1st             Membership dues not received are delinquent.

 6th             Agency Operations CISR Class – Jackson, MS

                  Campaign Forum between Congressmen Pickering and Shows at 7:00 p.m.
                   at SW Regional Medical Center, 6th floor

7th-9th       Agency Management CIC Class – Jackson, MS

15th           IW of SW MS Monthly Business Meeting

                  Today’s Insurance Professionals mailed to all members

18th             U.S. Women win right to vote (1920)

30th           Membership dropped from members with unpaid dues
 

2nd             Labor Day Holiday
 

A.M.Best Co. has assigned an “A-“ senior debt rating to St. Paul Companies.

A.M. Best co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of the insurance subsidiaries of OneBeacon Insurance Group., Boston.

State Farm Group said it would stop writing new homeowners policies in its home state of Illinois beginning August 1st and would take other steps, varying by region, to return its massive homeowners business to profitability.  A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength ratings of “B+” (Very Good) for two separately rated subsidiaries of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance company, State Farm General Insurance Company and State Farm Lloyds under review with negative implications.

Safeco Corp. said it has completed the acquisition of Swiss Re’s medical excess-of-loss and group life insurance book of businesses which will nearly double Safeco’s excess-of-loss book.
 

By:  Ruth E. Phillips
        Education Chairman

Mold.  It’s on the TV.  It’s on the radio.  It’s in our newspapers and magazines.  It is even in our courthouses and our nation’s capital.

The number of mold related claims keeps growing.  Insurers paid out $157.3 million in mold related claims in the first half of 2001.  This was up 363% from $34 million a year earlier.  Mold can grow anywhere there is standing water.  And while most mold is not dangerous, there are about 100 different mold spores which can cause rashes, allergies, irritation and illness.

In today’s lawsuit crazed society, mold is big business.  There have been hundreds of lawsuits filed in several states.  Employees against employers, students against schools, homeowners associations against developers, and insureds against insurance companies are just a few of the cases.  Several states have passed laws regarding mold and the issue of mold has been debated on Capital Hill.

In Austin, TX, Melinda Ballard sued Farmers Insurance Group.  The Texas jury awarded her $32.1 million.  In California, a jury ordered Allstate Insurance Company to pay Thomas Anderson $18.5 million.  The trial judge reduced the award to $3 million.  Chubb Custom Insurance Company settled a case for $1.5 million.  Martin County, Florida sued it’s construction managers and was awarded $14 million.  In addition, there have been many awards and out of court settlements nationwide.

There is currently much debate and discussion if mold should be excluded from policies.  The Florida Department of Insurance is holding three public hearings in August to gather testimony about mold coverage in homeowners and commercial residential policies.  To keep current on mold issues, check out the following website:  www.moldupdate.com.
 

Bea Jones’ granddaughter, Deidra Jones, went to San Antonio with her dance group and was awarded first place in the national competition.

Keri Morrell attended the PIA convention at the Perdido Resort in Orange Beach, AL where her term as president of PIA of MS came to an end.  She received a very nicely engraved award plaque with a clock in it.  She is looking forward to a year without commitments!!

Deborah Ledford has completed her first CIC Seminar and has been informed by the Society that she has passed their vigorous written examination.

Virginia Zeigler is the proud grandmother of her second grandson.  Chandler Price Zeigler was born July 22, 2002 at 3:03 p.m.  He weighed in at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 21 inches long.

The American Poetry Society has agreed to publish one of Ruthie Phillips poems in their anthology for November.  She was also informed that she has advanced to a semi-finalist position in their poetry contest and is vying for a $50,000 prize.  See her works published at www.poetry.com.

Mary Jones has announced the coming marriage of her daughter, Dawn, to Kevin Julfs.  The wedding date is December 14th and all members IW of SWMS are invited to attend.  Mary has also put the members on notice that our help will be needed with the preparations.

Our annual Fish Fry was a fun time.  Our thanks to Keri and Claude Morrell for hosting the event and to Norman Jones for helping the ladies with their baiting and unhooking their catch.  Virginia caught the most fish and Ruthie caught the biggest fish.  We all enjoyed our visit with State Director Wanda Cross and the fun fishing lures that were presented to the incoming officers.

Ethics in the insurance industry is very important.  Each individual possesses his or her own values and ethics that are reflected in their leadership styles.

#1 The Manipulator

The Manipulator believes the ends justify the means.  This style is the least ethical.  This is based on short term gain and lacks trust.

#2 The Bureaucratic Administrator

The Administrator believes in following rules.  This is more ethical than #1.  The administrator may sometimes neglect human needs, because the ability to intercede was not spelled out in the rules.

#3 The Professional Manager

The Manager is the typical “company man”.  The company man believes in the corporate culture, so if the corporation is unethical so is he.  This is more ethical than #1 and #2.

#4 The Transforming Leader

This leader follows her personal ethics and is not afraid to counter the corporation.  This style is the most ethical.

Take time to analyze your leadership style.  What does it say about your ethics?!

For more info see www.leadingtoday.com.