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Save the Date!
NHWBA
Annual Work Stress Relief Weekend
Inns & Spa at
Mill Falls
Meredith, NH
March 30 - April 1, 2012
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Click here to read the newly released
Report on the Unequal Treatment of Women Incarcerated in NH's State Prison System
Issued by
NH State Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights
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Click here to read a recent study on the
Status of Women and Girls in New Hampshire
Commissioned by the NH Women's Policy Institute and Sponsored by the NH Women's Fund.
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Find us on the web:
www.nhwba.org
Also - "Like" us on facebook!
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Welcome New Members!
Esther Dickinson
UNH School of Law Student
Katherine Lacey
UNH School of Law Student
Hon. Tina Nadeau
Chief Justice
NH Superior Court
Kim Peaslee
Devine, Millimet & Branch
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NHWBA
Officers
and Directors
President:
Holly B. Haines
Abramson, Brown & Dugan, PA
Immediate Past President:
Kristin Mendoza
Devine, Millimet & Branch, PA
Vice President:
Holly J. Kilibarda
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Secretary:
Erin J.M. Alarcon
Melick, Porter & Shea
Treasurer:
Karyl Roberts Martin
Sheehan, Phinney, Bass + Green, PA
Public Relations Officer:
Erin Desmarais Wolf
Conn Kavanaugh
Programming Director:
Charla Bizios Stevens
McLane Law Firm
Membership Secretary:
Kara M. Simard
Borofsky, Amodea-Vickery & Bandazian, PA
Vice Membership Secretary:
Clara Dietel
Shaheen & Gordon, PA
Member at Large:
Christina Ferrari
Beliveau, Fradette, Doyle & Gallant
Belknap:
Lynne Sabean
Boutin & Altieri,
PLLC
Cheshire:
Sheila J. Burnham
Law Offices of Heather M. Sekella, PLLC
Grafton:
Viktoriya Kovalenko
NH Superior Court
Hillsborough North:
Kathleen Mahan
Cook, Little, Rosenblatt & Manson, PLLC
Hillsborough South:
Catherine E. Shanelaris
Shanelaris & Schirch
Merrimack:
Joceline D. Champagne
NH Pro Bono Referral Program
Rockingham:
Catherine P. McKay
Parnell & McKay,
PLLC
Strafford:
Sandra Cabrera
NH Superior Court
Out of State Liaison:
Sabrina Beavens
Iurillo & Associates, PA
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News and Events:
November 2011
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Greetings!
I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and took time to relax and give thanks for all that you have. As we begin the holiday season, we all are reminded that it is a time of giving; both for giving thanks for what we have and for giving back to the community and to others who may have less. The NHWBA is giving thanks again for many things this year and wants to thank you and all of its members by inviting you to our annual Holiday Party, which will be held at UnWine'd in Manchester on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. This year our holiday gathering will be held after the holidays to give you a chance to 'UnWine'd' from the events of the season. The NHWBA is also giving back to the community by packing holiday turkey boxes for people who do not have the means to provide their own holiday dinners. We packed almost 500 boxes in November and hope to assist New Horizons again in December and invite you to join us for this needed volunteer effort. I hope to see you all at our Holiday gathering to unwind after the holidays or at another event soon. Best wishes to you and your family throughout the holiday season.
Best regards,
Holly B. Haines, President
New Hampshire Women's Bar Association
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NHWBA Welcomes New Members to
its Board of Directors
The NHWBA is delighted at the high member interest to become more involved and to join the Board of Directors to fill vacancies for the remainder of the 2010-2012 term. We are excited to announce the addition of several new members to our Board of Directors to fill these vacancies after a unanimous vote of the Board. Kara Simard of Borofsky, Amodeo-Vickery & Bandazian, P.A. is switching roles on the Board and has been appointed Membership Secretary. Clara Dietel of Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. was appointed Vice-Membership Secretary. Christina Ferrari of Beliveau, Fradette, Doyle & Gallant is the new Member-at-Large and Kate Mahan of Cook, Little, Rosenblatt & Manson, PLLC is the new Hillsborough County North Representative. These members have been appointed for the remainder of this term. We are pleased to have such well qualified individuals join our Board to help us move forward with our mission. Please join us in welcoming them. If you or someone you know is interested in being on the ballot for the 2012-2014 term, please contact NHWBA Executive Director, Gretchen Pyles, at Gretchen@NHWBA.org.
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NHWBA Helped Pack Turkey Baskets for
New Horizons Soup Kitchen
On November 10th, several members of NHWBA, along with members of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program, helped pack almost 500 turkey dinner baskets for distribution to needy families in the greater Manchester area. While we hope this brightened some local families' Thanksgiving day, we recognize New Horizons is always in need of help to assist the community and not just at the holidays. We hope to volunteer again soon, so look for details of another visit to New Horizons in the coming weeks.
