Spreading Cheer and Hope for the Year Ahead

IN T UCH
The Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters, California’s Benefits Specialists, is an organization
of insurance professionals committed to promoting the ethical interest of our industry. We do this by providing continuing education for our members
and their clients and act as consumer advocates with legislative leaders.
Jan./Feb. 2015
Vol. 19, No. 47
News for and about members of
the Silicon Valley Association of
Health Underwriters –
California’s Benefits Specialists
Upcoming
Events
SVAHU Sales Expo
January 29, 2015
Sunnyvale
Visit www.svahu.org for more
information.
CAHU Capitol Summit
May 19&20, 2015
Sacramento, CA
CAHU Health Care Summit
September 29 & 30, 2015
Universal City, CA
Sacramento, CA
SVAHU
2520 Venture Oaks Way #150
Sacramento CA 95833
877-748-0815
[email protected]
WWW.SVAHU.ORG
SVAHU Board Meetings
Monthly, 3rd Thursday @ 9:00am
Details at www.svah.org
Spreading Cheer and Hope for the Year Ahead
By Mackenzie Vaillancourt and Jeff Bader
Thank you members and guests who braved the storm and attended our 2nd
Annual Winter WINEland Holiday Party in Los Gatos on December 11th, 2014.
We collected hundreds of toys for the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and donated $3000
each to The Grateful
Garment Project and
the Ravenswood Youth
Athletic Association.
The Grateful Garment
Project ensures that
victims of a sexual
crime who are treated
at a Sexual Assault Response Team
(SART) facility (or who seeks medical and/or law enforcement) is provided with proper clothing to go home, as
well as toiletries, snacks, and other miscellaneous items
that he or she may require to reduce further trauma.
SVAHU greeted and
gifted this year’s recipient charitable organizations at the Annual
Holiday Fundraiser.
RYAA is a faith-based, non-denominational organization
utilizing sports as a means to create relationships that will mentor, teach and
encourage the participants in their numerous sports programs at all levels of
play in the East Palo Alto Belle Haven community.
We could not have done this without the generosity of our members and our
event sponsors, Beere & Purves, BenefitMall, Blue Shield of California, and
Claremont Insurance Services. Cheers and we will see you next year! Happy
New Year!
SVAHU’s Annual Budget and
Financials are available at
www.svahu.org
Page 1
www.svahu.org
Jan./Feb. 2015
IN TOUCH
CAHU PAC GEMSTONE CONTRIBUTORS
5 Star Diamond
SVAHU
Diamond $85 per mo.
 Oly Storz
 Mika Storz
 Daniel Bodmann
 Terry Harris-Hickey
 Jeffrey Kane
 Marilyn Leonard
 Michael Lujan
 Jan Mesa
 Richard Shelton
 Dave VanNest
 Kathleen Vaillancourt
Sapphire $60 per mo.
 Ki Cotter
 Christine Petrocelli
 Sandra Bealu
Emerald $42 per mo.
 Cyndy Kane
 Allan Liu
 Lucille Maravilla
 Susy Spackman
 Denise Vance
 Rich Hemmerling
 Octavio Jara
 Victor Davi
 Bill Halper
Visit www.cahupac.org
to contribute to CAHU
PAC or to increase your
current contribution!
Page 2
Ruby $21 per mo.
 Jeff Bader
 Theresa Bennett
 Brian Cecy
 John Goeghegan
 James Goodacre
 Dennis Jarvis
 Herb Knight
 Betty Lindstrom
 Natalie Pirtle
 Philip Skarlanic
 Kirk Stoddard
 Brian Sullivan
 Robert Vinal
 Steven Walker
 Warren Willsey
 Robert Coronel
 Allan Eckmann
 Bob Miller
 Milly Morelan
Thanks to all other contributors:
 Dorothy Hull
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
SVAHU helped fill the sleigh with
toys for Santa and the Contra
Costa County Sheriffs to hand
out at their own event held the
following week.
Page 3
Jan./Feb. 2015
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
Jan./Feb. 2015
Your SVAHU Dollars Working for You
By Brian Sullivan, Sponsorship Chair
Wow! 2015 and we are already adjusting to new trends . . . one being the unseasonable cold spell we are currently experiencing. As the saying goes change is good! Your association and our industry is changing and we all must adapt, make the necessary
changes to survive or perish. During 2014 SVAHU (Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters) initiated changes to insure
that we addressed the needs of our membership you the Carrier, GA and Brokers. We have redirected our efforts in being your
voice within our extended association of CAHU (California Association of Health Underwriters) and NAHU (National Association of
Health Underwriters).
