Monthly Legislative Updates: 2025 First Friday Calls
2025-12-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Join OAESV’s First Friday calls to discuss timely legislative updates that impact Ohio survivors, rape crisis centers, and communities. Throughout 2025, our First Friday calls will cover relevant state and federal legislative/policy news, provide space for skill-building in public policy engagement, and provide the opportunity to hear from lawmakers and more!
Held the first Friday of every month from 1-2pm

February 07
March 07
May 02
June 06
August 01
September 05
November 07
December 04

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

OAESV Legal Clinic Office Hours
2025-12-09 14:00 - 16:00
Survivors & Advocates – Connect with an attorney
The OAESV Legal Clinic hosts virtual office hours to provide a safe space for Ohio survivors and their advocates to connect with an attorney. They also allow survivors to discuss legal options, connect with resources, and/or have a brief consultation.

Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm
January 14, February 11, March 11, July 8, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 9

Thursdays from 12pm-2pm
January 30, February 27, March 27, April 17, May 15, June 12, July 24, August 21, September 25, October 23, November 20

Please call 216-282-1559 or text 216-232-2066 to connect.
Additional accommodations available by request.

Collective Calls
2026-01-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-11-19 10:00 - 11:00
There is power and strength in a collective! With a rotating focus, these monthly meetings are opportunities for members to build community and strength as we work together to end sexual violence.
In-Service (members only)
In-service sessions are short trainings during which participants can grow skills, cultivate new partnerships, and learn about developments in the field.
Program Spotlight (members only)
Program spotlight sessions are opportunities to engage with peers and build skills for giving and receiving feedback. In these sessions, an identified program will spotlight a project or a topic, and participants will have opportunities to ask clarifying questions and make recommendations.
Connection Spaces (open to all)
Connection space sessions are opportunities to connect and be in community with those who do similar work in Ohio. In these breakout spaces, participants will connect with their peers to discuss emerging topics related to their role(s). These spaces will feature breakout rooms for preventionists, direct service advocates, and SART/CCRT leaders. Additional breakout rooms may be available for rotating topic-specific conversations.
In-service and Program Spotlight sessions are reserved for OAESV members only. If you are an individual member or you work for a member program and need assistance logging into the member portal, please reach out to info@oaesv.org. If your agency is represented on this map, you are a member.
Click month names below to register for a specific session. Click here to register for 2026 entirely.

Month
Session Type
Date

January
In-Service
1/15/26 (10am-11:30am)

February
Program Spotlight
2/19/26 (10am-11am)

March
In-Service
3/19/26 (10am-11am)

May
Connection Space
5/21/26 (10am-11am)

July
Program Spotlight
7/16/26 (10am-11am)

August
In-Service
8/27/26 (10am-11am)

September
Connection Space
9/17/26 (10am-11am)

October
Program Spotlight
10/15/26 (10am-11am)

November
Connection Space
11/19/26 (10am-11am)

Media Engagement Skills for Survivors of Sexual Violence
2026-02-05 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-12 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-19 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom
REGISTER HERE!
This training program teaches survivors and community advocates practical communication skills for media engagement and public speaking. Using trauma-informed approaches, participants learn to engage strategically while protecting their wellbeing and creating meaningful change.
THE PROBLEM
Survivors and community advocates face:

No framework for deciding which media opportunities to accept
Limited training for interviews and public speaking
Burnout from saying yes to everything or not knowing where to start
Inconsistent messaging that weakens message impact

THE TRAINING – DIGITAL COURSE FORMAT
Three 90-minute virtual sessions delivered over 3-4 weeks. Due to the limited capacity of this training series and the cumulative nature of the content, we ask that registrants commit to attending all three training sessions.
REGISTER HERE!
SESSION 1 (90 MINUTES)
Module 1: Civic Assessment and Detox (30 minutes)

Assessing your current advocacy capacity and goals
Clearing the noise about what advocacy “should” look like
Framework for evaluating speaking opportunities strategically

Module 2: Reconnecting to Your Core Message (60 minutes)

Identifying your civic north star and values
Developing your core message (not your whole story)
Creating 30-second, 2-minute, and 5-minute versions for different contexts

SESSION 2 (90 MINUTES)
Module 3: Rest as Resistance and Boundary Setting (45 minutes)

Understanding that boundaries make you more effective, not less engaged
Scripts for declining requests professionally
Safety planning and sustainable engagement practices

Module 4: Media Engagement (45 minutes)

Preparing for interviews (TV, radio, print, digital)
Staying on message during diﬃcult questions
Building relationships with journalists

SESSION 3 (90 MINUTES)
Module 5: Public Speaking Skills (60 minutes)

Structuring presentations and testimony
Managing nerves and staying grounded
Handling Q&A sessions

Module 6: Ongoing Advocacy (30 minutes)

Pitching stories to media
Digital advocacy best practices
Sustainable engagement planning

TRAINING APPROACH
Trauma-Informed Virtual Learning:

Participants choose their level of engagement
Camera-optional environment
Chat and verbal participation options
Private breakout rooms available

Interactive Virtual Format:

60% hands-on practice (breakouts, role-plays, individual work)
40% instruction and group discussion
Small group work in breakout rooms
Real scenario applications
Interactive polls and activities

WHAT PARTICIPANTS GET
Live Training:

Three 90-minute expert-led virtual sessions
Interactive breakout sessions and practice opportunities
Real-time Q&A and personalized coaching

Take-Home Materials:

Complete worksheets with all frameworks
Decision-making checklist
Message templates
Interview preparation guides
Media pitch scripts
Boundary-setting language examples
Downloadable templates

FACILITATOR
Sophia Fifner brings expertise in strategic communications and trauma-informed training. As CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Club and creator of The Civic Reset framework for sustainable advocacy, she combines professional communications experience with understanding of how to engage meaningfully without burning out. Her approach helps advocates use their voice strategically while protecting their wellbeing.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Participants will have:

A clear framework for deciding which opportunities to accept
Conﬁdence to prepare for and handle media interviews
Professional scripts for setting boundaries
Their core message developed and practiced
Practical tools they can use immediately

DIGITAL COURSE LOGISTICS
Session Schedule:

Duration: Three 90-minute sessions
Delivery: Virtual platform (Zoom/Teams)
Group Size: 20-35 participants
Format: Interactive with breakouts, polls, and hands-on activities

Technical Requirements:

Stable internet connection
Computer/tablet with camera and microphone
Quiet space for participation

Participant Preparation:

Pre-session materials sent 48 hours in advance
Optional prep calls for technical support
Access to digital resource library before Session 1

REGISTER HERE!
