Wishing You A Merry Christmas And A Prosperous And Happy New
Transcription
Wishing You A Merry Christmas And A Prosperous And Happy New
December 2007 A newsletter for members and friends of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario Happy Holidays Wishing You A Merry Christmas And A Prosperous And Happy New Year In lieu of sending Christmas cards, IBAO has made a donation to WICC. December 2007 3. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Insurance Brokers Association of Durham Region ($500 BIPPER Bucks) The Membership Recognition Award is presented to the affiliate with the greatest percentage of increase in membership of main offices. This year, there was a tie between two affiliates for the award. by Peter Burns Chair, Membership Committee Inflatable BIP Comes to the Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade! The 2007 Membership Recognition Award winners are: • Barrie-Simcoe Insurance Brokers Association; and • Windsor–Essex Insurance Brokers Association. Membership Awards 2007 Each year at the Annual Convention, IBAO represents both our Affiliate Achievement and Membership Recognition Awards. The Affiliate Achievement Award is based on participation in IBAO educational programs, affiliate attendance at IBAO functions, affiliate activity within its membership, image promotion, member retention, member recruitment, and involvement with YBC. Last year, we recognized first place overall. This year, because we had so many great entries, we felt it was best to recognize second and third place as well. In addition, this year the award winners were given BIPPER Bucks to be used for further affiliate promotion. The 2007 Affiliate Achievement Award winners are: 1. Barrie-Simcoe Insurance Brokers Association ($1,000 BIPPER Bucks) 2. London Insurance Brokers Association ($750 BIPPER Bucks) On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of IBAO, our congratulations to all of you. Your efforts on our behalf do not go unnoticed. In Memoriam Arthur M. Langley, AIIC, CAIB IBAO President 1994-1995 Holiday Season Office Hours IBAO’s office will close at 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2007 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008 “Your LINK to Specialty Insurance” We are here to Help Brokers place Coverage for their Hard To Place Risks We provide Professional Insurance Underwriting and Marketing through Service, Integrity and Stability A National Company with Regional Offices in Toronto, London, Burlington, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver Visit our Website www.swgins.com December 2007 2 On November 24th, 2007, the staff of Ron Noble Insurance Ltd. and the IBAO Inflatable BIPPER participated in the Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade. The BIPPER along with decorations made for a very colourful float. Thanks IBAO! have misconstrued our actions. However, as brokers, we are not responsible for the actions of our multi-channel suppliers, and we need to stay informed in order to make important decisions. This is no different than the way these same suppliers segment or tier their brokerage force – certain commitments come with privilege. I assume in simple terms that captures the very principle - Those companies that give our members their whole commitment should earn special privilege. PRESIDENT’S COMMENTARY by Steve Wagler, CAIB President My term of office as President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario leaves with the same speed as it began. The past twelve months were very exciting and at times, could have become overwhelming if it weren’t for the great support of my fellow Executive Committee, our dedicated Board of Directors, and our knowledgeable support Staff at IBAO. At the beginning of my term, I outlined three issues that became the focus of our activity for the year: political action, marketing to consumers, perpetuation and ownership of brokerages. Twelve months is a relatively short period of time to show results in any one of these areas, let alone all three. In order to achieve our goals, we have had to depend upon past leadership, current leadership, and we will need to rely on future leadership to accomplish the remainder. The reality is no one individual