IBAO is pleased to support the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) new public service announcement and charitable awareness campaign aimed at communicating the dangers of impaired driving.

During the month of May, OSAID will have branded boxes displayed at the cash check out at all LCBO’s in Ontario. OSAID is hoping that all Ontarians to put a ‘buck in the box’ and donate to their campaign focused on educating students on the dangers of impaired driving. May brings us closer to the summer months - a time filled with social activities for students, such as prom, grad nights, May long weekend and end of school parties. These events find many students placed in compromising positions where impaired driving becomes a factor.

With a partnership that’s lasted over 10 years, IBAO brokers believe in not only educating our current drivers, but the drivers of the future. The number one cause of teen death and injury in Ontario is impaired driving. We proudly support OSAID and this initiative to spread awareness to young drivers of all forms of impaired driving including distracted driving.

In addition, Radio Broadcasting students at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario have created and produced a radio public service announcement (PSA) that will encourage people to support OSAID by donating to the campaign this month. IBAO’s public relations team will be reaching out to regional radio stations around the province encouraging the stations to play the PSA in support of this cause.

For over 25 years, OSAID has managed over 5,000 teen volunteers and has volunteer chapters in over 300 secondary schools in Ontario. OSAID hosts an annual, province wide, motivational leadership conference for students and teachers, holds 6 regional workshops, creates program materials for promotions, education and motivation, and helps prevent teen death and injury. OSAID does all of this with the help of thousands of volunteers.

Operation Red Nose was a success in Ontario this holiday season thanks to a partnership from Insurance Brokers and the Ontario Safety League.

IBAO partnered with the Ontario Safety League to ensure that all ‘Red Nose’ vehicles in Ontario had the proper insurance for the 2011 season. IBAO is thrilled to relay the results of Operation Red Nose (ORN) from this past December. 

During the 2011 holiday season, a total of 18,202 Ontario citizens received a safe ride home thanks to the Operation Red Nose program. ORN is available in 15 communities across the province, and over 5,874 volunteers generously donated their time to help keep their towns and cities safe during the holidays.  In all participating areas, ORN achieved their goal of zero collisions, zero injuries and zero fatalities during their operating hours.  A total of 236,001 KM were driven, which was an increase of 16% over last year, and ORN collected a staggering $151,227 in donation funds.

Brian Patterson, President of Ontario Safety League is pleased with the support community volunteers and corporate partners have made to Operation Red Nose, resulting in a resounding success. The Ontario Safety League is looking forward to increased engagement in 2012 and hope that the increased awareness generated by Operation Red Nose will have a lasting impact on reducing impaired driving year round.

Since its creation in 1984, Operation Red Nose and its safe ride home service have become the most important road safety campaign against impaired driving in Canada. During this past holiday season, the program ran on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

IBAO is honoured to assist Operation Red Nose and we are so pleased to share its successful statistics from this past holiday season. Randy Carroll, IBAO CEO says that this partnership is completely aligned with our broker’s mandate to inform and protect Ontario’s citizens of the dangers associated with impaired driving.

For more information on ORN check out these videos:

IBAO, in partnership with the Ontario Safety League is pleased to announce its new sponsorship of Ontario’s chapter of Operation Red Nose!

IBAO’s sponsorship guarantees that all ‘Red Nose’ cars are properly insured for the 2011 season.

Since its start in 1984, Operation Red Nose has helped thousands of Ontarians make the responsible choice of not driving while under the influence. This program provides free and confidential chauffeur services to individuals across the province. 

This national initiative launched today in Québec, and has undoubtedly been responsible for saving many lives as it serves as a truly effective deterrent against impaired driving.

Small community launch events will be held across Ontario during the month of November with the official Ontario-wide launch being held at Queen’s Park on November 23rd with IBAO’s very own, Bryan Yetman as the host.

IBAO wishes all Ontarians a safe and happy holiday season and encourages you to benefit from the Operation Red Nose program in your community!

