Session Highlights CAS Volunteer Opportunities

San Francisco, Ca.—Drawing on the strong culture of volunteerism in the CAS and with hopes of getting even more members involved, the Committee on Volunteer Resources (COVR) conducted a special concurrent session entitled, "Volunteering Within the CAS_Working to Advance the Profession." Held Tuesday, November 16, 1999, during the CAS Annual Meeting, the session featured a panel discussing the many volunteer opportunities CAS offers to members. Moderator and COVR member, Roger Schultz, explained how COVR first started as a task force in 1997 to examine the CAS volunteer process. COVR determined that more than 40 percent of CAS Fellows volunteer in some way every year. Associates are also very involved, with more than 100 presently serving as volunteers. Schultz pronounced these figures as "rare and nice" statistics.

Volunteers on volunteering: Session panelists are (from left to right) Nancy Braithwaite, Roger Schultz, Kristine Plickys, and Gary Shook.

The session featured a panel of CAS volunteers with a range of experience levels, from relatively new to veteran. First-time volunteer Kristine Plickys described her service as a member of the Examination Committee. Plickys touched on the workings of the committee—structure, exam writing, and grading—and how much time she devoted to the committee's work. Being able to meet and work with CAS members from other companies was one of the greatest benefits of working on a committee, according to Plickys.

Gary Shook, president of the Casualty Actuaries of the Mid-Atlantic Region, described many noncommittee volunteering opportunities available, such as participating in regional affiliate activities, writing papers, and presenting at meetings. Shook explained the role of regional affiliates in the CAS, and how one could become involved and make a contribution through these organizations.

Nancy Braithwaite, a long-time volunteer and committee chair, offered insights on benefits and frustrations of serving on a committee. Braithwaite first got involved when her employer encouraged her to join the Ratemaking Committee. From there she served on the Examination and Syllabus Committees, eventually becoming the Syllabus Committee chairperson.

Braithwaite outlined what volunteers could expect from serving on committees, in terms of time spent working on projects and attending meetings. Speaking about the benefits of volunteering, Braithwaite emphasized that the ability to influence the various processes of the CAS, such as examinations and syllabus selections, as one of the greatest rewards of volunteering.

After a brief question and answer session, the session concluded with a drawing for door prizes for those in attendance.

For more information on how to become a CAS volunteer, contact Todd Rogers at the CAS Office.