Newsletter | Jul/Aug 2004
Volume 32:4
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In this issue: | OWA Health Insurance - Mimi Malayan Annual OWA Retreat : Westerbeke Ranch Sep 17-19 - Phoebe Bressack Profile: Jill Pilaroscia - Phoebe Bressack |
In Memoriam - Sigrid Lorenzen Rupp, 1943-2004Share #426 |
OWA Health Insuranceby Mimi Malayan | Share #427[portions taken from Janet Crane's letter to Health Plan Members] Health Net, the health insurance provider for OWA, intends to drop our Association Health Plan coverage effective October 1, 2004, as they are terminating all of their association contracts with groups of less than 1000 members. For over 30 years Janet Crane has been the main coordinator of this health plan, offering the self-employed and uninsured designers an option to securing health care. This option has been a wonderful benefit to OWA members, and the question now arises: What Do We Do? Janet has been in regular contact with John and Anne Jakiemiec from JCG Insurance Services, our insurance agents. She has also met with and will continue to meet with the OWA steering committee. The first priority has been to find alternative coverage for our members. John and Anne are finding alternative small group and individual coverage options. Unfortunately, often there are costs increases which come into play. On an encouraging note, John has had discussions with a Small Group Purchasing Pool that is coming out with a Group Product. Also, other steering committee members are looking into other options: Kaiser, an association with the AIA health plan, an association with other small groups to create a membership exceeding 1000. Individual plans are also available to our health care users, but that can result in a loss of leverage or negotiating power when a problem arises with the health care provider. The second priority is to continue negotiations with Health Net to continue coverage. This may include behind the scenes manipulation, ìbad-pressî releases, and whatever tactics we come up with, short of a law suit. As a final resort, we have the option filing an injunction against Health Net, for violating there contract with us. The problem with an injunction is the commitment to a hard and costly legal battle, where we would probably gain an extension, but would still be left looking at alternative health plans in the future. The OWA steering committee is meeting at the office of Freebairn-Smith & Crane on Tuesday, July 13th at 6:30pm. Please call a steering committee member if you wish to make a contribution to this meeting. We would like your input, insight, and energy. |
Annual OWA Retreat : Westerbeke Ranch Sep 17-19by Phoebe Bressack | Share #428As we have for many years, OWA members will again be gathering at our annual retreat in Sonoma's Valley of the Moon for a weekend of professional development, networking and catching up with friends. With fine food in an exquisite setting, (including pool and hot tub), this respite from busy lives is not to be missed. The subject of this year's retreat, COLOR, will feature Jill Pilaroscia. Her program will bring a lifelong affinity with color, coupled with extensive training in the science of its application in design. She has developed a unique, cross-disciplinary approach, blending art and science, incorporating the practices of scientific studies, traditional and experimental color theory, medical research, western psychology and eastern philosophy. In addition to the regular weekend activities, utilizing the labyrinth that was built as last year's art project/permanent gift to Westerbeke Ranch, in the company of friends and colleagues we will have a brief service to honor the memory of Sigrid Rupp. A longtime OWA member, Sigrid died this past May after a brief battle with cancer. She was an architect and artist of immense skill and talent, with an indefatigable spirit whose presence will be sorely missed. For further retreat information call Janet Crane |
Profile: Jill Pilarosciaby Phoebe Bressack | Share #429IACC Principal, Colour Studio, Inc. Jill Pilaroscia is known internationally as a leader in the use of color. She has developed a unique, cross-disciplinary approach, blending art and science. Incorporating the practices of scientific studies, traditional and experimental color theory, medical research, western psychology and eastern philosophy, each project is tuned to its specific environmental and functional needs. Her portfolio includes award-winning corporate projects in cities throughout the world. Currently, Jill is the worldwide color consultant for the Hewlett-Packard Company. Jill brings to her work a lifelong affinity for color and extensive training in the science of its application in design. In 1975 she graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute and before long found herself using a painter's eye to create palettes for San Francisco Victorian houses. She soon won the first of several awards for her work, and her career as a color consultant was underway. Assignments for corporate offices, health care and manufacturing facilities, restaurants, hotels, schools, product coloration and historic restoration followed. With a thorough grounding in the aesthetic principles of color use, Jill has continued her formal study of the psychological, physiological and visual ergonomic factors that inform her use of color as a functional tool. Addressing the complex issues of color perception and human response in environments has added greater depth and value to her product. Jill has completed her thesis on Color and Productivity in the Manufacturing Environment, Bentley Carpet Mills for the International Association of Color Consultants, North America IACC NA. Throughout her career, Jill has published articles and books on color, been the subject of television and print interviews, lectured extensively at universities and conferences and received awards and honors for her work. She created a palette of 50 colors exclusively for Sunset Magazine and did color development for a new product line from Deepa Textiles. She is also a devoted mentor to others within her discipline. Jill Pilaroscia's color palettes are characterized by beauty, functionality and an abiding regard for the well-being of those who work and interact within an environment she has created. |
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