Message From the President

I am certainly looking forward to the year ahead as national president of CIAA. Friends and colleagues have asked me if I am nervous about taking on this important position. Quite frankly, I am not. In fact I am excited. Mainly because of the great executive team we have leading the CIAA. First and foremost, Pat Battle, our executive director. Pat is so organized! Within minutes of taking on the position, Pat is passing me notes and “suggested” directions on what needs to be done. As past president Reno Daigle always says, “she is awesome!” As is the rest of our executive: Delores Thorbourne, John Seyler, Marie Gallagher, Randy LaBrash, Jim Eso, John Jones and David Porter.

The CIAA 2011 annual conference in Muskoka was a resounding success. Marie Gallagher and her team did a fabulous job in the organization and coordination. My wife Liz and I started attending the CIAA conventions in the early 1990s and we have not been disappointed yet. What a venue! The JW Marriott Rousseau Resort has got to be one of the finest venues we have had the pleasure of utilizing for our conventions in the last 27 years. I strongly recommend all members consider attending future conventions. The contacts you make will have a positive impact on your profession and your business for many years. Keep Aug 23 to 26, 2012 open for next year’s convention and AGM in Yellowknife, NWT.  Karen Kuronen and her convention committee are already hard at work.

The chairs of our 2011/2012 standing committees have been appointed and will be in need of committee members to assist in their important work. Areas we are concentrating on this year include education, our new CLA designation, membership organic growth and higher profile branding of the CIAA. If you are interested in helping on a CIAA committee, give Pat Battle a call.

Our editorial committee – Fred Silvestri, John Sharoun and Mary Charman – produced an excellent brochure/handout for members to provide to policyholders. The brochure details the role of an independent adjuster in the claim process. It is entitled “CIAA Independent Adjusters Make a Difference.” Order forms are being sent out to member firms and are also available on our website at www.CIAA-adjusters.ca. Please submit your orders to CIAA national office.

Mary Charman, our immediate past president, put her heart and soul into our association over the last year. She worked hard in pushing forward our objectives in promoting a harmonized insurance regulatory system, preparing CIAA’s CAT Response Resource, as well as enabling our National Insurance Industry Advisory Board. Mary also continued on with the strategic plan objectives and ensured CIAA kept up a national profile as the voice of independent adjusters in Canada. Mary, on behalf of the membership, I thank you for all your good work and commitment to continue giving back to our organization in the years ahead.

I will be attending the RIMS Canada conference in Ottawa, Sept. 18 to 23 and hope to meet up with members that are in attendance.

Remember, look after your health, look after yourself and be safe.