January 29 Meeting Notes - Smithtown Sheraton Vincent Alba Photos by: Vincent Alba

If it’s January it’s time for our annual visits with Sam Friedman, Editor In Chief of The National Underwriter, and our annual joint meeting with members of CPCU and WINLI. President Mike Romeo opened the meeting by welcoming the other memberships and introduced WINLI President Denise Thompson who made some housekeeping announcements. Idris Grill was then asked to give the invocation. CPCU President Steve Flood followed with announcements for CPCU members.

Mike Romeo reminded everyone to take a brochure from the tables and register for the annual Suffolk Golf Outing on May 12th at Port Jefferson Country Club. He also reminded members to support 2008 InsurPac and referred them to the contribution forms on the back table.

	With special thanks, Mike introduced our sponsors and asked member support for them when the occasion arises. • America’s Internet Brokers • Branch Restoration Services • Duraclean Specialists • Morstan General Agency • NIF Group

You may remember that at our December meeting Mike Romeo won a $575.00 in the 50/50 drawing which the Suffolk board of directors augmented to $750.00 and contributed it to the local “Friends of Karen” charity. At this time Mike introduced Nancy Mariano who came to thank him and our members, and to describe the charitable work of this organization. “Friends of Karen” assists families who are overwhelmed by catastrophic expenses when a family member is stricken by an illness or surgery that wipes out the family resources.

Program co-chair George Brooks then introduced our guest speaker, Sam Friedman, whose topic was “The Insurance Industry’s Public Image and the Bottom Line”. Sam went into depth as to how the public perception of us and our business varies and affects us. As always, he had our full attention with this dynamic talk and answered questions from the audience.

As the meeting came to an end Sam was asked to draw the winning 50/50 ticket and $340.00 was won by Joanne Blentzas who was very grateful. The other 50% went into our scholarship fund.

See You At The Next Meeting !

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Mike Romeo with guest speaker Sam Friedman, Editor-in- Chief, National Underwriter.	Mike Romeo with WINLI president Denise Thompson and CPCU-LI Chapter president, Steve Flood.
Our January 29 Sponsors.	Nancy Mariano of ‘Friends of Karen’ with 2 of the Romeo’s, Michael and Joe.
The other 2 Romeo’s, Mike, Jr. (l) and Mickey (r ) with Jennifer Savnik, Melanie Accardi and Ed Morales from Branch Restoration Services.	Pete Meehan of America’s Internet Brokers was welcomed by past president John Stype.
Richard Macrae (l) and Bruce Hurley (r ) flank the NIF Group reps., Brian Grossane, George Farrell, Nancy Williams and Dan Mogelnicki.	Russ Vollmer joined Megan Lang, Jeffrey Sindone, Darlene Costa, Kim and Rob Sindone from Duraclean Disaster Cleanup in this photo.
Sam Friedman in action.	The happy 50/50 winner was Joanne Blentzas with Mike Romeo who presented the envelope and Sam Friedman who drew the winning ticket.