THE PINECONE

Monthly newsletter for area insurance professionals To inform members and associates of industry news, educational opportunities And association activities of the

RALEIGH ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS

Officers
President Katy Willett, CIC, CISR kwillett@bagwellandbagwellins.com President Elect & Membership Janet Davis, CISR, CPIW, AAI jdavis@triangleinsurancegroup.com Vice-President & Programs Jeanne Hess, CISR, CPIW, DAE, AAI, AIS jhess@iianc.com Secretary Shirley Hudson, ARM, AAI, CISR, CPIW, DAE shudson@iianc.com Treasurer Barb Hutchinson bhutchinson@bmico.com Parliamentarian Wanda Manning, CPCU, CPIW, CIC, DAE w.manning@sau-inc.com Committee Chairmen: Bylaws & Immediate Past President Beth Blackwell, AAI, CPIW bethbwell@nc.rr.com Employment Jeanne Hess, CISR, CPIW, DAE, AAI, AIS jhess@iianc.com Public Relations Education Pam Grimes, CPIW, CIC, CISR, DAE Pagdreamer18@aol.com Safety Debbie Pass-Soles, CPIW, CISR, CIC Debbie.Soles@mmicnc.com Legislative Barb Hutchinson bhutchinson@bmico.com

Inside this Newsletter

1. July Meeting 7/12/11

PLANNING MEETING for 2011-12. All members urged to attend YOUR association to plan events that you are interested in for RAIP! 2. August Meeting 8/9/11
PICNIC/Membership drive 3. BREAKING NEWS!! NAIW (International) adds dba International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP)

JULY 2011
The July Meeting of the Raleigh Association of Insurance Professionals will be held on Tuesday, July 12th at IIANC office, 101 Weston Oaks Court, Cary, NC 27513, meeting will begin at 6:00 pm with social time at 5:30 pm. RAIP Planning Meeting. Hope to see you there and bring a guest! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMITTEE CHAIRS NEEDED!
Dont be shy! Contact Katy Willett if you would like to help on a committee. See the committees to the left on this page and come ready with ideas to share! Thanks for renewing your membership and your participation in YOUR association. We hope to see you on Tuesday, July 12th!

SEE DETAILS BELOW!

July 4, 2011
INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Thanks for making NAIW YOUR
Association of Choice Represented by Diversified Professionals

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ASSOCIATES NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS Those who missed our banquet really missed a nice time. Installation of Officers by Pam Grimes, Associate of the Year went to Ronnie Bagwell and Member of the Year went to Katy Willett, both very deserving of these awards. Also congratulations to our new President, Katy Willett. Thanks to Beth Blackwell for a great year!

NEW WEBSITE: www.raip.org

www.naiw.org www.ncaiw.org

www.inssfa.org - SCHOLARSHIPS! Pinecone Editor

Jeanne Hess, CISR, CPIW, DAE, AAI, AIS

863-6524 - jhess@iianc.com

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE:

I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the July meeting. Using July to plan out our year was one of the ideas from NAIWs Best of the Best to be able to promote meetings in advance to potential members. So we need your ideas! Let us know what you would like to have on the agenda this year. If you have ideas for speakers, activities or classes that you would enjoy please email Jeanne or me. Cant make the meeting? Please let us know what you would like to see our group participate in for the 2011 to 2012 year. We are also looking for committee chairs so if you would like to volunteer for a specific area, please be ready to let us know what you would like to participate in this year. My goal is to keep meetings to an hour! Hope to see all you there! Katy Willett RAIP President, 2011-2012

