President's Message - January 2004
Welcome to 2004! I want to wish you a very happy and successful New Year.
Once again, as we go into a new year, we have to deal with another change in our industry PIPEDA, the new privacy legislation. It certainly looks as though we will have to change some of the ways we do business, but as always I am confident that our industry will adapt and that we will continue to carry on our business in the professional manner for which we are known.

Your trade show committee is working hard on putting the final touches on this year¹s Claims 2004 Trade Show. There is an excellent lineup of seminars, and I encourage you to sign up for them, as they are geared to all levels of adjusting. This year we are pleased to have a variety of presenters for the seminars. I promise you that you will not walk away disappointed; you will walk away educated and refreshed. Along with the seminars is the trade show, with over 150 exhibitors ready and willing to show you the latest technology available to help you in the adjustment of claims. This year¹s luncheon guest speaker is Dorian Baxter. He is an excellent speaker and entertainer. Dorian will teach us how to power think your way through dispute resolution, as well as learn how to use some humour to obtain the desired results for a win/win situation in a dispute. I want to encourage all chapters to have members attend the Claims 2004 Trade Show it will be an experience you won¹t forget.

Once again the OIAA is offering its bursary. If you have not thought about it, now is a good time to submit an application. We offer a total of $7,500.00 made up of $500.00 bursaries to 15 OIAA members in good standing. The applications and information are available on the OIAA Web site, please take the time to look at the web site. If you need even further information or assistance, please contact your chapter delegate.

As you settle into 2004, think of all the things you wanted to do last year and you never got around to doing. Don¹t feel bad that you didn¹t get them done; feel good that you set some goals. Setting goals has a purpose, as it gives us encouragement to move ahead, even if they are unrealistic. Keep this in mind and always remember to focus on the positive things, as this will encourage you to tackle the difficult tasks in your life.