Return to flip book view

OOMM NEWS NEWSONTARIO MUTUALS NEWSLETTER | FALL 2023The Mutual Difference Giving BackA Round of Applause for Our Team Members pg. 34 & 35pg.12-29

John Taylor, PresidentOntario Mutual Insurance AssociationOur Mission: To serve and strengthen our mutual insurance community.Our Vision: Grassroots insurance at the core of thriving communities.OM News is produced by the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association on behalf of our member and associate member companies.Finding Our Rhythm in Fall For many of us, this is the time of year for a more structured pace, setting of goals, new projects, events, and planning. It’s also a perfect time to reect on the months behind us and the successes and challenges we’ve faced. After all, insurance is an industry built on history. That’s not just a nod to our 160 years, but a reection of the strategy of looking behind us to better understand what might be ahead. We’ve certainly seen our fair share of history-making weather events the past few years and it most denitely points to a challenging trend moving forward. It’s one that we’re continuing to investigate, plan for, and better arm ourselves against each passing month.“We’re in this together” isn’t a slogan we take lightly - it’s in the DNA of mutual insurance and mutuality, and it points to the many ways we work together - with each other and with member-policyholders. There is no better example of this than in the pages of this newsletter.Here’s (and cheers) to another impactful year.

Our Mission: To serve and strengthen our mutual insurance community.Our Vision: Grassroots insurance at the core of thriving communities.OM News is produced by the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association on behalf of our member and associate member companies.A Message from OMIA’s ChairNeil Shay, CTM InsuranceUpcoming EventsA Peek at our Spring ScheduleNew Team MembersWelcoming New Faces to the Mutual SystemMutuals Give BackThis is How We Support Our CommunitiesAppointments & Position ChangesTransforming the Mutuals MilestonesRecognizing Signicant AnniversariesAccomplishments Congratulating Mutual Members on Their Professional DevelopmentOther News & EventsMore Mutual NewsEducation CalendarOMIA Education at-a-glanceRetirementsCelebrating Those Who Helped Us ThriveIn Memoriam Remembering Our Mutual Family Members32303643464734OMIn this issue >>Fall 202345612 2023 Presidents & Managers Meeting pg.44Catch up on our fall events!Starting on Page 40

pg. 4A Message from OMIA ChairNeil Shay, CTM InsuranceHappy November!Summer has given way to my favourite season, late autumn. The leaves have fallen, the lights are going up, and brisk walks in sweaters are in order. Also, mutuals are planning and budgeting for 2024. As has been the case for 150 years, we face some challenges - be it regulatory compliance, expense management, pricing adequacy, marketing reach, benets program tweaks, or the sometimes elusive goal of rating for positive selection, we have problems to solve, and solutions to build. Having worked with and gotten to know the staff at the organizations on Pinebush Road, they can help, and they like to hear from us, give them a call!Since we last checked in, it has been busy to say the least. We attended the Farm Mutual Re summer meetings in Muskoka, the International Co-operatives and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) Global Strategy Summit in Toronto, the IBAO Convention in Toronto, the NAMIC Annual Convention in Washington, the CAMIC Convention in Halifax, and then of course I had the privilege of hosting the OMIA P&M Meeting in London. Every event delivered value. Mutual insurers (and yes brokers too) know how to put together relevant conferences that are just the right mixture of education and entertainment.If you missed the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) display at the P&M, then you missed something special, and I recommend that you visit www.iclr.org to see all the resources and tools available. If you missed our outstanding keynotes, Amber Mac and Sébastien Sasseville at the P&M, never fear you can nd them online, and Sébastien’s book is available also. And if you missed the debut of our 4-H Ontario video at the P&M, check your email or the Ontario Mutuals Youtube channel. Word has it that this video is a huge hit in the 4-H community.This paragraph may not make it past our humble censor (i.e. the President of OMIA), but as you will read on page 34 of this issue, we are awfully proud that our own John Taylor is the 2023 winner of the Established Leader Award. This is a big deal. The nomination process is rigorous, and the list of past winners is a who’s who of Canadian insurance. The Established Leader Award is not an OMIA award. Rather, it’s an industry wide achievement granted by the Insurance Institute of Canada. John Taylor is a difference maker, and it is a measure of John’s character and impact that colleagues from twenty years ago were eager to write reference letters to support his nomination. Congratulations, John for this exceptional accomplishment!Finally, as we swing into the holiday season, all the very best from my family to yours.Always Building,Neil Shay

pg. 5OMIA is pleased to facilitate space for the Ontario Mutuals brand at signicant community and industry events. We also look forward to sharing education, information, and camaraderie at our Association events. Please see below for details.Please write to marketing@omia.com if you have any questions about our upcoming events.Upcoming EventsLONDON FARM SHOW www.londonfarmshow.comThis is the largest spring farm show in eastern Canada, featuring over 370 exhibitors and 230,000 square feet of show space, showcasing the latest in agricultural technology & equipment. Western Fair DistrictMarch 6-8, 2024London, OntarioOMIA ANNUAL CONVENTIONDetails Coming SoonThis is our opportunity to hold our annual general meeting and offer education sessions to our members. More details and a formal invitation to come in the new year. Sheraton Toronto HotelMarch 20-22, 2024Toronto, Ontario2023 ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENTDetails Coming SoonCutten Fields offers outstanding tradition with superior service. Experience a classic Stanley Thompson designed course with the ambiance of a private clubhouse and the best patio view in the city. The Cutten ClubJune 10, 2024Guelph, OntarioOTTAWA VALLEY FARM SHOW www.ottawafarmshow.comThis dynamic, innovative show, produced by the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, is the longest running agricultural trade show in Ontario and draws visitors from across Canada.EY CentreMarch 12-14, 2024Ottawa, Ontario

pg. 6We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our Agent team, Robert Cox, who joined us in August. Rob and his family have been members of the Shefeld community for the past 13 years. Rob has spent a large portion of his life working in the hospitality industry and decided to pursue a career change, drawn to the community focus of the mutuals. We think this is going to be a great t. Please join us in welcoming Crystal Haase to the Howick Team. Crystal will be the new voice you hear when you call into the ofce and will be responsible for general Ofce Administration. Crystal has many years of insurance experience in an administrative role and most recently worked as a legal ofce receptionist. Her administrative experience and knowledge of insurance make her a great addition to Howick Mutual. Dumfries Mutual Howick MutualBCM InsuranceWe’re delighted to have Diane McCarten join us at BCM Insurance as a Customer Service Representative. With over two decades in insurance and a deep commitment to the mutual insurance sector since 2016, Diane brings valuable experience. She is originally from Hamilton, but now lives in Binbrook, Ontario. Diane loves spending her summers outdoors, camping or cottaging with loved ones. Welcome aboard, Diane!We’re pleased to welcome Edward Whittaker to the BCM Insurance family as an Insurance Advisor. Ed started in the Insurance Industry in 2017 as a Broker and transitioned to an Agent Role in 2019. Ed strives to educate his clients about their coverage so they can make the best decision possible. He has lived in St. Catharines since 2008. Outside of work, Ed enjoys golng, cooking, watching hockey, and travel. Welcome to the team, Ed!New Team MembersWelcoming New Faces to the Mutual System

pg. 7Axiom MutualMeredith Webster also joined our Underwriting team in July. With over 20 years of industry experience with a broker, we look forward to her contributions to Axiom. Welcome, Meredith! Your Outsourced Investment Governance Expert Inquire about our proven expertise in: ➢ Governance documents ➢ Portfolio assessments ➢ Money Manager assessments ➢ Complete Quarterly Monitoring Services Contact Jeffrey Hand at 905-336-1879 or info@bonnycastle.ca .com1-888-576-3010Diana Taplashvily joined Axiom in August as our new Director, Accounting & Finance. We’re thrilled to have Diana join our team. She brings with her a range of experiences and knowledge, having worked for London & Middlesex Community Housing. Diana holds a Master’s degree in business administration and mineral economics. She also has CMA and CPA designations. We’re pleased that Diana has started her insurance industry career with Axiom Mutual. Connor Robinson started his insurance career with Axiom Mutual in July. Connor is a recent graduate of the Fanshawe Insurance Program and we’re thrilled to have him as a new addition to our Underwriting Team.We welcomed Ashley Marchildon-Henderson to the AFM family in the role of Agent in August. Ashley grew up on a dairy farm in Zorra Township and lives with her husband Nick and daughter, Wren in Lakeside. She enjoys riding horses, helping animals in need, and spending time with her family. Ashley has been an insurance broker for the past ve years in the Thamesford area, specializing in farms risks. Her farming background, caring approach to servicing policyholder needs, and strong desire for personal and professional development make her an asset to our team at AFM. Ayr Farmers MutualWe welcomed Sarah Holdenried to the AFM family in the role of Executive Assistant in July. Sarah is a graduate of University of Waterloo with an Honours Biology degree. She previously worked for the City of Kitchener in a variety of roles and was an Assistant Course Developer at University of Waterloo, supporting other students in reaching academic success. In addition to her degree, Sarah completed a certicate in Project Management. She is excited to join AFM and pursue a career in business. Her caring nature, strong work ethic, commitment to customer service, and exceptional communication skills will make her an asset to our team. Sarah grew up in and continues to live in Kitchener Waterloo and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

