1998-99 Report

1998-99 ANNUAL REPORT TO CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

Prepared by: Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU

The President for the 1998-99 Chapter year was Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU

1989-1999 Chapter President Sandra Loebs, CPCU gave the state of the Chapter address at the June 17, 1999 Chapter Annual Business meeting.

Special acknowledgement citations were presented to 1998-1999 Officers, Directors and Committee Chairpersons in appreciation of their service during the year. Pictured here were those present at the June 17, 1999 Business meeting.

The Philadelphia Chapter "Celebrated CPCU Excellence" during the chapter year first by honoring those companies whose employees are our Chapter Officers and on our Board or Directors at the September Breakfast Meeting. Although the year went quickly the chapter had outstanding accomplishments, among them being:

Bylaws amended

First Annual Golf Scholarship in memory of Bob Hedges, CPCU

Enhanced Web site – largest chapter site

Member Directory on-line

Pilot Status Personal Lines Interest Section – Chapter member Clint Gillespie Chair

Two Successful Fire Safety in the Home Essay Contests

First Annual New Designee Dinner

Philly I-Day added a Vendor Exhibition

Project InVEST –

Barbara McCreery of Germantown High School IIAA InVEST Teacher of the Year

Past President Anne Kopanski, CPCU honored with the Steven Dach Award for the volunteer who has contributed substantially to further InVESTs growth and development in the community.

Membership Committee – Instituted a Buddy Program

Resource Survey of all members

CE Credits filed for 2 breakfast meeting programs

Goods Works - Philadelphia May Special Olympics

National Service – 10 Chapter members

Franklin Award to Roy Reinard, III PA House of Representatives from the 178th Legislative District and insurance agent/part owner of the Reinard Agency

BYLAWS

Under the direction of Peter F. Palestina, CPCU, Chapter Parliamentarian, the Chapter amended its Constitution and bylaws on April 5, 1999 subject to approval of the CPCU Society’s Board at their October 1999 annual meeting in Boston. The new bylaws will bring language up to present day standards and will also allow the Chapter to conduct its business in a more efficient manner. Last bylaws update was in 1988.

CHAPTERGRAM

Peter F. Palestina, CPCU, Editor of the Chaptergram since 1983, published four issues (eight pages each) which were distributed in September ’98, December ’98, March ’99 and June ’99. In addition, two one-page interim Chaptergrams were published; one July 1998 and the other April 1999. These issues were mailed piggyback with monthly meeting mailings in order to save postage. We have received compliments from both internal and external readers about the Chaptergram; we do send it to members of other chapters who are on our mailing list. It also serves as a model for other chapters.

CHAPTER OFFICERS’ LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Chapter Officers’ Leadership Conference (COLC) was held on May 6-8, 1999 in Providence, RI. First Vice President Peter F. Palestina attended this conference. Pete brought back many ideas to implement in the next chapter year and was instrumental in bringing many of our chapter procedures and recommendations to those attending the COLC. Our chapter website was a highlight during the exhibits at the COLC and many chapters commended our chapter on its efforts. Pete has developed a communications link with several of the members across the country in attendance.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Rich Ventura, CPCU Chair of the Education Committee was successful in obtaining CE credits for two courses, "Ethics & Professionalism in the Insurance Industry" presented by Eric Weining in April 1999 and "Teen Drivers" presented by Clint Gillespie in June 1999. Other courses were applied for but were not approved as they did not meet the risk management requirements of the Insurance Testing Corporation (ITC) for the State of Pennsylvania. These included John Creveling’s, "Managing Your Career During Rapidly Changing Times" and Joe Lesko’s, "Perspectives in Today’s Insurance Industry".

DIRECTORY

Through the efforts of many but especially Pete Palestina, a new Membership Directory is available on the Chapter’s web site. Included in the directory is name, year of designation, mailing address, work phone number, home phone number, fax number and e-mail address. An announcement to this effect was mailed to the membership along with the June meeting notice.

FIRE ESSAY CONTEST

Peter F. Palestina, CPCU, chaired the 15^th annual Fire Safety in the Home Essay Contest co-sponsored by the Council Rock School District in Bucks County, PA. The contest was held in October 1998 during National Fire Prevention Week. Awards were presented to the winning elementary students at two public meetings. The first was on November 19, 1998 at the Council Rock School Board Meeting and the second was on November 24, 1998 at the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors public meeting. PA House of Representative member Roy Reinard III and David Steil presented commendations from the House and also had our Chapter and the winning students’ names entered into the state registry. Elected officials of Northampton Township, Newtown Township and Upper Makefield Township presented citations to the winning students, who reside in the respective municipalities. Both meetings were broadcast live over the local cable network to five municipalities. Peter F. Palestina, CPCU,
Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU and Cynthia Wolkiewicz, CPCU made the presentations.

Shiang Wu, CPCU, chaired the Sixth Annual Fire Safety in the Home Essay Contest in the Philadelphia Elementary Schools during the months of January and February. President Sandra L. Loebs presented awards to the contest winners on June 4, 1999.