Your Board has and will continue to meet with CAHU and NAHU and other entities working together to protect our future. Now
that comes at a price but the price is very low compared to the rewards of keeping our industry vibrant and our clients protected
and insured. That price of helping to protect the future of SVAHU is Sponsorship $’s which allow us to put on events that give you
training, CE credits and the ability to speak with Industry Leaders and others that are shaping the future of our working environment. Yes, I know that we are all bombarded with requests for $’s but think about it…SVAHU is your Association and your
voice. That voice is important!
Last year, on your behalf, we were in the forefront of helping to defeat Prop. 45. As many of you will recall that would have given
the Insurance Commissioner the ability to not only set insurance rates but also the ability to control and set commissions as
well. SVAHU stepped up on your behalf and contributed to the campaign to defeat that terrible Proposition. Help us continue the
fight with your Sponsorship $’s and also by your participation at meetings and events. Each of you - Carriers, GAs and Large Broker
firms can help by signing up now as 2015 Sponsors. You’ll get some great exposure and other perks as part of being a Sponsor but
the most important thing is knowing that you support your Association and are helping to protect your industry!!! For those of
you that have already stepped up a sincere thank you from me and SVAHU.
For sponsorship information, please visit www.svahu.org or contact me [email protected] or [email protected].
Most of you know me already but for those who don’t, pick up the phone and give me a shout, I’d be glad to hear from you. Contact: Brian Sullivan at (408) 350-5723 or [email protected].
Hope to see you all at our upcoming Sales Expo on January 29 th.
2015 Metallic Sponsorship
2015 Metallic Sponsorship Opportunities are available!
Don’t miss the chance to be involved and get your company that extra exposure with our annual sponsorship package! Our distinguished
Metallic Sponsors have a significant role in supporting our chapter and provide us with means to present our membership with great
programs. For more information & to get your Metallic Sponsorship Package, contact: SVAHU at [email protected].
THANK YOU To Our 2015Metallic Sponsors
Without your support, we would not be able to bring the quality events and programs to our
members that they have come to expect from us. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
GOLD SPONSORS ~ Claremont Insurance Services, Word & Brown
SILVER SPONSORS ~ BenefitMall, Kaiser Permanente
BRONZE SPONSORS ~ Aetna
Our Sponsors support us…We support them!
Page 4
www.svahu.org
Jan./Feb. 2015
IN TOUCH
Looking for a New Career?
By Mika Storz, SVAHU PAC Chair
If the answer is no, PAC is for you!
We have once again escaped this election with our careers. Proposition 45 failed for now but if you know
anything about politics, you know this will be back. The bottom line is that we can never rest on the political
front. If you have read this and don’t know what I am talking about, even more reason for you to back the
PAC!
Let’s go back to the basics. PAC stands for Political Action Committee and almost every industry has one. PACs contribute money
to candidates and causes that support an industry’s goals and ideals.
Since our PAC is voluntary, we count on you to donate and spread
the word. If you earn a living from the health insurance industry,
you should consider this essential to your career. Don’t let a carrier
or GA rep into your office without asking them if they contribute to
PAC.
SVAHU Wins
PAC Contest
SVAHU won $2,000 from CAHU
to send our PAC Chair to the 2015
NAHU Capitol Conference, raising
funds for both CAHU PAC and the
No on 45 campaign.
Our chapter PAC funnels into the state’s PAC through CAHU. This gives us increased visibility in Sacramento.
The statewide fund is used to support candidates and legislation that are friendly to the health insurance professions (you and me!). There are many legislators who consider us unimportant and replaceable, and it is
important to raise the visibility of the services that health insurance agents provide to the consumer. Some
of you have earned your living for decades from selling health insurance. It is time to step up!
Start or increase your PAC contributions here: www.cahupac.org/monthly-contributions
More information at www.svahu.org.