pg. 8Cayuga MutualCayuga Mutual is pleased to welcome our newest agent, Charlene Croft. Her knowledge, experience, and eagerness to learn have made her a wonderful addition to our team. Welcome, Charlene!CTM InsuranceMiddlesex MutualWe’re pleased to welcome Kelly Collins-Wilson to our team as an Agent. Kelly started her insurance career at State Farm in 2008 and worked for several different agencies in London and Seaforth. She was most recently at the Cooperators as an insurance advisor and life-licensed representative. “I like the idea that mutuals represent local policyholders and not shareholders. I have a lot more to learn, but I look forward to becoming a part of the mutual family and helping CTM thrive and grow.” Welcome, Kelly!We’re pleased to welcome Danyle Phillips to our growing team as Administrative Assistant. She is a graduate from Brescia University and has a lifelong love of horses, previously competing in equestrian sports. Please join us in welcoming Danyle to Middlesex Mutual!We’re also pleased to welcome Renée Cook to our growing team as Client Service Associate. Renee joined the Middlesex team in August, with ve years of insurance experience as a CSR in local broker ofces. Renee brings her passion for insurance and a keen interest in the mutual system. Her enthusiastic attitude makes her a great addition to our team!We’re excited to introduce our new Farm Underwriting Assistant, Stacey Hutchinson, who joined us in May. Stacey lives in Drayton along with her husband and three kids. She has an extensive background in account management and customer service and is currently training with the Wellington County Fire & Rescue recruit class to serve as a local volunteer reghter. Please join us in welcoming Stacey to the Edge Mutual Team.Edge MutualWe’re excited to introduce our new Commercial Underwriting Assistant, Michelle Finneran. Michelle joined us in June and has extensive customer service experience in the nancial and insurance claims industry. Michelle and her husband live in Drayton and she is an avid traveler who enjoys gardening and all things Star Trek and Star Wars. Please join us in welcoming Michelle to Edge Mutual.Ryan Nicholas joined us in the role of Senior Farm Underwriter. Ryan has 12 years’ insurance experience, with the past nine years in farm underwriting and business development positions. Ryan lives in Havelock with his wife and children. Please join us in welcoming Ryan to Edge Mutual.Diane Misol joined the Edge Mutual team in January with a contract position as Reception/Administration. With her eagerness to learn, dependability, and amazing customer service, we are thrilled to have Diane join the Edge team on a full-time permanent basis. Please join us in welcoming Diane to Edge Mutual.

pg. 9Welcome to the New Faces at Heartland MutualDavid ServiceVP, CIOSharon DitnerSenior AB Claims RepTracy ReynoldsReceptionistDavid RowanSr. Casualty Claims SpecialistScott UnderwoodDirect Sales RepJenny GrahamSr. Claims AssistantLanre OshoyemiPersonal Lines UnderwriterKrystal McClureCommercial Property Underwriter IIAnthony GhostineFinance StudentNikolina BubaloFinance RepCatherine WeissSr. Personal Lines UnderwriterKrazinkumar NavadiyaFarm Underwriter IDavid PotterClaims RepChris SlaunwhiteSr. Field Claims RepAngela BozicAB Claims RepWendy AlapiniSr. Commercial UnderwriterLorna RichardsManager, Technical Services & Vendor ManagementLisa MillerDirect Sales RepJacquie BankayCommercial Auto UnderwriterMichael WestRisk Assessment Specialist II

pg. 10Stanley Mutual is thrilled to announce its newest addition to the team, as well as a new department. Melanie McLean is the new Director of Marketing. An accomplished professional with over a decade of diverse experience in the eld, her journey began at an insurance company and later turned to marketing, where she honed her skills and gained invaluable insights into the industry. Over the years, she ventured into different sectors, including a prominent role in the marketing department of a renowned retail design rm, working across locations in Montreal and Detroit. Her well-rounded expertise and proven track record make her an invaluable asset to the company. Embracing this new chapter at Stanley Mutual, she is enthusiastic and excited to contribute her talents and experience to drive the company’s marketing efforts to new heights.Ashley Ross has joined our team as a Junior Underwriter.She is a University of Waterloo grad and has acquired her RFRA designation and developed a background as a nancial advisor. As an advocate for continuous learning, she is already eagerly working toward her CIP. Welcome, Ashley!Nova is excited to welcome Bo Chausse to the team as Agent. His dedication to the people he serves, his knowledge and outstanding people skills are sure to be incredible assets to our Agency. Bo is regularly active within his community through a variety of volunteer initiatives. He is passionate about ensuring people feel comfortable, welcomed, and are getting a level of service where they feel like family. Welcome, Bo!OMIA is pleased to welcome Kelly Ward to our team as our new E-Learning Developer.Kelly will continue to enhance the training and education opportunities available on omiaelearning.com. Kelly has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western and a Certicate in Adult Education from Conestoga College. She has over ten years’ experience creating job aids and supplemental materials and most recently worked as a LearningHUB Literacy Practitioner then Learning and Development Specialist in Stratford. Welcome to the team, Kelly!Stanley MutualWest Wawanosh MutualNova MutualOMIAKent & Essex MutualAlex Holmes, Sr. Farm Underwriter has over 12 years experience as an underwriter. Alyssa Comber, Residential Underwriter has over 10 years’ experience in the insurance eld.Robert Queen, Senior Property Claims Adjuster, has over 15 years of experience as an adjuster.Ashley Stroeder, Senior Farm Underwriter has a B.A. (Hons.) in Mathematics and a minor in Agriculture and has prior experience as a farm underwriter.Emma Vellinga, Junior Accountant, is a graduate of the St. Clair College business accounting program.

pg. 11Varsha Gobin joined our Innovation department as an Innovation Researcher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a postgraduate diploma in Project Management. Varsha brings previous experience as a Design Researcher to this role.We’re pleased to welcome Kate Van Geffen to the U&H team. Kate joined us as a Senior Underwriter in the Farm & Commercial department. Kate has more than ten years of commercial underwriting experience with Caradoc Townsend Mutual and Intact. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and we look forward to working with her. Welcome to the team, Kate!Farm Mutual ReStanley MutualUsborne & Hibbert MutualRiley Anderson joined our Actuarial Department as an Actuarial Analyst in August. Riley holds a Bachelor of Science specialization in Actuarial Science and has previous experience as a Document Management Associate.Laura Boost joined us in our Business Operations department as a Business Operations Process Specialist. Previously, Laura completed an internship with us in both our Communications and Claims departments. Laura has her Master’s Degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University.Dristal Bajimaya joined our IT department in September as an IT Technical Support Co-op. Dristal is currently a second-year student at Fanshawe College, in the Computer Security program.In September, Tracy Zhao joined the Actuarial department as an Actuarial Analyst Co-op. Tracy is a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo in the Honours Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management program.Mrunal Masurekar joined the Legal and Governance department in the role of Senior Legal Counsel. Mrunal is an internationally trained lawyer with over eight years’ experience and is qualied to practice law in Canada and India. She completed her Master’s degree in International Tax Law from Queen Mary, University of London, England, and holds a Bachelor of Social Legal Sciences and Bachelor of Law from ILS Law College, Pune University in India.Dean Coleta joined us in August as Chief Finance and Risk Ofcer, leading the Finance and Risk functions. Dean is a seasoned insurance professional with over 30 years’ experience working in a variety of Finance roles including planning and reporting, as well as in sales and operations. Prior to joining The Commonwell, Dean spent much of his career with Allstate Insurance, accumulating a breadth of insurance knowledge. More recently, Dean was AVP, Finance & Business Partnering at Aviva Insurance Company of Canada working collaboratively with the heads of the Personal Insurance division. He has also sat on numerous committees including the Facility Association, Accounting Committee. Welcome to the mutual community, Dean!The Commonwell

pg. 12Mutuals Give BackThis is How We Support Our CommunitiesErie MutualErie Mutual donated $5,000 to Canadian Foodgrains Bank in support of two area churches in helping to end world hunger.Pictured Left to Right: Rev. Dianne Everett, Andrew Topp (Bethany United), Roydon King, Arlene Everets (Erie Mutual Directors), and Sandra Murphy (Grace United).Farm Mutual ReIn July, employees volunteered their time to assist with the cleanup and landscaping of the gardens at the Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health location.

pg. 13Ayr Farmers MutualHeartland MutualAyr Farmers Mutual sponsored the Eli Palfreyman Global Invitational, a memorial hockey tournament that took place August 25-28. We are very grateful to have been part of this inaugural tournament, one that honured Eli Palfreyman – beloved captain of the Ayr Centennials. Congratulations to St. Andrew’s College on their 6-5 victory over the KW Siskins.Heartland Brokers, agents, and staff members have submitted their applications for the 2023 iHeart Community Fund. We are thrilled to be able to support 41 charities and initiatives across Ontario and Nova Scotia. We are excited to move into the next phase of our iHeart campaign, distributing funding to very worthy causes. It is at this stage that we are able to witness the tangible impacts iHeart has in the communities we do business, and the tremendous work done by these charitable organization and initiatives. In early September, members of the Green Committee harvested our vegetable garden to donate the fresh produce to the Ontario Christian Gleaners. This produce will be used by the Ontario Christian Gleaners in dried vegetable mixes to help feed those in need in developing countries around the world. The Green Committee grew two types of cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, lots of herbs including parsley, cilantro, thyme, and dill, most of which was able to be donateOn October 1st, our team SAVE THE P’AYRS walked (with a few runners) to support breast cancer research and fund specialized equipment that will continue to save lives touched by breast cancer. Through their four fundraising events over lunch hours in September, donations and sponsorships, the team raised a total of $6,186! Sharing this time with colleagues and being part of something so big in the community was emotional and offered lasting memories. The feeling of seeing many survivors coming forward from the crowd was also moving.

