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President’s message By: David Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Company
Some thoughts from your association president as we look forward to our 130th Annual Convention:
My company will celebrate its 100th year of service to our policyholders in 2010, so this year is the year we begin gearing up for that event. As part of that preparation, we have gone back through our old minute books looking for interesting tidbits on the early days of our company.
As I reviewed a couple of those old books a pamphlet fell out of one of them. This pamphlet was from the 1911 Annual Convention of the Federation of Mutual Insurance Associations of Ohio. The convention was held at the Ohio Northern Hotel, two blocks north of Union Station, in Columbus on February 21st and 22nd of that year. Some of the names on the pamphlet are C.C. Muhlback of Hillsboro, A.D. Barker of Marietta and George W. Miller of Bucyrus. S.P. Bailey of Lisbon gave a presentation on the topic of Double Entry Bookkeeping for Mutual Companies. The hotel rate was $2.00 per day and delegates were expected to have two persons occupying the same room and bed (italics added)! On the back page of the pamphlet are these words:
"Let it be said at the end of our convention that it was really worth our while to be there. Remember this is your convention and it will be just what you make of it. The officials desire but to do the will of the delegates. By all means be present from the sound of the gong to the drop of the flag at the finish."
Many things change, but some things never do. This is still your convention, and will be what you make of it. Participate! Share your knowledge! May we all benefit from the networking opportunities and knowledge we will gain from each other, as our predecessors did in 1911.
And remember that our industry has a long and honorable history. We are truly a part of something bigger than ourselves, and even bigger than any of our individual companies—a fraternity of service to others. It has been an honor to serve as your president this past year, and I look forward to seeing you in Columbus. May you and your companies prosper in 2009.
2009 OAMIC Convention set for Feb. 18-19
Plans have been finalized for the 2009 OAMIC Convention on Feb. 18-19, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel in Worthington, Ohio. If you plan to attend and have not yet registered, please complete your online registration at www.oamic.org. A detailed agenda can be found at http://www.oamic.org/events/agenda.htm. We hope to see you there!
With a Boost from Ohio, Democrats Strengthen Congressional Majorities
By Joe Thesing, Director-State Affairs, NAMIC
Regardless of your political stripes, most Americans would agree that 2008 was an historic year with the election of our country’s first African-American president. The election of Barack Obama could bring a number of fundamental policy changes, as well as a new set of faces to Washington. The newly-elected president and the new Congress face a series of daunting challenges – two wars, spiraling federal deficits, an economic and credit crisis, a housing downturn, energy problems, an aging and retiring federal workforce, a newly aggressive Russia, and myriad challenges in nearly every corner of the world.
For the first time since the 1994 election, the Republican Party will be in the minority in the White House and both chambers of Congress. While Democrats gained control of Congress in 2006, their gains in last November’s elections made for a more decisive majority. In the House, Democrats lost four incumbents (including Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fla., a major player on insurance issues) but increased their majority by 21 seats and now hold a 257 to 178 edge over Republicans. In the Senate, Democrats picked up at least six seats and currently hold a 58 to 41 majority. Roland Burris was named to fill President Obama’s Illinois seat. The race between Minnesota Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken remains unresolved.
Ohio played a role in increasing Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives by winning three seats previously held by Republicans. Before the election, Republicans held 10 House seats versus 8 held by Democrats. Following the November election, Republicans hold 8 seats and Democrats now hold 10 seats. (Neither U.S. Senate seat was up for election).
Seven of eight Republican incumbents were re-elected with long-time Congressman Steve Chabot (1st District) losing to former state representative Steve Driehaus. While in the Ohio House, Mr. Driehaus served on the insurance committee. Republican incumbents re-elected were: Jean Schmidt (2nd), Michael Turner (3rd), Jim Jordan (4th), Bob Latta (5th), John Boehner (8th), Pat Tiberi (12th) and Steve LaTourette (14th). All six Democratic incumbents, Charlie Wilson (6th), Marcy Kaptur (9th), Dennis Kucinich (10th), Betty Sue Sutton (13th), Tim Ryan (17th) and Zach Space (18th) were re-elected. Of the four open seats, Democrats picked-up three of the four. Former Republican state senator Steve Austria won the seat previously held by retired Congressman David Hobson (7th). In the 11th District, Democrat Marcia Fudge won the seat vacated by deceased Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. In one of the closest elections in the nation, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy narrowly defeated former state senator Steve Stivers (former chair of the Senate Insurance Committee) to gain the 15th District seat previously held by Deborah Pryce. And, in the 16th District, former Democratic state senator John Boccieri defeated fellow state senator Kirk Schuring (R) to gain the seat previously held by retired Republican Congressman Ralph Regula. While in the Ohio Senate Mr. Boccieri served on the insurance committee.
The 111th Congress will prove very challenging for mutual insurance companies—the NAMIC staff stands ready to meet these challenges. However, increased assaults on underwriting freedom and the state-based system on insurance regulation will make it more important than ever for mutual companies to engage in grassroots political activity.
One way you can help is to participate in the Congressional Contact Program (CCP). Ohio is set to send a delegation to Washington, D.C. on May 6-7. For more information about this program, go to http://www.oamic.org/events/congressional.htm. To learn about other ways you can help, feel free to contact me at (614) 262-4798 or via e-mail at jthesing@namic.org.