For a full list of the Operation Red Nose locations and contact information across province, visit the Ontario Safety League’s website – www.ontariosafetyleague.com

Insurance brokers understand the importance of providing kids with every opportunity possible, which is why IBAO has recently extended its annual sponsorship of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) with the launch of a brand new goalie outreach program called, 'The Best Insurance is a Good Goaltender.

“The Best Insurance is a Good Goaltender” in an initiative that will help support kids who have always dreamed of becoming a hockey goalie but may not have had the opportunity to access proper equipment.  Additionally, IBAO will provide minor hockey associations with goaltending resources to aid coaches.

Last night, young hockey players were joined by Kay Whitmore, NHL goaltending supervisor and local insurance brokers to announce the launch. Over forty sets of new equipment will be given to young players across the province!

Supporting youth has always been a priority for brokers.  IBAO is thrilled to be launching this new program with the hockey season officially upon us!

Photo Descriptions

Goalie Launch

(Left to Right) NHL Goaltending Consultant Kay Whitmore with Insurance Brokers Mike Naples and David V. Palermo unveil “The Best Insurance Is A Good Goaltender” Outreach Program for minor hockey goaltenders to obtain loaner equipment to try the position.

Credit: Derek Polowyk, OMHA


Goalie Launch2

NHL Goaltending Consultant Kay Whitmore helps outfit Adam Lalicata with equipment from the “The Best Insurance Is A Good Goaltender” Outreach Program Goalie Kit.

Credit: Derek Polowyk, OMHA

IBAO is the proud Platinum sponsor of this year’s 9th Annual Canadian Crime Victim Foundation (CCVF) Gala which will take place tomorrow, Friday, May 27th, 2011.  This special event will begin at 6:30 pm at the Riviera Parque (2800 Hwy 7) in Vaughan.

The CCVF is a registered charitable organization dedicated to support, empower and provide resources to victims of crime and to affect positive change to victim services in Canada.  All funds raised by CCVF support innocent victims and survivors of violent crimes in Canada. 

This year’s Gala features special guest speakers, including Global TV personality Susan Hay, emcee of the event, founders of CCVF Joe and Lozanne Wamback, and most notably, Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.  Well-known Canadian singer/songwriters Marc Jordan and Amy Sky will perform and the evening will conclude with emotional addresses from family members and survivors of victims of violence.

Funds raised at this special event will provide scholarships to innocent victims of crime and add to the over $400,000 the CCVF has raised and distributed to date.  IBAO is proud to support such a worthy cause in our community and encourages our members to join us for this spectacular event.

IBAO was privileged to be presented with the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC)’s Gold Flame Award at the organization’s 15th annual Gala dinner in Toronto last evening.

WICC’s main mission is to mobilize the Canadian insurance industry in the fight against cancer by focusing on cancer research, support and education.

IBAO was awarded in appreciation for selecting WICC as the charity of choice for donations in lieu of speaker gifts at IBAO’s annual convention since 2009, which has contributed $7,100 to help in the fight against cancer. Over the past three years, IBAO has raised over $30,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society through its participation in the Relay for Life event across the province.

Over 600 insurance industry members attended the Gala dinner at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto and Broker Relations & Insurance Support team member, Jim Barnsley accepted the award on behalf of the association.

IBAO is a proud supporter of the WICC and will continue to be in years to come.  WICC’s commitment to educating and supporting people with loved ones suffering from cancer makes it truly an incredible organization.

Team IBAO at the 2010 Relay for Life event - Toronto, ON.

Yesterday, the North Bay and Area Insurance Brokers Association proudly presented the North Bay Regional Health Centre with a $250,000 donation and one hundred of their signature purple blankets.

A team of local independent insurance brokerages worked collectively raising funds for the community care facility, and the money raised will benefit the Surgical Inpatient Unit and Burn Suite.100 fleece blankets were also donated by the insurance brokerages and will be dispersed throughout the health centre to serve those most in need and warm the hearts of all.

Congratulations to IBAO brokers who donate thousands of fleece blankets and volunteer their time to a variety of charities across the province each year – a great demonstration of how insurance brokers are tremendously committed and active in their communities.

