Welcome to the Young Agent's Advocate, an electronic newsletter published by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. If you are a young agent (under the age of 40), we invite you to join our young agents mailing list. Simply send an e-mail to Shannon Churchill that includes your name and agency, and we'll add you to our database.

Last Chance to Regsiter! - Young Agents Cardinal Baseball Package
Monday, April 23rd is the last chance to sign-up for the Young Agents baseball outing scheduled for Saturday, May 5th.  Join us as the St. Louis Cardinals battle the Houston Astros. Registration is $82 per person (with cost offset by company partners). The package includes tickets to the exclusive Cardinals Managers Suite; lunch, beverages and snacks throughout the game; social area with personal bartender and closed circuit television; and more. Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out! For more information click here.

2007 Young Agents Midwest Conference
For the fifth year, the Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota Associations have joined together to sponsor the 2007 Midwest Conference. This exciting and educational event, designed for newer insurance professionals and their families, will be held June 28-30 at the Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. The site is the home of the largest indoor water park in the United States. Learning sessions include E&O Loss Prevention, Ethics for the Insurance Professional, Insuring Internet & Technology Risks, Selling Coverage/Not Price and a speed networking session. Social activities include two fabulous dinner events and the Rick Wilcox Magic Show (for an additional fee). The special lodging rate at the Kalahari Resort is $125 per night and includes up to four water park passes. For more information click here and watch your mail for the “official” brochure.

1st Annual Young Agents Pro-Am Golf Outing

The PIIAI Young Agents Network is hosting a Pro-Am Golf Outing on Tuesday, August 7th at Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago. Foursomes will compete in an 18-hole scramble with a 1p.m. shotgun start. After golf join the young agents for dinner with special guest speaker Phil Lackman, who will update attendees on current state and future outlook of the insurance industry. This event will provide young agents in Illinois with the opportunity to interact with carrier representatives on a more personal, informal level while competing in a friendly tournament environment. For more details, click here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those interested, click here or contact Shannon Churchill (800) 628-6436 ext. 3004, schurchill@piiai.org for more information.

Clay Shooting Fundraiser to Benefit InsurPac set for Friday, May 4th

A Fundraiser to benefit InsurPac has been scheduled for Friday, May 4th, 2007 at McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Dundee. The event will include lunch, clay target shooting, cocktails and hors d 'oeuvrs. This is a great opportunity for novices, as well as those with experience, to enjoy the beautiful setting at this exclusive club. McGraw Wildlife Foundation also has hotel rooms available on site. No license or experience is required and the club will provide guns and ammunition. Registration is limited to 30 participants -RSVP now to secure your place at this event! For more details or to print a registration form, click here or contact: Jennifer Jacobs, (800) 628-6436, ext. 3013, jjacobs@piiai.org.

Outstanding CSR of the Year Award Nominations Being Accepted

Do you or someone in your office deserve to be the Outstanding CSR of the Year?

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 National Outstanding CSR of the Year. This award is the highest honor for insurance customer service representatives who have distinguished themselves through contributions to their industry and profession. Open to everyone regardless of affiliation or professional designation, candidates must:

• Be an insurance customer service representative, or have primary responsibility for customer service duties
• Write a short essay (two pages, double spaced, not more than 1,000 words) on the topic "The CSR position has evolved and grown into one of significantly greater importance, including both men and women with wide ranges of industry experience. Twenty-five years ago, CSRs attended 'Gal Friday' seminars. What four factors or changes in the insurance business have been responsible for the evolution of the CSR position into its current professional status?"
• Submit letter(s) of recommendation from professional reference(s)

Make your nomination today! - Deadline for all materials (including essay) is May 1, 2007 and you are welcome to nominate yourself. For more details or a copy of the nomination form, click here.

PIIAI Accepting College Scholarship Applications

The Young Agents Network, in conjunction with PIIAI, is sponsoring four college sponsorships: G.A. Mavon Memorial Scholarship ($1,000 per semester), Roy & Harriet Robinson Scholarship ($500 per semester), Keith Payne Memorial Scholarship ($500 per semester), and Independent Insurance Agents of Kane County Scholarship ($500 per year). To be eligible, students must be a resident of Illinois (IIAKC recipient must be a resident of Kane County); have junior or senior status in college; be in a business degree program with an interest in insurance; be a full-time student; write a brief essay; and have a letter of recommendation from a PIIAI sponsor (current member in good standing or retired member). This is an excellent program to offer to clients and/or agency personnel with college-bound children. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2007. Click here for more information and to print a copy of the scholarship application.

Do You Need Some Help with Your Summer Workload?
The Interns are ready! Sign your agency up today to participate in the Summer Internship Program. Details available at http://www.piiai.org/internship/. The candidates come from some of the top universities in the state. They are all ready to work for the summer and are awaiting your contact. If you have questions about the program please contact Shannon Churchill at (800) 628-6436 ext. 3004, or schurchill@piiai.org.

For more information on upcoming classes, visit the PIIAI Education Center.

Thank you to our Young Agents Sponsors! 
Their financial contributions have enabled PIIAI to offer activities to young agents at substantial cost savings.
AAA Insurance, Allstate/Deerbrook/Encompass Insurance, Arlington/Roe & Company, Inc., Badger Mutual Ins. Company, Consumers Insurance Company, Drive Insurance from Progressive, General Casualty Co., Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., The Hanover Insurance Group, IMT Insurance Company, Insight Insurance Services, Inc., Interstate Risk Placement Inc., Iowa Mutual Insurance Company, Mercury Insurance Group, Pekin Insurance, Rain & Hail, LLC, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, Roush Insurance Services, Inc., W.A. Schickedanz Agency Inc., Society Insurance, Standard Mutual Insurance Company, United Fire Group, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., Westfield Insurance Companies, J M Wilson, Zurich Small Business in Indiana