FRANKLIN AWARD

Josephine Battisti, CPCU Chaired this committee. Our recipient for the 17^th annual award was Roy Reinard, III Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 178^th Legislative District and an insurance agent/part owner of the Reinard Agency. Presentation was made at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia on March 30, 1999. Approximately 147 people attended including many past award recipients. The keynote speaker was Insurance Commissioner Diane Koken. Proclamations were presented from Gov Tom Ridge, Lt Gov Mark Schweiker, Phil Mayor Ed Rendell, State House of Representatives and the State Senate. In addition Gov Ridge prepared a videotaped presentation to the chapter and the CPCU Society acknowledging their many accomplishments within the industry and for the general public which was shown.

GOOD WORKS

Cynthia Gantz, CPCU, Chair of the Good Works Committee, reported the Chapter’s participation in the May Philadelphia Special Olympics held May 1st at Northeast High School. Representing the Chapter was Sandra Loebs, CPCU, President of the Chapter (and her husband Stan Cranstoun), Cynthia Gantz, CPCU from Bryson Assoc. Inc.(and her husband (Gary), Mike McCarthy from Bryson Assoc. Inc. (and his son Matt) and Chris Sears from Phila. Ins. Their job was to cheer for the participants, congratulate them after their respective events and present the winners with awards/medals.

INTEREST SECTIONS

In January 1998 Clint Gillespie, CPCU, Chapter Sections Liaison made a presentation to the Philadelphia Chapter’s Board of Directors on the need for a Personal Lines Interest Section. With the Board’s encouragement and assistance and Clint’s hard work, Pilot Status was awarded to the Personal Lines Interest Section at the Annual Meeting in San Diego. The steering committee members have three members, including Charles Butler and Kathleen Frenzel and approximately 10 members from the Philadelphia Chapter. In September 1998, the Sections Liaison was established.

MEMBERSHIP

The Membership Committee (Courtney Algeo, CPCU, Denise Forbes, CPCU, Jim Fryer, CPCU, Jim Jones, CPCU, Don Sutton, CPCP, Chuck Walker, CPCU, Rina Williams, CPCU and Mary Wong, CPCU) met five times during the year. The Buddy program initiated in l997-98 was implemented this year with an article in he March 1999 Chaptergram. Letters were sent out to members who recently transferred into our Chapter offering them free admission to a breakfast meeting. Also a program to help Chapter members meet each other was developed. Mini-profile forms were designed which will be handed out to attendees as they pick up their name tags at the breakfast meetings. The member is told to contact that person and get acquainted with them. Members worked on the calling campaign to contact over 300 people on the unpaid members list and discovered incorrect phone numbers and addresses.

NATIONAL SERVICE

The following Philadelphia Chapter Members applied or were on National Committee Service some time during 1998-1999. Boyd Bruce, CPCU; Charles Butler, CPCU;

Kathleen M. Frenzel, CPCU; Clint Gillespie, CPCU; James Jones, CPCU;
Ed Levy, CPCU; Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU; William C. Wares, CPCU;
George White, CPCU; and Cynthia Zeigler, CPCU

NEW DESIGNEES

The New Designee Committee Members, Mary Ann Ryan, CPCU, Lilly Cowan, CPCU, Kristin McCuen, CPCU and Christine McGarrigle, CPCU orchestrated very successful New Designee events. In August 1998, a letter of congratulations was sent with an invitation to attend the September Breakfast Meeting as our guest and informing them of upcoming events. At this meeting they were presented with CPCU Society mouse pads. Each committee member wrote an article that was posted on the web site and in the Chaptergram. The committee encouraged the New Designees to attend the local conferment ceremony held at Philly I-Day with approximately 38 New Designees participating. The First Annual New Designee Dinner was held on March 12, 1999 at the Racquet Club in Philadelphia hosted by the Committee. The focus of the dinner was to honor the New Designees achievement and to provide an atmosphere for socializing and networking. Highlights of the evening included a spirited CPCU Trivia Quiz where each table competed as teams for prizes. During cocktail hour, jazz music was provided by a professional pianist along with an ice-breaker activity. Twenty-three New Designees and President Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU and First Vice President Peter F. Palestina, CPCU had a very enjoyable evening.

PHILLY I-DAY

Philly I-Day was held on December 4, 1998 at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel.
Co-sponsored with the Independent Insurance Agents of Philadelphia and Suburbs, Insurance Society of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Chapter CPCU Society, the event drew 403 attendees including 33 New Designees. This year was the first time we had a very successful Vendor Exhibit. New Designees were recognized by a local conferment held at the luncheon, with Terrie E. Troxel, PhD., CPCU, CLU, President and CEO, Americal Institute for CPCU, The Insurance Institute of America. Luncheon speaker was Lynn H. Yeakel, Regional Director, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services who spoke on "Handling Change in the Workplace".

PROGRAMS

The Program Committee, chaired by Val Ullman Katz, CPCU, constructed a series of monthly breakfast meeting seminars on topics chosen for industry relevance and Chapter interest. Average meeting attendance was 68.

