Central California Association of Health Underwriters

President’s Message

Wow! If you were one of the unfortunate few who didn’t attend this year’s Annual Health Forum, you certainly missed out. A big round of applause please for President Elect, Jodi Ferguson and her committee.

“New York, New York” was the theme, which helped make for a fun-filled day. Everything from the Keystone Cops to Broadway performances (thanks to our local Good Company Players) and exhibitors who got into the theme made the day extra special. Bruce Wilkinson, the event’s Keynote Speaker held the audience’s attention with his lively and humorous talk on workplace motivation and customer service.

We had a packed room for Stephen Lindsay’s legislative update as well as the CE that he and Jim Price gave on Health Care and Insurance Legislation (ABX-1). It was close to standing room only for Word and Brown’s Don Goldmann who gave two CE’s that covered the history of the Future of the Agent and General Agent and on the Language of Cost Containment. Vouchers were also given out for a complimentary 1-hour web-CE.

We also announced the 2008 CCAHU Member of the Year with the award going to Christina Castro of Administrative Solutions Inc. Wellman Shew announced the winner with Council Member Mike Dages presenting Christina with a proclamation that Friday, February 29, 2008 to be known as “Christina Castro Day.” Christina has given countless hours of service to not only CCAHU but CAHU and our community as well. Please congratulate Christina on receiving this honor the next time you see her.

We also had 3 members join that day. Welcome to Anita Orozco, Blue Cross of California (also the winner of CCAHU Membership for one year), Kathleen Hendron, CVNA Mutual Group and Jeri Sheek, Wells Fargo Insurance Services. There is a quote attributed to Theodore Roosevelt that does not ring more true than for those of us in this industry-

“Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere”

I have heard various reasons why someone hasn’t yet joined, in fact I heard some of these during the Health Forum: “I’m just starting out and it’s too expensive”, “My employer doesn’t pay for it”, “I’m too busy to attend the meetings so why join”. To non-members I say, enough already! This is the industry that affords you with your livelihood, and for many who have been in the business awhile, a very comfortable lifestyle. It is time to step up and participate for the greater good of your profession. Its up to each of us to give back, invest in yourself and the future of your industry so that we can continue to serve our clients and the consumer. Did you know that our association is the only one that advocates specifically for the health insurance agent? If you are unable to pay the annual fee of $475 at one time, did you know you can pay monthly by credit card for less than $36 per month? For more information, please contact Rick Kolstad, Membership Chair at Rkolstad@EatonandEaton.com.

  Posted on March 17, 2008 | 12:09 pm