pg. 14BCM InsuranceWe were pleased to continue the distribution of $50,000 through our 2023 Grant Program across 10 organizations within the Niagara Region. This initiative reafrms the continuous commitment to nurturing and supporting the local communities we serve. The diverse range of grant recipients are spearheading valuable initiatives that contribute to the betterment and resilience of the Niagara Region. BCM, alongside the grant recipients, are optimistic about the fruitful outcomes and lasting community enrichment that will unfold as a result of these programs. Pictured left to right: Gillian’s Place, Horse Cents for Kids, and Kristen French Child Advocacy CentreThis year, we were a proud sponsor of Canadian/American Spinal Research Organization’s committed to the funding of targeted research to maximize functional recovery and cure paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. In addition to our sponsorship support, our team organized a 5K walk, bike, and run in the community in order to raise more funds and awareness for the cause. Dumfries MutualOur Farm Underwriter, Susan Shaw volunteered her time at the Arthur Fall Fair, which takes place on the weekend following Labour Day each year. This was the fair’s 167th year and it continues to thrive and grow with the help of dedicated volunteers like Susan.Edge MutualYou may have heard of our agship programs, SEEDit and L.E.A.F. SEEDit gives out $50 garden centre vouchers in the spring and encourages participants to grow and share food with their community. This year, SEEDit reached more individuals and grew more veggies than ever before - approximately 40,000 lbs of produce was grown and shared with friends and neighbours across Commonwell Country. L.E.A.F., the Learning Engagement Accelerator Fund awarded $350,000 in grants for community projects that support learning and capacity improvements for our communities to thrive in the long-term.Through our collective philanthropy efforts and a program called Care to Grow, we have invested over $3,000,000 and countless volunteer hours in the name of growing resiliency and capacity of communities across Ontario.We’re pleased to be fullling our mission by helping neighbourhoods where our members live, work, and play to grow into a brighter future. The Commonwell Mutual

pg. 15Once again, Dumfries Mutual was a Platinum Sponsor of the 171st Annual Rockton World’s Fair. Leading up to the fair weekend where we handed out treats to thousands of visitors, we had the honour of hosting the volunteer kick-off BBQ. We feel privileged to be involved with such a dedicated community of organizers, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers! This year, we awarded ve $1,000 post-secondary scholarships to local students, Emma Cote, Brooklyn Davidson, Ethan Slote, Caitlyn Smith, and Lauren Worsley.Each student took the time to write about how youth involvement and collaboration benet community non-prot organizations and volunteer programs as well as how youth themselves benet. The responses of our award winners show that today’s youth have a signicant inuence on both the present and the future. They are strong, tenacious and creative problem-solvers. We thank them for sharing and can’t wait to follow their respective journeys.On October 5th, we hosted our 2nd Annual Pumpkin Giveaway! We extended the invitation to our community and distributed pumpkins and cider (from our insureds) and treats to those who stopped by our ofce. Dumfries Mutual was the event sponsor at Waterhill Farms “A Farm Fresh Market” event in order to raise funds for KidsAbility. Attendees were able to browse and shop seasonal specialty food goods from local vendors and more. Dumfries Mutual

pg. 16Axiom MutualAxiom Mutual Tradition MutualAxiom Mutual is proud to support six local hospital Foundations, each with a $5,000 donation to their respective fundraising initiatives for a total donation of $30,000 in support of local healthcare facilities. These hospital Foundations include: Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation, Four Counties Health Service Foundation, South Huron Hospital Foundation, Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Seaforth Community Hospital and Clinton Hospital Foundation. Axiom Mutual is dedicated to supporting these important services so that they remain open and accessible to our Members, neighbours, friends and employees within these communities. Our Director’s Cut Campaign was started in 2022 as a director-led initiative that saw $12,822 donated to food banks serving Middlesex County. This success began when several Directors on the Axiom Board (farmers) agreed to donate the value of one acre of crop to the local food banks. Staff, Directors and Agents were then invited to “purchase” a bushel or more of crop, to add to the total donation.Plans for the 2023 edition are well underway. A promotional video has been recorded, the eld signs are in the ground, and some of the crops have been harvested. We look forward to seeing the results of this year’s crop and how we can involve other mutuals in this challenge to help reduce the shortages at the food banks. Over the summer, Tradition received an urgent request from the Stratford General Hospital Foundation (SGH). The SGH needed to purchase two C1 Hamilton ventilators for their tiniest patients, and Tradition was proud to donate the total, $55,070, to make this possible.

pg. 17YOUR FORENSIC ENGINEERING ALLIESUnearth Expert InsightsWhether you’re handling a kitchen fire, or a loss at a multimillion-dollar agricultural facility, you can rest assured that you have our skilled and experienced investigative team at your service. CEP Forensic’s team of engineers and investigators prides itself on the cultivation of client relationships and unparalleled investigative expertise.Clear. Effective. Partners.cep-experts.caMutuals, In This TogetherThis past summer, the Huron & Area Search and Rescue (HASAR) organization was unable to secure municipal grant funding to help them cover the costs of renting their unique facility that is used to store their specialized equipment and training simulators. Recognizing the value and unique skill set that HASAR brings to Huron county and its communities, ve mutuals joined forces to commit to a $20,000 donation spread over two years, until a long-term municipal grant plan can be implemented. Currently, many grant applications restrict what the funds can be used towards, which in this case included facility rent. The ve mutuals: Axiom, Howick, McKillop, Usborne & Hibbert, and West Wawanosh, see HASAR as a key partner in Huron County, being there when needed and providing specialized training in times of crisis. Front: Andrea Schaefer (Axiom) and Mary Garriock (West Wawanosh). Back: Patrick Armstrong, Don Jackson, Tammy Hickling (Howick), Tom Feeney (Usborne & Hibbert), Richard Seip (McKillop, Tom MacLean, and Danielle Pentz.

pg. 18Many green initiatives have been put into place thanks to the Green Team at 350 Pinebush Road. The Green Team is composed of members from Farm Mutual Re, OMIA, and Collectivde!Together, they have organized a fall clothing drive where winter coats were collected and donated to Diabetes Canada. They have also put together a station where employees can recycle used batteries, milk bags, writing utensils and eyeglasses. Each recycling program helps us to extend the life of the items and reduce landll waste.The effort volunteers put into planting, weeding, and tending to our ofce garden paid off. We were able to harvest an impressive 236 pounds of produce – all of which was donated to the Cambridge Food Bank.In October, the Green Team collected nine bags of garbage from Pinebush Road fullling our commitment to the Adopt-A-Road program and making a positive difference in our local community. Heartland MutualEarlier this year, Heartland embarked on a mission to reduce paper consumption. With our Guidewire investment, we’ve made signicant strides in this endeavor. By providing more options for digital document delivery, we’ve improved efciency and taken meaningful steps towards sustainability.Prior to these changes, we often produced both digital and paper copies of the same documents. This not only increased costs, but also had an adverse impact on the environment. Our approach to better leveraging digital document delivery has resulted in remarkable short-term results, reducing our paper usage by up to 4,000 pages per day.To put this achievement into perspective, consider this: a single tree yields about 10,000 sheets of paper. Consequently, our initiative has resulted in saving one tree every three days. Over the course of a year, this equates to 87 trees spared and saves an acre of trees every seven years. To underscore this signicance, an acre of trees can remove 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year, playing a crucial role in combating climate change.

pg. 19Howick Mutual Spotlight on 4-H4-H Go For the GoldThe Brussels Livestock 4-H Calf & Lamb Show was very busy in 2023. Fifty-eight exhibitors were in attendance at the recent event and Howick was there to continue to encourage our youth to stay involved in the agricultural industry. These young members have a passion for 4-H and worked very hard to bring their animals to the show. They are also wearing their “4-H Colours” to celebrate and support 4-H Canada.Ontario Mutuals was pleased to share a video highlighting the great work of 4-H Ontario and the dedicated mutual people who give their time to such a valuable program.Special thanks to our video participants:Graham Johnston, Waterloo 4H DairyJohn Drummond, “Mr. 4H”, Waterloo/Wellington 4-HScott Cullen, South Simcoe 4-H Hiking and 4-H DancingSonya Sommerville, Waterloo 4-H Go for GoldTerry Ann Betzner, Dumfries Mutual, Past 4-H Board Member Blair Williamson, Lambton Mutual Kate Ferraro, Caradoc Townsend MutualCate McCorquodale, 4-H Leader Each year, Ontario Mutuals sponsors the Go For the Gold 4-H Club at the Royal Winter Fair. This is a “Reach for the Top” style competition with teams from each 4-H County across the province. The competition gets erce as the day goes on, and this year the team from Sudbury won. They are a small club, with some younger participants, and everyone was happy to see them pull it off. Each year, the Sudbury team brings their Ontario Mutuals blue foam cowboy hats for a photo op with OMIA President, John Taylor (pictured, far left). We gave these out at the IPM in Verner in 2019!Watch it on the Ontario Mutuals YouTube channel!

pg. 20HTM InsuranceLambton MutualWe’re very pleased to have pledged $250,000 to help fund key projects and medical equipment and technology at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH). This commitment builds upon HTM’s long-standing history of supporting NHH Foundation, which the company has made a consistent giving-priority since 2001.“Our decision to increase our giving to NHH Foundation over the next ve years was made at the level of our Board of Directors,” shares Alec Harmer, President and CEO at HTM Insurance. “After learning of the Exceptional Community, Exceptional Care campaign and the signicant investment our hospital is required to make, the projects and focus really resonated with us. We see the value in having excellent care close to home for our friends, families, and policyholders, and our team wanted to do what we could to ensure modern care stays in our community.”HTM has been consistently supporting the hospital since making an initial $50,000 pledge in 2001 to help build NHH and has donated $226,400 since. With our annual commitment in support of the gala since 2006, the company is also the longest consecutive platinum gala sponsor. This latest gift is inclusive of continuing our platinum-level sponsorship for the next ve years, a $50,000 commitment, with an additional $200,000 pledged in support of the Exceptional Community, Exceptional Care campaign.For more information on NHH Foundation’s Exceptional Community, Exceptional Care priorities and ways you can support, please visit www.ItsTimeNorthumberland.ca. Each year, Lambton Mutual bestows ve scholarships of $1,000 to high school graduates who are existing policyholders or children thereof. These students were selected in recognition of their community involvement, volunteerism, and academic excellence. The 2023 recipients have bright futures and big hearts. We would like to congratulate Ava Gibson, Marieke Dokter, Savannah Morrison, Katie Wilson and Ava Vandendool. The recipients are pictured with Director Scott Smith and President Deborah Van Eyk.