Some of the NHWBA volunteers pose for a photo after packing hundreds of Thanksgiving dinner baskets.
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NHWBA and UNH School of Law Women's Law Student Association Begin Protégé Program Would you like to be a mentor to a UNH School of Law student? Here's your chance to share your wisdom with future bar members. Let them see first hand what you do on a daily basis and share your insights into the practice of law. Click here to view the application for this exciting new program. We are also organizing a mentorship subcommittee to help facilitate this program. If you are interested in joining the subcommittee or are interested in becoming a mentor, please e-mail our Executive Director, Gretchen Pyles, at Gretchen@NHWBA.org. |
NHWBA Board Member's Firm Starts Unique Holiday Gift Giving Tradition Cathy Shanelaris of Shanelaris & Schirch and those in her firm decided to start a new tradition this holiday season. Instead of purchasing gifts for each other, they decided to take a collection for a local charity. Each person in the office will put whatever amount they would have spent on a gift for their co-workers into a collection box. The group will then donate the funds to the Food Bank. What a great way to focus on the true meaning of the season. Perhaps your firm would like to start a similar tradition! |
The New Hampshire Women's Caucus Identifies Critical Issues Facing Women The New Hampshire Women's Caucus met on November 12, 2011 to identify critical issues for women and to determine ways to ensure their priorities become part of the political dialogue in the upcoming election year. Affordable and accessible health care, including reproductive health care, was the top issue. Affordable child care, workplace equality and flexibility, as well as ratification of the U.N. Women's Rights Treaty were also identified as important causes among others. To learn more about the results of the New Hampshire Women's Caucus, click here. |
Business NH Magazine is Looking for the Best Attorneys in New Hampshire! Do you know a great New Hampshire lawyer? Here's your chance to recognize them. Business NH Magazine is looking for the best attorneys in New Hampshire. The magazine will be recognizing top attorneys in a variety of practice areas in the February 2012 issue. Who are the attorneys you would hire? Who are the attorneys you feel are formidable? Let Business NH Magazine know which attorney in New Hampshire you think is a leader in a particular practice area and why. Click here for more information about the nomination process. All nominations are due by November 30, 2011 and can be sent to mmowry@BusinessNHmagazine.com. |
New Hampshire Business Review Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Outstanding Women in Business Awards Each year, New Hampshire Business Review presents the Outstanding Women in Business Awards to celebrate the success and achievements of women in New Hampshire's business community. Nominations for the 2012 Outstanding Women in Business Awards are now being accepted through January 6, 2012. To learn more, click here. |
Reported Drop in Percentage of Women Attorneys Entering 200 Largest U.S. Firms The National Law Journal reported in its November 10, 2011 issue that in addition to a recent survey from the National Association of Law Placement that found the percentage of women attorneys in U.S. firms dropped slightly this year, NAWL released a report that found a drop in the percentage of women attorneys entering the 200 largest firms. The report also concluded that women have fewer leadership opportunities at large firms. To read the entire article, click here. |
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NHWBA and WBA of Massachusetts
Regional Meeting and Networking Event
When: Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Time: 5:30 - In-House Panel Discussion
6:30 - Reception
Where: Gallagher & Cavanaugh
Boott Cotton Mills
100 Foot of John Street
Lowell, MA 01852
The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts has invited the NHWBA to its regional meeting in what we hope will become an annual event. All NHWBA members are invited to join. If you plan to attend, please e-mail Gretchen Pyles.
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Save the Date:
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Come unwind with the NHWBA at UnWine'd after a busy holiday season!
When: Thursday, January 12 , 2012
Time: 6:30 p.m.
656 Second Street Manchester, NH Cost: Free/Cash Bar
After the rush of the holiday season is over, join the NHWBA to unwind and re-energize for the new year.
Light fare and wine will be provided. The full menu and cash bar will be available.
Because the holidays are not the only time funds are needed for the less fortunate, the NHWBA will be accepting donations for a local charity at the event.
RSVPs are not required but are appreciated. Please email Gretchen Pyles if you plan to attend!
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Join NHWBA for a
Brown Bag Lunch Program with
Julie Howard, Strafford County Clerk of Court
to Learn about the PAD Rules
When: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Where: Strafford County Superior Court
Pack a lunch and join us for an insightful program led by Julie Howard, Strafford County Clerk of Court, regarding the PAD discovery rules for civil cases (a pilot project that is in effect in Strafford and Carroll Counties). Clerk Howard will provide updated PAD forms and expand on the online primer regarding the PAD rules. CLE credit may be available for this event.
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Save the dates: March 30, 2012 - April 1, 2012 NHWBA's 10th Annual Work Stress Relief Clinic
Join us Friday, March 30, 2012 through Sunday, April 1, 2012 at
the inviting Inns & Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith, NH! Prepare to pamper yourself while networking with fellow NHWBA members. NHWBA members receive a 15% discount on the spa services of your choice!