*** Currently self-studying for CPCU property class Looking for others who wish to meet weekly as a study partner (or group?). If interested, please email Katy at Kwillett@bagwellandbagwellins.com. Thanks! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: 1 Insurance Professional looking. Experienced in customer service, marketing and inside sales,
management and training. Experienced with all sizes of commercial accounts, however special in small business. Experienced in most in house rating systems. Have worked on Applied, AMS Afw, 360 and Sagitta. Can wear many hats at the same time. (added Sept. 2010) 2 Capstone Search Group Commercial Lines Account Manager Charlotte - $45K - $55K Our client is looking for someone with a strong marketing and client service background. Exposure to commercial construction is a plus. Employee Benefits Account Manager Charlotte - $50K - $60K Our client here is looking for someone with experience working in the 100 1,000 life arena and significant exposure to self funded accounts. Commercial Lines Account Manager Raleigh - $45K - $55K Our client here is seeking someone with a strong middle market commercial lines background working with accounts ranging in size from $15K - $30K in revenue with exposure to a variety of industries. (added June 2011) 3 Marketing Director for a small Workers Compensation Insurance Company in Raleigh. (Added May 2011)

4 Insurance Professional looking to re-locate to beautiful NC in the next few months.

I have sold my agency in northern Ohio and am looking for a job opportunity that will allow me to use my 30+ insurance

expertise in any capacity to complete my years until retirement. I have been a member of the NAIW since 1981 and hope that this association may be beneficial in assisting me in this move. (added June 2011) 5 - Finmark Insurance Agency in Raleigh is looking for Commercial Producers. Please send resume

to Rick Stallings at rstallings@finmark.com

Please contact Jeanne Hess jhess@iianc.com or 863-6524, if you would like more information.

MINUTES OF THE RALEIGH ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS JUNE 14, 2011

There were no minutes for the June meeting since we met for our Associates Night Banquet. Respectfully submitted, Shirley W. McLamb-Hudson, ARM, AAI, CPIW, CISR, DAE RAIP Secretary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DUES RENEWALS!
Dues statements have been e-mailed by NAIW. If you have not received yours, go to the NAIW website and update your e-mail address. Also, I would e-mail John McCullough at NAIW for a copy of your form. membership@naiw.org It is very convenient to print off and turn in if you have your expenses paid. Or you can pay by credit card, check, etc. DONT DELAYDO IT TODAY!

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, UNDER indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

GOD,

RAIP WEBSITE!!
Have you visited our website lately?? WOW, it is great and also there is a link to NCAIWS website! WOW to that too!! Beautiful designs, great information and links. Also a link to the NAIW site. Our new look is as professional as we are and I hope you take time to check it out. www.raip.org

NAIW/RAIP Testimonial? How has NAIW helped your career or your position? Would you write a testimonial and send to Katy Willett to put on our RAIP website? This goes along with the NAIW testimonials recently and we would like to continue this on a local level. Contact Katy at: kwillett@bagwellandbagwellins.com

National Association of Insurance Women (International) Adds dba International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) TULSA, OK. (July 1, 2011) The National Association of Insurance Women (International) has added the dba International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) to its name. The addition of the dba was approved at the association's 70th Annual Convention, which was recently held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The association has updated its Web site to www.internationalinsuranceprofessionals.org The 2011-2012 International President, Joi Wilson says of the new dba name, "We feel that this name better reflects the diversity of our membership, and will represent us well into the future of this great association. At a time when insurance companies are restructuring, IAIP is a great resource for professional growth. National Association of Insurance Women (International), was founded in 1938 for the purpose of providing educational development for its members. IAIP is a professional association open to individuals in the insurance and risk management industries as well as businesses that provide services to these industries. Today, IAIP is best known for providing insurance education, industry networking opportunities, skills enhancement, and leadership developmentwithin the insurance industry. IAIP is comprised of over 7,000 members who work in every facet of the industry as agents, brokers, adjusters, underwriters, claims professionals, risk managers, producers, insurance educators, customer service representatives, agency owners and automation specialists just to name a few. For additional information, contact Melissa Cobbs, editor@naiw.org, or visit the IAIP website at www.internationalinsuranceprofessionals.org.

