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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE…….Jeannie Upright

Is there someone you know who would benefit from a NAIW membership? Ask them to attend our next meeting or a future meeting that would be of interest. Ask them if they need continuing education credits and tell them about our future classes. Each member needs to take an active part in this Association’s growth!

In February we had guest speaker Pam Young ,VP of CCFNB, who spoke about how to maintain a good credit score and finances.

In March our speaker will be David Martin from OSHA on work-place safety and in April Ted Wampole of Liberty Mutual will be back. These are good programs. Ask a co-worker to come with you to a meeting.

“ none of us is as smart as all of us”

SECRETARY’S MINUTES……….Debbie Musgrave

President Jeannie Upright called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm.

Members attending were: Jeannie, Gail, Brenda, Pam, Patsy, Barbara Kressler, Donna, Betty, & myself.

We welcomed Jean Macdermott from CCFNB of Benton, and Carla Buma of the Gordon Ins. Agency in Benton as our guests for the evening.

The Secretary’s report was accepted as printed in the newsletter.

The Treasurer’s Report was handed out at the meeting and filed for audit.

Betty read the Collect.

After dinner we welcomed our guest speaker: Pam Young, who is Vice President and New Business Development Officer for CCFNB of Bloomsburg.

Pam passed out information on why it is so important to know your credit score and how to keep a good credit rating. Scores range from 300 to 850. As a bank they are looking for a credit score between 700 – 800. The higher your credit score is, often means a better interest rate for your loan.

Also please take advantage to pull your free credit report each year.

Pam also advised us of a program called Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), which helps family’s with financing, so they can afford a home of their own.

Business Meeting Reports:

Membership/Public Relations – Gail Bradley

Bloodmobile is the end of May, more details will follow shortly.

Next Months Speaker is David Martin of OSHA.

Education Report – Brenda Weaver

Brenda discussed planning another Flood Seminar.

Safety Report – Barbara Kressler –

Barb reported that the Regional Award forms were finally completed.

Legislative Report – Patsy Lachat

We are looking for everyone to respond to the email Patsy sent on 1/29/07.
Fund Joanna’s Law Today. Please send you letter and see that Patsy gets a copy.

For Discussion:

Patsy has reserved the rooms for Regional’s. There are 7 members planning to attend. Betty will be the delegate from her other Association.

NAIW Optional direct dues are on direct deposit, Pam had set this up last year.

Fund Raising:

Lottery Cards – Gail Bradley
So far we have taken in $1,475 and paid out $375.00.

Patsy won the 50/50 drawing - $13 which she plans to gamble away at Regional’s.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.

Respectfully Submitted By:
Dee Musgrave
Secretary

EDUCATION…………….Brenda Weaver

Upcoming Seminars

Learn all you need to know about Flood by registering for Understanding Flood insurance webinar! This online program hosted by M. Rita Hollada will help you gain a better understanding of flood insurance to better advise your clients what they need to know when considering flood coverage.
Sign up today for the remaining program dates!

CISR Marathon week coming to Philadelphia! Get all the CISR courses back-to-back at one location! Register today for the course(s) you need to earn, update or finish your CISR designation.

Visit www.jabgroup.com or contact the IA& B Member Service Center at 717-705-0100.
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I need your help. After completing an educational course, self help course or any related course to education, please provide me with your information in an e-mail. I will need the date, course completed, instructor’s name and where. I am using a spread sheet to track our information for future award forms. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Career Recharge Series: Part 1 — Set the Stage with Annual Planning
Contributed by Martin E. Murphy, CPCU, COO of The Jacobson Group

You are happy in your current position and organization, you enjoy what you are doing, and you are still learning on the job. What is the secret to keeping it that way? When it comes to job happiness and success, you need to keep yourself in the driver's seat. Although there are many factors that are out of your control - new bosses, company changes, industry developments, etc. - there are many things you can do to keep your job alive, exciting, and fun. In this series of 12 articles, you are invited to take part in Operation Career Recharge. You will learn how implementing activities such as annual planning, daily organization, networking from within, life/work balance, and more will help you thrive in your current role.

At the beginning of any new year, you must make sure that you have set the stage for success during the coming year. What is success? According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, success is a favorable or desired outcome. You cannot have success without having goals or a plan to work towards and, ultimately, achieve success at. At the backbone of every successful professional is a plan, most commonly an annual plan.