The deadline for registration is February 27, 2012 and space is limited. For more information on registering, please contact Gretchen Pyles. Spa services may be scheduled directly with the Cascade Spa at (866) 719-0161. Be sure to mention your NHWBA membership when you make your reservations to receive the 15% discount on services.
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Child and Family Services of New Hampshire
Seeks Director of Advocacy
After more than 37 years at Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, Jack Lightfoot is retiring. CFS is actively recruiting for the next Director of Advocacy. For more information about the position, click here.
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Job Opportunity: Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
PhRMA represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies. PhRMA is looking for an Executive Vice President and General Counsel for its Washington, D.C. office. For more information, go to phrma.org.
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Benefits of Critical Illness Insurance
According to a 2009 study by Harvard researchers, 62 percent of personal bankruptcies in the United States in 2007 were caused by health problems and 78% of those filers had health insurance. As healthcare costs continue to rise faster than household incomes, patients with a serious medical condition might turn to credit cards to pay for their care.
Twenty-nine percent of low and middle-income households with credit card debt used their plastic to pay off medical expenses, according to a 2007 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation along with other public foundations.
It's unfortunate enough when someone gets sick or is diagnosed with a chronic condition, but that person shouldn't have to worry about the bills or even the risk of losing their home on top of it all. One benefit option can offer peace of mind as well as a sense of financial security during a crisis: critical illness coverage.
Employers are becoming increasingly aware of how important critical illness benefits can be for employees. Eighty-one percent of human resources professionals say their organizations review their benefit programs annually, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Since most companies will review their options, it's important to understand how critical illness coverage can align with a company's current benefit offerings.
Make the Case: Positioning Critical Illness Coverage
It is important to review your entire benefit program before recommending critical illness. Take time to understand employee demographics and any unique situations with the employees or the employer. This discovery process will help you build a more successful strategy. It's important to determine how much, if any, employer funding is available since some critical illness plans can be purchased by the employer for their employees.
Determine the current coverage amounts under your medical plan as well as other benefit plans, including voluntary benefits. A recent survey by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield reveals that employees enroll in voluntary benefits for a variety of reasons. The top three determining factors are cost savings (54 percent), greater protection for their families (50 percent) and ease of mind (44 percent).
What makes critical illness benefits unique is that these funds can be allocated at the individual's discretion - whether it is for co-pays, out-of-network specialists, or normal living expenses, such as a mortgage, car payments, utilities, groceries, tuition, and child care - providing maximum flexibility. Another important differentiator is that the benefits are paid in one lump sum, which eliminates the need to deal with ongoing paperwork or submit doctor bills and receipts.
When introducing this coverage option to employers, it's important to position it as a protection for the future. Critical illness coverage helps to ensure that certain standards of living are met. However, instead of only being available at retirement or during a terminal illness, funds are available once a covered condition is diagnosed. Critical illness benefit amounts typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 and provide benefits during working years.
In 2010, an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases were diagnosed and cardiovascular disease affected tens of millions of Americans. However, advances in healthcare are helping people live longer and survive these serious illnesses. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1999 and 2005 is 68 percent, up from 50 percent in 1975 to 1977. By being able to cover a variety of expenses with this financial protection insurance, the beneficiary and their family can focus on what's important: their health and making a full recovery.
Enable Employers to Make Decisions
As employees assume more responsibility for their health and welfare, voluntary benefits will continue to increase in popularity. Benefits need to be targeted to each organization. For example, some plans can be offered to companies with very few employees while plans that focus on larger employers provide the opportunity for more substantial guarantee issue and large benefit amounts.
Be aware of plan features that all employees can use, such as health screenings and blood tests. For example, annual mammograms would be a valuable health benefit for an employer that has a predominantly female workforce. Colonoscopies, stress tests, and cystologic screenings (Pap smears) are also commonly covered in a critical illness benefit. These benefits allow the plan to pay up to a certain amount for costs relating to the exam including childcare and transportation. It's important to highlight those valuable critical illness benefits when featuring the robust plan offerings to employers.
Final Thoughts on Critical Illness Coverage
People who are diagnosed with a critical condition are affected physically, emotionally, and financially - with unexpected illnesses and injuries causing 350,000 personal bankruptcies each year. Critical illness makes up for what regular insurance doesn't cover even if a company offers a robust health insurance plan. That's why it is essential for brokers to explain the value of this important benefit to employers and encourage them to offer this coverage to their employees.
This article was excerpted from one written by TJ Gibbs of HUMANA. If you would like to read the full article, go to NHWBA's Facebook page. This article was brought to you courtesy of:
Jeffrey R. White
AFLAC District Manager
PO Box 5004
Manchester, NH 03108
Office: 603.232.4059
Fax: 603.232.4064
Mobile: 603.502.5498
EMAIL: waterfowlinsurance@comcast.net
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This Newsletter Sponsored by:
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