Accepting the award on behalf of the Northwest Ohio ASCnet Users Group were chapter president Sonia Merz, of Bokerman Yackee Koesters Insurance, in Napoleon, OH; vice president Leah Purmort-Treece, of Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency, in Van Wert; secretary Stephanie Winegardner, of Block Insurance Agency, in Waynesfield; and treasurer Lisa Rozek, CISR, of Diversified Insurance Service in Elmore.
The Chapter of the Year Award honors an ASCnet local affiliate that has shown outstanding leadership and provided its members with exceptional opportunities to increase their profitability and grow the value of their agencies through its education programs and services.
Over the past year, the Northwest Ohio ASCnet Users Group undertook a number of initiatives to fulfill its charter. During the year, it supported local chapter leadership development by sponsoring attendance of its four officers at ASCnet’s 2010 Leadership Conference; bolstered volunteer recruitment and enacted leadership perpetuation planning; tapped technology to drive better communication with chapter members, directly and through social media; invested heavily in timely, relevant education and learning events for members; and implemented a creative member recruitment program that is attracting new agencies.
“Members of the Northwest Ohio chapter see the importance of belonging—not just for the training they can get, but also for the support they receive in all aspects of being an independent agent,” George said. “Chapter leaders are not only working to change the culture and standards of the group, but also the value their members place on it.”
About ASCnet: Founded in 1985 and based in Altamonte Springs, Fla., Applied Systems Client Network, Inc. (ASCnet) is an international association representing more than 80,000 insurance professionals. The only authorized users group for Applied Systems software, ASCnet promotes successful technology and business practices through communication, education and advocacy. For more information: www.ascnet.org