PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: October 2007
Joe Convertino, Jr.
CH Insurance Brokerage Services Inc.

Hello Industry and welcome to the 2007-2008 IIACNY year! I hope you all had an enjoyable summer. Is the soft market here for good? What will the new Worker's Compensation save the business community or the state? What about the Lizard and its new media contracts? What are carriers expecting in 2008? IIACNY is here to help! As always, we have many exciting programs and education planned for the upcoming year. As you all know or may not know, the IIACNY (Central New York) has become Co-Extensive, which basically means that we will work very closely with our state association IIABNY here at the Dewitt offices. You will see more resources, programming, education, greater membership, and so much more.

Paul Banuski is the state coordinator that has been working very closely with the IIACNY board and aiding and developing these resources to you—our members! Again, as your local board, we want to be the representatives that work for you on industry issues and marketplace concerns. I also want to thank each of the Board Members that serve this local association in giving their time and resources each month. Please welcome the Local Board this year or feel free to contact any of us with any questions or recommendations for the year. Please go to this website and click Officers/Directors if you ever need our contact information.

Project Invest is back better than ever! Our own Vice-President Kevin Delaney has been leading the charge and works closely with Nottingham, Corcoran, and now West Genesee Schools. The goal of the program is to make these students aware of all the key aspects of insurance; to generate their interest in a career in this industry but also to become a savvy consumer who recognizes the value of an independent agent. Whether purchasing car insurance, renters, home, business or what potential claims can arise, we need to energize these students to create awareness of how agencies work and why it is so important for these young people to get involved in our industry. Just an FYI, Bob Baxter from Dryden Mutual has been working on this program for over 20 years and has hired many InVest students into his company. Please contact Kevin to get involved today if you'd like to work with these students, we'd love to have your help.

Charitable involvement will be another key component for the IIACNY this year. Thanks to all of you, we provided almost $20,000 for The Huntington Center and Mercy Works last year. This is a great way to strengthen our ties with the community. Central NY cares and we thank you for your generous support!

This year, we would like our membership to become more active: work with programs, attend events, and learn more about the IIACNY mission that will make you, your agency, and your company better. Get Involved Today!

We look forward to serving you this year and we will see you soon.

Regards,

Joe Convertino, Jr.
IIACNY President 2007-08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CNY Trade Group Receives Public Relations Award From Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of NY
(DeWitt, New York, May 10, 2007) The Independent Insurance Agents of Central New York Inc. was presented the annual "Charlie" Public Relations Award by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. The recognition came during the 125-year-old IIABNY’s Annual Business Meeting held 11 at Turing Stone Resort & Casino. IIACNY has communicated "the value of the organization to its members and the community," and has maintained momentum for "membership, volunteerism and community involvement," said presenter and outgoing IIABNY chair Sharon Emek.
Six Syracuse-area high school students during the 2006-2007 academic year received scholarships through IIACNY’s involvement with the national InVEST program. Since 1970, InVEST supports and develops high school and college students to pursue a financial services career. Charitable events include last year’s IIACNY golf tournament, which raised $7,000 for the Huntington Family Centers, Inc. and the Syracuse Northeast Community Center. The not-for-profit trade association has donated $46,800 to local charities since 2001. The recognition also included IIACNY’s internal communications. The 2006 launching of a new Website allows for an improved information exchange between member-agents and insurance companies. IIACNY president Joseph Convertino, Jr., vice president of C.H. Insurance Brokerage Services Co., Inc. in Syracuse accepted the award on behalf of the local association. The annual IIABNY "Charlie" Award recognizes an individual or group that has contributed to the public’s image of independent insurance agents and brokers through a variety of activities.

INVEST UPDATE
Out of the 18 students IIACNY sponsors in the three school system we are happy report that two have completed the application process for a National INVEST scholarship. We have been working closely with Sandra Skipper in Maryland to create an opportunity bringing scholarship dollars to our students here in Central New York. We are hopeful the scholarship will be awarded and could be as much $2000 to $5000.

IIACNY’s INVEST program is 300% larger than last year and look to grow significantly next year. We will begin fundraising to support a new outreach program for SCSD looking to provide every senior with a local business internship. I have met with Mike Schmidt, Assistant Superintendent for SCSD and this aggressive program lead by Clear Channels looks to have a tremendous impact. Clear Channels will be leading this effort and naturally IIACNY will be a strong supporting component.

Lastly, we have one student that is being considered for a summer internship within our local agent membership Pool.

More to come !!!

Kevin Delaney
Chair - Project INVEST

IIACNY ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND FUNDRAISER
Spring is finally starting to shine through here in Central New York and that can mean one thing for the IIACNY membership, the annual Golf Tournament is right around the corner. June 11th is the date with a 11 am shotgun start. The Pompey Club will again host this years event with the beneficiaries being Huntington Family Center ( www.huntingtonfamilycenters.org ) and Mercy Works, Inc. ( www.mercy-works.org ). Registration forms for golf can be found on www.IIACNY.com under Events and sponsorship forms are there as well under Sponsorship. Be sure to come out and join everyone for the premier networking event for the CNY insurance community and support two great organizations. Register soon, we have maxed out on golfers the last three years!

Schuyler Hellings
IIACNY Golf Chair