Ohio Mediation Association

As a current member of the Ohio Mediation Association (OMA), I urge you too to join OMA so that it may continue its leadership role on behalf of all mediators in Ohio.

I believe mediation will never realize its true potential unless and until it is institutionalized throughout our society.  One of the most important elements necessary to institutionalize mediation is a strong and vibrant professional association that promotes the field, and acts a voice for mediators throughout Ohio.  Strong professional associations are built one member at a time.

Institutionalizing mediation not only benefits society through increased use of mediation but it makes more work available from which mediators may earn a living.  Therefore, helping to build and maintain a strong professional organization is in a mediator’s interest.  Furthermore, as noted in the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, all mediators have an obligation to advance the field of mediation.

If you are not familiar with OMA, I would like to note just a few of the ways OMA has benefited me as well as other mediators in Ohio.

• OMA testified in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate regarding the Uniform Mediation Act (UMA) that recently became law.  In addition to its testimony, OMA successfully secured an amendment to the bill which clarified and strengthened the mediator privilege so that mediators my better avoid being hailed into court to disclose communication made in mediation.
• OMA co-sponsored a series of forums throughout Ohio to inform mediators about the content and implications of the UMA.
• OMA has convened an ongoing Summit of professional mediation associations and State governmental agencies interested in mediation in Ohio in order to create a more cohesive community of professional associations and to work collaboratively to advance the field of mediation as a whole without regard to a particular setting, program, region or style of mediation.   

Along with the activities noted above, some other benefits of membership include:

• Assistance in linking prospective clients with mediators through OMA’s Directory of Mediators contained on the OMA website.
• Discount on creation of individual mediator website through the OMA website.
• Bimonthly meetings which include a presentation by a guest speaker.
• Subscription to Mediate Ohio, OMA’s bimonthly newsletter.
• Discount at OMA’s Annual Conference with continuing education credits usually available.   

As the only professional mediation association serving all regions and types of mediators in Ohio, OMA continues to benefit me as a mediator.  However, not unlike the mediation field itself, OMA will not automatically achieve its full potential.  It requires mediators to contribute to realizing this potential.  One of the easiest ways to play your part in institutionalizing mediation is to complete the OMA application available on the OMA website, www.mediateohio.org and send it to the address noted along with the very reasonable membership fee of $50.00.

I hope you will strongly consider joining me as a member of OMA, if you are not already a member.  Don’t wait; become a member now!

Thank you,