2025 End of Year Newsletter 
President's Report
Dear OACP Community,
I hope each of you enjoyed a restorative Thanksgiving break and are finding gentle rhythms as we move through these last crisp days of fall. This season always brings a natural pause. It’s a chance to look back at what we’ve built together in 2025, and to appreciate the dedication, warmth, and intention that each of you brings to Collaborative Practice in Oregon.
Honoring Our Mission & Vision
At our Summer Board Retreat, we took time to revisit the mission of the OACP:
“The Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals is an interdisciplinary organization serving members committed to empowering clients to resolve family disputes in a cooperative, child-centered manner. Our goal is to advance Collaborative Practice through educating professionals, promoting public awareness and supporting the community.”
As we reflected on this mission and on our vision to “promote community awareness that respectful resolution is the goal in all family transitions,” we felt both renewed and inspired. This grounding continues to guide our work as we expand our organization to include more professionals who share these commitments.
Growing Our Community
Our Socials & New Member team, led by Riley Hayes, has been especially active this year, ensuring that new professionals feel welcomed and connected. From family-friendly hikes around town to informal meetups, these gatherings have helped build relationships that strengthen our Collaborative community. Their work continues to support one of our core goals: cultivating an interdisciplinary network rooted in trust, curiosity, and cooperation. To stay in the know about upcoming events, be sure to follow us on social media (see links below).
A warm reminder that our annual Holiday Party is coming up this Friday!
Save the Date
Friday, December 5, 2025 | 6–9 PM
One Financial Center Building
121 SW Morrison St., 4th Floor
Portland, OR 97204
Catered by Elephant Delicatessen
Please bring your favorite drink or dessert to share. Festive attire encouraged!
Community Service
Looking Beyond Portland
One of the OACP Board’s central goals this year is to expand Collaborative Practice and training beyond the Portland metro area, which has long been our hub. We are actively exploring ways to support professionals statewide, offer more regionally accessible education, and foster local networks throughout Oregon.
Alongside this work, we hope to increase the number of practitioners offering sliding scale or low bono services to ensure Collaborative Practice is available to more families. Please read and sign the Sliding Scale Collaborative Law Project Participation Agreement Form and Affirmation and return both to the OACP Admin at [email protected].
Supporting the Future of Collaborative Practice
The Board continues its efforts toward formalizing Collaborative Practice in Oregon through the UCLR. This work is both steady and significant, and we are grateful for the expertise and hours many of you, especially Kate Hall, have contributed. We are excited about the direction this initiative is taking and will continue to keep the membership updated as we progress.
Calendar of Events
Fall Educational Meeting Recap
We’ve had a rich and inspiring lineup of educational sessions this Fall:
November — “Gray Divorce” with Janet Tighe and Nancy Wakefield
A thoughtful look at the financial and emotional needs of couples divorcing later in life.
September — “Finding Equity Without Refinancing” with Riley Hayes
A practical and creative session on navigating equitable outcomes when refinancing isn’t possible.
August — “Growth Mindset: Shifting Clients' Mindset During Divorce, Separation, and Co-Parenting” with Megan Barella
A dynamic presentation encouraging resilience and emotional adaptability—for our clients and ourselves.
All educational meetings now offer 1.5 CE credits, and recordings are available to Full Members on the Membership Portal.
There will be no educational meeting in December. Stay tuned for details about our January 2026 session.
Mentorship Meetings
Our monthly Mentorship Meetings—held every fourth Thursday—continue to be a meaningful space for professional connection and support. They are currently on break for the holidays but will resume in January. Please join us on Zoom in the new year.
Spring Conference 2026
Plans for our Spring Conference are well underway, and we look forward to sharing details soon. As always, we welcome your ideas. Please email Jordan at [email protected] with any thoughts or suggestions for future presentations, education meeting topics, or ideas about how to expand our mission throughout the state.
As we close out 2025, I want to offer my heartfelt appreciation for your work, your presence, and your commitment to respectful, compassionate resolution for Oregon families. I look forward to reconnecting in early March with our Winter Newsletter as we look toward the stirrings of spring and a new season of collaboration.
With warmth and gratitude,
Lisa M. Ward
President, Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals
Stay connected:
www.collaborativepracticeoregon.org
