Introducing The Ontario Chapter Presidents (December 01, 2009)

Richard Swierczynski, president of the Ontario region of the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association, is finding new ways to increase the profile of the association.

The Ontario executive will be travelling to different areas outside of the Greater Toronto Area to hold their monthly meetings. This is in an effort to allow local members the opportunity to attend both a meeting and the educational component that will follow.

The first meeting of his tenure, this past October, was held in London. The educational component focused on the upcoming changes to the small claims court and how this might affect the independent adjuster.

Swierczynski is looking at hosting another meeting in the spring in eastern Ontario, most likely in the Kingston area.

“I am hopeful that anyone who attends a monthly meeting just once will gain a deeper understanding of what this organization is all about,” Swierczynski says.

Throughout his tenure, Swierczynski is also focused on maintaining the value of membership within the organization.

“There is already such value to membership and I can only hope to maintain what has already been developed in this area,” Swierczynski, owner of AZ Claims Services, says when talking about his goals as president. Benefit to membership gets talked about a lot. “Just look at the number of firms belonging to the association. Look at the individuals that volunteer their time to be involved in the provincial and national executives. They are all bright people — there has to be value.”

Swierczynski looks at the industry and cannot imagine what it would be like without the CIAA. Where would independents go if they needed one common voice to represent their interests? he asks rhetorically.

For Swierczynski, getting information to members about changes in legislation and new issues that could affect their work, among other things, is of utmost import.

“We’re paying attention to what’s going on out there,” Swierczynski says. “When there are changes, we’re there to help diffuse the information and report it to our members. We will be doing this with recent announced changes to automobile insurance and other current issues, such as HST. Look to our web site for more information on these topics.”

Swierczynski became involved in the CIAA Ontario region executive in 2000 and first held the position as industry liaison. He joined as a way to become more connected with the industry he works within and finds it an excellent way to network with fellow peers.

“People don’t realize the value of even just coming to a monthly meeting and talking with the current executive about what’s going on in the industry,” Swierczynski says. “It’s a great way to keep current with emerging trends.”

He has been on the CIAA/CICMA joint committee for several years and held the position of both second and first vice president.

“Organizing the joint conference is always a challenge as you strive for a balance between an event that is educational and yet entertaining,” he says.

Maintaining relationships

As planning for another CIAA/CICMA joint conference is underway, Swierczynski reflects on the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the two associations. “It is important for us to keep an open dialogue with claims managers because we need to ensure, as independents, that the services and work product we offer are meeting the needs and expectations of the insurer,” he says. “They are in the offices of the insurance company and we are in the field. We need to stay connected and hopefully get feedback on what we are we doing right, and just as importantly, things that we need to improve on.” •