandatory language and are intended as a guide to mediators and not intended to be disciplinary rules.

In the news: Apple releases iPhone, the 1st YouTube video is uploaded, Pandora is launched.

2006 OMA launches Grievance Process pilot project
OMA adopted its Voluntary Mediation Process for Resolving Disputes with OMA Mediators as a pilot project on December 11, 2006. The Grievance Process was intended as a voluntary process for resolving disputes that may arise between mediators and participants in mediation. It was not intended as a method of enforcing the Core Standards or of assuring competency.

2007 OMA forms The Quality Assurance Task Force
OMA convened a Quality Assurance Task Force to revisit the questions surrounding competency. The Task Force reviewed the options explored by the 1998 Work Group.

2008 OMA Quality Enhancement Initiative
Based upon the Task Force findings, OMA adopted its Quality Enhancement Initiative (QEI) on June 16, 2008. The QEI emphasizes six elements: Leadership through Partnerships, Consumer Education, Mentoring, Mediation Complaint Process, Model Standards for Qualifications, and Model Standards for Training and Trainers.

In the news: Barack Obama elected President (technology played a major role), Facebook reaches 100MM active users, Global Financial Crises, GPS now on devices, Apple’s App store launched.

2010 OMA adopts Model Guidelines for Private Practice Mediator Education, Training, and Experience
The adoption followed a multi-year process with extensive outreach to members and stakeholders spearheaded by the OMA Standards and Practices Committee. View model guidelines.

2020 OMA hosts first Annual Conference using Zoom’s virtual platform
In the news: COVID-19 pandemic triggers lockdowns and global recession, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are the new offices, Joe Biden announces Kamilla Harris as running mate.

2021 OMA’s hosts 35th Annual Conference in a virtual format
OMA Board adopts EDI Decision Making Framework as a model to evaluate the impact of business decisions. In December, Basic Equity Training is offered to members.

2022 OMA hosts 36th Annual Conference 
2022 is launched with multi-series training workshops focused on political depolarization, conflict resilience and transformative dialogue.

In the news: Second year COVID-19, Joe Biden sworn in as President, Representative Deb Haaland (NM) is confirmed as secretary of the Interior.

 

News and Announcements

  • SAVE the date! May 13th!
  • Family Law Mediation Internship 2025
  • Upcoming PCC Mediation Training!
  • 2025 Legislative Bill Tracker
The Oregon Mediation Association

Welcome to OMA

Conflict is a natural part of life. Managed intentionally, 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 practitioners and supporters 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

Main: 503-208-4309
[email protected]
620 SW 5th Ave Ste 900
Portland, OR 97204

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