Diversity Events Planned and Essay Contest Winners Announced
Please plan to attend all three diversity events on Aug. 31 at the Annual Meeting and Seminars. Begin your day at the General Session on diversity, followed by the afternoon seminar on “Developing Internal Capability” and the evening Diversity Reception. Also, the Diversity Committee has announced the winners of its essay contest. First prize goes to Diana Lee, CPCU, of Terre Haute, Ind.; second prize to Amanda M. White, CPCU, API, of San Antonio, Texas; and third prize to Shannon Bryan, ChFC, of Yonkers, N.Y. Read their winning essays.

Return Your CPCU Society Ballot Today
The Society’s 2009 election of a vice president and four directors is now underway. Look for your official ballot in the July/August issue of CPCU News. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Aug. 3. If you haven’t received a ballot by July 18, send an e-mail to Mary Friedberg.

Make Your Interest Group Selection Now to Be Included on the New Mailing List
To continue receiving a printed newsletter or to opt for electronic notification of the latest issue, you must choose a primary area of interest –– if you have not yet done so. Go to the Interest Group area of the Society’s Web site to make your selection. For assistance, call the Member Resource Center at (800) 932-CPCU, option 4. Of course, as a paid Society member, you have electronic access to all interest group newsletters. Check out the latest newsletters now available online from the following interest groups: International Insurance, Leadership & Managerial Excellence, and Loss Control.

Society President and Chairman Interviewed by Industry Publication
The Insurance Journal has posted two interviews online featuring Marvin Kelly, CPCU, MBA, Society president and chairman. In “CPCU Society Tackles Diversity,” Kelly talks about the need to get more agents and brokers as well as young people and minorities within the Society’s ranks. In “Ethics in Today’s Insurance Industry,” he assesses the state of ethics within our industry.

Society Enhances Web Area for Employers
In response to member feedback, the CPCU Society enhanced the “Employers” area of its Web site in June. Among the new resources: how employers can invest in their staff and an employer request form to facilitate communications with the Society. The employer pages also include interesting statistics on the value of the CPCU designation and Society membership, employer support benchmarks, diversity trends and ways to partner with the CPCU Society. Check it out today and share the link with your employer.

IDEA EXCHANGE
Check Out Your Brand New Discussion Board
The Society’s new members-only discussion board generated several interesting comments last month. In response to the question about the media’s coverage of the P-C industry, one member noted, “Insurance is an easy scapegoat, especially in a society that does not understand how insurance works.” This month’s question is, “Is the property-casualty insurance industry doing enough to attract more diversity?” Log in to post a comment and read what your CPCU colleagues are saying.

INDUSTRY ISSUES AND TRENDS
New Guide Is Available to Help Organizations Develop Ethics Policies
As part of its ongoing commitment to encourage ethical behavior by all insurance-based organizations, the Society’s Ethics Committee has prepared a guide for developing ethics policies. In the July 2009 CPCU eJournal article, “A Guide to Organizational Ethics Policy,” Peter R. Kensicki, CPCU, DBA, CLU, FLMI, outlines the steps that organizations can take to create and maintain an ethics policy. Subscribe to the eJournal reminder service.

Share Your Expertise with Your CPCU Peers
The CPCU eJournal’s editorial staff invites you to submit original, unpublished articles to be considered for publication. If the eJournal publishes your articles, you gain increased visibility and recognition among your peers. Find out how to submit an article.

EDUCATION CALENDAR
New Presenters Added to July Webinar Calendar
Industry leaders address three important technical insurance topics in CPCU Society July webinars: “So You Want to Be an Expert Witness? Part 2 of 2,” “Identity Theft: An Insurance Industry Update” and “Personal Lines Issues.” Also, presenters new to the CPCU Society provide inspiring, real-world leadership and career perspectives on “Dynamic Leadership Strategies for Women,”  “Teamwork — Let’s Work Together,” “Has Your Career Stalled?” and “The Art of Persuasion.” See the latest webinar calendar.

MEMBER INFORMATION
Maximize Your Member Benefits: Make Sure You’re Receiving All of Your E-Mail Communications
As a member of the CPCU Society, your benefits include member publications, like this one, that are distributed electronically. In addition, the Society uses e-mail as the fastest way possible to alert members of upcoming Society events and other member news. Member satisfaction and feedback is also collected via online surveys. To make the most of your membership, make sure your e-mail server will accept mail from all of the domain names the Society uses.

Update Your Member Records
To ensure that you continue to receive Society publications and other timely information, keep your membership records up to date — especially important contact information such as your mailing address, phone number and preferred e-mail. To review and update your records, log in and click on “Update Personal Profile.” To change chapter or company information, or if you need assistance, send an e-mail to the Member Resource Center, or call (800) 932-CPCU, option 4.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Are You Spending Way Too Much Time in Meetings?
In “Want Greater ROI From Your Meetings?” Ian Cook of Fulcrum Associates Inc. offers insights on how to treat every meeting as an investment. Also, be sure to sign up for the Aug. 6 webinar on “Running Great Meetings,” presented by Peter Wright, president of The Planning Group. Read Wright’s articles on value propositions and short-term strategic planning.

And check out the latest career development articles written by leading experts.

Simplify Your Job Search
Looking for new job opportunities this summer? The CPCU Society Job Network is the place employers go to fill key positions in leadership, underwriting, claims or sales. Don't miss out on this tremendous member benefit –– post your résumé today!

Tell Us What Your Educational Needs Are
The CPCU Society is dedicated to your professional development. Please take a moment to respond to this one quick survey question: “Which subject area are you most interested in?” Vote now.

MEMBER VISIBILITY SPOTLIGHT
July Visibility Spotlight Winner ‘Spreads the Word’ to Students
Instructor, consultant and expert witness Jill H. Gidge, CPCU, CIC, CISR, has earned 12 designations. But CPCU is the very first designation she lists behind her name. And she makes sure her students know why. Read more in the July Visibility Spotlight. In recognition for her efforts, Gidge will receive a business card holder. To be considered for a future spotlight, send us an e-mail with details on how you “Spread the Word!”

CPCU SOCIETY MARKETPLACE
Stock Up on CPCU Apparel for the Summer
Summer wearables are now available at the CPCU Society Marketplace. Visit your online store to discover the variety of colors and styles available for showing your pride in comfort during these hot weather months. Want even more variety? Your suggestions are welcome –– send an e-mail to Patrick Hansell. And while you’re at the Marketplace, don’t forget to order your 2009 Annual Meeting T-shirt today!

The CPCU Society has sent you this issue of e-LINK as a member benefit. You are not receiving this message because you are subscribed to an electronic list. If you have any questions about our electronic mailings, e-mail the Member Resource Center or call (800) 932-CPCU. Please send any comments or suggestions for future issues of e-LINK to Mary Friedberg, editor.

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