pg. 21Lambton MutualThe staff at Lambton Mutual held a bake sale, rafe and other fundraising efforts to help local youth compete at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Thailand. Recently returned victor, Katelyn Finch, came into the ofce to show us the medals she won at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships. Our team is so proud we could help support Katelyn and her team!We were proud to sponsor and volunteer at the All Hands-On-Deck Food Drive in Strathroy this summer. Together with myFM and other supporters, we collected non-perishables, hygiene products, school supplies, cash and gift cards in quantities that broke last year’s record!These donations were distributed to three local charities: Youth Opportunities Unlimited, 37 Frank Youth Centre, and The Women’s Rural Resource Centre. These organizations make a big difference in our local community and we’re pleased to be able to support them in a meaningful way. Pictured: Hayley Kustermans (Loss Prevention), Tyler Steckley (Accounting), Deb Van Eyk (President).

pg. 22Maple MutualMaple Mutual Insurance held their annual golf tournament August 16th. $1,545 was raised for Dresden Terry Fox! Maple Mutual President & CEO Dean Muharrem and Terry Fox organizer, Meg Robinson are seen here holding the putting shoe.Maple Mutual Insurance was also proud to sponsor the YMCA Youth awards in 2023. The winner of the Science & Technology Award was Olivia Grubb, seen here with Maple Mutual President & CEO Dean Muharrem and YMCA Regional Manager of Health Fitness Aquatics Operation Lambton/Kent, Joe Cebulski.Middlesex MutualMiddlesex Mutual is pleased to sponsor the Huron-Perth Lakers AAA team 2023/2024 hockey season. Pictured below is Joseph Haskett and his father. Joseph embodies all the hard work and effort that goes into making a AAA team! Pictured below are two recipients of this year’s Middlesex Mutual Community Spirit Pledge. We reserve funding each year for commendable projects in the community. This year we focused on local organizations making a difference for the environment. We’re proud to support the work these teams are doing to protect, conserve, and restore nature in our local area.• Upper Thames River Conservation Authority – funds will be used for tree planting and educational programs for kids from preschool to grade 12.• St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation - funds will be used for tree planting and educational programs such as learning about Phosphorus and Aquatic Species for elementary and secondary students.

pg. 23Kent & Essex MutualWe’re excited to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers Baseball Club in the 2024 Intercounty Baseball League season. Look out for our logo on their jerseys, batting helmets and bats. Let’s play ball!Together with HUB International, we jointly sponsored the ComeTogetherCK Cornhole Fundraiser Event to help support the community through this local non-prot dedicated to fostering community unity. This event drew 40 teams and 80 participants in total, playing on boards made by community volunteers.We recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to ve outstanding recipients in Southwestern Ontario. These deserving recipients penned spectacular essays on the crucial roles insurance companies and policyholders can play in reducing auto theft risk, something that is on the rise.We’re excited to be this year’s Silver Sponsor of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Benet Gala. We hope that our support helps ensure compassionate, end-of-life care at no cost to residents or their families.We’re proud to be this year’s Program Sponsor of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce’s Rural Urban Awards, recognizing the rural and urban leaders and their accomplishments in the local agricultural scene.We’ve joined hands with HUB International to co-sponsor $5,000 to Erie Shores Health Foundation whose focus is to ensure advanced, quality care close to home through investments in high priority medical equipment vital for patient care.We’re proud to have partnered with Lundy Insurance Inc. as sponsors of the “Breakfast On The Farm” Farm and Food Care Ontario event. This event provides the opportunity to non-farming Ontarians to tour real working farms and learn about farming, have freshly made brunch and sample various farm-grown foods.Trillium MutualTrillium’s ROOTS Community Fund contributed $13,000 to the Women’s Centre Grey Bruce towards their new security system. The centre is a safe place for women and children affected by abuse. They provide secure shelter, crisis intervention, safety planning, counselling, and transition services to those who need it. The ROOTS Fund donation of $9,800 will help the Owen Sound Agricultural Society continue facilitating many events. After over 170 years of use, the grandstands need replacement. These funds will help x the grandstand so that fair-goers can continue enjoying each event!The Blind River Fire Department has received $6,000 in funding to support the purchase of new safety equipment. The funds will help equip their department with the tools needed to conduct emergency services in a safer manner. This will help surrounding agencies and communities that can use these new pieces of equipment, including testing re hoses.Our ROOTS Community Fund has donated $7,000 to the Bayeld Agricultural Society. The funds will be used to improve the fairground perimeter fencing. The fencing will ensue that any loose animals at the fair do not get on to the streets.

pg. 24Specializing in Subrogation focusMaximizeyour subrogation recoveries and free time for your sta to on more critical adjusting work.We oer aordable contingency & flat fee options. Please contact us to discuss your subrogation needs. Suite 216 - 762 Upper James St., Hamilton, ON 905-389-4522 | christine@sageclaims.ca | sageclaims.caNova MutualTeam Nova is proud to be a long-time sponsor of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show each October. It is Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair, as well as one of the largest fairs in Ontario! It opens with Young Canada Day, a celebration of students from all of Norfolk’s Secondary Schools attending and competing in various events for the coveted Spirit Award. There is also an Opening Ceremony, where a local community member is selected to cut the ribbon and open the fair. This year it happened to be one of our amazing agri-business members! The fair boasts over 15,000 entries into various competitions, multiple days of concerts, ve days of motorsports, educational programs attracting students from near and far, and over 115,000 visitors annually over this week-long celebration of Norfolk’s heritage and culture. This year, we highlighted some of the incredible stories of the dedicated, multi-generational volunteers that work hard to put on this amazing event. We’re so proud to be Grand Champion Sponsors of this event that brings the community together. The fair is a true celebration of the very best that Norfolk County has to offer. It’s a gathering place for locals, visitors, and those returning home. It’s a spirit, an energy, a feeling. Deeply rooted in tradition...for us, it’s home.Waterford Pumpkinfest is a 100% volunteer-run community festival celebrating the area’s unique agricultural heritage and diversity. It’s a three-day family event that showcases local artists and musicians, engages youth and all of the area schools, welcomes friends from near and far, and preserves its incredible 41-year traditions while building on them year after year. We were happy to be a Platinum Sponsor of this great annual event, raising money that goes to so many amazing local initiatives and organizations. In addition to sponsoring, we captured video to highlight the event, participated in the parade, and organized a pumpkin donation for the community ahead of the event to get everyone excited!

pg. 25Innovating with Ontario’s mutuals for the next 100+ years!STRATEGY | STRUCTURE | PEOPLEwww.engagehr.com | Toll Free: 877-347-7411• Strategic Planning• Succession Planning• Performance Management• Organizational Culture• Employee Engagement• Training and DevelopmentStanley MutualIn 2018, a few years after our CEO Greg Dunlap joined Stanley, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, a personal experience with a customer would completely change how we treat total loss claims.Tammy Ross, now Vice President, Finance & Administration, mentioned to Greg that there had been a total loss re. Later that day, something told Greg to take the long way home and stop by to see this claim for himself. Upon arriving, he came across the homeowner, standing among the rubble of his former home. The man was clearly devastated and exhausted, but what took Greg by surprise, was the stuffed bunny he was clutching. Greg was hit by a wall of grief for the man standing before him, who had come back to search for his daughter’s beloved stufe. Afterwards, he thought about the man, and his family in a hotel room, emotionally drained, scared with nowhere to call home. Back in the ofce the next day, Greg drafted the Stanley Mutual Insurance Member Care Program.*This program offers support for trauma counselling, family activities, a written plan outlining the claims process, a satisfaction guarantee, opportunity for photo restoration, and even waived deductibles under special circumstances around natural disasters. Caring for customers is what mutual insurance is all about. Mutuality enables us to create meaningful connections with our clients. It enables us to have a say in how things are done.Stanley’s Member Care Program is a perfect example of how being in the mutual industry gives us exibility in the ownership structure the stock insurance companies don’t have. That is one more reason we can all feel good working where we do.As always, with mutuals, together, we are stronger!*These are highlights only. New Brunswick residents, please contact Stanley Mutual Insurance for details of this coverage.