THE ' L

I T T L E ' Things

As you might remember, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow was alive because it was

His turn to bring donuts. One woman was late because her Alarm clock didn't go off in time. One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident. One of them Missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to take Time to change. One's Car wouldn't start. One couldn't Get a taxi. The one that struck me the most was the man Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, Took the various means to get to work But before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.. Now when I am Stuck in traffic, Miss an elevator, Turn back to answer a ringing telephone ... All the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, This is exactly where God wants me to be At this very moment... Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, You can't seem to find the car keys, You hit every traffic light, Don't get mad or frustrated; It may be just that God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things And may you remember their possible purpose. Pass this on to someone else, if you'd like. If you delete this, it's okay: God's Love Is Not Dependent On E-Mail!!
(that's the cool part)

MEN

Note: Im sure most of you have read this one before but it was so timely with our 4th of July celebrations and the freedom that we have enjoyed for 200+ years. Remember our service men and women protecting our freedom today and in the past, and count your Blessings for living in the BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is Your Food Still Safe to Eat?

It's past the expiration date, but your food still smells fine. Does that mean it's okay to eat? Here are the food safety essentials that will help you avoid food-borne illnesses and digestive problems.
By Madeline Vann, MPH ; Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

If your food looks fine, it must be good enough to eat, right? Not necessarily: Being unaware of how long youve been storing food in your pantry or the back of your refrigerator can make you one of the 48 million people estimated to get digestive problems from food-borne illness each year.

Mold and rot are sure signs that food is past its prime, but an item can be unsafe to eat even before you notice such obvious signs. If youre guilty of occasionally ignoring food expiration dates, brush up on food safety guidelines and rethink what youre willing to eat so you can avoid digestive problems.

Expired or Not? Knowing exactly how long food products can keep without spoiling is not easy because the stamped food expiration date is only one part of food safety. The temperature at which you store and prepare food can affect your risk for food-borne illness, and so does the handling of food at the store before it even reaches your kitchen. Heres how to decide whether the food product youre looking at or sniffing or tasting is safe to eat:

Know your foods. Get a basic understanding of what is in the food you eat. Generally, foods

higher in protein will deteriorate faster than foods high in sugar or sodium. That is why those products are used in food preservation techniques they bind the moisture or water in the food, says food safety expert Catherine Strohbehn, PhD, RD, adjunct associate professor at Iowa State University in Ames.

Follow food safety temperature guidelines. At room temperature, bacteria grow quickly, causing

food to spoil faster. Bacteria need food protein or carbohydrates to grow and reproduce, along with water, says Strohbehn. Thats why you should keep your refrigerator set below 41 F and heat foods to temperatures above 140 F. These extremes of cold and heat prevent bacteria from multiplying. Frozen foods should be kept at 32 F or below.

Heed your nose. Most people can smell spoiling or rotting food, especially if there is an excess of

bacteria or mold. Trust your sense of smell as your personal food safety expert. But dont trust too much even food that still smells okay can be spoiled.

Take a look. If you see obvious discoloration in rotting food, such as green meat or blue spots on

bread, throw out that food. Changes in texture are also a sign of spoilage, such as clumpy milk. Other warning signs are packaging with obvious openings or bulges, and cans that are dented, leaking though unopened, bulging, or showing rust along any seam.

Keep all food areas clean. Regularly clean and sanitize surfaces where food is stored and

prepared. Its a Date: Know Food Storage Limits Follow these storage tips for staple food items. Use a marker or sticky labels to date food as you store it:

Eggs. Keep them refrigerated in their original carton and use within three weeks. Throw out those

that are broken or cracked.

Seafood. Refrigerate immediately if you plan to use it within two days, otherwise freeze it until you

plan to use it.

Ground meat. Store one to two days in the refrigerator, three to four months in the freezer. Steaks, chops, and roasts. Store three to five days in the refrigerator, four to six (chops), 6 to 12

(steaks) and 4 to 12 (roasts) months in the freezer.

Fresh poultry. Store one to two days in the refrigerator, nine months to one year in the freezer.

Cooked meat or poultry. Store three to four days in the refrigerator, two to six months in the

freezer.

Fruits and vegetables. Its hard to tell exactly how long a fresh fruit or vegetable will last, as this

can depend a lot on how they were handled before you brought them home. Keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer by storing them in the refrigerator; many freeze well for future use. Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating or serving. Do not eat if they look or smell rotten.

