SCA Board Members Jim Holland and Joan Barrett chat with scholarship winner Maura Hill.

Congratulations to 50/50 Raffle Winner, SCA Board Member Joan Barrett, of Market Share. “It’s the first time I’ve ever won!” she exclaimed. Her take of the raffle monies was $47.
The 50/50 raffle is open to all in attendance. Half the money goes to the raffle ticket winner, with the other half going into the association scholarship fund.

Joe Crady, of Gregory B.
Bragg & Associates, Inc.

SCA President Art Coussoulis, and Board Member Joan Barrett.

Thanks to ALL Our February Door Prize Contributors
Coast Construction
Guardian Environmental
Harrison Promotional Svces
V and M Restoration, Inc.
ServiceMaster
Taylor Renovation, Inc.

February 8 SCA luncheon
By Bryan Harrison

Mediation has taken off as the optimum method for resolution of a great many disputed cases. Finding the right mediator can often present a challenge. To address that issue specifically at the February 8, 2007 luncheon meeting of the Sacramento Claims Association was longtime mediation expert, Jack Tjeerdsma, of Mediation Resources.
Mr. Tjeerdsma presented a thorough overview of “how to qualify and choose a mediator”, and provided a veritable laundry list of criteria for choosing cases for mediation.

It’s often a case of “you get what you pay for,” Mr. Tjeerdsma explained. He qualified that a bit by adding, “but some have outrageous fees.”
“Persistence,” he stated, “is probably one of the greatest things you want to look for in a mediator.

“Just because people have problems or seem to be locked (on a settlement amount), it’s important for your mediator to move through it,” he stated. “People need to feel heard,” he added.

Jack outlined the two types of mediators as being “Facilitative” and “Directive” (also known as “Evaluative”).

“The ‘facilitative’ mediator runs the process but doesn’t judge the process,” he explained. With the other approach, “directive” or “evaluative”, the mediator makes an evaluation or decision on what the parties need to do to come to terms.

Often, he said, the evaluative mediator is perceived as not being neutral in the case.

A “consummate neutral” himself, Jack explained that he “always works to be open-minded on the facts and opinions. I never know whether I’ve heard everything,” he said. His approach appears to bring results, as he stated that he maintains an 85% success rate.

Birthday girl, Cathrin Nevin, joined a few folks after the meeting for a bit of birthday cheer.	Neil Ostrander and Cathrin Nevin at the the February 8, 2007 luncheon meeting.

Nicole Moore, of Probity Adjusting & Consulting, and Abe Lee, of AAA Plus Construction.	SCA immediate Past Pres. Corby Schmautz, with past board member Danell Cassetta and current board member Jim Holland.
Dawn Dawson, left, and Cindy Cody, both with CSAA, at the February luncheon.	Lisa Schwichtenberg, of Belfor Property Restoration, and Bryan Harrison, of Harrison Promotional Services.

SCA Treasurer Kelly Denison, with Benchmark Medical Consultants, presented SCA 2006 Continuing Education Scholarship recipient Maura Hill with her award at the February 8, 2007 luncheon meeting.
Maura spoke briefly, graciously thanking the organization for providing the scholarship and for choosing her. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the cost of college these days, but even buying books is a challenge,” she said. “So this really helps al lot.

Karla Jones, with Calif. Carpet & Design, and SCA Pres. Art Coussoulis, of CSAA.

Bob Byrne & Lynda Reiner-Leith of Probity Adjusting.

SCA President Art Coussoulis, and
Treasurer Kelly Denison.