pg. 26Halwell MutualIn 2019, we were delighted to provide our support to The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital by contributing $250,000 towards the expansion of the special care nursery in the Family Birthing Unit. In October, President & CEO, Tom Seaman (pictured, far right), and Halwell Director, Avon Giddings (pictured, far left), were honoured to attend a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event and tour of the newly developed space (pictured, in centre, is Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner). The special care nursery is now operational, and patients have begun transitioning into this enhanced facility. Witnessing the completion of this project is incredibly rewarding, knowing that this upgraded space will greatly benet families during their times of need. Halwell Mutual is grateful to support various food banks in the communities we serve with a $10,000 donation. This donation supports 10 local food banks in a time where the rising cost of food and living has put unprecedented pressure on local food banks, and families in our community. Ontario food banks are truly resilient and dedicated to our communities, which is why we are so proud to support them. We are very proud to support all of the amazing things happening at Anishnabeg Outreach with a $20,000 donation. Anishnabeg Outreach is a Kitchener-based non-prot Center for Indigenous Healing. They primarily work to create a centralized space for Indigenous people to grow, learn, and be a beacon for future generations by providing them with access to culturally appropriate services and tools to overcome barriers. This is Halwell’s 2nd consecutive year supporting AO. We’re very proud to support Habitat for Humanity Guelph-Wellington with a $10,000 donation. At Habitat for Humanity Guelph-Wellington, they envision a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. We are grateful to support their vision, to build homes that provide the foundation for bright, stable, and empowered futures for the families and individuals who live in Guelph-Wellington region. Once again, we supported Hope in the Street as their Media Sponsor. This annual music street festival is designed to bring the whole community together and help to support those in the Guelph-Wellington region who are affected by poverty and food insecurity. Funds raised through Hope in the Street event directly benet Hope House, a non-prot organization located in the downtown core of Guelph which enables them to meet many of the city’s needs. It was fantastic to see such a huge turnout this year. Hope In the Street raised $46,545.95 in 2023! We look forward to next year’s event!

pg. 27Trillium MutualAs part of Trillium’s commitment to the community, every staff member is provided one day each year to volunteer with an organization that has meaning to them. These organizations vary greatly, but are all organizations that support the communities that our staff work and live in. We love to see our amazing staff volunteering in our community!Dirt Pigs Tournament - Michele volunteered her time at the annual Dirt Pigs Tournament helping the Walkerton Optimist & Walkerton Kinsmen at the food booth. Thank you, Michele! Proceeds from the weekend are distributed throughout Brockton’s community.Ag Fair Festival – Tami spent a great amount of time volunteering in the community. She was at the Listowel Ag Fair helping with the display of desserts in the baking competition and at the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival selling wristbands.Listowel Ag Society Seniors Day - Christine, Kurt, Lindsay, and Brent helped run bingo, euchre tournaments, and serve lunch throughout the day at the Listowel Agricultural Society Seniors’ Day. International Plowing Match – Sam and Larry both spent their volunteer days helping to direct and park trafc throughout the week of the IPM in Dufferin County. DISCRETIONARYWEALTHMANAGEMENTALL OF OUR FARM MUTUAL CLIENTS’ PORTFOLIOSARE SEPARATELY HELD AND MANAGEDACCORDINGLY TO THEIR SPECIFIC GOALS.WE UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OFMUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES - WE CAN HELP!FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Brendan T. N. Caldwell150 King Street West, Suite 1710, P.O. Box 47Toronto, ON M5H 1J91-800-387-0859 • 416-862-7755bcaldwell@caldwellsecurities.comwww.caldwellsecurities.comCaldwell Securities Ltd.

pg. 28Usborne & Hibbert MutualWest Wawanosh MutualThe employees of U&H Mutual once again organized a community BBQ held on September 24th in the ofce parking lot. The South Huron Fire Department joined the event showing attendees how to extinguish a live burn. The community pitched in and helped raise $2,360 for the Exeter Community Foodbank. It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed the barbecued hamburgers and foot long hot-dogs.Every year, WWMIC staff are invited to present a $1,000 donation to their favourite charity. Organizations that benetted from these requests in 2023 included the South Huron Optimist Club, Adopt-a-Pet, Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul, Mackay Centre, and Huron Shores Hospice to name a few.Thank you to our staff for thoughtfully considering these contributions to community organizations.

pg. 29Ontario Mutuals Student SponsorshipOMIA was pleased to facilitate the sponsorship of a student to attend November’s Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference (AWC East) on behalf of Ontario Mutuals. This year’s student is Beatrice Marenghi, a third year Agriculture International Food Business student from Dalhousie University. Beatrice shared her story on the AWC website: My name is Beatrice, I am 21 years old and I am originally from Italy. I am following a double degree programme in International Food Business, therefore I attended my rst two years of university in the Netherlands and now I am ready to start my third year at Dalhousie University, (Truro, Nova Scotia) where I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge regarding food concepts such as the global food supply chain, logistics, consumer behaviour and product development.I have been always very passionate about food and agriculture and I think it is very important to understand the global food industry from the farm gate to the consumer’s plate.Agriculture and Food are my biggest passions and I look forward to attending this conference and gaining strong knowledge about agriculture as well as a better understanding of the current food system in North America.Also, according to my study programme, I must perform a six-month internship in a North American food/agricultural company, therefore this conference could help to get to know new associations or entrepreneurs that are looking for new interns.The Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference is created for all those passionate about agriculture and food, whether university students studying agriculture, producers, entrepreneurs, representatives of a grower association or corporate agribusiness. We were pleased to send Laurie Kelley, Agent, Dumfries Mutual, to the AWC to take in everything on offer and to meet Beatrice at the Student Sponsor Networking event. Learn more at advancingwomenconference.ca. Cognition+ is more than a platform, it’s an ecosystem that allows the flow of data to interact freely and safely. Allowing you to bring customers into focus and deliver a modern digital-first insurance experience to policyholders and users.From Quote — to Policy — to Claim resolution and everything in between, the Cognition+ Platform provides complete control of your P&C business. SCHEDULE YOUR EXPERIENCE TODAY www.gocognition.com/insurancexperienceTHEINSURANCE PERIENCE

pg. 30Appointments& PositionsChangesTransforming the MutualsCayuga MutualWe’d like to welcome Jennifer Peart, out newest director to our Board. Jennifer brings 15 years’ experience with Farm Credit Canada and is a graduate from the Guelph Agricultural Business and Advanced Agricultural Leadership programs. We look forward to Jennifer’s contributions.Farm Mutual ReCongratulations to Tracy Vandemark on her promotion to the role of Reinsurance Treaty Underwriter. In this new position, Tracy will focus on evaluating reinsurance treaty contracts and managing reinsurance programs for our broker distribution channel portfolio as well as acting as an underwriting resource for member companies.Congratulations to Biodun Dawodu on his promotion to the role of Reinsurance Technical Expert within the Reinsurance team. In this new role, Biodun will act as a liaison with member companies and business partners, as well as provide underwriting guidance and training to the Reinsurance team and member companies. Nova MutualWe’re excited to announce that Dan Scarrow, will be taking on the role of Director of Products and Pricing. Dan began his career as a Personal Lines Underwriter, then joined our team as a Business Analyst. Demonstrating his commitment to a growth mindset, he has never stopped challenging himself to continue to learn and grow. His experience and his technical understanding will provide a fresh perspective to this role. Congratulations on seizing this new opportunity!

pg. 31Halwell MutualHeartland MutualStanley MutualTradition MutualPlease join us in congratulating Adam Johnston on his promotion to Junior Underwriter. Adam joined Halwell two years ago as an Underwriting Assistant after graduating from the Business Administration program at Conestoga College. Adam is a very valuable team player, and we appreciate his positive attitude, willingness to try new things, and his quick-witted humour. We are excited to see Adam continue to grow in his new role. Congratulations, Adam! We are excited to share an important update regarding Heartland’s leadership team as part of our ongoing commitment to develop our underwriting capabilities.Carla Moorehead, Vice President of Underwriting, will be temporarily narrowing her focus to key strategic areas within the company. Carla will be dedicating her expertise to farm, commercial, and Nova Scotia underwriting. This strategic shift will allow us to leverage Carla’s deep experience as we look to strengthen underwriting competencies in these critical areas. Carla will retain underwriting accountability and strategic oversight for the underwriting functions. To support this transition, we are pleased to announce that Mike Riddell will assume the role of Interim Director of Ontario Personal Lines Underwriting. In this capacity, Mike will join our executive leadership team, reporting directly to Louis Durocher, our President and CEO.Mike has been an invaluable member of the Heartland team for the past eight years and has 12 years of experience in the P&C industry. He holds a CRM designation and is actively pursuing his CIP. We look forward to the positive impact that Carla’s focused efforts and Mike’s leadership will bring to the execution of our underwriting strategy and to achieving protable growth across all lines of business.We’re thrilled to share that Wanda Schuttenbeld, a member of our board of directors, is now the newly elected Eastern representative for the CAMIC board! Wanda has been a Director with Stanley Mutual since 2012. Before joining our team she was part of the management team at McFadzen Holdings for 25 years. She also volunteered on the OMHA Board and coached Soccer for the Middle Schools and the OASA for years. Wanda helps her husband and youngest son on their Dairy farm just outside Fredericton.Join us in congratulating Wanda on this incredible achievement! We couldn’t be prouder to have her represent us on the CAMIC board. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our amazing team member. We’re pleased to share that Jeff Irwin has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Ofcer.Jeff’s extensive background in claims, along with his contributions on the leadership team, set him up for success in this newly created role. Jeff has over 30 years of insurance experience, including the last nine with Tradition. Congratulations, Jeff!

