OMA Membership Meeting

                                          Distribution: Post to mediate.com/ohio

Date:               October 5, 2007

Time:              11:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location:        MCL Cafeteria on Schrock Road

Attendees:      18 members and 3 non-members

1.  Welcome and Introductions.  All attendees introduced themselves by providing their name, location of services, and a brief description of their mediation job or cliental. 

2.  President’s Comments.  Jay Patterson reminded attendees of next year’s election of OMA board members.  He encouraged attendees to run for a position or persuade others to do so.  Anyone needing information on what a board position entails should contact Jay. 

            Jay also shared information on the advertising campaign recently initiated by OMA board members to get the word out on mediation.  This campaign is only possible through money brought in through OMA memberships and from funding provided by the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution for OMA’s last annual conference.  The advertising campaign will use the following mediums: print (newspapers), on-line, and public service announcements.  Phil Dunfee shared that the advertising firm, Londy Lawrence, is providing services free of charge. 

3.  Immediate Past President’s Comments. Per Shirley Cochran, OMA current has 142 members.  Approximately 73% of last year’s members have renewed their memberships.  OMA’s goal is to have at least 150 members by the end of the year.  Please help by encouraging friends and co-workers to join. 

            Articles for inclusion in OMA’s newsletter should be forwarded to Shirley by the 20^th of each even-numbered month.  The newsletter is typically distributed by the 20^th of each odd-numbered month.  The newsletter is a member benefit.  It is non-accessible on the OMA website to non-members until a new edition is released. 

4. Vice President’s Comments.  Phil Dunfee provided scheduling information for the next annual OMA conference; it will be held on May 9, 2007, at the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street. 

5.Treasurer’s Comments.  Per a report provided by Sheri Center, OMA currently has $24,869.81 in checking and savings accounts.  There are some upcoming expenses but OMA is very strong fiscally.

6. Secretary’s Comments.  Christy Radigan encouraged attendees to update their information included in the OMA on-line directory.   Without a valid email address, a member will not receive important notices from OMA.

7.  Case Study Group. Susan Shostak reported that at today’s study group, Linda Norris is presenting a Victim Offender Case.  Anyone with an idea for a future study group meeting should contact Susan.

8. Other Business.

• Martha Camp is looking into putting training pod casts on the OMA website.  Only OMA members would be able to access the pod casts.  Topics could include power balancing, how to deal with strong emotions, or UMA confidentiality and privilege. 
• Ed Kraus announced that as part of the 2008 Conflict Management Week, there will be an event on May 5 and 6, 2008, at the Vern Riffe Center, which focuses on bullying by girls.
• Maara Fink and Martha Camp are working on the concept of regional meetings, possibly in northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest Ohio.  The first topic to be discussed at these meetings would be the benefits of OMA membership.  It is possible that multiple meetings could be held on the same day throughout the state.  The initial meetings will be held in early spring.
• Sandra Frederick announced that December’s speaker is Ann Snyder, a probate magistrate.

9. Program.  Today’s presenter is Christine Cline from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), Office of Exceptional Children.  She shared information on how mediations help bridge the gap between schools and parents, even when there have been years of animosity over special education services.  Mediation is a voluntary process used by ODE to expeditiously resolve issues quicker than in traditional legal procedures.  Christine also shared information about a new program recently initiated by ODE – facilitated discussion of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).  IEP facilitation helps the team (parents and school personnel) overcome the pressure and anxiety often associated with contentious IEP meetings and keeps the focus of the team on the best interests of the student.  Thanks to Christine for sharing information on ODE’s facilitation and mediation initiatives.  OMA members were treated to great success stories of mediation in the educational venue. 

10. Adjourn.  The next meeting will be conducted on December 5, 2007, at the MCL Cafeteria on Schrock Road in Westerville.

Prepared by:  Christy Radigan, OMA Secretary