Dairy. Always choose pasteurized dairy products to cut down on food-borne illness. Pay attention

to expiration dates. Storing milk at temperatures below 40 F might allow you to consume it a few days past expiration, but you can rely on taste and smell to figure out if the milk has spoiled.

Leftovers. If you dont want fresh food to go to waste, one option is to cook it for future use.

Leftovers can stay in the fridge for three to four days or in the freezer for two or more months. Remember to reheat leftovers thoroughly.

Canned foods. Store in a cool, dry place. Never store canned goods under the sink, over the

stove, in a damp basement or garage, or anywhere else that may have high and low temperature fluctuations. Canned foods with high acidic content, like tomatoes and other fruits, can be stored for up to 18 months. Low-acid foods, like vegetables and meats, can be kept for two to five years.

Dealing With Digestive Problems and Food-Borne Illness Although the above guidelines are important, you can follow all of this advice and still occasionally get sick because of bacteria that you cant see or sense. The symptoms of food-borne illness depend on the bacteria in the food and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Symptoms can start almost as soon as you are done with your meal or as long as 72 hours later. You might not make the connection between a digestive problem and a food you ate three days ago, and many bouts of food-borne illness pass without a visit to the doctor. Most people write their misery off as a temporary flu bug, says Strohbehn. As many as one in four people might be at increased risk of digestive problems, with some more likely to be affected by food-borne illness than others. People in at-risk groups are those with lower immune systems such as children and elderly people those with a chronic disease, and pregnant women. Their bodies can't fight off the infection as easily as healthy folks, explains Strohbehn. In these situations, you must pay special attention to food safety to reduce the risk of illness. Cleanliness and awareness are the keys to good food safety. You will be able to reduce your risk for digestive problems from food-borne illness if you pay attention to how long your food products have been in your house and how they look, smell, and taste when you want to eat them.
Last Updated: 05/31/2011

Friday, June 24, 2011

In This Issue: Bariatric Surgery Benefits Less Obese, Too It Might Be Time for Physical Therapy Self-Conscious Swimmer Needs a Body Boost

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10 Calorie-Blasting Exercise Moves

Good calorie burn starts with the right workout. Try these high-intensity moves to get the best bang for your time in the gym. Also See: The No-Gym Workout Most High Schoolers Need More Exercise Overeating? Control Portions Now

Health News & Features

Bariatric Surgery Benefits Less Obese, Too Bariatric surgery is often reserved for very obese people. Now there's word that it can help less obese people, too. Also See: American's Eating Habits Getting Even Worse 10 Truths About Diabetes and Diet It Might Be Time for Physical Therapy Injuries can sneak up on you when you exercise regularly. Telltale signs your aches and pains need professional attention. Also See: The Right Helmet for Your Sport 5 Fun, Family Fitness Ideas

From the WebMD Fitness & Exercise Community

Self-Conscious Swimmer Needs a Body Boost She's young, overweight, and wants to swim for exercise. But how can she get past being self-conscious about her body? Our expert's advice. Read more in the Fitness and Exercise Community.

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Friday, June 24, 2011

Easy Summer Recipe: Mixed Herb Pesto

Best served cold, this herb pesto adds a new twist to the summer staple. Turn basic salads, eggs, and sandwiches into culinary works of art. Featured Recipe: Chef Domenica's Easy Mixed Herb Pesto More Quick and Easy Summer Recipes A Healthy Pork Tenderloin (Yes, It's for Real!) Pasta With Pesto, Potatoes, and Green Beans Cheesy Chicken Pasta Keep Reading for More Kitchen and Cooking Tips Revealed: Summer's Most Fattening Foods Not All Fat Is Bad -- Get the Fat Facts 25 Tempting Snacks, 100 Calories or Less Best Foods to Buy Organic: See Pictures 10 Worst Foods in Your Fridge

Thanks to Debbie Pass-Soles! Great articles for summer!

HAPPY 4 TH OF JULY! HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY!

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