pg. 32MilestonesRecognizing Mutual Members’ Signicant AnniversariesHalwell MutualCongratulations to Stephen Matusiak on his 10-year anniversary at Halwell Mutual. Stephen started as an IT Systems Administrator in 2013 and progressed to IT Manager in 2016. In 2018, he earned the role of VP of Business Innovation, showcasing exceptional skills in driving innovation and operational excellence at Halwell. Stephen has played a crucial role in building our foundational IT infrastructure and implementing time-saving automation. His strategic vision and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in propelling the company forward and ensuring competitiveness in a constantly evolving business landscape. Thank you, Stephen, for your outstanding contributions to Halwell! Tom Seaman is celebrating 15 years with Halwell Mutual. Having joined Halwell in 2008, Tom has celebrated many milestones along the way, from Road Adjuster to Claims Manager, to VP of Operations, and his most recent appointment to President & CEO of Halwell Mutual earlier this year. Throughout his tenure, Tom has overseen key functions of our business, including underwriting, claims, loss prevention, and strategic initiatives. Thanks Tom, for your invaluable contributions and for making Halwell a fantastic place to work! Congratulations to Sherry McIntyre for 10 years of dedication and commitment to Halwell Mutual. Beginning her journey at Halwell in October 2013 as a Senior Underwriter, Sherry honed her expertise in commercial underwriting over nine years. In 2022, she took on a new role of Senior Business Analyst, where she plays a vital role in steering our strategic initiatives.We deeply appreciate Sherry’s integral role within our team and look forward to seeing her ongoing successes and contributions! Way to go, Sherry! Tamrah Edwards marks 5 years of dedicated service at Halwell Mutual, starting as a Data Analyst in 2018 and progressing to the role of Data Scientist in 2022. Tamrah has enhanced her expertise in areas including machine learning, cloud development, and data visualization. She also generously volunteers her data skills for social good through the Data for Good non-prot organization. Tamrah’s contributions have signicantly improved how Halwell handles data, and we look forward to her continued growth and success at Halwell. Well done, Tamrah!

pg. 33Dumfries Mutual Heartland MutualCheers to 10 years! Jeremy Webster celebrated 10 years with Dumfries Mutual in September. Jeremy spent most of his time as a Property Underwriter before transitioning to Business & Data Analyst in January 2022. We are grateful for Jeremy and his many contributions. Congratulations, Jeremy! We’d like to congratulate the following team members on celebrating ve years with Heartland Mutual:Louis Durocher, President & CEOMichele Falkins, Vice President, CFO & CROJim Sulston, Manager, Actuarial ServicesHere’s to many more!Edge MutualOMIAStanley MutualCongratulations to Grace Roelofsen who celebrated her 45-year anniversary with Edge Mutual in October. Grace started working for Edge (formerly Peel Maryborough), in October 1978 and has been a dedicated and integral part of the company ever since! Grace is part of our auto underwriting team, and demonstrates mentorship, collaboration, and professionalism every day. Edge wouldn’t be the same without you, Happy Anniversary Grace!Congratulations to Christine Senior, who celebrated 15 years with OMIA this fall. Christine began with us as a Training and Research Ofcer in the Insurance Services Department, bringing her expertise to our membership through education sessions and roundtables and product research and development. Christine recently moved into the role of Supervisor, Insurance Services, and has continued to enhance our education offerings, including through a swift transition to more online, hybrid, and e-learning environments. Congratulations, Christine! We’re proud to announce the acquisition of J. Bernard Elliot Insurance Ltd. effective June 30th, 2023.Stanley was founded in 1937 in the town of Stanley, New Brunswick and today serves more than 6,500 members throughout the province. Elliot Insurance is a respected third-generation independent insurance brokerage, founded in 1954 and located in Saint John, New Brunswick.“We share the same values and believe the client is not just a number, but people about whom we care. Elliot Insurance has always demonstrated they go above and beyond to protect their clients and to provide unparalleled service. Stanley Mutual operates the same way,” stated Greg Dunlap, President & CEO of Stanley Mutual.Both Stanley and Elliot’s client’s will benet from more expanded coverage options and even better customer service – servicing the peace of mind insurance protection provides, is our top priority.

pg. 34AccomplishmentsCongratulating Mutual Members on Professional DevelopmentOMIAWe’re very pleased to share that John Taylor, President of the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA), is the recipient of the CIP Society’s 2023 Established Leader Award. This is a National Leadership Award highlighting achievement across the country. John has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to, and impact on, the property and casualty insurance community.John began his career in insurance after graduating with a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Over the course of more than 30 years, John has worked as a licensed independent claims adjuster, claims branch manager, manager of professional development, and Vice President of Human Resources. His special project assignments include teaching at Crawford University in Atlanta to prepare claims adjusters selected to respond to losses from Hurricane Katrina and acting as Project Manager for the Walkerton Water Crisis Class Action Claims Settlement. John has been the President of OMIA since 2009. OMIA, located in Cambridge, Ontario, was established in 1882 and represents a network of farm mutual insurers from across the province who write collective premium of about $1.1B. OMIA provides training and education, forms and insurance services, branding, benets and pension, data collection, and regulatory and legislative affairs support to its member companies.John also serves as Secretary of the Fire Mutuals Guarantee Fund, a unique business model that places the surplus of all member mutuals behind any one for secure policyholder protection.John is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada, and holds the Canadian Risk Management designation, and Chartered Loss Adjuster designation.John is currently a board member and Treasurer of Farm and Food Care Ontario, a non-prot association that promotes public trust in food and farming in Ontario. He is also a board member of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. He was awarded the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies Service Award in 2022.John was nominated by the OMIA Board of Directors and supported by letters of reference from many of his industry peers. He is a staunch supporter of the mutual insurance community and consummate professional in his leadership role at OMIA. Those who know John know this award is well deserved! The CIP Society has been advancing the education, experience, ethics and excellence of graduates of the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) programs for more than a decade. They are proud to have established the only national program of its kind that celebrates leadership among property and casualty insurance professionals. This year’s CIP Society National Leadership Award recipients will take centre stage at appropriate Insurance Institute convocations and events across the country between November and March.www.insuranceinstitute.ca

pg. 35Halwell Mutual Middlesex MutualOntario MutualsSarah Bennewies, our Intermediate Underwriter has recently completed her CIP. We recognize all the time and devotion required to earn this designation and we congratulate Sarah on this incredible achievement. Way to go, Sarah! We would like to congratulate Kareem Merhi on receiving his CIP designation. Kareem Merhi joined our team as Claims Representative in late 2022 with several years’ experience in the insurance industry. He is a graduate of the Business Insurance Program at Fanshawe. Kareem has embodied Middlesex’s neighbour-helping-neighbour philosophy this past year, ensuring our members are well looked after during the claims process. Congratulations!The Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA) is pleased to share that the Canadian Insurance Accountants Association (CIAA) awarded OMIA’s Accounting Advisory Committee with the Transformation Award at their Annual Conference in Windsor, Ontario, on September 10th. The CIAA is a prestigious organization that exists to promote the study, research, and development of nancial management and insurance accounting. We’re honoured to have been recognized by our industry peers with this award which acknowledges our mutuals’ collaborative approach to transitioning to the IFRS-17 accounting standard. A key to our mutuals’ success in this work is our longstanding philosophy of working together for the benet of all. This was a mammoth project with many complex and novel decisions points, that if tackled individually would have been even more challenging to implement. At the centre of this project is our Accounting Advisory Committee, which monitors the accounting and nancial reporting environment and develops solutions and approaches for our member companies to address new and changing requirements. Our IFRS-17 journey has extended over the past ve years, and has incorporated research, policy development, process re-design, data management innovation, education, and a cost-effective funding approach. This committee is made up of dedicated accounting professionals from within our membership who have worked tirelessly to assist mutual accountants, management, and boards in meeting these rigorous new standards. Thank you to our Accounting Advisory Committee members:Chair, Andrea Schaefer, Axiom Mutual Insurance CompanyChristine Van Daele, Westminster Mutual Insurance CompanyDave Paterson, Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance CompanyTraci Radford, West Wawanosh, Mutual Insurance CompanyKevin Konecny, Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance CompanyJim DeJeu, Lambton Mutual Insurance CompanyCatherine MacLellan, OMIA Financial Review CommitteeAmy Butler and Bob Brown, Farm Mutual ReSusan Baker and Sharon Dittmer, OMIAThank you as well to our nominator Daniel Willmann of EY and the CIAA (pictured, far left), and our partners along the way. We are delighted to know that the standard we set for ourselves in 1882 - to serve and strengthen our mutual insurance community – is as relevant and meaningful today as ever.

pg. 36Howick MutualHowick Mutual’s Broker Appreciation on September 7th did not disappoint. The gathering of approximately 100 enjoyed live entertainment, food trucks, socializing, and sunny skies. As you see by the costumes “Blast from the Past” was a hit! Farm Mutual ReOur Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee members organized an afternoon for staff to gather and watch the “Truth Before Reconciliation” webinar featuring Connie Walker. This webinar deepened our understanding and knowledge of indigenous experiences and the importance of acknowledging truth before reconciliation.Other News & Events

pg. 37Ayr Farmers MutualL&A MutualTrillium MutualWe celebrated the end of summer with an ice cream truck at the ofce! Our team was very happy to cap off the closing of summer with a cool treat.L&A Mutual was proud to host the 2nd Annual Agentpalooza on September 19th and 20th. We welcomed 46 Agents, representing 17 mutuals, for camaraderie and networking, expert panels, marketing, and breakout sessions. We also had evening entertainment by Chris Jackson, culminating with a boat cruise on the Norman Paul along the Napanee River. We think this year topped last, if that’s possible! Thank you to all who attended, presented, and contributed to the success this event.We’d love to hear from you! We’re looking to add a Board Member to our incredible team. Everyone has something unique to offer and we want you to help make a difference within our organization. Learn more by visiting our website and send us a note: www.trilliummutual.com/contact-usOur Casino Night Summer Social Extravaganza was a hit! We all tried our luck at Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and the Craps tables. Everyone gave it their all with smiles and laughter all around.This summer employees and their families had a blast rafting down the Grand River, followed by a delicious picnic. It was a great day making waves and memories with colleagues!Farm Mutual ReEarlier in 2023, we debuted our Brand Anthem to celebrate our commitment to caring for members, No Matter the Weather. Inspired by the feeling of driving through scenic Commonwell Country, the catchy, guitar-driven tune invites everyone to sing along. With faces and places representing our dynamic Members and their lifestyles, “No Matter the Weather” blends both solo and choral vocal tracks that showcase the great feeling that happens when we support each other as individuals. The Commonwell Mutual

