History

In 1989, a small group of family mediators, primarily from the Columbus area, founded the Ohio Mediation Association to promote the practice of mediation as an effective means of resolving disputes. The Ohio Mediation Association (OMA) has since developed into a statewide organization for mediators and mediation advocates from a broad range of disciplines and diverse areas of practice that serves as a forum for networking, dissemination of information and the education of its members and the public.

The organizational structure of the OMA includes an executive board and general voting members. The executive board is made up of five officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President) who are elected by the voting members of the Association. Responding to input from its members and to the expanding role of mediation in Ohio, the Ohio Mediation Association has focused its efforts on developing the diversity of its membership and broadening the areas of its educational presentations.

From its beginnings as an association primarily consisting of practitioners of family mediation, the OMA has grown to include mediators involved in civil, commercial, community, business, juvenile, victim-offender, and labor mediation, to name a few, from both the public sector and private practice. Bimonthly meetings of the organization are held on the first Friday of the even-numbered months from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Please see the MediateOhio/Minutes section of the website for upcoming programs, location and directions.)

Meetings, open to members and non-members alike, provide an opportunity for attendees to network and to make announcements about trainings, seminars and job opportunities. Information is shared about new and proposed legislation, current events and other items of interest to conflict resolution professionals. Following the initial business meeting, the educational portion of the meeting is presented by a guest speaker.

Each April, OMA holds its annual meeting and luncheon. This daylong conference consists of a special advanced mediation-related training for which continuing education credits for psychologists, social workers and attorneys are provided. At the luncheon new officers are installed, association business is conducted and the “Better World Award” is presented.

“MediateOhio”, OMA’s bimonthly newsletter presents information about the Association and its members, trainings, and other news in the mediation field around Ohio. Anyone wishing to submit notices or articles for this publication is encouraged to do so. Materials should be submitted to the “MediateOhio” editor (see Contact Us section) by the 20th day of the even-numbered months. Both “MediateOhio” and meeting minutes can be found on this website and are available to members by mail upon request.

The Ohio Mediation Association invites and welcomes all individuals and institutions interested in having a consistent forum for discussion and networking about mediation. The $60 membership fee includes listing in the “Ohio Mediation Association Membership Directory/Mediator Locator” (updated regularly) and discounts on certain OMA sponsored conferences. Anyone interested in joining may contact one of the officers (at the Contact Us section) or see the Become a Member section to download a printable application.