An annual plan gives your day context and purpose. Every day you are not just going through the motions; you are working towards the achievement of goals. Think about the goals that you want to reach this year and the initiatives you want to see implemented. Many of these tasks will be goals that will help you accomplish critical objectives within your team, department, or organization. Some will be personal goals. Think about tasks that will help you to continue learning and further developing your transferable and technical skills. Follow the steps outlined below to create and utilize an annual plan that sets the stage for your success throughout the year.
· Put your annual plan in writing. You are more likely to commit yourself to your annual plan if it is writing; it is like making a contract with yourself. Plus, it is easier to share a written annual plan with others than it is something that is only written in your mind.
· Break down major goals into smaller more achievable tasks. Year-long and big project goals can often seem daunting; but when they are broken down into smaller tasks, they seem more attainable. For example, if one of your annual goals was to generate $3 million dollars in sales, at the end of January, you would most likely feel very overwhelmed when you have only made a small dent towards your objective. However, if you break down that goal and its corresponding action plan by month, you will feel better about your progress. Additionally, this will allow you to more easily measure your progress towards the achievement of your ultimate goal.
· Create clear goals. Make sure that your goals are specific and measurable and have deadlines. Use quantifiable objectives, when possible. Be extremely detailed; keep in mind that you will be sharing this with others that cannot read your mind. In the end, there should be no question as to what your goal is and whether or not you completed your goal.
· Be realistic. Be honest with yourself about the job that you are in and how it may impact your ability to achieve your goals. Don't set yourself up for failure by creating goals that you are incapable of achieving, because they are beyond your scope or authority.
· Ensure that your annual plan is in sync with that of the organization. Does your company have an annual plan? Did they announce corporate goals for the year? If so, review your annual plan to make sure it is parallel with the direction of the organization as a whole. Demonstrate that you are a team player; make sure that completion of your goals will directly or indirectly aid the organization in the achievement of its goals.
· Discuss your annual plan with your supervisor. Set up a meeting with the sole purpose of discussing your annual plan. Bring a copy of the plan for your supervisor. He/she will be impressed by your self-motivation and organization. Your boss will be able to add insight into ways you can realize your goals, as well as the feasibility of your goals based on the organizational or departmental direction. This is also an excellent opportunity to find out what he/she expects from you and any goals he/she would like to see you accomplish in the coming year.
· Review your annual plan on a weekly basis. Make an appointment with yourself every Monday morning; even mark it on your calendar or set Outlook to remind you. At this time, shut your door and put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" to avoid interruptions. Take out your annual plan and carefully read through it and the corresponding action plans for completion. This reminder will help you stay on target that week and get you one step closer to completing your goals.
· Create and regularly update a document charting your progress towards goal attainment. By putting your progress in writing, you have a clear idea of where you are in terms of your goals. Measuring your progress will give you that extra push when needed, as well as self-satisfaction as you get closer and closer to achieving your goals. Give yourself permission to change course if you need to in order to hit your goal. Update your goal measurement chart every week when you read through your annual plan.
· Schedule touch points with your supervisor. Every quarter, at minimum, schedule a meeting to discuss your progress. Bring a copy of your plan and charted progress for your supervisor. This is a prime opportunity to ask for advice and brainstorm solutions to potential obstacles. It will also prove your dedication to your job and the goals you have set for yourself.

PROGRAM AND MENU………Gail Bradley

Our March 21st meeting will be held at Portabella’s Catering in Lightstreet. Dinner will be shared at 6pm. Snow date is March 22nd.

Please RSVP by March 16th by emailing Gail Bradley at brado@ptd.net.

The menu is as follows:
Salads: broccoli salad, apple sauce, Caesar salad
Entrée: vegetable lasagna and raspberry chicken
Vegetables: green beans and glazed carrots

SAFETY…….Barbara Kressler

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST TAMPERING
U.S. nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are among the most safely packaged consumer products in the world. Most, by law, are sealed in tamper-evident packaging for your protection. But there is no such thing as a tamper-proof package. 
See below for six things you can do to protect you and your family from tampering.

Six Tips to Protect You and Your Family Against Medicine Tampering

  
· Read the label. Be alert to the tamper-evident features on the package before you open it. These features are described on the label.
· Inspect the outer packaging for signs of tampering before you buy a product.
· Examine the medicine itself before taking it. Check for capsules or tablets that differ from the others that are enclosed. Do not use medicine from packages with tears, cuts, or other imperfections.
· Never take medicine in the dark.
· Examine the label and the medicine every time you take it or give it to someone else.
· Tell somebody if the product doesn't look right. Do not buy or use medicine that looks suspicious. Always tell the store manager about questionable products so that they can be removed.
  
   
Before buying any medicine, you should stop and take a look. Before taking it, you should look again.
 
A message from

Council on Family Health
Phone: 202-331-7373
www.cfhinfo.org
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Phone: 202-429-9260
www.chpa-info.org

In cooperation with:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration
Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA
www.fda.gov

MEMBERSHIP AND PUBLIC RELATIONS…Gail Bradley

It is the start of another new year and time to work on enlarging our membership in IPSV.

I have put together a letter of invitation to a meeting to send to any potential new member. Give me the name and address of someone you would like to have invited to a meeting and I will see that an invitation is sent to that person. Jeannie gave me the name of someone in her area that I extended an invitation to and I will follow up with her to see if she would like to join us at a future date. I also included a note that we would offer a ride to anyone that would like to ride to their first meeting with someone, so you may be called upon for a ride!

I am still working on the letter to send to employers and hope to have that finished soon. I want it to include all the right information so I am taking my time with it.

Again remember that we are looking for each of the current members to extend an invitation to a fellow insurance professional to join us for a meeting and fellowship and learning what NAIW has to offer.

