Greetings fellow CPCU PNW Members, Candidate Members, & Friends,
Spring 2021 is here!
Spring is a time for hope and new growth. This year Spring marks the one year anniversary of our new virtual normal. Many of us left the traditional office for working from home. Business attire was quickly replaced by business very casual. I didn’t know a year ago that I’d have a small collection of what I call the “dress” yoga pants for that occasional Zoom call with mandatory video.
New Years is the traditional time for making goals for the upcoming year. The beginning for Spring is a check point for those goals. A personal goal of donating to my local blood bank is on schedule. Reducing coffee consumption – that one lasted a few days. I finally took & passed the Institutes exam for that textbook that has been on my shelf for a few years. A professional goal of engaging with CPCU is ongoing and off to a great start.
I am looking forward to this year as the Pacific Northwest Chapter CPCU President! There are many ways to get involved with CPCU. Monthly meetings, events like I-Day and Spring Seminar, Good Works events and Diversity Inclusion and Cultural Equity events are great ways to get to know our CPCU Community. Involvement can be a short occasional time commitment or a more regular commitment.
The Pacific NW Chapter operates with an all-volunteer team. Our chapter is run by, and here for YOU.
Do you have an idea for a monthly topic? Do you want to join a community service event? We would love for you to complete a mid-year membership survey.... whether you are a chapter member or not, whether you participated in an event with us in this last year or not. It will take just a few minutes to complete and your feedback is invaluable! Click here to go to the survey.
We want to hear from our community about what you are doing. Find us on social media or send us an email. We welcome any, and all levels of participation.
Jennifer Drum, CPCU
President, Pacific Northwest CPCU Society Chapter
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Who would have thought that the image on the left would become the norm for connecting with one another and for some of us a permanent part of conducting day to business?
Balancing pets and children, spouses and roommates for wifi bandwidth and quiet time... we have stayed connected by being where we all are and it has been both a challenge and easier than expected.
The PNW CPCU Society Chapter has opened nearly every meeting to every chapter in the Pacific Northwest and are continuing to discuss options for continued collaboration with Spokane, Portland, and Alaska, more closely embodying our Chapter name than just our Western Washington demographic.
Since our Fall newsletter some of our events have included a successful, albeit slightly different I-Day on November 10, 2020. After an education session on infotainment and telematics tools by Brandon Morse of ARCCA, the Chapter officially kicked off our DICE Committee with a keynote by Amy Waninger, Networking Beyond Bias – Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career. We also welcomed new designees virtually, and heard updates from the incoming CPCU Society President. We are just getting started on planning I-Day for 2021. All are invited to share their ideas! Contact Terri Sutton or Geoff Bedell for details if you’re interested in volunteering!
Our monthly education sessions (luncheons) have continued with Steve Legg from Starbucks joining us with a review of the many risk management challenges facing this international corporation. McGowan Program's Paul Marshall spoke on Active Shooter& Workplace Violence exposures (a continued concern even after lockdown).
March was Ethics month and we held two great events, with Precious Walton discussing the world of Ethics for Brokers & Agents and a Great Debate between James Jones and Peter Marchel regarding the use of big data & artificial intelligence in rate making and application (your author is sorry she missed this one).
We have some great events planned for the rest of Spring and well into Fall - an upcoming events list is below. If you have any suggestions for topics or would like to speak, please reach out to Lanie Clark, Education Committee Chair.
The Spring Seminar Committee put on a great virtual event April 22nd, titled "Adapting to New Strains - Learning from the Pandemic" with 3 sessions focusing on Covid related topics. Emerging issues from coverage, to legislative and regulatory. Pandemic Cyber Risk. And selling, producing, and general tips on working virtually.
The membership and new designee committees are hard at work planning events soon.
Our newest committee is putting on a strong showing right out of the gate with 4 events since October including partnering with RIMS on a Diversity Panel Discussion and much, much more planned.... Including a new scholarship opportunity for individuals committed to pursuing a CPCU who may not have financial means or employer financial support.
Please reach out if you would like to get involved with any of our committees! Committee Chairs are listed on the chapter website or you may email the chapter in box and your email will be forwarded.
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Announcing: DICE Scholarship
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We are proud to present the first annual PNW CPCU DICE Scholarship. As a chapter we are committed promoting diversity and inclusion within our industry and the CPCU Society.
By funding a candidate that shows equal dedication to these works, we will provide those from groups underrepresented in the Insurance and Risk Management industries an opportunity to advance their development. We invite you to complete the application or forward to someone who fits this description!
Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2021
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To help you plan ahead, all events with dates are now available on the Chapter homepage!
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Upcoming Chapter Meetings
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May 6th - Risk Management Perspective on Human Trafficking
June 3rd - Washington State Legislative Update
Watch for additional Good Works, Volunteer, & New Designee and Candidate Member Events!
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September 9th
September 23rd - 25th
I-Day - Date & Location is pending
October or November
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2021 1st Annual DICE Summit - SAVE THE DATE
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The lack of diversity and inclusive practices has been prevalent in the insurance and risk management industries, as in other industries and parts of society. But history does not have to continue to repeat itself....
Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Equity does not only affect an organization’s internal dynamic and progress but also the bottom-line. The PNW CPCU Chapter’s Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Equity (DICE) committee invites you to participate in our first annual Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Equity Summit.
