Gamma Iota Sigma News                        
April 2014
 
In This Issue
43rd Annual Conference
GIS Career Center
GIS Reaches 60 Chapters
Welcome Beta Mu
1st Annual GIS Week of Service
GIS Week of Service: Eta
GIS Week of Service: Alpha Kappa
Chapter News: Sigma
Chapter News: Alpha Mu
GIS at RIMS
A.M. Best Video: RIMS 2014 Preview
Calling all GIS Alumni!
Seeking Scholarships
Quick Links









Board of Trustees
 

Margaret Accordino, ARM

 

Khadine Adams

 

Meg Allwein*

 

Lauri Atkinson

 

Michael Boa

 

Alyssa Bouchard*

 

Brian Bowerman*

   

Noelle Codispoti, ARM*

 

Glenn Dorr

 

RB Drennan, Ph.D.*

 

Karen Epermanis*

 

Brittany Foye

 

Jacob Galecki

 

Wesley Griffiths

 

John Hammond*

 

Josh Hart*

 

Derek Hazeltine

 

Jeffrey D. Henry, M.Ed.

 

Alan F. Hoffmann*

 

Peter Hohman, FCIP, CRM, CAE, ICD.D

 

William J. Hold

 

Cynthia Hornby

 

Mike Kelly*

 

Tim Kelly

 

Matt Kletzli

 

Julia Kramer

 

Jeff Lamb*

 

Lance A. Lancour

 

Tim Leman

 

Lyric Lewis, AIC, FLMI, AIAA, ACS

 

Steve Marohn

 

Stephanie McElroy

 

John Meder

 

Peter Miller, CPCU

 

Christopher Place, FSA, EA*

 

Paige Stiefel

 

William Tarinelli, Jr.

 

Jason Terrell

 

Jacob Timmins*

 

Jason Warden

 

Dr. Alan C. Williams, Emeritus

 

Decker Youngman

 

 

* Executive Committee Member

43rd Annual International Conference
Industry Legends: Past, Present and Future

Gamma Iota Sigma is pleased to present the 43rd Annual International Conference, co-hosted by the Beta Zeta Chapter of the University of North Texas and taking place October 2-4, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. The Annual Conference is the premier event for the insurance industry to engage the next generation, with an agenda that includes:
  • Career fair
  • Speaking opportunities
  • Educational sessions
  • On-site first-round interviews
  • Plenty of networking events
Last year, 405 students from 38 colleges and universities across North America participated, and this year's accomplished group is looking to meet you!

Our students are the future leaders of the insurance industry - support their passion and come and meet them! Sponsorship details are available online: find a package that's right for you.

GIS Career Center: Targeted Recruiting
Build Your Pipeline, Attract Top Talent  
 
Are you looking to hire the best and brightest students preparing for careers in the insurance industry? Visit the GIS Career Center, a resource to reach Gamma Iota Sigma members exclusively, where you can easily:
  • post your internships for FREE!
  • post entry-level job opportunities
  • search student resumes
  • set up a resume alert
  • manage applicants
Our 2,100+ student members are majoring in Risk Management, Insurance, Actuarial Science and more, including Statistics, Finance, Business and Mathematics. Don't miss out - your future employees are looking for the opportunity to work with you!

View rates and post now!
GIS Reaches a New Milestone: 60 Chapters

The Grand Chapter is pleased to announce the that all three chapters approved earlier this year have officially chartered! Shield Only

  • Beta Kappa: University of Houston Downtown - Houston, Texas
  • Beta Lambda: Butler University - 
    Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Beta Mu: University of Colorado at Denver - 
    Denver, Colorado

Congratulations and welcome! Read the announcement.

GIS Charters 60th Chapter during RIMS 2014
Welcome, Beta Mu!
The University of Colorado Denver officially became Gamma Iota Sigma's Beta Mu Chapter in a chartering ceremony held the evening of April 26 during RIMS 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The ceremony, led by representatives from the Grand Chapter, Rho Chapter at Appalachian State University, Sigma Chapter at Temple University, Beta Lambda Chapter at Butler University, and Beta Beta Chapter at New Mexico State University, welcomed Beta Mu's 31 chartering members and was featured in Business Insurance's Show Daily. Congratulations!
1st Annual GIS Week of Service
Future Industry Leaders Making A Difference  

 

From February 1st through 18th, many of Gamma Iota Sigma's 2100+ student members from 46 active chapters rallied to plan and execute chapter-specific events for the inaugural GIS Week of Service (or Weeks, this year). Participants spent the time volunteering, hosting canned food drives, and finding other ways to give back to their communities.


A special thank you to Alyssa Bouchard of Rho Chapter and Mike Kelly of Lambda Chapter, the 2013-14 co-ISRs who worked diligently with the other Chapter Presidents to coordinate an amazing event that demonstrated how committed, active and community-oriented the industry's future leaders are! This month we highlight some of the participating
chapters' Week of Service events.
 
Congratulations and thank you to all of the chapters, students and faculty advisors who participated! Read the press release.
 
