December 11, 2024
With Katie Grieve, President—Windsor Essex County Insurance Brokers Association
As the President of WECIBA, Katie led her Affiliate to its first Awards of Excellence win. She values community engagement and thinks if you haven’t gotten involved yet, you should. By participating in Affiliate activity, brokers can deepen their engagement with local broker communities and reap the benefits of stronger industry connections.
Breaking the Ice
Katie has clear advice for anyone who’s unsure where to start.
“The best and easiest way to get involved with your local Affiliate is to attend one of their events. Not only will those who are running the Affiliate appreciate your attendance and support, it’s the best way to connect with those individuals and find out how to take the next steps in getting involved.
“If you’re interested in participating, raise your hand. The right time is now.” From there, brokers can clarify their roles, ask questions and follow up on necessary steps to formalize their involvement.
Ways to Contribute
Each Affiliate should have a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chair but may also have roles focused on specific topics like education, fundraising, political advocacy and young broker involvement.
“In some cases, there may be opportunity to volunteer with the Affiliate prior to committing to a more permanent role. Initiatives like the Brokers Giving Back Program allow members to support causes without committing to help run the Affiliate.”
Local Affiliates offer a variety of roles and responsibilities that cater to different interests:
- Event Planning: Organizing events is a cornerstone of Affiliate activity. Whether it’s a small networking gathering or large industry event, there’s room for creativity and opportunities to bring value to the membership.
- Charity Work: Many Affiliates prioritize giving back, from fundraising initiatives to hands-on volunteering for community causes.
- Education: Brokers can contribute by organizing continuing education opportunities, whether through online courses or larger events that fulfill annual CE requirements.
- Advocacy: Affiliates play a critical role in political advocacy for brokers and consumers. This may include local meetings with politicians or traveling to advocate at higher levels.
Logging Hours
While commitments vary, participating in an Affiliate typically requires attendance at regular meetings and involvement in projects or events. Event planning, for instance, involves more than just showing up on the day—it includes organizing invitations, managing registrations, handling logistics, content and more. Charitable efforts, on the other hand, might be as simple as a few hours of shopping for a donation or volunteering one evening. “Like anything, the more you invest your time and energy, the more you’ll gain from the experience.”
The Benefits of Engagement
Participation offers a host of professional and personal rewards:
- Networking: Affiliates create spaces for brokers to connect, celebrate wins and collaborate on industry challenges.
- Community Impact: Through charitable efforts, members can make meaningful contributions to causes they care about.
- Professional Growth: Educational opportunities help brokers build confidence and expand their expertise, particularly for those new to the industry.
- Provincial Connections: Local engagement often opens doors to provincial events like IBAOcon, fostering relationships with peers across Ontario.
Down the Road
“The future of local Affiliates is strong as long as we can remain flexible and adapt to the changing landscape of our membership.” Affiliates thrive on creating a sense of community, providing valuable education and supporting local causes.
“In a world of remote and hybrid opportunities, people love the opportunity to be social and make connections, and as long as this remains true, local Affiliates will have a place to be of service in our industry.”