The CPCU Society’s 2010 Leadership Summit was a rousing success, drawing 423 attendees, including 158 chapter leaders from 108 chapters. In addition, 37 chapters generously sponsored events at the Summit. Find out more about the chapter sponsors and see their photos.

Held on April 29–May 1, in Phoenix, Ariz., the Summit featured the Board of Directors’ spring meeting, committee and task force meetings, chapter leader workshops, a workshop for interest group leaders and CPCU Society Center for Leadership courses. Special events included a breakfast meeting, three leadership luncheons and programs, and two evening receptions.

At Friday’s Leadership Breakfast and Program, Warren L. Farrar, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, 2009-2010 CPCU Society president-elect, and James R. Marks, CPCU, CAE, AIM, Society CEO, outlined the strategic and operating plans for the Society during 2010–2011. Luncheon speakers included:

• Chris Dworin, vice president of GoLightly, which provides social networking solutions to organizations. Dworin spoke on “Social Media –– A New Face in the Association World” at Thursday’s Leadership Luncheon and Program.

• Martin E. Murphy, CPCU, principal of MEMurphy Consulting. He offered valuable insights on networking at Friday’s Leadership Luncheon and Program.

• Donald J. Hurzler, CPCU, CLU, a retired insurance executive and 2004–2005 CPCU Society president. Hurzeler talked about leadership roles within the CPCU Society at Saturday’s Leadership Luncheon and Closing Program. The topic of his speech was “Should Volunteer Leaders Be Allowed to Have Fun, Make Friends and Improve Their Business Careers While in Office?”

Blue Ridge Chapter Wins Ethics Award
Congratulations to the Blue Ridge Chapter, which won the Society’s 2010 Chapter Ethics Award for its unique approach to ethics awareness. The chapter distributed a weekly series of ethics-related articles to its members. Topics included ethics as a foundation for individuals and others, best leadership practices to avoid ethical compromises, correcting ethical mistakes and steps for self-improvement. Read how the Blue Ridge Chapter and other chapters celebrated ethics awareness.

Laura Kelly Receives Prestigious Award
The CPCU-Loman Education Foundation presented the fifth annual Richard A. Gerrond Memorial Award to Laura M. Kelly, CPCU, AIC, ASQ, on April 30 at the Leadership Summit. The award was created in memory of Richard A. Gerrond, CPCU, CIC, a dedicated instructor and Society governor, who passed away in January 2005.

Kelly, director of best practice compliance/insurance industry liaison for Goldberg Segalla LLP, was honored for her leadership role in developing numerous educational programs for the CPCU Society. She developed and moderated the CPCU Society’s first Women’s Forum at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Seminars in Denver, Colo. and will serve as moderator for the second Women’s Forum at the 2010 Annual Meeting and Seminars in Orlando, Fla. She moderated the Society’s first Women’s Forum webinar in January 2010 and has moderated numerous other webinars for the Society. She is chair-elect of the Leadership and Managerial Excellence Interest Group Committee and secretary of the CPCU Society’s Northeastern New York Chapter, among other leadership roles. She is also an active member of the American Society for Quality.    

From left to right, Douglas J. Holtz, CPCU, CIC, CSP,CRM, 2009–2010 CPCU Society president and chairman; Laura M. Kelly, CPCU, AIC, ASQ, recipient of the Richard A. Gerrond Memorial Award; and Richard C. Lambert, CPCU, ARM, a member of the CPCU-Loman Education Foundation’s Executive Committee and the CPCU Society’s Board of Directors.