Fall seminar another successful event
The 7th annual OAMIC/Ohio Insurance Institute/Bricker & Eckler seminar was held on October 23rd in Columbus, Ohio. Insurance: Real World…Real Challenges proved beneficial to the 85-plus that attended the event.
After welcoming comments from David E. Tschantz (OAMIC), Faith M. Williams (Bricker & Eckler) and Daniel J. Kelso (Ohio Insurance Institute), the morning began with a presentation on insurance advertising best practices. LaVawn Coleman (Grange Insurance Companies) and Susan T. Stead (Nelson Levine deLuca & Horst) covered issues including Ohio’s rules and regulations, restrictions on advertising for agents and companies, advertising best practices currently in use in other states and an outlook for advertising in the future, including Internet advertising.
Representing Bricker and Eckler, Robert H. Katz, Miranda C. Motter, Alan J. Ross and Anne Marie Sfrerra shared their views on issues currently impacting our industry. They provided updates on tort reform challenges that affect industry and businesses, asbestos exposures, recent Ohio Supreme Court decisions and E-discovery issues in Ohio courts.
During lunch, Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson and Susan Kaminski Real (Director-Property/Casualty Policy) discussed a variety of issues including market conduct examinations and recent ODI rules and regulations.
The afternoon began with a panel covering employment practices pitfalls. Panelists included Mike Horvath (Ohio Mutual Insurance Group), Timothy Sullivan (NAMIC Insurance Company) and Betsy A. Swift (Bricker & Eckler). David E. Tschantz (OAMIC and Wayne Mutual Insurance Company) served as moderator for the segment. Topics of discussion included human resource management, case-studies including claim trends, Ohio employment laws, proposed Ohio rules, recent changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Working Families Flexibility Act, and the Employee Free Choice Act.
The final panel segment – The Public Feeing of Insurers: How insurers and the ODI work together to protect consumers – included ODI representatives Michelle Brugh and Joel Demory and Joe Thesing (NAMIC). Charles R. Gaskill (The Motorists Insurance Group) moderated this segment where panelists shared their insights on situations where the ODI and insurers could combine forces to educate consumers. Areas discussed included communities considering the implementation of accident/fire department accident response fees and the increase in hail/wind claims from the September 08 storms including contractors and roofers serving as unlicensed public adjusters.
Most of the above segments have PowerPoint handouts available. To obtain a copy of a particular segment, contact Judy (614.228.1593 or info@oamic.org) and specify which segment(s) you desire.
The 2009 fall seminar is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2009, at the Villa Milano in Columbus. Be sure to mark your calendars now!
OAMIC congressional visits set for May
As part of the NAMIC Congressional Contact Program, OAMIC will be visiting its Ohio Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. on May 6-7, 2009. Accommodations will be at The Hotel Monaco. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
If you would like more information or wish to register for this program go to http://www.oamic.org/events/congressional.htm.
2009 OAMIC Golf Classic to be held June 17, 2009
The 2009 OAMIC Golf Classic is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Wooster Country Club. Registration materials will be available sometime in April. Please mark your calendars now to save the date.
OAMIC will offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for this event (full sponsor, hole sponsor and door prize sponsor). Sponsorship opportunities will be announced in early spring and we welcome all that would like to participate.
About OAMIC…
Purpose:
- To bring together its members in a mutual concept
- To develop and maintain cooperation among its members, other insurance associations and organizations
- To take an active role in the education of its members and the insuring public for which the membership serves
- To work in all matters that are beneficial to the membership of this association
Membership:
Insurance companies incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio are eligible for full membership in the association.
Insurance companies not incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, industry-related insurers, service organizations, corporations or other associations are eligible for associate membership in the association.
2008 - 2009 Officers/Directors
President
Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
President-Elect
LaVawn Coleman, Grange Mutual Insurance Co
Vice President
James R. Silver, Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
Secretary/Treasurer
Mark Zook, Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co.
Past President
Randy Rudowicz, The Motorists Insurance Cos.
Board Members
Blaine E. Budd, Washington Mutual Insurance Assn.
LaVawn Coleman, Grange Mutual Insurance Co.
Ned Ellis, Sandy and Beaver Mutual Insurance Co.
Mary Jane Rodgers, Perry County Mutual Fire Co.
Randy Rudowicz, The Motorists Insurance Cos.
James R. Silver, Pike Mutual Insurance Co.
William R. Stapleton, Celina Mutual Insurance Group
Dave Tschantz, Wayne Mutual Insurance Co.
Jonathon Younker, Woodville Mutual Insurance Co.
Mark Zook, Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co.
Administrative Staff
Daniel J. Kelso, OII President (dank@ohioinsurance.org)
Kathleen B. Strawn, OII Director, Member Services (kathys@ohioinsurance.org)
Mitchell A. Wilson, OII Vice President Public Information & Education (mitchw@ohioinsurance.org)
Calendar of Events
Feb. 18-19, 2009 | OAMIC 130th Annual Convention | DoubleTree Hotel | Worthington, Ohio |
April 1, 2009 | Insurance Education Day | Villa Milano | Columbus, Ohio |
May 6-7, 2009 | Washington Congressional Visit | The Hotel Monaco | Washington, D.C. |
June 17, 2009 | OAMIC Annual Golf Classic | Wooster Country Club | Wooster, Ohio |
Oct. 22, 2009 | OAMIC/OII/B&E Fall Seminar | Villa Milano | Columbus, Ohio |
Feb. 17-18, 2010 | OAMIC 131st Annual Convention | Doubletree Hotel | Worthington, Ohio |
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