GIS Week of Service: Eta Chapter
 

On February 6, 2014, the Eta Chapter at The University of Georgia traveled to the Athens Animal Shelter and provided volunteers for each of the shelter's business hours. We learned how the shelter operates, as well as the needs of the individual animals. We got to play with dogs of all breeds and sizes, from puppies to adults. We were able to walk the dogs, play with them in pens, and even feed them treats. Most of all, we were able to provide loving attention to those animals who had been neglected. To say the experience was rewarding is an understatement. The response from the chapter was overwhelming and it has been expressed that many want to make this a more permanent event.

 

Submitted by Richa Niblett, Eta Chapter President

GIS Week of Service: Alpha Kappa Chapter

Gamma Iota Sigma enjoys giving back to the Bloomington-Normal, IL community, and the Polar Plunge is an event that members look forward to each year. Alpha Kappa chapter members raise at least $75 each to "plunge" into Lake Bloomington in Miller Park. All funds raised are donated to the Special Olympics of Illinois. This year we had 17 plungers and raised $2,645 collectively. It was a great success. 

 

By Patrick O'Brien, Alpha Kappa Chapter President

Chapter News: Sigma
Shaving for a Cause 

Thirteen Sigma Chapter members and officers, including President Liz Mattox, bravely served as shavees for the St. Baldrick's Foundation during the Insurance Society of Philadelphia's Philly I-Day held on April 9, 2014. St. Baldrick's Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to raising funds for childhood-cancer research.

 

It all started as an April Fools' Day joke where Liz supposedly volunteered to have her head shaved if the chapter raised at least $5,000. Nine days later, the joke turned into reality. In an inspiring show of solidarity, the Sigma Chapter successfully raised at least $5,700 in donations in less than two weeks. Mary Grace Sear, Director of Management Information Systems for the chapter and the second female, shavee successfully raised over $1,000 in support. Chapter members, faculty, alumni, and family all rallied behind the team to support a truly worthwhile cause, which aligns with Gamma Iota Sigma's goal of promoting the high moral attainments of its members.

 

The Sigma Chapter is incredibly grateful for the valuable support from its stakeholders. St. Baldrick's is still accepting online pledges, which can be made online!

 

By Cathleen Gabriel, Sigma Chapter Executive Vice President

Chapter News: Alpha Mu
2014 VCU RISC Trends Conference Wrap-up
 

VCU's 8th annual RISC Trends Conference, held on Tuesday, March 11, was a huge success. Members of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma were quick to take the opportunity to volunteer at this event. Some of the most qualified authorities were present to speak to this year's theme of the risks and threats of terrorism. One highlight was the engaging discussion panel with the Risk Manager of the World Trade Center Properties, Shari Natovitz, Global Risk Manager of Jones Lang LaSalle, Janice Ochenkowski, and former Governor of Virginia James Gilmore III. Governor Gilmore also chaired the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction.

 

Having speakers with this combination of backgrounds together on a discussion panel resulted in an extremely informational and eye-opening talk. A huge emphasis was placed on the impact that congress's upcoming decision on whether or not to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) will have on the insurance industry as a whole. Ms. Natovitz explained that without TRIA, there simply is not enough capacity for the coverage needed. This was an extremely beneficial event for all of those who attended and would not have been possible without the help of many sponsors. VCU extends an invitation to all GIS chapters to send members to attend next year's conference in March.

 

By Alberto Francese, Alpha Mu Chapter co-President

Gamma Iota Sigma takes RIMS!
The next generation was well represented at RIMS 2014 in Denver, Colorado. 170 students were in attendance this year, taking part in a wide range of events, including the Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Chellenge, the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program Welcome Reception, speed networking sessions, and sponsored receptions like the one held by AIG (pictured), which jointly benefitted GIS and the Spencer Educational Foundation.
 
Thank you to Business Insurance for highlighting GIS students in the Show Daily! See Alyssa Bouchard, President of Rho Chapter at Appalachian State University and 2013-14 co-International Student Representative, profiled on p. 14. 
A.M. Best Video: RIMS 2014 Preview
 

On the occasion of RIMS 2014 in Denver, A.M. Best presented a highlight video covering key trends and happenings. The video features GIS Executive Director Noelle Codispoti discussing the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program, and what it means to students of risk management and insurance. Check it out here.

Courtesy of A.M. Best.
Are you (or do you know) a GIS Alum? 
Stay in Touch for the Latest News and Updates!
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Help us keep your contact information currentGIS boasts an annual membership of over 1,800 students and an alumni base of more than 17,000 individuals from our 57 chapters, and we need your help in updating our records. Use the link below to update your details, and pass it on to fellow alumni!

Scholarships: Investing in the Future
We Help Match Talent with Resources

Does your company or organization offer scholarships to students? Let us help spread the word among Gamma Iota Sigma members! Email us the details or for further discussion.
 
 

__________________________________________________________

Noelle Codispoti, ARM
Executive Director, Gamma Iota Sigma
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