Remember that the Blood Mobile will be coming up in May - more details will follow

LEGISLATIVE…………………Patsy Lachat

LEG REG REVIEW
2007, Seventh Issue

COMMISSIONER KOKEN RESIGNS
M. Diane Koken has resigned her post as PA Insurance Commissioner. Her tenure spanned the administrations of three Governors, Ridge, Schweicker, and Rendell, making her the second-longest commissioner in Pennsylvania history. Some of the landmarks of her tenure include expansion of the CHIP and creation of the adultBasic health program for uninsured adults using Tobacco Settlement money. She also saw another major problem area brought under the purview of the Insurance Department. Medical Malpractice became a major focus and Medicare Care and Reduction of Error (MCARE) program was created, succeeding the former MedCAT fund, a state-run middle layer of medical malpractice insurance. MCARE expanded beyond the insurance function into Best Practices for health care providers. Part of this responsibility included oversight of the abatement fund meant to help doctors pay for their MCARE assessment in return for a pledge not to leave the state.

In addition to PA work, Koken was elected president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and was instrumental in forging the Interstate Compact (to which PA is a subscriber), an NAIC effort designed to speed insurance products to market by saying that a product approved in one Compact state is approved in all. This may have the farthest reach of her legacy since it may blunt some of the pressure to adopt federally-chartered insurance. NOTE: The Interstate Compact includes life, annuities, long-term care, and disability insurance but not P/C.

Her plans have not been released except for reports that she will serve on the board of a major insurance company. She is succeeded in the interim as Acting Commissioner by Randy Rohrbaugh.

MORE CHANGES
Resigning as Governor Rendell’s aide is former U.S. congressman Joe Hoeffel to run for office in Montgomery County.
Former Senate president pro tempore Robert Jubelirer is now lobbying for the PA Trial Lawyers Association.
Former Number Two House Democrat Mike Veon has been retained as a lobbyist for the smokeless tobacco and cigar industry. He was a long-time opponent of taxing those products and now will be in conflict with Governor Rendell’s desire to tax those products in order to create his Cover All Pennsylvanians expansion of public sector health coverage.
Following the relinquishing by Senator Vincent Fumo of his position as Democratic Appropriations Committee chairman and assumption of that spot in an acting capacity by Senator Gerald LaValle (D-Beaver), Democrats have picked Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) to take over LaValle’s position of Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary.

DOG LAW REGULATION DEADLINE MOVED

The PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) has moved its deadline for public comment to March 16. The proposed rule, Regulation #2-152, is the Rendell Administration’s answer to allegations against kennels and dog breeders for being ‘puppy mills’ and having inhumane conditions. In addition to setting standards, it also has a section dealing with animal liability insurance if a dog has been declared dangerous. Section 27.5 requires a $50,000 surety bond or valid certificate of insurance for the animal. Section 27.6 names the Secretary of Agriculture as an additional insured. Section 27.14 states that PDA will contact the named insurance company to verify that the Secretary has been added as additional insured. This updates rules for the PA Dog Law and is found in the December 16, 2006, PA Bulletin (www.pabulletin.com -- use search tab for 2006 issues). The House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees may weigh in on the regulation as will the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). Those wishing to submit views directly to IRRC, bypassing the Department may wish to comment to Mike Stevens, IRRC, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Agriculture Department contacts are listed in the regulation found in the PA Bulletin.

Rep. Jim Casorio (D-Westmoreland) has introduced House Bill 365 on revocation, suspension or refusal of kennel licenses.

MANDATED BENEFIT STUDY RELEASED
Colorectal screening was deemed to be effective and insurance coverage available according to a report issued by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC). This study was mandated by SR 212 of 2006 going to LBFC rather than the usual route of the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) which has traditionally done these sorts of studies including a previous one on colorectal screening. This study may pave the way for a redoubled drive to enact mandated benefit health insurance coverage.

NEW BILLS

The pace of new bills has slowed with the start of the budget season but there are a number to note:
SB 25 (Musto-D-Luzerne) extends dependent health insurance coverage to age 30
In addition to HB 316, there is SB 38 (C. Williams –D-Montgomery) to mandate health insurance coverage for contraceptives.
HB 410 (Petri-R-Bucks0 calls for a tax credit for long-term care.
HB 422 and 423 (Gingrich-R-Lebanon) establish informal dispute resolution systems for nursing homes and requires public notices/enforcement of state rules.
HB 427 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) would amend the PA Constitution to allow for capping non economic damage awards in medical malpractice lawsuits.

WESTERN AND CENTRAL PA CE TOURS ANNOUNCED

PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES has announced several CE days in western and central PA in March. Western stops are Uniontown, Monroeville, and Indiana on March 14, 21, 28. The Central PA Tour has classes in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Williamsport on March 28, 29, 30. For flyers describing the courses and locations, please contact Joan Troutman at 717/732-7255 or jtrout2792@aol.com.
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MISCELLANEOUS……..

BIRTHDAYS…

March 30………..Patsy Lachat