Goal: Spread positive vibes for 2019
Along with our regular coverage of P&C issues, we want to highlight the ways the insurance industry gives back to the community.
It has become a tradition for the NU editorial team to attend the annual Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) Benefit Dinner the second Wednesday in December, and this year was no exception. I’m writing this the day after the 2018 dinner, which honored HUB International and raised $1.2 million, including $65,000 through the evening’s text-to-give option.
Staff Writer Denny Jacob, Associate Editor Danielle Ling and I joined 750 insurance professionals at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York to learn about this year’s grantees, which included Covenant House and the Hendrik Lundqvist Foundation. Both organizations are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people, who represent our future.
As Jacob observed, “When the insurance industry is looking for millennials and Gen Z to join and be involved, charitable work is a pivotal factor in its ability to attract talent as many millennials and Gen Z are increasingly aware of the roles companies play in society. It’s a determining factor when it comes to what career paths they pursue, and the insurance industry must continue to invest in such work if they hope to find the next wave of talent.”
IICF is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018, showcasing the ways clients and competitors come together to give of themselves. Hank Watkins, chair of the IICF board and president of Lloyd’s North America, says, “There are no stripes in the room,” recognizing that insurance professionals of all levels are focused on meeting IICF’s goals.
As members of IICF, insurance companies share ideas about the many things they do to encourage volunteerism by their employees. Among the ways the industry comes together is during the annual Week of Giving every October, during which the only competition is to see which company can give the most volunteer hours.
It’s comforting to me to see the many insurance professionals who are passionate about giving back to their local communities. If the companies they work for don’t already provide volunteer opportunities, the young professionals are bringing those opportunities to the companies’ attention. And their efforts are personal — more than merely writing a check. They are committed to giving of themselves and carving time out of their busy lives to participate. In many cases, they’re providing great examples to their fellow employees at all levels.
New Year’s resolutions
As we move into 2019, everyone has New Year’s resolutions, most of which involve getting healthy, losing weight or saving money. NU’s resolution for 2019 is to continue to highlight the positive things the industry does and the many ways it helps people, especially after natural disasters.
We’ve all learned several lessons after Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, and what’s most noticeable to me is that carriers and claims professionals are doing a much better job of prepositioning disaster recovery teams, writing checks faster, and generally speeding restoration efforts. The industry is also doing a good job of working with relief organizations like the American Red Cross to help people affected by natural disasters.
I want to continue to highlight those efforts, and I need your help. Send your stories of what your organization is doing to help out in your community to me at rdonlon@alm.com, and I’ll share them with our readers. And that’s what’s top of mind this month.
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