	Our annual commencement seminar was a panel discussion titled "View From the Top". We invited industry leaders to forecast changes in our industry and industry professionals. This year we were privileged to have speakers from CIGNA, CNA, AON and Carroon and Black.
	David Katz, Risk Management Editor of the National Underwriter, spoke at our October meeting on the internal processes large companies use when selecting an agent.
	Our November topic was a dynamic discussion on Information Systems changing role in the insurance industry.
	Philly I-Day was held in lieu of our December meeting.
	As our membership advised that they were interested in career management, we began the new year with a program on "Career Management For Changing Times". Our guest speaker was the principal of Career Resource management.
	February’s breakfast meeting concerned outsourcing insurance services. Our speaker was from Harleysville Insurance Group.
	The Franklin Award Luncheon was held in March as has been our tradition for many years. Our recipient for 1999 was Roy Reinard, III, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
	We celebrated "Ethics Awareness Month" in April with a discussion lead by Eric Weining.
	Our May speaker addressed the fascinating challenges of the insurance business from the broker and carrier standpoint in handling international accounts and exposures.
	Our year end meeting features the Chair of the Personal Lines Section, Clint Gillespie, reporting on a dynamic new program to protect teen drivers.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The chapter’s public relations committee plays an important role in securing public recognition for chapter activities, advising the public through the news media of important events, and gaining recognition for the CPCU designation. The committee sent out press releases, recorded some speaking engagements and held fire essay contests this year for two different school districts, and participated in the May Philadelphia Special Olympics. Chairperson Bernadette B. Fuller, CPCU resigned the position when she moved to New York, and Larry Gross, CPCU took over as Chair.

RESEARCH

Although the Chapter had several ideas for a research project, none was completed during the year. However, the Board Game, considered to be a research project is still outstanding.

RESOURCES

Lilly Cowan, CPCU, Chapter Resource Chair reported that a three page survey questionnaire was mailed to the entire membership in November 1998. There were 49 surveys returned for a 5% return. In addition, the survey was sent to new designees in February 1999. This committee captures member information, interest and skills that can later be used by the Chapter in staffing committees and getting activities done.

SCHOLARSHIP

Rick Lee, CPCU, Chair of the Scholarship Committee reported that the chapter continues to apply the proceeds of the 50-50 drawing held before each Breakfast Program Meeting to a rolling cash balance earmarked for scholarships. Ultimately the balance will be given to institutions of higher education for their use in providing scholarships based on need to students interested in a career in insurance. The Board discussed setting up award criteria and an application process for scholarships.

SEMINARS

Cindy Wolkiewicz, CPCU, Chair of the Seminar Committee, reported that the chapter held two workshops, "Personal Lines" on September 28, 1998 (20 attendees) and "Insuring Contractors Workshop" on March 4, 1999 (60 attendees). In addition our chapter sponsored three satellite broadcasts, "Who’s Watching the Children" in October 1998 (10 attendees), "E-commerce" on February 2, 1999 (25 attendees) and "Managing the Risk of Internet Commerce" on June 10, 1999.

SOCIAL

The First Annual Greater Valley Forge and Philadelphia Scholarship Golf Outing was held May 26, 1999 at Eagle Lodge. This event is set up as a continuing scholarship program to honor deceased Philadelphia chapter member Bob Hedges, CPCU and deceased Greater Valley Forge chapter member Ernie Gaugler, CPCU.

The Chapter New Designee Committee chaired by Mary Ann Ryan, CPCU, and assisted by Lilly Cowan, CPCU, Kristin McCuen, CPCU and Christina McGarrigle held a New Designee dinner social on March 12, 1999.

WEB PAGE

Peter F. Palestina, CPCU, Chapter Webmaster, on October 1, 1998 launched our new and expanded web site at URL www.philadelphiacpcu.com. Prior to this the Chapter utilized the limited space as a web site provided by the Society. There have been over 1,000 hits to the site. The site expanded from 30 to 87 pages and is the largest site of any chapter containing information about the Chapter’s past and present, responsibilities, online feedback, inquiries, e-mail links for every Officer, Director and Committee Chairs, our bylaws, this Annual Report and a Membership Directory. It is updated weekly and includes the Chaptergrams, recaps of each Chapter meeting and minutes of our Board meetings. The highlight of the site is its hundreds of photos depicting the many events that took place in the Chapter history. There are pages for a listing of all past Presidents, Franklin Award recipients and a Memoriam section for deceased Chapter Members.

YEAR END 7-1-98/99 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:

President Sandra L. Loebs, CPCU

First Vice President Peter F. Palestina, CPCU

Second Vice President Val Ullman Katz, CPCU

Secretary Larry Gross, CPCU

Treasurer Rick Lee, CPCU

Director Cindy Wolkiewicz, CPCU

Director James Jones, CPCU

Director Rina Williams, CPCU

Director Josephine Battisti, CPCU

Director Richard Ventura, CPCU

Director Maria Perez-Freedman, CPCU

Ex Officio Member Past President Anne M. Kopanski, CPCU