Bernie Robertson, President of The North Bay & Area Insurance Brokers Association commented on the donation to the hospital, saying that the group of brokers was very proud to present the large financial donation to a centre that continually goes above and beyond for the people in North Bay and the surrounding areas. He mentioned that the centre’s commitment to their patients and the community is truly inspiring.

Insurance brokers are consistent in providing support for local charities and as local independent business owners, the association’s members strongly believe in giving back to their community.

What a great way to start of the new year! This is one of many great stories of how brokers are committed to their communities and keeping Ontarians safe and well. We look forward to sharing more of these great stories with you.

Ontario Brokers Urge Teens to Drive Safe and Sober during Graduation Season

As exciting and thrilling as Prom season can be, it can be very easy for some students to be peer pressured into certain activities that they wouldn’t normally participate in. This is why IBAO has partnered once again with Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) to remind Ontario teens about the dangers of driving while under the influence this graduation season.

IBAO CEO Randy Carroll cautions, “with prom season just around the corner, teens will be attending numerous BBQ’s, pool parties and grad events. IBAO and OSAID are committed to reminding Ontario students about the importance of staying safe, while having fun during this celebratory season.”

Encouraging safe driving has always been and continues to be a central focus for IBAO and our members. We urge teens to apply these simple alternatives to avoid any preventable tragedy associated with driving while impaired:

• Arrange for a designated driver
• Take public transit
• Arrange for a car or limo service
• Call a cab

We know that brokers are committed to informing and protecting members of their communities. Alcohol-related deaths are the number one cause of death for people aged 16-24 in Ontario. By educating the young people of this province, we are providing them with all of the necessary knowledge to prevent such tragedy that in turn may save their own lives and the lives of their friends and loved ones.

For more helpful information, encourage students to visit OSAID’s new interactive website, www.OSAID.org.

For the past four years, a team of staff lead by Kelly MacDonald from The Standard Insurance brokers in Dryden, Ontario, have come together to run an Easter Food Drive for the local Dryden Food Bank.

During the month of March each year they team up with the local radio station, CKDR (92.7 FM), Subway restaurant and ‘The Centre’ in Dryden to make it happen. CKDR donates their airtime, and Kelly MacDonald launched the food drive by announcing an official challenge live on the radio to all local businesses or organizations to see who can bring in the most food by the end of March. The winners win a free lunch, courtesy of Subway restaurant, concert tickets, courtesy of ‘The Centre’ and an IPOD Nano, courtesy of The Standard Insurance brokers. There are three different winning categories.

This year, they had over 21 local businesses partake in the program this year, and raised almost 5000 food items plus over $100 in monetary donations.

Way to go!

Top (left to right)  Tom Ledoux Standard Insurance, Keith Grand, Manager of the Dryden Food bank
Middle (left to right) Kelly MacDonald Standard Insurance, Gord McCool Standard Insurance, Donna Sandelli Standard Insurance
Bottom (left to right) Lisa Legros Standard Insurance, Nichol Wesley Standard Insurance

New auto changes will be in effect September 1st, 2010. Due to these changes, IBAO will be offering an informative seminar regarding the new purchase options available to consumers in 27 locations across the province. This is a must attend event, and all brokerage staff should make every effort to participate! These sessions will be offered at NO COST to IBAO members and will be accredited for 3 RIBO CE Hours.

Two separate sessions will be offered: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
AM session: 8:30am - 11:45am, PM session: 1:30pm - 4:45pm

The following seminar locations will be offered:

CLICK HERE to view the venues.

FOR IBAO MEMBERS - Registration is Available Online Only!  Click to Register Online Now!
FOR NON-MEMBERS - Please download the Non-Member Registration Form, and submit a completed copy with payment as outlined. 

A confirmation email will be sent to you once your registration is complete. Questions? Contact Andrea Koumi at akoumi@ibao.on.ca.

IBAO will be accepting donations on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society in support of the IBAO Team who will participate in the Relay For Life event on June 25, 2010 in Toronto. If you wish to submit your donation in advance, please complete the Relay For Life Donation Form and fax a copy into IBAO.  You can also submit your donation online: http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/teamibao.