Views (June 01, 2005)

More than 100 industry veterans were present for the 46th Annual Reception of the Quarter Century Club, held May 3, 2005 at the Hilton International, Toronto. Emcee John Cherrie welcomed members as he presided over the “roast” of the popular and admired John Sharoun. Sharoun, offering over 30 years of insurance industry experience, is currently the COO of Crawford Adjusters Canada.

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The Ontario Risk and Insurance Management Society (ORIMS) recently held its annual general meeting and reception at the Design Exchange in Toronto. Niver Rubenyan of Sun Life Financial Inc. has assumed the position of president for 2005-2006, suceeding outgoing president April Savchuk. One of many highlights during the evenings buzzing cocktail and networking reception was the recognition ceremony in which Savchuk presented outgoing RIMS president and past ORIMS president, Nancy Chambers with a special gift on behalf of ORIMS. Susan Meltzer, recent winner of the RIMS Harry & Dorothy Goodell Award, was also called to the podium to receive recognition and say a few words. Savchuk also emphasized the ORIMS award and recent recognition for outstanding chapter member services it received at the RIMS conference in Philadelphia.

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The Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) honored Canadian risk manager Susan Meltzer with their highest award at the society’s annual conference in Philadelphia. In a highly distinguished ceremony, Meltzer received the Harry & Dorothy Goodell Award for “furthering the goals of risk management and RIMS through outstanding achievement.” In 2001, during her tenure as RIMS president and past president of the Ontario Chapter (ORIMS), Meltzer was recognized by RIMS Canada with one of their highest honors, the Don Stuart Award. Meltzer, assistant vice president of risk management for Sun Life Financial, is a well-known industry voice and educator. In addition to serving the profession as president of the International Federation of Risk and Insurance Management Associations (IFRIMA), she is working on the RIMS Canada Conference slated for Toronto in 2008, with co-chair and outgoing RIMS president Nancy Chambers. “This is an exciting time for risk managers,” Meltzer says, crediting this growth to the corporate world’s heightened awareness of the profession. She further inspired risk mangers to contribute to the profession’s enhancement by becoming more active within their organizations and within RIMS. Special mention was made of her mentor, the late Douglas Barlow, a former RIMS president and renowned Canadian risk manager.

Other awards presented included the Arthur Quern Quality Award, which went to Toronto-based Technical Safety and Standards Authority (TSSA) for its innovative risk-based inspection model, recognition of ORIMS for outstanding member services by a chapter and the honorary mention of Canadian Capital chapter as a “chapter of distinction.” ORIMS president, April Savchuk and past ORIMS president Karin McDonald were on hand at the conference to accept the award from outgoing RIMS president Nancy Chambers and RIMS president Ellen Vinck.

RIMS Canada Council chair Nowell Seaman, highlighted the evening by presenting a $10,000 check on behalf of RIMS Canada to Joe Restoule, president of the McGannon Foundation. The check was awarded to the foundation in support of its mandate to advance Canada’s risk management sector by continuing to finance its scholarship program as well as to introduce new programs such as a work intern program and a risk management in residence program.

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The 4th Annual CCR Blues Night brought guests to Fionn MacCool’s in Toronto for an evening of food and music featuring Juno Award winning guest band “FATHEAD” – Highlighting the evening was an appearance by CCR Canada senior vice president Andre Fredette taking a turn on the blues harp.

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The Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region (IBTR) recently welcomed hundreds of industry guests to their annual” Friendship Night” at Spirelli Banquet Hall. The event brought out brokers and their partners – insurers and vendors – for a night of networking, refreshments and prizes.