Page 5
www.svahu.org
Jan./Feb. 2015
IN TOUCH
SVAHU 2014-2015 Board of Directors
Michael Traynor
President
(925) 296-8800
[email protected]
Denise Vance
Immediate Past President
(408) 317-8081
[email protected]
Kathleen Vaillancourt
Treasurer
(925) 296-8840
[email protected]
Susy Spackman
Secretary
(408) 452-6906
[email protected]
Mika Storz
PAC Chair
(408)395-3363
[email protected]
Catrina Reyes
Legislative Chair
(925) 296-8800
[email protected]
Diane DeSena
Professional Development Chair
(925) 788-7205
[email protected]
Sandra Silviera
Membership Chair
(408) 685-4872
[email protected]
Mackenzie Vaillancourt
Communications Chair
(925) 420-7524
[email protected]
Jeff Bader
Editor
(408) 350-5789
[email protected]
John Bobincheck
Member Retention
(925) 296-8808
[email protected]
Board Member at Large
Open Position
President Elect
Open Position
Brian Sullivan
Sponsorship Chair
(408) 350-5723
[email protected]
SVAHU Staff
(877) 748-0815
[email protected]
IN TOUCH is a bi-monthly newsletter of the Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters. It is written and published by the Board of Directors of the Association and is mailed to health, life and P/C insurance professionals. Permission is required to reprint original material, and it will
usually be given upon request. Advertising correspondence or letters to the editor should be addressed to IN TOUCH, email: [email protected].
Subscription is free with membership. SVAHU is a non-profit professional association affiliated with the National and California Associations of
Health Underwriters. All rights reserved.
Page 6
www.svahu.org
Jan./Feb. 2015
IN TOUCH
Member Contact Update
Are you receiving
SVAHU emails?
1. NAHU’s website: www.nahu.org
2. Call SVAHU at (877) 748-0815
3. Email SVAHU: [email protected]
There is a lot of information that is
sent to SVAHU members via email.
Send us your email address today
Don’t miss out on AHU news!
We want to hear from you!
What topics or speakers
do you want at meetings
or in the newsletter?
Visit our website at
www.svahu.org
Page 7
Website Advertising
available! Contact
SVAHU for details!
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
Page 8
Jan./Feb. 2015
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
Page 9
Jan./Feb. 2015
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
Page 10
Jan./Feb. 2015
www.svahu.org
Jan./Feb. 2015
IN TOUCH
JOIN SVAHU
THE PREMIER ASSOCIATION FOR
HEALTH BENEFITS PROFESSIONALS
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
COMPANY
TITLE
MIDDLE
DESIGNATIONS
BUSINESS ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
HOME ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE
FAX
REFERRAL / SPONSOR
EMAIL
DUES & PAYMENT METHOD
ANNUAL PAYMENT
$ 270.00
$ 170.00
$ 35.00
ANNUAL DUES:
$ 475.00
$ 50.00*
Associate Membership:
MONTHLY BANK DRAFT
$
22.50
$
14.17
$
2.92
$
39.59/ MONTH
NAT’L DUES:
STATE DUES:
LOCAL DUES:
FORM OF PAYMENT
¨ Check (payable to NAHU)
¨ Bank Draft
¨ VISA
¨ MasterCard
¨ American Express
Bank Draft / Credit Card Authorization
I (we) hereby authorize NAHU to initiate debt entries to my (our) account indicated (for automatic withdrawals from
your checking account, please attach a voided check to this application). Monthly debits will equal one-twelfth of any
current applicable national, state or local dues.
NAME (as it appears on Check or Credit Card)
Signature
Account Number
I am interested in the following SVAHU committees:
¨ Agent Carrier Relations Ad Hoc Committee
¨ Awards Committee
¨ Education Committee
¨ Membership Committee
¨ Legislation Committee
Expiration Date
¨ Charity Golf Committee
¨ Community Service Committee
¨ Sales Expo Committee
¨ Social Committee
¨ Newsletter Committee
* Associate Member Annual Dues apply ONLY to those individuals who do not have an insurance license or, who do, but
belong to another NAHU chapter & want to be included in SVAHU mailings and bi-monthly
IMPORTANT: Name of your primary NAHU Chapter:____________________________________
newsletter.
Return Membership Application to: Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters
2520 Venture Oaks Way #250, Sacramento CA 95833
Page 11
www.svahu.org
IN TOUCH
Page 12
Jan./Feb. 2015