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Industry News
IIABA News
Nilsson Issues Chairman’s Awards C. Brett Nilsson, Big “I” chairman for the 2008-2009 term, bestowed a Chairman’s Citation on Angelyn Treutel, Jon Jensen, the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers, Bob Restrepo, Neal Montgomery and Charles Symington at the recent Big “I” Leadership Conference in New Orleans. The awards are given by the outgoing chairman to individuals or organizations “who have brought prestige and credit to the American agency system during the past year through eminent accomplishment in business, civic or personal life and in acknowledgement of such distinguished service.” Click here for more information on the citation recipients.
IIABA News
Minnesota Agent Rises on National Association Leadership Team
Michael “Mike” R. Donohoe of Mankato, Minn. was installed as vice chairman of the Big “I” at the association’s recent Leadership Conference in New Orleans. Donohoe is an owner and an independent agent of the James R. Weir Insurance Agency in Mankato, Minn. “Mike is a true champion of the independent agency system in his home state of Minnesota and across the country,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “The Big ‘I’ is proud to announce that he will continue his good work on the association’s leadership team as vice chairman.” Donohoe’s numerous contributions to the independent agency system have spanned several decades and include serving as president of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (MIIAB) and representing the North Star State on the Big “I” Board of Directors. He was twice named Minnesota’s “Young Agent of the Year” and was the 1994 “Minnesota Agent of the Year.” At the national level, Donohoe was elected to the Big “I” Executive Committee in September 2006. He has been instrumental to the success of the Big “I” Virtual University and served as the chair of the VU Oversight Task Force from 2001 to 2006. In 2005, Donohoe received the Woodworth Memorial, the highest honor that can be earned by a Big “I” member for outstanding service benefiting independent insurance agents and the entire insurance industry.
Best Practices
Best Practices Study Update Released Every three years, the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting team up for the Best Practices Study. This valuable research enables agencies to compare their operations to those of designated “best practices” agencies and examines the agency universe from a unique perspective. Recently, the Big “I” released an update to the most recent Agency Universe Study. Find out how your agency measures up with the 2009 Best Practices Study Update. Learn how best practices agencies have fared in the soft market and the down economy, and compare the updated findings to the 2007 Best Practices Study. Click here for more information, including a link to an online order form.
Trusted Choice®
New Service Will Help Agents Make Meaningful Contacts Wouldn’t it be great if potential clients were calling you instead of you calling on them? Trusted Choice® wants to make it a little easier for its members to make meaningful contacts. 1-800-WE-INSURE is a new service exclusively for Trusted Choice® agencies that connects consumers with local Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents. The best part is that Trusted Choice®, state associations and other Trusted Choice® stakeholders will market the number for you. Initially, the phone number will be included in all Trusted Choice® national TV ads, on the Web site and in consumer print materials. With more than 208 million consumer impressions in 2008, imagine what 2010 will bring. Sign-up for the service will be available Oct. 15, so stay tuned to www.TrustedChoice.com/leads for frequently asked questions and more details.
IIABA News
Big “I” Recognizes Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey with Spirit of Education Award The Big “I” has honored the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey (IIABNJ) with the Sprit of Education award. “The 2009 Spirit of Education Award was presented to Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey for its important and lasting contributions to the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) program and the Big ‘I’ Virtual University,” says Madelyn Flanagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “The efforts by the IIABNJ team will benefit many agents and state associations in future education opportunities.” The Spirit of Education Award was created by the Big “I” Agent Development, Education and Research Department to recognize a person or organization working closely with the national organization to deliver quality education to Big “I” members across a variety of platforms. The award was developed as a way to acknowledge the generous contribution of time, energy, expertise and patience necessary to make an education program or offering successful. Sherri Acconzo, IIABNJ president & CEO, accepted the award on behalf of the state association and was recognized for her leadership. IIANJ staffers Jennifer Kacmarsky and Karen Jamison and Denise Ronan of the Brick Agency were also recognized.
ACT
Sign Up for Next Session of Popular Webinar Are you taking advantage of Real Time along with commercial and personal lines Download? Learn how to make your agency more efficient by attending a highly-regarded, one-hour, live webinar hosted by the Real Time/Download Campaign 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 7. There has been great agent and carrier attendance for previous webinar sessions with more than 200 participants at each showing.
The webinar, entitled “Real Time: The Next Major Advance in Agency Workflow,” will be led by Lisa Parry Becker and Cyndy Smith, the co-chairs of the Real Time/Download Campaign, who are highly knowledgeable about these new workflows. This webinar will explain Real Time, demonstrate it, discuss the benefits and outline the next steps for agencies just starting Real Time or those interested in increasing its usage. Another point of discussion will be the increasing importance of Download in a Real Time world. Cal Durland of AUGIE and Jeff Yates of ACT will also participate.
There is no charge for participants to attend these webinars. After logging on to the Internet session, participants will be able to listen to the audio through their computer headset or speakers, or they will be provided with a toll-free number to call and listen to the audio.
Click here to register for the Oct. 7 session of the webinar.
InVEST
InVEST 101 Webinar Provides Insight into Program
Do you want to get involved with InVEST but are unsure where to start? Have you heard about the program and want to learn moreit?
If so, attend the InVEST 101 webinar Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. EST. This webinar is intended for those with little knowledge of the InVEST high school program, and it will provide all the tools needed to jumpstart your involvement.
This webinar will cover why InVEST was created, an overview of the high school program, a summary of the free materials available to launch an InVEST program and how to get started. No commitment is required to sit in on this webinar – just curiosity about the InVEST program.
The webinar is free for participants. Click here to reserve a seat today.
InVEST, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is dedicated to improving insurance literacy and attracting new talent to the industry. For more information, contact Jennifer Robinson at 1-800-221-7917; jennifer.robinson@iiaba.net.
Big I Advantage®
New RLI PUP Application Approved
The new RLI Personal Umbrella application 276 (09/09) has been approved. The application includes expanded underwriting guidelines which are defined under the PUP Special section of the application. Due to the delay in getting the new application approved, RLI has extended the time it will accept the previous application. The application 276a (08/09) will be accepted through the end of 2009. Big “I” members have access to the RLI Personal Umbrella. To learn more about the RLI Personal Umbrella, click here. If you have any questions about this product, contact Gary Heiligman at gary.heiligman@iiaba.net.
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