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Topics will include how diversity and inclusive, or lack thereof, impact companies internally and externally. From a Human Resource perspective as well as Employer Practices Liability (Vendors Liability).
Call for Presenters: Are you, or someone you know, well versed in one of these topics? We invite you to submit a presentation proposal to DICE by July 15th, 2021 for consideration. Also, if you have a dynamic presentation covering a related topic, please feel free to submit to pacificnorthwestchapter@cpcusociety.org.
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The In2Risk 2021 (re-imagined Annual Meeting) is scheduled to be an in-person event in Orlando, September 23rd - 25th.
Click the image above for more details! New Designees from 2020 will also be invited to participate in the in-person ceremony.
Registration will be open to members, non-members, candidates, students.
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This time we want to focus on a long-term Committee Chair and Chapter Board Member Catherine Espel-Logan, CPCU, MBA, ChFC, CLU, RPA of State Farm
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PNW CPCU Society Chapter: We know you have moved to Texas for work and we will miss your insight and passion with the Good Works events, especially in the South Sound area. You have graciously agreed to stay on as Chapter Secretary while we search for a replacement. Tell me how you first got involved volunteering with the PNW Chapter of the CPCU Society Chapter?
Catherine Espel-Logan: I have been involved with the CPCU Society wherever I’ve lived since I began studying for my CPCU designation. I loved the Good Works opportunities that the Pacific Northwest society participated in, they were great opportunities to serve in the community and build relationships with fellow professionals. I was managing an office in the South Sound and found out that a location was needed for South Sound meetings so I began helping with coordination. A couple of our officers approached me after I had helped with a few things and asked if I wanted to be a Director. I gave it a trial run to make sure the time commitment was manageable. It was very manageable and a great opportunity to develop additional skills outside of my daily work.
PNW: Was there anyone in particular who was instrumental in getting you involved?
CEL: Megan Whittemore and Chris Brumfield
PNW: What do you find most challenging about the work you have done with CPCU Society as a whole?
CEL: It can be difficult to get enough volunteers to fill the various opportunities we have available.
PNW: What have you found the most rewarding or surprising about the volunteer work you have done with the chapter?
CEL: The chapter became a community of friends and connection in the Pacific Northwest and I’ve met some incredible people. I’ve also been inspired by the work we’ve done with Good Works to find additional opportunities to serve my community.
PNW: What will you miss about this work the most?
CEL: While I’ll be continuing to serve the Pacific Northwest chapter virtually, I’ll miss getting out in the community with all of the incredible volunteers from the chapter. I was really looking forward to sitting down to a meal after a volunteer event once vaccines were rolled out more broadly.
I especially loved working with the Braille library and the food banks throughout the South Sound as well as making pet blankets.
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We wanted to take a moment to introduce you to our newest Committee Chair, CPCU Candidate Eugenia “O” Frisby
Eugenia has worked in the insurance industry for 30+ years, starting out in claims and then moving to the retail side. She joined Parker Smith & Feek in November of 2020 as a Client Executive and is working toward her CPCU designation. She has a 24 year old daughter and in her spare time enjoys being outdoors, time with friends and working on home remodel projects.
Eugenia will be transitioning into the Good Works Committee as Chair and Events planner as Catherine steps away from this role.
Welcome to the Chapter O! We look forward to working with you.
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Did You Know?
CE for CPCU & CPCU In Good Standing Badge
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The CPCU Society encourages those with the CPCU designation to continue creating value for their career and the designation by participating in Continuing Education (CE) for CPCUs. The program requires 24 hours of CE every two years and is provided at no additional cost to CPCU Society members. You earn credit by the hour when you attend your local Pacific Northwest CPCU Society luncheons and education events.
The chapter has been submitting credit on behalf of CPCU Society members and attendance for meetings that occurred over the last two years. These credits will begin appearing on your CE for CPCU accounts over the next few weeks! Check out more at ceforcpcu.theinstitutes.org.
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What's included in my Chapter Dues??
It's renewal season for Society Dues. Part of your invoice automatically includes the portion dedicated to your Chapter. If you're part of our Chapter, here are just a few things included as a part of your benefits:
- A minimum of 8 luncheons with educational sessions
- Discounted admission to our annual Spring Seminar
- Pizza and beer after each Good Works event
- Holiday Happy Hour invitation
- ...and more
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Volunteer Opportunities
Insurance isn’t just about claims, underwriting and sales―it’s also about people. That’s why it’s important to get involved. Increase your leadership, collaboration and networking opportunities by actively participating in your chapter or an interest group or by volunteering your time at a CPCU Society event. Volunteer and reap the personal and professional rewards that come when you actively engage!
Check out some of the open positions within the Pacific Northwest Chapter HERE.
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Mentor Program
Participation in the CPCU Society Mentorship Program is a great way to enhance the value of your CPCU Society membership. Our program provides two avenues of participation:
- Find a mentor for yourself.
- Become a mentor for others.
Whether you have expertise to offer or are looking to glean expertise from others, personal and career development occur on both sides of this relationship.
Open to all CPCU Society members!
Whether you've previously participated in formal mentorship or not, we encourage all of you to consider participation. We believe all CPCU Society members bring great value to our industry, and there is someone out there who will benefit from your experience.
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