NAIW

 

 

Region VIII Newsletter

 

 

September 2004

 

First edition

 

Hello everyone.  Summer is over, school is open and the year-end holidays are upon us.  Where did the time go?

 

What a wonderful experience I'm having as your Regional Vice President.  In August, we met with the State Directors and the executive committee and had an explosive weekend with so much knowledge you could never imagine.  Well, the past RVP's know how great it is.

 

"Accent the individual through education and professionalism", is my theme this year, and how appropriate it is because that's exactly what I'm experiencing.

 

State Meetings

 

Our first State Meeting is this month, hosted by the Insurance Professionals of Santa Barbara.  Our California State Director, Michele Epstein, is working diligently on the revised standing rules to state bylaws.

 

Next I'm off to Utah the first week of October, Nevada the second week and Arizona the third week.  The Hawaii state meeting will be the second week of November.

 

By the time Pat Goodman, Utah State Director, Vanessa Chapman, Arizona State Director, Dee Dee Bloom, Nevada State Director and Tracy Adams, Hawaii State Director hold their state meetings; they will be real pros on the revised standing rules to state bylaws.  It will be a real challenge for all of us.

 

Local Association Visits

 

The State Directors are making plans for their local association visits.  Please make them welcome when they attend your general meetings.  Ask questions, get them involved in your local activities, they are here for you and will help in any way they can.

 

 

 

 

My Goals for this Year

 

I have two goals this year:  The first is to start two new associations.  The second is to focus on our existing members and our potential members.

 

In order to start the new associations, one in Reno, Nevada and one in Richmond, California, we will need to attract and invite potential members.  In Dallas, the RVP's and the State Directors came up with a few 30-second commercials that should help when talking about the value of being a member in our organization:

 

"Training tomorrow's leaders today, through education, networking opportunities and     leadership development.  NAIW  - Your Association of Choice"

 

"Did you know that NAIW- International provides tools to increase your knowledge and develop your skills in the insurance industry?  We are a diverse association made up with managers, actuaries, brokers, claims adjustors, IT people, customer service representative and more.  Log onto NAIW.org for more information and find about making NAIW your association of choice"

 

"Are you looking to develop strong leaders for your company?  If so, let me share some of the qualities that make NAIW the answer for you.  We have 1) mentoring, 2) educational courses, including public speaking, 3) networking opportunities and so much more.  To learn more, call 1-800-766-NAIW."

 

"NAIW is a non-profit trade association committed to education and advanced leadership development.  We provide networking, personal development and a safe environment in which to excel.  NAIW is the association of choice, represented by diversified professionals."

 

"How would you like to raise your corporate profile by gaining access to thousands of industry professionals?  You can become a NAIW Corporate Partner for a nominal fee.  For that you will receive:  A 1/2 page ad in a National publication, an ad on NAIW's web site or link to your web site, a full mailing list and a booth at NAIW's National Trade Association Conference.  You should become a NAIW Corporate Partner today."

 

"National Association of Insurance Women, International - Who are we?  We are an organization of diverse insurance professionals, from receptionist to CEO, from claims to underwriting; we have opportunities for you.  We are not called the “Association of Choice” for nothing."

 

 

 

 

These are just a few 30-second commercials that you can use.  Do you have any we can share with us? 

 

The next goal is to focus on our existing members.  How do we keep them involved?  Some of our members who have been in the association for years can certainly mentor new members and share their knowledge.  We also need to provide programs that can be utilized by most and keep members interested.  I'm looking for your help to keep us going strong.  As I visit the state meetings and local associations, I'll be asking for your thoughts on what we can do to retain our members and keep them satisfied.

 

Recognition is a great way to make our members feel good about themselves.  Our National President, Chris Kelly-Storbeck has challenged the RVP's to come up with the most local association Pinnacle Award qualifiers.  The Pinnacle Award is for the local association.  Let Region VIII be the one with the most local associations awarded this excellent honor.

 

 Look at the Comprehensive Manual and find out which membership size category your association can compete in.  The form has been revised to make it easier to complete and the greatest thing about it: there is no documentation to send.   Go for it!  I know we

can do it.

 

New NAIW Products

 

NAIW has new products available online now:  A large Duffle Bag - $30, A Day Planner/Organizer - $25 and a Silver Key Chain - $10.  I purchased the bag and key chain and will have them with me at your state meeting so you can see how great they are.  Remember, log on to the website at www.NAIW.org.  You'll be surprised what we have to offer.

 

Regional Conference, March 2005

 

Lastly, our Regional Conference is just around the corner.  The South Bay Chapter of NAIW is planning a great experience for you in Redondo Beach, March of 2005.  Make plans now to attend the conference you'll never forget.

 

This year, while we work together to be successful I look forward to hearing from you by telephone, email, letter or face-to-face.  Let's make it happen!

 

In fellowship,

 

A. Marie Yarbor, ACSR, CPIW, DAE

Region VIII Vice President

myarbor@bhpins.com

510-444-5645, ext. 22 Work

510-632-1201, Home

21 Town Square Place

Oakland, Ca 94603