Gossip Sheet # 42 - April 29, 2004
Editor: Tom Pekar

An accountant on April 29

Today’s meeting was opened by president Brian St. Hilaire, grace offered by John Tebrake, the queen and country toasted and sung. Our head table was anchored by John Potts, Guest speaker Doug Grawlman, president Brian, Sgt Ron Sloan, introducer Andy Rak and Howard Lackie who had no guests to present.

Birthdays
May 4 Liz Palmieri

Announcements

Mark Zammit

Longtime friend & Rotarian Jack Coopman passed away this week. A memorial service is to be held at Tallman Funeral Home in Vineland @ 2 pm this Saturday. As many former committee members and friends are encouraged to attend.

Youth Exchange committee is meeting tues. @5 30 at the offices of Investor’s Group 63 Church.

Mark Zammitt introduced the May program and reported he and Martha Abra had the pleasure of interviewing award candidates for Junior Achievment and are inviting a Rotarian to attend on our behalf for the May 5 Banquet at the 4 pts Sheraton.

Our friend Ray Bukovec is recuperating from multiple surgeries at home. He would appreciate a call to stay in touch.

Happy Dollars

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart started with a dentist story with a startling Scottish twist.

John Crossingham reports the Group Study Exchange from Australia has landed and he is meeting with them for dinner. His son’s band is playing in LA this weekend in a big concert.

Alex Elliot reports his artist son-in-law, had a very successful art exhibit and sale.

George Doty passed his driver’s exam and was offered a racing position by John Gleddie

Peter Banwell offered $14, for the latest of 6 granddaughters. His daughter-in-law has been involved in some groundbreaking research that links MS with Epstien Barr Virus. This is Peter’s last year of six as member of the Trillium committee. There are vacancies for good hard working, members like us to participate in a community growth project.

Roger Segalin pointed out Peter Papp’s hairless head. Each one of those hairs counted towards a weekend fundraiser that netted $5000 for a local cancer victim. Many thanks to Peter and friends.

President Brian is thrilled at the tax year end in sight.

50/50 draw was unsuccessfully attempted by Jim Denham.

The Program
Update on Insurance Industry

John Potts

Andy Rak the Niagara Rep to the Independent Insurance Brokers of Ontario introduced our guest speaker Doug Grawlman from Owen Sound the provincial president of the same organization. Doug is a former Rotarian and owns three offices. A Broker will try to match the client with the best choice of insurance product from more than one company. There are approx 9000 brokers in Ontario, who see their association as a vehicle for education their clients as well as advocating legislative change.

Andy Rak

Insurance is an intangible product, an empty box with a promise to deliver at some unknown time at some unknown cost.

The Ontario automobile insurance market accounts for 25% of the Canadian market.
The current government has put a freeze on rates until a more simplified and varied format of products can be introduced.

Doug Grawlman

Small business can expect to see a 20 to 30 % increase in premiums then a leveling off.

Home maintenance contracts that used to only cover fire and storm now include mildew and mold eradication along with the broken water pipe that may turn the $1500 job into $10 000.

Doug recommends a self risk assessment program, what have you stored by the furnace? Increase the deductible on a policy, check for aluminum wiring.
Sam Walters thanked our speaker and the meeting was adjourned after the presentation of a bottle of Niagara’s finest.