Ontario Annual Report - Insurance Institute of Canada

Ottawa
Chapter Report
Continued
The Feed the Minds of Youth event in November was well received by the 20 students and parents in
attendance. Graduate volunteers delivered a dynamic presentation over a pizza lunch, complete with
cake and balloons to a group representing 6 local insurers.
Special Events
This year’s annual CIP golf tournament at Cedarhill Golf Course on September 9, 2011 was nearly a sellout,
with 70 participants plus additional dinner registrations. We sold 9 hole sponsorships, and received
some very significant prize donations in support of our raffle. In total, $675.00 and several boxes of
food were donated to the Ottawa Food Bank. The weather, food, staggered start “best ball” format –
and fully loaded prize table – contributed to a relaxed atmosphere and very positive reviews.
“The success of our
CIP programs this
year enabled us to
fund a new brand
advertising campaign
on digital billboards
throughout the
Ottawa Metropolitan
area during the
February Winterlude
weeks, where traffic
circulation is
highest.”
Our Fourth Annual National Education Week was a busy one, including two seminars, five coffee visits
and an essay competition. Council member representatives set up information displays within their
offices, with coffee and treats available to staff. By all reports the sessions were well attended – and
appreciated. The winner of our Essay Competition will be published in the fall edition of Capital News.
Our AGM will be held on June 26th. The Nominating Committee has again brought forward a strong
slate, representing a cross-section of our local industry.
Membership
Our Chapter paid membership at March 31st was 1386, an increase of 5% over this period last year. This
exceeds our expectations, and represents a continuation of a very welcome trend nationwide.
Communication
We continue to publish our newsletter three times annually, in conjunction with our evening class
schedule. Delivery is on-line, and we hope it serves as an added incentive for our members to access
the website and the e-commerce registration options.
Our members are also serviced by weekly Ontario e-blasts of upcoming events province-wide.
Marketing
In conjunction with marketing visits begun by our CRM, we took the Commercial ABC’s seminar on
the road to the Brockville area. We offered it to brokers on a complimentary basis in exchange for
the purchase of a membership, and hope to work in partnership with the Leeds Grenville Brokers
Association on future education projects.
The success of our CIP programs this year enabled us to fund a new brand advertising campaign on
digital billboards throughout the Ottawa Metropolitan area during the February Winterlude weeks,
where traffic circulation is highest.
We continue to host the meetings of our local Industry Liaison Committee and maintain a calendar of
local industry events. The Chapter actively participates in the activities of all local industry associations
– Ottawa Insurance Brokers, Ottawa Valley Adjusters and RIMS. We assisted the organizing committee
of the local chapter of RIMS with the National Conference held in Ottawa.
We have been very pleased to welcome Michelle Jennings, our Customer Relations Manager, replacing
Robert Munford. Michelle is working to capitalize strategically on her visits to our chapter to strengthen
relationships with a large number of broker and company offices in Ottawa and the Brockville area, and
to forge some new alliances, particularly in the Pembroke/Renfrew area.
Our chapter represented the Insurance Institute at the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association Open
House & Trade Show. This event replaces the Meet the Underwriter Night held the last few years. The
event was very well attended.
Respectfully submitted,
W. Robert Norman, CIP
Chapter Chair
2011 – 2012 Annual Report 31