Views (January 01, 2008)

Five years ago, Nancy Thorne of Carnahan Taylor Fowler Insurance conceived the idea of organizing a “Fun Night,” during which insurance professionals in New Brunswick could demonstrate a collective effort in the fight against cancer through enjoyable grassroots fundraising efforts. The 2007 Fun Night proved to be a favourable combination of fundraising, industry camaraderie and tremendous energy — all in aid of WICC (Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade). Companies representing insurance services or services affiliated with insurance participated in the fifth annual Fun Night in Saint John by providing donations, prizes and sponsorships, volunteering or administering several “fun” booths.

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McKellar Structured Settlements Inc. held its Annual McKellar Charity Golf Day on June 19, 2007, raising Cdn$10,950 for WICC (Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade) in their fight against cancer. The ladies’ charity golf day was held at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, Ontario. Participants from the legal and insurance claims communities enjoyed a fun-filled day of events including morning clinics with golf professionals, a buffet luncheon, golf, massages, prizes and a cocktail reception.

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WICC Golden Horseshoe Region (GHR) held its inaugural pub night, Cruisin’ Back to the ’50’s Sock Hop on Sept. 27, at Arney Pub of Mohawk College in Hamilton. People in the industry dusted off their poodle skirts, tied up their saddle shoes, greased up with pomade and became Rebels With A Cause to aid in the fight against cancer. A classic car show preceded the event, which featured entertainment by the insurance industry’s own The Accidental Benefits. Participants also experienced a host of fun surprises, a silent auction and a 1950s style buffet. This first-ever event for the GHR was deemed a success with some impressive results: 135 tickets sold; approximately Cdn$10,000 obtained in sponsorships and donations (taking into account a silent auction, raffle and ticket sales and donations). Net profit was Cdn$14,500 to be donated to WICC. WICC GHR has announced its next annual fundraiser event will be held on Sept. 25, 2008.

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Neil Crone, actor, comic, cancer survivor and national cancer spokesperson, provided his perspective on life, health and the power of laughter at the Nov. 7, 2007 Annual WICC Ontario Breakfast at the Arcadian Court in Toronto. Crone, “actor/improviser/writer/all-round good guy,” shared his very moving story of his battle with cancer. He focused on the power of laughter in healing and repeated his ongoing credo as a cancer survivor: “Nothing Is Worth More Than This Day.” Crone was recently named national spokesperson for the Colo-Rectal Cancer Association of Canada. Crone is an actor and writer who has performed in numerous television and radio commercials and TV shows. He is the voice of numerous cartoon characters every Saturday morning, including YTV’s new hit series ‘Erky-Perky’. His most recent feature film roles include Stir of Echoes 2-The Dead Speak with Rob Lowe and the recently-released Hollywoodland with Adrian Brody and Ben Affleck. Crone also appears in CBC’s hit sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie and is scheduled to appear in the upcoming mini-series The Summit.

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Bond Fountain First Annual Chaity Art Exhibit was held May 23-29, 2007, at the Bertossoni Gallery located at 792 Queen St. East, Toronto. Baird-MacGregor Insurance Brokers sponsored the event in memory of employee and friends Joe Bond and Carol Fountain. Proceeds from the art sale were donated to two charities (WICC and Red Door Shelter). There were two gala nights attended by many of Joe and Carol’s professional and personal friends and family. The theme of the event was Soulmates. Jozef Milczarski was on hand to produce drawings, and copies of his art were sold to the public. Proceeds went to the charities listed above. Philomena Comerford produced a drawing named Mr. Bond and copies were sold as well. Total of proceeds collected from the sale of art was Cdn$4,359, with each charity receiving half of this amount.

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The Toronto Insurance Women’s Association (TIWA)’s Annual Golf Tournament on Sept 5, 2007 provided some welcome relief from the mid-winter blahs. Held at Cardinal Golf Club in Newmarket, Ontario, the TIWA Golf Tournament raised approximately Cdn$15,000 for its charity of choice, the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC). CYC has provided social programs for youth in Toronto’s inner city core since 1972. CYC has now developed into a large community facility operating from three locations and available to a diverse and under-serviced population.

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SCOR in November celebrated the 2007 Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Release with insurance industry guests at an annual reception held at Toronto’s Rosewater Supper Club .

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Lloyd’s of London celebrated 75 years in Canada with a special presentation and reception held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in November 2007.

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W.J. Sutton & Company Limited, a special risk managing general underwriter, and Sportscover, a global sports insurer, joined forces to launch Sutton Sportscover Limited, a new player in the Canadian insurance industry that focuses on sports insurance. Sutton Sporscover recently held a launch reception at their offices in Toronto. The new venture will provide comprehensive, tailor-made insurance of sports federations, associations and clubs, according to Bill Sutton, president of W.J. Sutton. He added the new venture with Sportscover is the result of similar histories of two long-time Lloyd’s correspondents brought together by Steve Boucher. “Our respective experiences in professional and amateur sports from five different continents will provide a combination of products, services and knowledge not seen before,” Sutton said. “We look forward to working together with Sportscover.” Sutton Sportscover Limited will offer a broad range of sports insurance including personal accident, public liability, professional indemnity, directors and officers, property and contingency insurances through Lloyd’s. “We are delighted to be in Canada and teaming up with such a well-respected sports specialist in Sutton’s,” Sportscover director Chris Nash said. “We consider this joint venture in the Canadian market to be a significant step in our worldwide development.”

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Delegates of the North American Insurance Conference gathered at the Don Cesar Resort in Saint Pete Beach, Florida, in November 2007 to discuss regulatory, legal and industry trends affecting both the United States and Canada. Hosted by Bill Star, president and CEO of Kingsway Financial, attendees also got to soak in some rays, swing some golf clubs and go for a cruise.

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SCM Adjusters Canada Ltd. recently held a cocktail reception to celebrate the opening of its new corporate office located at 120 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2401, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1T1.

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The Honourable Order of the Blue Goose, Ontario Pond and Most Loyal Gander Chris Giffin welcomed attendees at “2007’s hottest Christmas party of the insurance industry.” The so-called “Galabration” was held Nov. 28, 2007 at The Boiler House, a cultural, culinary and entertainment destination in Toronto’s famed Distillery District. The Boiler House’s award- winning design includes a 22-foot wine rack, intimate private rooms and hand-crafted, heavy timber tables. Guests danced the night away to the musical stylings of Terri Oliver and her band Shugga.