This past weekend, April 28-30, the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women held its annual meeting which was hosted by the Cape Cod Chapter at the Red Jacket Beach Resort in South Yarmouth. For those unfamiliar with the MAIW, the association founded in 1938, was created “…to provide opportunities for insurance professionals to both further their education and alliances within the Massachusetts insurance industry.”
Among the many networking events and classes held over the two day event, the annual meeting also held a dinner and award ceremony.
The MAIW Member of the Year
As we reported last week, the 2017 MAIW Member of the Year is Glynnis Walbridge, CPIW, of the Rogers & Gray Agency. During the annual meeting, Ms. Walbridge received her award and was formally recognized for her work on behalf of the Association.
The Chapter of the Year Award
In addition to the Member of the Year, the MAIW’s Chapter of the Year also was recognized during the meeting. This year the Cape Cod Chapter was the recipient of the Chapter of the Year Award. The award recipient, which is selected at the sole discretion of the MAIW President, was chosen based upon a variety of factors, said MAIW President Zenaide Noia prior to presenting the award.
“This was not an easy task for me,” added Ms. Noia during her speech, “because our Directors and members all work toward the same goals. If I could give an award to every Chapter I would do so.”
Ms. Noia says that the guidelines she used for her selection were identifying which Chapter embraced her theme of Education and Empowerment in addition to attendance rates, educational classes offered throughout the year, along with member retention rates.
Ultimately, Ms. Noia concluded that the Cape Cod Chapter had best met all of the guidelines she had put forth this year.
The Chapter that embraced my theme offered 4 Educational classes and 2 CEU classes. This Chapter did not skip out in running their business meeting when classes were offered. As a group they were most proud of “Dress a Live Doll”, campaigned with the Salvation Army by helping 10 families and 10 gifts cards of $50 each for each Teenager. A year ago this Chapter began their journey by planning for this weekend’s event and fascinating us with their creative props at every Association Meeting. Their enthusiasm in promoting this weekend’s events is an example of Empowerment.”
The MAIW President’s Award and the President’s Final Speech
The MAIW Annual meeting is also the occasion when the new incoming President and Board members are selected. The current president Zenaide Noia, whose term officially ends on July 1st, was recognized with an award for all of her work on behalf of the 75-year old association. In addition, to receiving the award, Ms. Noia also had a final opportunity to address all of the MAIW members and their various chapters one last time.
For those who were unable to attend the meeting or are interested in hearing Ms. Noia’s speech, she has graciously allowed us to reprint it here:
As you know, my term as President will end on June 30, 2017. I hope that during my term I‘ve made a positive impact and cultivated future opportunities for MAIW.
A year ago I was giving my incoming speech and I illustrated how the keystone is a metaphor for our organization. The keystone is used to lock an arch in place so that it can support a great weight. The weight MAIW helps to support is the education and empowerment of our members. Imagine that the more we do to add ‘weight’ to MAIW, the greater the downward forces placed on it; further tightening and locking the stones of our arch. We must continue to increase education opportunities that can empower our members to grow professionally.
The journey to lead the association and increase its education and empowerment wasn’t traveled on my own. I was accompanied by a team of dynamic individuals who shared in our success and challenges. Therefore, I would like to thank our officers, committee members, directors and our members for the support we received throughout the year.
Many of our members benefited from the work we did on our education program. Our scholarships continue to provide opportunities to deserving high school students across the state. We contributed to our communities by raising funds and providing financial support to various organizations, and by participating in the Boston Breast Cancer walk. The generosity of our members is apparent to the communities we help.
I admire the members who stepped up to teach our classes and to develop new courses like Public Speaking and Leadership. Their gifts of time and knowledge help to further develop our members. Is this not the essence of empowerment? Those volunteers felt empowered to act and the attendees received tools to enrich their own sense of empowerment. Without the vital roles of our members, officers and committee’s, a keystone could not be had. I urge you to always remember that we are keystone; we are the final piece that locks it all together.
Shortly, I will be passing on the President’s pin that was proudly worn by our Past Presidents and the gavel to our Incoming President Monique Duquette. I look forward to working with Monique and her Board.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as your President 2016-2017.
Yours in Fellowship,
Zenaide R. Noia, CISR, AAI, CPIA – MAIW President 2016-2017