pg. 38The Boards of Directors of Dumfries Mutual Insurance Company and Halwell Mutual Insurance Company held their Special General Meetings on October 11th on the proposed amalgamation of both companies to take effect on January 1st, 2024. It is with much enthusiasm that we share that the members of both companies have voted in favour of the amalgamation to form Halwell Dumfries Mutual Insurance Company. Full approval now remains subject only to nal approval of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. As we celebrate this important milestone in the process towards amalgamation, we do so with great respect for the history of both Halwell and Dumfries and the individual legacies of both companies. The branding on the new company is underway and will be unveiled later this year.In October, our CEO, Rocco Neglia, was featured in the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s Insight Magazine for Small Business Month. Rocco discussed factors that make the insurance industry so interesting, his personal journey leading to his current position, valuable glimpses into his life, and more. With an impressive 35-year tenure in the insurance sector, Rocco has achieved remarkable milestones, and the team at Dumfries Mutual takes immense pride in having him at the helm.On September 7th employees, directors, agents and brokers had a fantastic day at the Exeter Golf Club. It was beautiful afternoon for this annual event where we enjoyed a round of golf and a delicious dinner.Our staff spent an afternoon at the Goderich Pickleball Courts (where we had sponsored the building of a beautiful pavilion) and learned about the fasted growing sport in Canada and the world! Dumfries MutualUsborne & Hibbert Mutual West Wawanosh Mutual

pg. 39At Special General Meetings on September 5th, 2023, the members of both McKillop Mutual and Middlesex Mutual voted overwhelmingly in favour to the proposed amalgamation of both companies to take effect January 1st, 2024 as MutualONE Insurance Company.On behalf of everyone at both companies, a huge thank you to our mutual community for the support, feedback, and guidance that has been provided. We look forward to the exciting times ahead!Many of the Staff, Agents and Directors of McKillop and Middlesex, soon to be MutualONE, got together for an afternoon of food, comradery, laughter and oh yes...lawn bowling. The members of the Lawn Bowling Club suggested we stick to insurance!McKillop & Middlesex MutualsYou want peace of mind for your policyholders. We want the same for you.Together, we’ll find opportunities to optimize your finances and operations, so you can focus on delivering quality coverage and recovery to your clients.Jas Chahal, CPA, CA289.293.2371 | jas.chahal@mnp.caMNP.caYour business is our businessCoverage is a two-way street At Special General Meetings on September 5th, 2023, the members of both McKillop Mutual and Middlesex Mutual voted overwhelmingly in favour to the proposed amalgamation of both companies to take effect January 1st, 2024 as MutualONE Insurance Company. On behalf of everyone at both companies, a huge thank you to our mutual community for the support, feedback and guidance that has been provided. We look forward to the exciting times ahead!

pg. 40Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) took place from September 12th to 14th in Woodstock, Ontario. Ontario Mutuals once again had a booth in the Industry Pavilion with a full roster of mutual participants taking part. We were also pleased to welcome 4-H Ontario into our booth for the duration of the show.COFS hosts hundreds of exhibitors who come from all across Canada and beyond, showing everything from the biggest tractors to the smartest ways to manage crops. Each year, it welcomes over 40,000 people who live and breathe farming. We look forward to hosting another booth to showcase the mutual difference at the 2024 show.The International Plowing Match took place from September 19th to 23rd in Bowling Green, Ontario (Dufferin County). Ontario Mutuals was featured as a Presenting Partner, along with HydroOne. We enjoyed fantastic weather, from the Opening Day Parade to the Closing Ceremonies (a rst!) We were also pleased to host 4-H Ontario and six mutual companies in the Ontario Mutuals tent: Ayr Farmers, Commonwell, Dufferin, Dumfries, Edge, and Halwell.The tent featured a photobooth, our popular yardstick giveaway, fresh apples from OMIA/HTM Director, Dave Rutherford’s orchard, draw prizes selected from local artists and artisans, a Loss Prevention information table, and a scavenger hunt for kids. We look forward to exploring how we can support the IPM next year in Lindsay, Ontario.Canada’s Outdoor Farm ShowInternational Plowing Match

pg. 41Ayr Farmers Mutual showcases their display at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September.Farm Show SnapshotsOntario Mutuals Agriculture AmbassadorThe new Ontario Queen of the Furrow was crowned at the IPM Award’s of Excellence Gala on September 22nd. Ontario Mutuals is a Presenting Partner of the program, which, in part, provides the year’s recipient with a vehicle to support her travel and ambassadorship across the province. The winner was Dufferin County representative Melissa (Mel) Karpenko. A graduate of the University of Guelph with a Human Kinetics degree, Mel has worked with Corteva Agriscience and BASF Canada and is currently in her nal year at Western University in the nursing program. Mel plans to work locally as a Registered Nurse upon graduation. Mel was raised in Caledon and currently lives on a dairy goat farm in Dufferin County. Mel expressed her gratitude to the many people who have provided help, assistance, and support during the past year. “It allowed me so many additional opportunities to promote the tradition of plowing and the value of the agriculture industry. Above all, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many new people, each sharing their stories of past matches, and the brotherhood and camaraderie that is interwoven within the tradition of plowing,” she said. Mel will now spend the next year travelling the province acting as an ambassador for Ontario Agriculture and the OPA - the parent host of the IPM - and attending events to promote next year’s IPM being held in Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes from Tuesday, October 1st through Saturday, October 5th, 2024.The gala also offered a wonderful chance for many former Ontario winners to return for the crowning and re-connect with the close-knit plowing community.

pg. 42The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) held their Annual Convention on October 18th and 19th in Toronto, Ontario. Ontario Mutuals once again had a booth in the trade show and hospitality suite at closing.The IBAO Convention offers a place for brokers to hear from dynamic speakers and industry experts on trending topics while connecting with colleagues from across the country. The Ontario Mutuals trade show booth was well staffed by participating mutuals who networked with a large crowd of attendees.The hospitality suite was co-hosted this year by Collectivde, Dufferin, Edge, Germania, Grenville, Halwell/Dumfries, Heartland, Howick, Lambton, Trillium, and West Wawanosh. We look forward to another successful event next year. IBAO ConventionMembers! Explore OMIA’s Certification Program on the members’ website: omia.com.Sign in, hover over Education, and click Certication Program

pg. 43Course Date & NameJanuary 8 (5pm - 8pm) - Insurance Finance 101 - Live OnlineJanuary 9 & 10 (9:30am - 12:30pm) - Commercial Property Coverage Review - Live OnlineJanuary 11 (9:30am - 11:30am) - Underwriting Managers Roundtable - Live OnlineJanuary 16 & 17 (9:30am - 12:30pm) - Farm Property Coverage Review - Live OnlineJanuary 17 & 18 (9am - 12:30pm) - Commercial Lines Auto Program - Live OnlineJanuary 18 (9:30am - 11:30am) - Sales, Business Development & Marketing Managers Roundtable - Live OnlineJanuary 23 & 24 (9am - 12:30pm) - Residential Property Coverage Review - Live OnlineJanuary 25 (9:30am - 12:30pm) - Claims Manager/ Adjusters Roundtable - Live OnlineJanuary 26 (9:30am - 12pm) - Ontario Mutual Loss Prevention League - Live OnlineJanuary 29 (5pm - 7pm) - Enterprise Risk Management for Directors - Live OnlineJanuary 30 (1pm - 4:30pm) - Automobile Underwriting Roundtable - Live OnlineCourse Date & NameJanuary 30 (1pm - 4:30pm) - Promoting Insurance to Value - Residential Dwellings - Live OnlineFebruary 1 (9:30am - 11:30am) - Underwriting Managers Roundtable - Live OnlineFebruary 5 & 6 (1:00pm - 4:30pm) - Commercial Liability Coverage Review - Live OnlineFebruary 5 & 6 (5pm - 8pm) - Introduction to the Role of the Director - Live OnlineFebruary 9 (9am - 12:30pm) - Insuring Residential Condo Unit Owners - Live OnlineFebruary 12 & 13 (1:00pm - 4:30pm) - Farm Liability Coverage Review - Live OnlineFebruary 13 (9am - 12pm) - Residential Underwriting Roundtable - Live OnlineFebruary 15 (9:30am - 12:30pm) - Accident Benets Claims Handling Workshop - Live OnlineFebruary 15 (2:00pm - 4:15pm) - Promoting Insurance to Value - Commercial Insurance - Live OnlineFebruary 27 & 28 (9:00am - 12:30pm) - Personal Lines Auto Program - Live OnlineEducationMap Your Path to Success at OMIAUpcoming Sessions (subject to change). Members, please refer to www.omia.com to review a currentcalendar of courses offered by OMIA. Click on “Education” and then “Education Calendar.” Remember to check out our On Demand eLearning courses at www.omiaelearning.com!