in our association has the strength or ability to succeed on these greater initiatives. Rather, it requires a collective effort under multiple leaders in order to achieve the final result. We accomplished a great deal in 2007, and I am proud of our accomplishments in the areas of political action and marketing, but our focus on brokerage perpetuation and insurance company ownership of brokerages remains our greatest challenge. We will also continue to face a challenge with perpetuation of brokerages as long as brokerage principals continue to seek out company-owned brokerages as their successors. This was the topic of my first newsletter article last January and one I find the most troubling. For more than twenty-five years, brokers have maintained the principles of self-regulation. This model has provided the foundation for brokers in Ontario to distinguish themselves professionally from all other intermediaries. I know not all companies, particularly those involved in multi-channel distribution, will agree with IBAO’s position. I do, however, believe that the leaders in their broker operations side understand and share our concerns. Today, the generation that fought for a selfregulatory model is the same one selling out to a direct writer. We need to recognize that selling out to a company-owned brokerage is no different than selling to anyone of the direct writers. Why do some see it differently? Over the past year, our position was focused on educating our members on the public objectives of our multi-channel suppliers, and I believe the broker channel has a better understanding of their market place today. Recently, I attended a seminar in Waterloo that featured two local and prominent business leaders sharing their stories on how they During this education process, those with a heightened sensitivity for obvious reasons may continued on page 6 3 December 2007 OSAID PSA’s. COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE by Al Hendriks, CIP, CAIB Chair, Communications Committee “Dude - Where’s My Licence?” IBAO has supported Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) through sponsorship of their activities and public awareness campaigns for a number of years. This past year, OSAID’s public awareness campaign focused around a competition in Northern Ontario requesting students to create their own anti-drinking and driving Public Service Announcements (PSA’s). The announcements, judged to be the best, were aired on the CTV network in their Northern regions. CTV also provided production support for the winning student’s ideas. The impact of this campaign is two fold – it encouraged students to participate and contribute directly, and delivered OSAID’s core messages against impaired driving to their local comminutes. CTV will design, produce and broadcast a 30 second promotional spot informing parents and students throughout the CTV broadcasting area to visit OSAID, IBAO, or CTV websites for their chance to get involved and win. This contest is tentatively scheduled to begin December 12th ending in September 2008. CTV will also produce an air time campaign designed to outline the details of this promotion using 30 second commercials. CTV will produce the promotional spot incorporating IBAO’s logo while guiding viewers to a local Canadian program – the News @ 6p.m. and Canada A.M. Two thirds of the commercial will highlight promotion and prizes, while the remaining time will promote CTV News @ 6p.m. Once again, we are privileged to be associated with and assist this group of young people throughout our communities as well as the goals they have set for themselves. Please lend a helping hand when you can for this worthwhile cause. This year, we are proud to continue to sponsor OSAID’s campaign. CTV has also agreed to continue to sponsor the campaign expanding the competition to all Ontario students. What this means for IBAO is that we will receive province-wide airtime as a sponsor of the IBAO NEWS This newsletter is published monthly for members of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario Executive Offices: 1 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700 Toronto, Ontario M4P 3A1 Tel.: (416) 488-7422 Fax: (416) 488-7526 Toll Free: (800) 268-8845 (888) ASK-IBAO Web site: www.ibao.org Email: [email protected] Two clear window pockets. Your association logo, name & message (up to 4 lines), hot stamped. Size 5-7/8" x 4-1/4" open. Available in various colours. e-mail: [email protected] www.mcleanswholesale.com December 2007 4 BMO CORNER by John Knotek BMO Bank of Montreal® Senior Manager, Insurance Brokers Services RESPs At this time of year, many find themselves mulling over RSVPs for holiday parties. While ‘tis the season’ for celebration, it is also a good time to consider RESPs, one of the best ways to save for a child’s education. Funding an education is an expensive proposition already, with forecasts indicating that for a child born in 2007, the cost of a four-year post secondary education could rise to over $100,000. This is a significant amount, but prudent financial planning can help parents ensure that sufficient funds will be available for their children. A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a special savings plan designed to fund a post secondary education or training program. Most commonly, these plans are used to save for a child’s or grandchild’s education, but anyone saving for an education can open one. The plan is established by a ‘subscriber’ (typically a parent or grandparent) for a single beneficiary or in the case of a family plan, multiple beneficiaries who must be directly related to the subscriber. When selecting which type (single or family) is most appropriate, one consideration is the children’s ages as RESPs expire at the end of the calendar year that includes the 25th anniversary of the plan. If two children are in a family plan but vary widely in age, conceivably the plan might have to be wound up before the younger child even enters post secondary education. While RESP contributions are not tax deductible as RRSP’s are, the savings do grow tax free until the funds are withdrawn or the plan expires. There is an added benefit with the federal government’s Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) which is 20% of the contribution to a maximum of $500 for beneficiaries that are under age 17 (with some restrictions). The grant is deposited directly into the RESP in the calendar year of the contribution with no carry forward option in accessing the grant. In terms of choosing investments, an RESP is much like an RRSP, in that there are numerous options including cash, term deposits, mutual funds or stocks. Subscribers can choose from various providers (banks, financial advisors, trusts) in the marketplace who offer different setups that range from group plans to fixed baskets of mutual funds to self-directed accounts. When the beneficiary begins his or her post secondary education, funds in the RESP would be used to pay for education related expenses. The withdrawals would be taxed in the hands of the beneficiary who typically would pay little or no income tax. If the beneficiary does not pursue post-secondary education and another beneficiary is not named, the contributions are returned to the subscriber with no tax consequences and the CESGs are returned to the government. However, dealing with the accumulated income in the plan under this scenario is a bit more complex and a variety of regulations and taxes may apply. Alternatively, this income can be transferred out to an RRSP tax free as a regular or spousal contribution for the subscriber, provided they have the contribution room. The general information above is fairly well known, but awareness of recent enhancements to the RESP system may not be as widespread. Specifically, the annual maximum CESG per beneficiary increased from $400 to $500, however the lifetime limit remains at $7,200. The more notable change is that the annual $4,000 RESP contribution limit per beneficiary has been eliminated, while the lifetime limit has increased to $50,000 from $42,000. So now subscribers have the option to invest the lifetime maximum all at once. However, in doing so the subscriber would only be able to access the maximum annual CESG of $500 in the year of contribution. Despite this, if invested early enough in a child’s life, the advantages of tax free investing for a long period of time typically outweighs making smaller contributions and maximizing