OMA’s 2007 Annual Conference

                                                                                 Distribution: Post to mediate.com/ohio

Date:               May 11, 2007

Time:              12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:        Verne Riffe Tower, 31^st Floor, Columbus, OH

Attendees:      100 members and non-members

1.  Overview.  OMA’s annual conference included presentation of the Better World Award, luncheon, membership meeting, and training by Nina Meierding.  The conference was co-sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Dispute Resolution Section and the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.

2.  President’s Comments.  Jay Patterson thanked this year’s conference co-sponsors, in particular Jacqui Hagerott, Ken Davis, Ed Krauss, and Maria Mone.  He also thanked Antioch University McGregor for photocopying training handouts.  Jay then recognized the strong support of board members, both elected and appointed, as well as Sandra Fredrick’s diligence in scheduling speakers for OMA’s bimonthly meetings. 

As OMA’s President, Jay is proud of the progress made by this growing organization during the past couple of years.  Membership has almost doubled and the treasury has increased by almost 1000%.  He thanked all the members for their support and encouraged non-members attending today’s conference to join OMA.  Stay involved!

3.  Vice President’s Comments.  Phil Dunfee spoke of OMA’s new logo and the recently released, updated brochure.  Members were asked to place the brochures in strategic locations to increase public awareness of OMA

4.  Immediate Past President’s Comments. Shirley Cochran encouraged attendees to fill out an evaluation of today’s conference and to identify a speaker for next year’s event. 

On a separate note, Shirley shared that OMA had 133 members during the 2006/2007 membership year.   Membership for 2007/2008 is currently 75, with 26 being new members.  If all members from last year renew their memberships, OMA will grow to over 150 members. 

Additionally, the next newsletter will be released by May 18, 2007.  Anyone can contribute an article to the newsletter; just be sure to forward it to Shirley by the 20^th of each month.  Only members receive access to just-released newsletters and to job opportunities.

5.Treasurer’s Comments.  Per a report prepared by Dan DeStephens and provided by incoming treasurer Sheri Center, OMA is fiscally healthy.  Approximately $8,000 will be added to the treasury from today’s conference.

6. Secretary’s Comments.  Christy Radigan reviewed efforts to locate past OMA minutes and store everything on a compact disk.  She is also removing old minutes from the OMA website to increase accessibility to recent documents.

7. Case Study Group. Susan Shostak provided information on OMA’s one-year prototype case study group.  Purpose of the study group is to increase members’ mediation skills.  To date, two cases have been reviewed and discussed by OMA members.  The case study group always meets after OMA’s bimonthly meeting; a family case will be presented after June’s meeting.  Judith Thomas commented on the excellent dialog generated through the study group review.

7. OMA Annual Conference.  Advanced training in mediation was provided by Nina Meierding.  Focus during the morning session was on communication skills; including creating the environment, listening, understanding language, and strategic questioning.  The afternoon’s focus was on the causes of resistance and breaking impasse.  Both sessions provided specific techniques readily usable by all mediators regardless of the mediation subject matter.  All should find a place in the mediator’s “tool box”.  Audience participation was encouraged by Ms. Meierding who provided a wealth of information through an entertaining learning environment.

8. Better Word Award.  This year’s recipient of the Better World Award is Marya Cody Kolman.  Marya has been the Director of Mediation Services for the Franklin County Domestic Relations Court and Juvenile Branch since 1999. Through Marya’s vision, energy and persistence, she expanded the programs provided by the department and offered services for never married parents, post divorce parenting time disputes, juvenile domestic violence, and truancy, along with continuing to maintain the already established mediation programs.  She is an inspiration to all in the mediation field.

12. Adjourn.  The next bimonthly meeting will be held on June 1, 2007, at the MCL Cafeteria on Schrock Road in Westerville.

Prepared by:  Christy Radigan, OMA Secretary