Message from the President

Early in April, I had the privilege of attending two day-long educational events put on jointly by CIAA/CICMA in Edmonton and CIAA/IIBC and CIAA/CICMA in Vancouver. Both events were well run and the educational components extremely informative. I particularly found the seminar put on by Western Region on Asbestos and Pacific Region’s seminar on Earthquakes very interesting. There was an excellent turn out at both events and judging from the many who I observed scribbling notes throughout each of the many presentations, I am sure that everyone in attendance went away with a lot more than just the continuing education credits provided.

I am looking forward to joining our Atlantic Region members and CICMA partners at their upcoming Annual Joint Conference in Halifax, June 11 – 12.

It never ceases to amaze me how much time and effort our members put in to the organizing of these kinds of events. For over 60 years now, CIAA members across Canada have been volunteering their time to CIAA for the benefit of our members, insurers and ultimately, the insurance industry as a whole.

It is through the combined efforts of the many volunteers within our association and those of our industry partners such as CICMA, IIC, IBC, CDL among others that we are kept informed and updated on topics of relevance within our industry. There is no doubt that each person reading this has spent some time as a volunteer in one capacity or another over the course of their career. Whether it has been serving as an executive, committee or board member within our industry, helping to organize an insurance event or fund raising for a favourite charity, our volunteers make our industry go round.

Interestingly, just prior to my travels out west, I learned that the week of April 6 – 12, designated as National Volunteer Week for 2014 was the 40th anniversary of National Volunteer Week in Canada. Who knew?!

Apparently, every three years since 1997, Statistics Canada has been conducting the Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating. Based on the 2010 survey, we know that 13.3 million people in Canada donate their time as volunteers. Reportedly, Canada has the second largest volunteer sector in the world, slightly behind the Netherlands.

In Canada, volunteers give over 2 billion hours to 160,000 charities and not for profits. A third of all volunteers are baby boomers and nearly half of all boomers volunteer, making this the most socially engaged generation. Volunteers strengthen our communities and make our country vibrant. And volunteering is not a one way street – numerous studies actually show that volunteering increases well being and life satisfaction.

A study conducted in 2011 found that 87% of employees who volunteered with their companies reported an improved perception of the employer. More importantly, 82% felt more committed to the organization they worked for. It is things like achievement, recognition, more responsibility and personal growth that help to make us happy at work – all concepts that have to do with personal fulfillment. And the benefit to employers? The improved physical and emotional health of employees who volunteer. A win-win all around.

CIAA is extremely fortunate to have and have had such dedicated volunteers working unconditionally for the good of the entire membership and their chosen profession. It has been said that an association’s stature depends solely on the experience, wisdom and selflessness of its volunteers, and in CIAA’s case this certainly could not be truer.

Sincere thanks to all past and present CIAA volunteers and to all future volunteers, we look forward to you continuing to build on the 60 year legacy established through the vision, professionalism and passion of those that have served before you. n