I started a year ago looking for a mentor and beginning, with Margie Brown, on my first mentoring relationship. After having focused on this concept for a year I see that I've had many mentors and that I've actually had the opportunity to mentor others. These types of relationships are happening all around us all the time. We need to be sure to recognize them and foster these relationships.
The Mentoring Task Force has been chaired this past year by Tish Riley who is our new National Secretary. Tish and her task force did a great job on the Mentoring page of the National website. I would like to thank Tish for offering me the opportunity to join the task force and allowing me to run with this blog idea. This blog has given me the opportunity to grow and accomplish what I didn't think I was capable of.
I would also like to thank Polly Jones of the Communications committee who helped by getting the word out about this blog.
Tish and Polly have both been great supporters!
Of course, my mentor Margie Brown has been there to help, answer questions, hold my hand, push me forward and point me to understanding. She continues to do so. In fact, I've got yet another topic to discuss with her, right now. I truly value this relationship we've developed and I don't think I would be nearly as successful without her.
Based on my personal experience with mentoring, and the relationships I've seen in Insurance Professionals, mentoring is yet one more impressive draw that makes us a desirable association to join.
The Mentoring Task Force will now be headed by Pam Haakenson. I think she has great energy and can take the task force to a new level. Please see her bio below:
I am a licensed agent and office manager for an independent agency, Buffalo Ridge Insurance, in Luverne, MN. I have been an active member of IAIP for 20 years. My local association, Insurance Professionals of Greater Sioux Falls, is well known for their mentoring of young professionals. I have held every local office and state office, and have been on or chaired every committee on the local and state level. I have co-chaired a Regional conference, been the RVP 5 RVP Assistant, and served on several Regional Committees. I believe in the power of IAIP to mentor and develop insurance professionals, in all walks of life.
I have been married to my wonderful husband, Mike, for 26 years. We have been blessed with two children, Andy & Lindsay. Andy graduated from South Dakota State University in 2011 with a degree in Construction Management and lives & works in Luverne, MN. Lindsay will graduate from South Dakota State University in December of this year with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I enjoy an active life style – I love new adventures of any kind, traveling, sports, theatre, shopping, and trying new exercise ideas. (The latest of which was a 5k Glow Run in Sioux Falls, SD. We ran in 85 degree heat at 9 pm at night - all decked out in light up accessories including glow in the dark devil horns for me and a glow in the dark mohawk for Mike– it was awesome!)
Pam's contact info is:
Pam Haakenson, CPIW
507-283-2381
pamh@buffaloridgeins.com
This blog is continuing on under Pam. I will be back with you next month for my final blog. It's been a great run and I hope you've been able to take something great from this blog for yourself. I'm certain you will continue to enjoy this blog under Pam's direction.
