|
AAMGA Special Section Joining forces With a common mission, three committees gain strength by working together By Phil Zinkewicz
The new AAMGA Marketing Committee is an umbrella which, since June 2005, has been coordinating the tasks of three previous AAMGA committees, as well as the new combined venture’s mission to spread the brand and name of the AAMGA across the insurance industry. The new committee is chaired by Paul LoVullo, LoVullo Associates, Inc., CMGA, Buffalo, New York. “These three subcommittees were doing excellent work as individual committees,” says Paul. “But AAMGA leaders believed more traction and leverage could be gained by coordinating the efforts under a creative strategy complemented by the uniform, collaborative strength of the members with a single ‘quarterback,’ to coordinate activities more efficiently. As chair of the new Marketing Committee, I am the quarterback,” he says. The three subcommittees are the Inter-Association Liaison Subcommittee, the Communications Subcommittee and the University Subcommittee. “We want to get the word out to our retail and insurance market customers that it’s wise to do business with AAMGA members. We want to let them know what resources we have. The three subcommittees are meeting monthly to update each other on what’s happening with various activities, articles and Web audio interviews, programs and other important events,” Paul explains. The Inter-Association Liaison Subcommittee is headed by Jeanne Rondeau, Nautilus Insurance Co., Scottsdale, Arizona. According to Paul, “This subcommittee is responsible for setting up awards programs for other associations. Right now, we’re working with the National Association of Insurance Women International (NAIW), state insurance associations, and others to recognize and reward those insurance professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty in their professional and personal activities. Not only does this important objective help in calling attention to our peers in the industry, but it also aligns the value of the AAMGA’s brand with our colleagues in other trade associations for mutual benefit.” “The Communications Subcommittee,” Paul continues, “headed by Tony Glotzbach [United Brokers Inc., CMGA, New Albany, Indiana] is focused on marketing the AAMGA brand, not only throughout the industry but also throughout our own association. A good many of our members are not aware of the vast amount of benefits we are able to provide them. This subcommittee also works to increase our image by promoting the value of the AAMGA. So far, they’ve put together brochures and ads for various trade and industry magazines. Bernie Heinze, AAMGA’s executive director, has been conducting and continues to conduct Web audio and video interviews with industry leaders on the AAMGA’s Web site. Basically, all their activities will be geared to promoting the AAMGA both internally and externally.” Last year, the Communications Subcommittee focused on promoting the high ethical standards of AAMGA members in the wake of investigations by state attorneys general and questions into the efficacy of entrusting the underwriting pen to MGAs. LoVullo spoke of the AAMGA Code of Ethics that each member must follow and annually verify being in compliance with. This includes meeting all financial obligations, such as debts owed, premiums due companies, returns due to sub-producers and to policyholders, on a timely basis. “If a member MGA is found guilty of violating state or federal criminal laws, he or she can be expelled from the organization,” Tony Glotzbach says. “It is the AAMGA Communications Subcommittee’s mandate to let those who deal with our members or who regulate them know that the association’s members are professionals who know their business and who act in a professional manner.” The University Subcommittee is headed by Kathy Bacon, Program Underwriters, Coconut Creek, Florida. “This subcommittee’s job will be to promote the AAMGA University class offerings and designations to members and the industry,” explains LoVullo. “They conduct continuing education credit classes throughout the country, other industry associations and in agents’ offices. The designations offered by the University are the coveted CMGA (Certified Managing General Agency), the CIW (Certified Insurance Wholesaler) and the CWIS (Certified Wholesale Insurance Specialist). “Last year, [through the University] we taught more than 5,000 students from more than 400 insurance organizations, in stand-alone classes of four, eight and twelve hours, as well as on-site classes at MGA offices,” says Leonard LoVullo, CIW, also with LoVullo Associates, Inc., CMGA, Buffalo, New York, and University Chancellor. “In fact, we have done more agency in-house classes than stand-alone,” he said. “We have revamped the curriculum and enhanced the bench strength of our instructors on subjects as varied as trucking insurance, insurance fraud and contract negotiations. The University is developing new and advanced ways to deliver education online, as well as classes on CD-ROM, most of which satisfy state continuing education requirements.” The AAMGA University has added several offerings this year to help members learn and compete in the global market. The University was recently granted the Chartered Insurance Institute designation in London, a designation that is that market’s equivalent to the CPCU. “We have also been granted by Lloyd’s the opportunity to teach the London market’s brokers exam here in the United States,” says Len. “Passing that test will assist our members in expanding the amount of business they can do with the Lloyd’s market because it enables our members to speak the same language in insurance terms. In September, 10 insurance professionals from the U.K. and 10 AAMGA insurance professionals from the U.S. will meet at Corpus Christi College at Cambridge University in England to discuss how insurance is regulated, litigated, underwritten and conducted in the two countries. That will be a one-week class and, in 2007, we will bring executives from both countries to the United States.” In addition, Len says, “We have just started a personal lines school in Amelia, Ohio, which is a great complement to our beginner’s class. The personal lines class is being sponsored by American Modern Insurance Group, which underwrites specialty risks, such as motorcycles, jet skis, boats, etc. Our University weekend will be held, as usual, in August in Scottsdale, Arizona. There will be three days of non-stop classes for underwriting and claims people. We will also continue the efforts of the Wesley C. Duesenberg School of Family Business to address all the issues involved in business succession. Since most of our members are family-run agencies, this is an ideal topic.” * |
||
|
