While a number of its members are full-time insurance administrators or risk managers, for many members it is only one of several other duties they are required to perform. Through regular workshops, the Society provides a means of hearing from experts in the various areas of risk and insurance management. Just as importantly, it provides a means for public insurance administrators to have regular contact with their peers.
On March 19, 1976, the Association of Insurance Administrators of Ontario was formed, and an executive was appointed. The Association held its first annual meeting in October of that year and adopted a constitution. Embodied in that constitution were the goals of the Association:
- To exchange knowledge and pursue in greater depth, all matters dealing with risk and insurance management.
- To promote co-operation among all local government bodies which have interests in the field of risk and insurance management.
- To collect and disperse information relative to risk and insurance management.
- To encourage the development of educational training programs in the field of risk and insurance management.
In October 1977, the Association was incorporated and became the Society of Public Insurance Administrators of Ontario. The membership has representatives from all types of municipalities, boards of education, library boards, public utility commissions, non-profit housing and conservation authorities. A Board of Directors elected annually, consisting of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director at Large and Public Relations Officer administers the Society.
The Society holds three one-day workshops and one two-day extended workshop each year. The final workshop of the year opens with the annual meeting and the election of the Board of Directors. Speakers from all fields of risk and insurance management, including brokers, underwriters, adjusters, risk managers, solicitors and consultants address the membership. Topics covered include the review of the various types of insurance, fleet safety control, claims handling, risk management concepts, wrongful dismissal, civil law, self-insurance and insurance market trends.
The Society enjoys a broad recognition in both governmental and the insurance industry.