the CESG each year. Alternatively, since coming up with a single contribution of $50,000 per beneficiary is probably not an option for most, consideration of a hybrid plan may be warranted. For instance, to receive the maximum lifetime CESG, it takes approximately 14 annual contributions of $2,500 for a total of $35,000. That leaves additional contribution room of $15,000 on which income could be generated tax free. This would not impair the ability to maximize the CESG, provided that there are at least 14 years before the beneficiary turns 18. Overall, to get maximum benefit from any savings program, it generally makes sense to start early. So if you have already started, good for you. If you haven’t, there is no need to fret as every bit of savings will help and the recent changes in RESP program make catching up a bit easier. Regardless of whether your plan is already in motion or under consideration, consultation with appropriate advisors is recommended and can help develop and refine your own personal strategy in saving for your child’s education. The comments contained herein are general in nature and professional advice should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances. ® Registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal To All Members: • Advanced Strategies for Sales Success To All Member Offices: • Getting Started in Commercial Lines • Best Practices Enhancing Brokerage Performance • Customer Service for the Insurance Professional Professional Liability Program Administrator IBAO Members E&O Providing IBAO members with quality service and sound advice since 1991. Specializing in: • Insurance Brokers Errors & Omissions • RIBO Approved Fidelity Bonds 120 South Town Centre Blvd., Markham, Ontario, Canada L6G 1C3 T: 905-479-6670 • F: 905-479-9164 • Toll Free: 1-800-267-6670 www. cgbgroup.com CG&B Professional Liability is a division of The CG&B Group Inc. 5 December 2007 TECHNOLOGY UPDATE by Rob Horbatuk Chair, Technology Committee Have You Updated Your IBAO Profile? IBAO needs your help in order for your potential clients to locate your office on our website. For the “Locate a Broker” program to work the way it is intended, we require member Principals to access our web site and update their brokerage information. IBAO has made this so easy that even the not so computer savvy can perform this task without added stress. Start by going to the IBAO web site and click on the Member’s Section that will take you to the Member’s login. In the boxes shown, enter your IBAO membership number, your last name (be sure to capitalize the first letter with the remaining letters in lower case) and your administrator’s password. You must be the administrator of your office in order to do this. If you are not sure who the administrator in your office is, please contact Paul Taylor at 416-488-7422 x 106. When you have reached this point, look for the “Edit My Brokerage” link located at December 2007 the very bottom of the selections. Enter this selection and confirm the name, address, phone numbers, website and email addresses for accuracy. Then choose “Select insurance types”. By holding down the [Ctrl] key and clicking on the types of insurances offered by your office, the types will be highlighted in blue. Now go to “Select insurance companies you do business with” and repeat the same procedure. When this is completed, make sure to double check for accuracy. When all the information is correct, click on the “Save All Changes” box and exit. You are done! Any changes made will show up immediately in the find Broker listings. IBAO Video Loan Library Replaced for Something New… In order to serve you better, the Education Department is replacing our longstanding Video Rental Library with a more current and extensive Online Course Library. Our online courses are available through the Member Section on our website at www. ibao.org. The courses are RIBO accredited and topics include a mix of technical, management and soft skills such as Basic Broker Licensing Course, Everything Desktop, Customer Service, HR Management, Business Interruption and Basic Finance. Nine new titles have been added for 2008 bringing the total library to 60 courses. In addition, 3 new Technical courses will be added in the first part of the year. For more information on this excellent resource, visit www.ibao.org 6 President’s Commentary continued from page 3 were able to perpetuate their businesses. One presenter was a founding partner in what has become a very large building contractor. He described the foundation of their perpetuation process was the two original partners agreeing upfront to leave personal greed out of the process. These aren’t always easy topics to discuss, but by burying them, we will never find solutions to them. Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your support over this past year. I am so very proud to have had the opportunity to lead an organization that remains mission focused. When your Board of Directors consider new direction or opportunity, we are mindful to remain true to our mission - to preserve and enhance the integrity of the independent broker distribution channel. I am leaving my post with great confidence that your Incoming President, Rodney Hancock will provide outstanding leadership on the initiatives that are important to you, however, in the end he will need your support to move ahead and accomplish our mutual goals. In closing, I would like to extend best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous 2008. Congratulations 2007 Graduates! The Education Committee and Department would like to congratulate our 2007 graduates. Earning your designation shows a personal commitment to professional development. It also displays an understanding of the strong correlation between knowledge level and level of service provided. Display your designations with pride! CAIB: (H) Denotes Honours Lesia Ahrens (H) Michael Allison Margaret Anderson Tracey Anderson Philip Andrews Melanie Arnott (H) Angeline Au-Yung Tracey Bacon Michael Benoit Heather Black Brenda Bonomo Amanda Borden Cindy Boyes-Rollin (H) David Brosbell (H) Liam Brown (H) Janet Bullock (H) Fee Lin Bunnett John Butler Justin Campisi (H) Michael Carroll Janice Casselman (H) Wendy Challe Anita Chung Michelle Colquhoun Jennifer Critchley (H) Holly Davies Elaine Dean Carol Denney Angela Derbidge Kelly Douglas Glenda Dunn (H) Ashley Eagle David Elliott (H) Darlene Embury Linda Evans Barbara Everett Todd Farrell (H) Tara Favot Amy Fischer Jennifer Foerster Catherine Frank Adam Furfaro Don George (H) Shelley Giasson Timothy Goldthorp Christine Gorley James Gorman Linda Hall Matthew Hamilton Ceernarine Harry Catherine Hassefras Janet Hilker Christopher Hill Vincy Ho Karen Howarth Sandra Hughes Ryan Hutchins Michelle Jarvis Stacey Jorgensen Bernice Kapteyn (H) Grace Kavanagh Wendy Kindiak (H) Diane Kirby Jennifer Knight Cathy Konings Jeffrey Koo Peter Kulig (H) David Lackner (H) Nancy Lacroix Jacqueline Laidman Emma Larkin Margaret Lavallee Rose Lawless (H) Jessica Lohnes (H) Deborah London Bruce Loney Leslie Luther Jamie MacCorkindale (H) Brandi Machan Connie Mackie Susanne Mallory Vivian Maluga Ashley Manti (H) Jeremy Matheson Callie Maua Jason Maxariegos Barbara Maxwell Gord McCool Debbie McGuire Elizabeth McIntyre (H) Susan McLaughlin (H) Kristen Meadwell Suzana Medeiros Lina Melo Brian Metcalfe (H) Sandi Miller Nathalie Monette (H) Kevin Morrison Andrew Mount Tamila Mukelova Lisa Munro Patricia Nesrallah (H) Teresa Nix (H) Barbara Oliver Jeff Owen-Hicks Saija Paakki Caroline Palotay (H) Martin Paquette Johanna Parks Wayne Paterson Marc Perrin Burk Peters Glen Petrochuk Brandon Petrozzi Barbara Pettinger (H) Holly Phillips (H) Natalie Point Colleen Purcell Merike Purje Gregory Purkis Marilynn Radmore (H) Parveen Ragoo Serge Rivet Reva Ross Lendy Salazar Rajesh Sanichar Hilary Santelli Lisa Schenk Marc Seguin Gaurav Sharma Denise Sharpe David Sim Isabelle Simmons Kimberley Smith Lisa Smith (H) Scott Smith Lesley Steep Colleen Szeifried Colleen Szuba (H) Christine Tokarsky Andrea Tooze (H) Jennifer Triebe Christiana Unruh Jennifer Van Allen (H) Shane Van Allen Irina Vasileva (H) Paul West Shawna-Lynn Whitmell Haley Wideman Ann Williamson (H) Sarah Wilson (H) Brenda Woodrow Angela Yarrow Debbie-Jo Zardo Jing Zhou CPIB: (H) Denotes Honours Maria Berry Amy Mills Ryan Mitchell Jennifer Oegema (H) Bill Stoyles Carolyn Vickers On-line Canadian Insurance Forms Reference Library ifc.ca The Insurance Wording