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The Big "I" Diversity Council is pleased to highlight some of the great diversity and inclusion initiatives taking place across our state associations! As we seek to build an even greater culture of diversity and inclusion, we strive to promote the representation and progression of underrepresented agents across the IA channel including people of color, young professionals, the LGBTQ community and women.

Note to Big "I" State Leaders - Please click here to add or update information on your state association's initiatives.

New State Association Initiatives

Alabama

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents, Inc. will be piloting a CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) program for high school students. The program will equip students with insurance industry training so they can analyze risks, policies, forms, and claims data, giving them a significant advantage before entering the workforce. The proram also provides students an opportunity to earn the nationally recognized designation, CISR.

In addition, the Alabama association continues to grow their vibrant Young Agents program. Learn more here.

California

IIAB of California's newly developed Pathfinder project is a recruitment, training and development initiative focused on helping member agencies recruit and hire employees and assist individuals in charging their insurance agency career path. Learn more here.

Illinois

IIA of Illinois is focusing its diversity and inclusion initiatives on recruitment, scholarships and mentoring.

Recruitment initiatives including career fairs and a new job board platform to help better promote agency positions college students statewide.
Scholarship program for minorities representative of historically disadvantaged groups in the US including Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; Native American; Pacific Islander; or Asian American. Program is inclusive of free property & casualty OR life and health pre-licensing class for a new producer or csr; reimbursement of state licensing exam; initial license fee; new hire training; registration to Edge Conference.
Mentor pilot program to formally connect ethnic minority or female-owned agencies with successful agencies willing to mentor. They will work together to understand strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, operating style, employee capabilities, carrier relations, financial planning, and goal setting. The program will include six monthly consulting sessions with mentor agencies followed by semi-annual reviews and mentoring sessions for 18 months.

More information available here.

Masschusetts

Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents is in the process of establishing a diveristy committee. This upcoming October 2021, they will be hosting their first diversity event entitled BE Diverse.

Sessions will include:

Building a More Inclusive Environment!
Understanding What DEI Really Is
The Missing 33%: Leveling the Playing Field for Diverse Talent
Looking Through Your Own Cultural Lens
Mindsets that Drive Change: Top 5 Things to Build a More Inclusive Culture

More information available here.

New York

Big "I" New York is making an ongoing and purposeful commitment to promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion within New York's insurance industry. They are doing so by:

Identifying, including, and empowering members from underrepresented communities;
Facilitating the recruitment and training of underrepresented communities within the IA system;
Providing support and resources to help new and existing minority-owned agencies thrive; and
Identifying industry practices, procedures, protocols and roles that are barriers to diversity and inclusion within the industry and working to develop meaningful solutions.

More information available here.

North Carolina

IIA of North Carolina strives to make meaningful changes that will create more diveristy within the insurance community statewide. They recently announced the following new initiatives:

Diversity Committee: Charged with providing IIANC direction and suggestions on being a more inclusive organization and increasing minority participation within the association.
Diversity Scholarship Program: In order to encourage the hiring of more minorities by our member agencies, IIANC has designated $10,000 to pay for the pre-licensing and other on-boarding training needed by newly hired minorities.
Historically Black College Outreach: In partnership with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, IIANC will be funding outreach programs at North Carolina's HBCs that are designed to increase awareness and encourage the pursuit of careers in either insurance regulation or the broader insurance industry.

More information available here.

Ongoing Initiatives

Florida

Florida Association of Insurance Agents has a leadership immersion program, Florida's Future Insurance Leaders, designed to attract high caliber agents and help them develop through education and mentorship to become future leaders in the insurance industry and their community. The program is offered every other year. Learn more here.

Kentucky

Big "I" Kentucky has an Emerging Leaders program that serves as the unified voice for all young insurance professionals scross Kentucky. The initiative fosters the professional development needs of KY members to perpetuate the future of the independent insurance agency system. The Emerging Leaders program, along with Big "I" Kentucky, is the largest network of insurance professionals in Kentucky. Learn more here.

Michigan

Big "I" Michigan continues to make strides with its Young Agents Committee focused on the following initiatives:

Connecting and nurturing relationships within all walks of the industry – agents, companies, vendors and students
Providing the latest professional development, sales and team building experiences
Enlightening agents on the importance of advocacy and legislative involvement to protect the interests of our clients and businesses
Inspiring agents to make volunteerism, charity and community involvement an integral part of their professional identity
Promoting the independent agency system as a boundless career choice for young people
Providing support and financial assistance to students in insurance programs and new agents seeking professional designations

More information available here.

Nevada

Nevada Independent Insurance Agents is home to Nevada Young Agents, a network of young, energized insurance professionals actively engaged in industry affairs across the state. Through their programs and events, they work to advance the careers of members and to promote issues important to young agents across the state. They are dedicated to advancing the independent agency system by providing talented young individuals with opportunities for professional training and growth, fostering public support for independent agents through community outreach, and cultivating the next generation of insurance industry leaders.

Nevada Young Agents holds a variety of events throughtout the state, providing members with education and networking opportunities in a relaxed and collegiate atmosphere. These events provide a chance to meet and mingle with peers in the insurance industry, develop relationships with industry leaders, and learn valuable interpersonal and leadership skills necessary for a career in insurance. They also provide members with unique scholarship opportunities to encourage professional and academic growth and prepare young agents for their career in the dynamic and complex insurance industry. More information available here.

Ohio

Ohio Insurance agents has a Next-Gen Initiative is a platform created for agents who aspire to become agency owners, are thought leaders and have at least 20 years left in their career. These young professionals foster connections that ultimately enhance their competitive edge in Ohio's insurance marketplace. More information available here.

Oklahoma

Big "I" Oklahoma has a Young Agents program to promote the professional growth of Young Agents, provide service to association members and support the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma in its endeavors. The program engages in activities and projects designed to recruit and involve the future leaders of our association. It supports an environment whereby its members can voice their opinions and suggestions with regard to the independent agency system.

More information available here.

Rhode Island

IIA of Rhode Island maintains an emerging leadership group to encourage young agents and those new to the industry to become engaged and aware of all aspects of the insurance industry, fostering talent, encouraging education, and providing opportunities for growth as future leaders of the insurance industry. Agents that have been in the business for less than 10 years or are 40 years of age or younger are eligible to participate in the group. More information available here.

South Carolina

IIAB of South Carolina hosts an annual Young Agents Conference focusing on the professional development of the up and coming young insurance agents within the state. The conference offers a packed agenda providing agents with relevant industry knowledge, quality tools, best practices and more. IIABSC Palmetto Partners and Company reps have several opportunities to network and get to know the future industry leadership in South Carolina. With a great mix of business and fun, and minimal days out of the office, the YAC has proven to be a valuable experience for all who attend!
More information available here.

Texas

Wisconsin

Big "I" Diversity Council Partners