The Colorado Chapter of CPCU held its Summer Social event, the CPCU Summer Soiree and New Designee Reception on August 19^th at the Family Sports Center in Aurora. We began with a mildly competitive golf tournament (very mild, that is), won by the Team of Ringers!

The conditions were great for some world class golf, if only we were world class golfers. New Designees Shaun Olsson and Jane Stifter led their Team to a 2^nd place finish. Shaun proved to be an outstanding ball striker with a true love of the game, while Jane proved to be able to find her ball most of the time (with the help of her husband, Pete). Special thanks to the Iron Woman, Gayle Hise, who not only coordinated the tourney, but also played in it, after completing 18 holes previously in the day in another tournament!

After our assault on the greens, we adjourned to the Avalanche Lounge for Happy Hour and story telling (mostly about “the birdie that got away”). Wrestling for drink tickets was kept to a minimum and we enjoyed the opportunity to meet our New Designees. In addition to Shaun and Jane, Becky Potts and Cora Merrill also joined us and participated in the revelry. Having quenched our thirsts for spirits and stories, we enjoyed a fine dinner of BBQ ribs and chicken, baked beans, and vegetables.   Music was provided by the incomparable Nancy Cook of Dillon, who played a diverse collection ranging from Joan Armatrading to The Eagles to Ziggy Marley….great stuff!

Rick Bender was our resident shutterbug and Alyssa Elmore did a fantastic job in setting up the venue, the menu and decorations (including the congratulatory cake that I almost forgot). Her efforts in particular were pivotal in the success of the entire event….thank you, Alyssa…you’re wonderful!

The Chapter happily recognized our New Designees in attendance, gave out some terrific door prizes (and, no, it was not rigged) and even arranged a scholarship opportunity for one New Designee to attend the National Conferment in Philadelphia….a productive day, indeed, and a good time had by all. Many Thanks to those who participated and, once more, congratulations to the Colorado CPCU Class of 2008! They’re a great bunch and a strong addition to the Chapter!

                                                                        Jon Evans, CPCU, ARM

                                                                        New Designee Rep/ Director of Membership

                                                                        Colorado Chapter of CPCU

Congratulations to the 100 chapters who qualified for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Award for Excellence! The CPD Award for Excellence recognizes CPCU Society chapters whose members qualify for CPD recognition under the Continuing Professional Development Program.

            At the September luncheon, I talked about the recent annual meeting held in Hawaii and my encounters with many new designees as I marshaled the New Designee Open House. Many of them wondered what the ribbons, “Continuing Professional Development” and “Circle of Excellence” represented. Some of them were concerned about placing those ribbons underneath their name badges as they felt that did not earn them nor deserve them. At the luncheon, I explained what “Continuing Professional Development” meant and that we would have more information on CPD at this year’s I-Day on November 8, 2007.

The Circle of Excellence Recognition Program recognizes all chapters for their efforts to achieve specific benchmarks in chapter performance.  Chapters can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold recognition by undertaking activities divided among the key initiatives of the Society’s Strategic plan.

The Circle of Excellence Recognition Program provides chapter leaders and committee and task force chairmen with structure and guidance to achieve strategic, chapter and member goals. 

1. Make CPCU the most widely recognized, valued, and highly respected professional designation/brand in the property and casualty insurance industry by CPCU employers, industry practitioners, and other important audiences.
2. All Society members have access to continually increasing number of programs and services that position them for success.
3. Stewardship.

I am proud to report the Society’s Loss Control Section (along with the Claims Section) was awarded the Gold with Distinction Circle of Excellence – this is the first time the Society has granted this level.  In our Society’s President-Elect’s words, “the panel of reviewers felt that each of your submissions went above and beyond the normal standards of qualification for the gold award.”

Cindy asked if I could share what it took to achieve this level and in the words of one of the speakers at the National Leadership Institute, “it takes just a little bit”.  Let me explain further.

The Loss Control Section went from over 12 members to 3 in a period of two years due to term limitations.  I reached out to Betsy Brewer who was the in-coming President at that time and Betsy “did a little bit” by pursuing every option available to her to fill the gap.  I am proud to say that we now have 10 members. 

Interestingly, only half of our members are technical experts in the Loss Control field.  Those that aren’t (as well as those that are) have done “just a little bit” to improve the value to our members by:

1. Committed – actively participate in meetings and conference calls.
2. Innovative – provide new ideas and creativity by applying what they have learned to the Loss Control Section.
3. Accountable – we all have “real jobs” so while we may have to create more general deadlines (sometime this week, month, etc.) we made sure to meet those deadlines.
4. Passion – about personal development, the industry, and “paying it forward” to others.

In addition, each committee member did “just a little bit” – one member, with no experience I might add, took a half-day training offered by the Society on designing websites; another sent out letters to recruit new members; others contributed articles to our newsletter, set up the ability to do blast emails to our members, and researched the tools to make us more efficient.

Approximately 10% of our membership was involved in achieving the Gold with Distinction  award – just imagine what we could do if we increased that to percentage to 15%.  We are fortunate that the typical Loss Control professional has a lot of face-to-face time with the general public.  For us that meant a lot of training, learning, and teaching others how to reduce their losses.  I know many of you have similar opportunities.  Did you know that your Chapter can earn points towards its Circle of Excellence award for just about anything you do with the general public or other industry groups – just be sure to reference your CPCU designation and most importantly, report that activity to the current Chapter President.  Then you too, can be doing “just a little bit”.

Debbie Dettmer, CPCU

Loss Control Section Chair