pg. 442023 Presidents & Managers MeetingLondon, OntarioThe 2023 President and Managers meeting (P&M) took place at RBC Place in London, Ontario from October 22nd to 24th. Chair, Neil Shay welcomed delegates back to London for the rst time since 2016.In his welcome, Neil returned to his theme of promoting mutuality by Always Building and especially the mutual approach of “building” relationships, particularly with other mutuals.Opening keynote speaker, Canadian author, and entrepreneur Amber Mac spoke on the emergence of articial intelligence and where it may be leading us. She also spoke to the underlying theme of constant learning at the core of succeeding and surviving in a rapidly changing world. She identied her version of a “PATH”, prioritizing purpose, relentless adaptation, trust building, and health and wellness.The business session included reports from Chair, Neil Shay and OMIA President, John Taylor. Neil spoke about developments in solvency and prudential supervision, the Risk Management Supervisory Framework, mutual data strategy, and the opportunity for resiliency allowances in the mutual homeowners policy. Neil also thanked attendees, sponsors and donors who helped Caradoc Townsend Mutual and OMIA raise $18,375 for the Farm Mutual Foundation and Ataxia Canada at the June golf tournament.In his President’s Report, John Taylor did a detailed review of solvency overview of the mutuals and the genesis of the system in place before the establishment of FSRA’s Risk Based Supervisory Framework. He summarized for attendees the key issues currently being discussed with FSRA, OMIA and the Fire Mutuals Guarantee Fund. He also provided an update on OMIA’s strategic plan and the ve overarching strategic goals:• Solvency and Compliance• Promoting Mutuality• Resource Centre• Group and Afnity Services • Data Strategy Fire Mutuals Guarantee Fund Chair, Sharon Hollister convened the Fire Mutuals Guarantee Fund meeting. She thanked her fellow trustees and spoke on the continuing work with FSRA to arrive at a Risk Based Supervisory Framework that makes sense for policyholders, mutuals, and the regulator.Catherine MacLellan gave the Financial Review Committee update and reported on the mutual nancials to the end of June 2023. Catherine also provided an update on the work involved in understanding the impact of the changes and updating tools like Early Warning Tests. The nal session of the morning was an update from Tyler Kroetsch on the work undertaken by the Ontario Mutuals Automobile Plan (OMAP) to modernize and update rates and rules and to become more competitive and protable on the auto product. Tyler also outlined projects in scope for the coming year including telematics.Afternoon sessions included a reside chat with Imran Ahmad of Norton Rose Fulbright and Bryan Hicks, the former chair of OMIA’s Regulatory and Compliance Roundtable. They covered developments in cyber risk with a focus on how the leaders and directors of organizations can prepare and respond to the inevitable cyber breach. The afternoon’s nal speaker was Eric Lascelles who spoke on reading the current economic signals for portfolio management. His broad experience and exposure to capital markets as the Chief Economist for RBC Global Asset Management provided a deep insight into the potential for a recessionary economy in the months ahead.Tuesday’s program began with Farm Mutual Re’s Information Session. This included insight from Chair, Ed Forbes, CEO JP Gagnon, CFO Amy Butler, and General Counsel and Legal Secretary, Patrice Rouse covering a range of topics including FSRA’s approach to assessments, Farm Mutual Re’s strategic plan process, challenges in reinsurance managing catastrophic loss exposures, and strategic approaches to addressing a challenging reinsurance marketplace.Farm Mutual Re’s meeting included special guest speaker, Swiss Re’s Jolee Crosby, CEO Reinsurance Canada & Canada Country President , who shared Swiss Re’s view of risk and mitigation and changing trends.

pg. 45The Farm Mutual Foundation report was provided by Jill Taylor. The 2023 scholarship topic was on voter turnout in the younger demographic and how engagement for younger people might be increased. She shared some of the excellent work done in the student essays and that all 227 scholarships had been granted. Teresa Budd of Watson Governance spoke to changing trends in governance and provided some deep insight into how boards can assess the level of engagement they need to manage risk, provide appropriate oversight, and understand operational issues without becoming operational boards. Following a lunch sponsored by Farm Mutual Re, members received an update on the broker merger and acquisition market from Tony Ngo of Collectivde. The closing keynote session was provided by Sébastien Sasseville. Sébastien is a pre-eminent Canadian endurance athlete. He shared fascinating anecdotes and video of his various quests. Sébastien’s lessons learned, and leadership advice included thoughts on optimism as a habit and not an attribute if you wish to meet challenges and succeed. An additional feature to the P&M was an introduction to the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction’s (ICLR) Hazard Lab. This was relocated from its home at the National Research Council’s facilities at the University of Western Ontario. Attendees had an opportunity to watch live, hands-on demonstrations on how building construction can be improved to increase resilience against wind, water, and wildre loss. Neil Shay closed the 2023 P&M and invited delegates to the 2024 Annual Meeting in March and the 2024 P&M, to be held in Ottawa.

pg. 46RetirementsCelebrating Those Who Helped Us ThriveGrenville MutualAfter almost 22 years with the Grenville Mutual team, our Ofce Manager and long-time Corporate Secretary, Diane Carriere, has decided it’s time to retire December 31st. Diane came to Grenville in 2001 as a Receptionist, then Loss Prevention Administrator, and in 2006 took on the role of Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and Corporate Secretary to the Board. The go-to person for almost everything, there is very little that goes on at Grenville that Diane doesn’t pay a role in, knowing precisely what to do and how to get it done. Diane is the very proud grandmother of two beautiful and energetic little ones – who will no doubt become a big part of this next chapter in Diane’s journey. Please join us in wishing Diane all the best in her retirementAfter two decades with Grenville Mutual, our Risk Assessment Specialist, Dave McLaughlin, will be hanging up his thermal imaging camera, as he retires at the end of this year. Dave has been an instrumental part of our team sharing his experience and expertise with our Brokers, Agents, and members of our Underwriting team. A skilled inspector, and with a previous background in construction, Dave has been the go-to expert on anything related to building risks and standards, not only for us, but with our fellow mutuals. He has always taken pride to build positive and cooperative relationships with our Policyholders. Join us in wishing Dave a happy retirement and all the best in whatever his next chapter holds.Bill Armstrong, Karen Ball, Nancy Buchanan, and Karen Whalen began their careers during a time when typewriters, fax machines, and even pen-to-paper bookkeeping was still common practice. Few generations will get to say that they lived during a time of such intense and fast-paced transformation and have the stories to prove it! Bill will tell you about conducting inspections with a pencil, clipboard, and a trusty tape measure, driving hundreds of kilometers across the province (not a cell phone in sight). Karen, who joined our legacy mutual in 1976 shared that, “At that time, even in Underwriting things were parted out. One person did the checking of the applications, one person typed up the policies, one person did the actual underwriting and another did the endorsements.” Nancy spent 15 years as a Broker before transitioning to Commercial Underwriting and her advice is timeless – to get out and visit brokers. “It really helps to get into their environment. With any luck you might get to see them interact with a client so you can see things from their perspective.”It was clear from each of our retirees that they will always cherish the wonderful relationships they made throughout the years. Karen Ball will always feel a connection to her team at The Commonwell, “It has been a privilege to work with our dedicated Team and I carry them all in my heart.” In a world where long tenures are becoming rarer, we are grateful that these special team members have dedicated so many years of faithful service to our Members, our Brokers and our Communities. Please join us in wishing them all the best in their retirement!The Commonwell Mutual

pg. 47Usborne & Hibbert MutualAfter serving 30 years on the Usborne & Hibbert Mutual board, Mike O’Shea retired earlier this year. Employees and Directors, past and present, recognized his service to the company on September 27th at the St. Paul’s Optimist Community Centre. It was also lovely to have Mike’s family join us for the event. Mike was Chair of the U&H Mutual Board from March 1997 to March 1999, and then again from March 2009 to March 2011. In addition to his duties as a board member, he also adjusted claims. Mike valued the time he spent with policyholders and liked nothing more than being able to help them through a difcult time. Mike is truly dedicated to the mutual insurance industry and a loyal supporter of the system. On April 1st, 1998 he was elected to the Farm Mutual Re Board and served for 9 years, including being Chair from 2005 to 2006. Thank you, Mike for your contributions and guidance throughout the last 30 years.In MemoriamRemembering Our Mutual Family MembersMel McIntyre, OMIAJohn Garwood, Stanley MutualWe are saddened to share the new of Melvin (Mel) McIntyre’s passing in February of this year. Mel was Secretary (now known as President) of the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association from November 1968 to December 1989.Mel was born in the USA but lived most of his life in Canada, growing up in Carleton Place, Ontario. He joined the Canadian navy during WWII and spent three years on the HMCS Swansea. After the war, he went into the Insurance business working in Ottawa but eventually settling in Cambridge, working at OMIA until his retirement. Mel was OMIA’s rst “full-time Manager” and a leader in the implementation of the Association’s training program and benets program as well as the move into broader coverages including liability and commercial insurance.We send our condolences to the McIntyre family.With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of John Garwood of Fredericton, NB, on July 2nd, 2023. Born in England, John was the son of the late Rev. Albert Garwood and Evelyn (Stephens) Garwood and loving husband and best friend to Dawn for 33 years. John and Dawn shared three children and seven grandchildren.John spent much of his career in the insurance industry, retiring in 2015 as CEO of Stanley Mutual Insurance after 23 years of service with the company.He had many hobbies including computers, playing guitar, and cooking. He loved to sing and always enjoyed a karaoke night with his friends. He and Dawn loved Corvettes and were members of the River Valley Corvette Club where they made some wonderful friends. John was a true “Jack of all Trades” and could x absolutely anything. With his impeccable attention to detail and determination, he not only xed everything, but would make it better than before with creative improvements.We send our condolences to the Garwood family.

Address: 350 Pinebush Road, Cambridge Ontario N1T 1Z6 (519) 622-9220 Fax: (519) 622-9227Mail: P.O. Box 3187 Cambridge ON N3H 4S6 www.omia.com And keep that news coming!Please send your news, photos, updates and more to marketing@omia.com. OM News can be read online at OMIA.com and sign-in is not necessary. Just visit www.omia.com and pick Ontario Mutuals Newsletter from the menu on the left of the page.READY TO GO GREEN? Please drop us an email if you’d prefer to read your OM News online and help us save paper and ink. Email marketing@omia.com and we’ll be sure that your name is included on the email notication that goes out when a new issue is available.