Resource’s Insurance Forms Reference Library is now available on the Internet. • Easy on-line access • 900+ Auto Forms • 400+ Property Forms • 300+ Miscellaneous Forms It’s ultra email for the ultra busy. • Latest Updates Section • Search • View • Print a “sample” Introducing the BlackBerry® 8703e™ on the Bell high speed mobile network. For membership fees and downloadable membership form call 416-285-1700 or ifc.ca and click on Become a Member visit Visit a Bell retailer near you. A Division of Informco Inc. businessonthego.ca/mobileoffice Service available with compatible devices, within Bell Mobility 1X and/or 1xEV-DO coverage areas where technology permits. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of and trade-marks or registered trade-marks of Research In Motion Limited – used by permission. 7 December 2007 Thank You! Education Department Volunteers & Facilitators The Education Committee along with the Education Department, would like to acknowledge and thank all our volunteers and facilitators for their time, effort and dedication. It has been a pleasure to work with you, and we are grateful for your valued contribution to the success of our programs and the professionalism for which we strive. Albert Hendriks (EC & CC) EDUCATION CHAIRS (EC) & Paul C. Armstrong (EC & CC) CAIB COORDINATORS (CC) Kelly MacDonald (CC) Jeffrey Jones (EC & CC) James Martyn (EC & CC) Pierre De Laplante (EC & CC) James Horbatuk (EC) Graham Lidstone (CC) John Bleau (EC & CC) Andrew Tichelaar (EC & CC) Valerie Bulloch (EC & CC) Robert Payne (CC) Douglas Storrey (EC & CC) Todd Landry (EC & CC) Jeffrey Roy (EC) Jason Uniac (CC) Randy Paine (EC & CC) Tony Magermans (EC & CC) Cindy Barnett (EC & CC) Tanya Walkom (EC & CC) April Pittendreigh (CC) Patty Crawford (EC & CC) Margaret Aspden (EC) Terrance Bushell (CC) Nancy Thompson (CC) Wendy Watson (EC & CC) Danny Marceau (EC & CC) Janice Garratt (EC & CC) Violet Whitehouse (EC & CC) Paul Sottile (EC & CC) Eve McAllister (EC & CC) Darcy Franko-Felice (CC) Mark Campbell (CC) Randy Oliver (EC & CC) Shelley Allin (EC & CC) Loris Clarke (EC & CC) Kim Gretton (CC) John Topping (EC & CC) Brendon Hunt (EC & CC) Jeff Rice (EC & CC) Gregory Kenney (EC) Catherine Russell (CC) Peter Mast (EC & CC) Hilary Scaffidi (EC & CC) Bonnie Helferty (EC & CC) FACILITATORS Susan Baker Lyall Bell, CIP James Bonnay, CIP, CCIB Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Christopher Coniglio, CAIB, CIP Lilian Croucher Fred De Francesco, CIP Barry Elliott Hugh Fardy Dr. John Fast Jean Faulkner Donald Gadsden, AIIC, FIIC Alex Gallacher, MBA, CHRP Richard Gammon, BA, FIIC, CCIB Derrick Hughes, CIP, CRM Alan Jervis, B.A. Hons., A.I.L. F.C.I.I. Bill Kelly John Knotek, MBA Sheron Metcalfe, AIIC Jo Anne Mitchell, CIP Judith Mitchell, BA, FIIC, CRM Barry Nelson James Pearson, BES, CIP Bernie Robertson, CRM, CAIB, CPIB Ross Robertson, CAIB Beverly Russell Solareh Claire Sookman Gordon Stewart, MBA Frank Szirt, BA, AIIC Frank Uhran, FIIC, CRM Vero Group Michael Vickers Eric Walker, MBA, CA, CBV Wayne Walkotten, CPA, CVA Glenn White, CAIB CAIB GROUP LEADERS Susan Allen, CIP, CAIB Shelley Allin, CAIB Judy Bell, CAIB Jeff Binks, CCIB, CAIB Mark D. Campbell, CAIB Denise David, CIP, CAIB Marianne Farr, CAIB Sherry Folz, CAIB LZd[[ZgXjhidb^oZY[^cVcX^Va hdaji^dch#IVa`idjhVWdjidjg XdbegZ]Zch^kZegd\gVb[dg>76D bZbWZgh###VkV^aVWaZZmXajh^kZan [gdb7BD 7Vc`d[BdcigZVa ;dg^c[dbVi^dcXdciVXi?d]c@cdiZ` HZc^dgBVcV\Zg!>chjgVcXZ7gd`ZghHZgk^XZh Vi)&+.',"*.,(!&-,,+'."+'+'! _d]c#`cdiZ`5Wbd#Xdb GZ\^hiZgZYigVYZ"bVg`d[7Vc`d[BdcigZVa# December 2007 8 Richard Gammon, FIIC, CCIB Ajay Gill, CAIB, CPIB, CCIB Julia Haffey, CAIB Rod Hancock, Ph.D, CCIB Christine Lanigan, CIP, CAIB Teresa Linholm, CAIB Davida Lipkus, CIP, CAIB Jeanette Mavrikkou, CIP, CAIB Shalom MacNeil, CAIB Mike McQuaid, CAIB Carolyn Mortson, CAIB Cherryl Naismith, CAIB Christopher Nezny, CIP, CAIB, CRM Dan Pigeon, BA, CIP, CAIB, CCIB April Pittendreigh, BA, CIP, CAIB Greg Robertson, CAIB Ian Russell, FCIP Maureen Rybar,CAIB Christina Sato, CAIB Yvette Shirley, CAIB Andrew Tichelaar, CIP Sandra Trepanier, CAIB Courtney Wagstaff, CIP, CAIB Jenifer Willard, CIP, CAIB CAIB SELF STUDY ADVISOR Mark Campbell, CAIB CPIB SELF STUDY ADVISOR Jeff Skelton, AIIC, CAIB