The ROOT of De-Escalation

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

De-escalation is all about assisting and improving a challenging situation. What that might be depends on the circumstances and the people involved. Your intervention might be something you do, something you say or choosing to do nothing at all.

By Chad Ross, Manager, Industry Relations & Total Store Collaboration, FMI <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/thinking_person_-_thinking_fast_and_slow_-_retro_design_with_cogwheels.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=bfcd57d6_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Thinking_Person" title="Thinking_Person" /></div> De-escalation is defined by Merriam-Webster as an intransitive verb “to decrease in extent, volume, or scope.”  De-escalation is all about assisting and improving a challenging situation. What that might be depends on the circumstances and the people involved. Your intervention might be something you do, something you say or <a href="https://rightresponse.org/de-escalation-skills">choosing to do nothing at all</a>.  When placed in a situation, uncertainty can lead to fear, and fear can lead to tension. Although online grocery shopping has increased, there are still many shoppers who prefer to shop in-store and are faced with new requirements put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic—requirements that might create uncertain situations—including physical distancing, mask or face covering requirements, one-way aisles, new queuing protocol, etc.  How do grocery store employees communicate with these shoppers, particularly when they are agitated? What should employees do when they observe shoppers calling one another out for failure to comply with requirements? How should the grocery associate ask the shopper to comply?  Join FMI as we partner with <a href="https://www.rootinc.com/">ROOT Inc</a>. to discuss de-escalation in our upcoming webinar <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/conflictmanagement">De-Escalate: Tools for Conflict Management in the Grocery Store.</a> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/fmi-crisis-management-guide-de-escalation" class="button">FMI Crisis Management Guide: De-Escalation</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.