1st         Deadline to apply for a NAIW Education Foundation Scholarship

2-4th     IIABA Agent’s License Review, Jackson, MS

8th         Full Moon

12th       NAIW “Inroads” Emailed
             Deadline for Regional Award Applications

20th       Hanukkah
 
22nd      First Day of Winter

24th       Christmas Eve

25th       Christmas Day
             NAIW National Closed

26th       NAIW National Closed

31st        New Year’s Eve

Insured losses from the two largest of 10 wildfires that tore across Southern California October 22 through November 6 are expected to reach $2.04 billion, according to a new estimate from the Property Claim Services unit of Insurance Services Offices, Inc.

Though he’s been Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner the past three years, Robert Wooley won his first election to the four year post, weathering a challenge from a Republican candidate who wanted to stop regulators from accepting campaign contributions from insurers.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has made formal what it’s been doing informally the past few years – providing technical assistance to Vietnam.

Prudential Financial Inc. has reached a $2.1 billion agreement to buy the retirement business of CIGNA Corp.

Have you ever fallen for one of these email scams?  I hope that you haven’t, but if you have, remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Neiman Marcus' expensive cookie recipe
There is a story that Neiman Marcus has Mrs. Field’s cookie recipe on sale for $250.00.  This story is completely false.  However, because of all the bad press, Neiman Marcus does have a cookie recipe available for free on it’s website.

Please forward e-mail for money or donations
There is no such thing as an e-mail tracker.   There is no way to track forwarded emails.

Nigerian scam letter
Never give out your bank account information.  If you give out your bank account information to strangers, they will take your money.
 
Work at home
Work-at-home scams will ask you to purchase supplies and equipment from them to perform the "job." That's how they make their money. You will lose -- not make -- money.

You won! And you didn't even enter!
Guess what!  You didn't win anything! These people will try to finagle money out of you by saying you need to pay taxes or fees to collect your prize.

You'll receive $5,000 for sending $25
Here's how it works. Send $5 to the five people on the list or to the address that will send you the "reports." In return for your money you'll get -- nothing -- because this is a scam. Well, maybe you'll get something -- a conviction for mail fraud because this is illegal.
  

How is your knowledge of parliamentary procedure?

An officer should not “move” the adoption of her own recommendation.

No second is required on a motion coming from a committee of more than one member.

Do not use the term “old business’ instead use the term “unfinished business.”

The chair should never “turn” the meeting over to anyone.

When recording the minutes of the meeting, do not use personal opinions.  For example, don’t say “Jan gave an excellent report.”

When recording the minutes of the meeting, the traditional closing, “Respectfully submitted” is no longer used.

A “point of order” requires the chair to make a ruling and enforce the rules.

“Suspend the rules” is a motion used when the assembly wishes to do something that violates it’s own rules.

To “move the previous question” puts an immediate stop to the debate.  This motion must be seconded, no debate is allowed, and it requires a two thirds vote to pass.

Every office harbors inefficiencies — fax machines that don't work properly, files disorganized or missing, high-traffic areas that make productive work impossible.  Look around your office for these common office-productivity drains, and follow these four tips to address them.

Outdated technology.  Computers, printers, software and other technology that have outlived their usefulness can quickly eat into productivity.  How do you know your technology is dated? As a general rule, if your computer can't run the latest version of a key program, it is probably time for an upgrade.

Inefficient filing systems.  Disorganized files make it harder to find the information you need when you need it, which can double the amount of time spent on a paper chase.  To fix messy filing practices, make sure you and your staffers have the necessary supplies to keep files organized. Assess whether or not you need additional file cabinets to allow all staff members to have easy access to the papers they need. Finally, consider moving inactive files to a storeroom to make it easier for workers to find active files.

Substandard research resources.  Relying on information from unreliable or dated magazines, Web sites, white papers and other sources can make it necessary to extend or duplicate work.  You can encourage the use of more valuable research tools by subscribing only to those publications that you should and will actually sit down and read. That means discontinuing the newspapers and magazines that never get read

Clutter.  When you look at the desks of many successful executives, one thing stands out — they are free of clutter. Disorder often breeds disruption and eats into efficiency.

Keri Morrell has just returned from taking her two oldest grandchildren hunting, where Garrett shot his first deer.  Keri on the other hand, still has had no luck with her bow.  Maybe, she will have better luck after gun season starts.

Virginia Zeigler has been busy being a hostess.  She hosted her family Thanksgiving dinner in November and is planning the annual Christmas party for Insurance Women.  She is also planning on spending a lot of quality time with her grandchildren this month, waiting for presents from Santa.

Ruthie Phillips has applied for a NAIW Education Foundation scholarship.  She is going to begin work earning her AAI designation.

Deborah Ledford has been hitting the books.  She was notified that she passed the CIC Commercial Casualty Institute and is waiting for the results for the CIC Life and Health Institute.  She is also going to begin work at Wright & Percy on December 1st.

Bea Jones had a busy Thanksgiving weekend.  She spent Thursday with her family celebrating Thanksgiving.  Friday she enjoyed all the holiday sales.

Mary Stogner recently returned from a trip to Florida where she spent time with Tim’s son's family.  While she was in Florida, she caught the “crud.”  She has been feeling miserable and we wish her a speedy recovery.