The Minneapolis Association of Life Underwriters has provided manpower for the local Heart Association for 19 years. In addition, members recently launched a "Get Smart - Don't Start" anti-smoking program. The Tri-Lake, New York Association of Life Underwriters initiated a community forum on youth problems, in which 16 leading authorities participated in a panel discussion before an audience of 400 persons. Their work resulted in the setting up of a permanent youth council serving a wide area. A youth highway safety program was also initiated by the members. * One of the important ingredients of these programs is local option. Life underwriter associations are encouraged to participate in those projects that represent the greatest local community needs. At the same time, the National Association of Life Underwriters and the Institute of Life Insurance try to suggest certain project areas to those associations that are undecided about the direction of their efforts. Over the history of the program, it has been noted that associations have increased their involvement in health projects more than in any other project area. Today many associations are selecting more than one project to perform. A number of the larger membership associations regularly select three or four projects each year. This trend to multiple project selection is expected to continue as more life underwriters become aware of major community needs. 84 There is also a public service effort by the Million Dollar Round Table, a group of life insurance underwriters. In 1968, John Gardner, then chairman of the Urban Coalition, in a speech at the annual meeting of the MDRT, challenged its members to increase their community service efforts. MDRT members responded to this call. A 1972 sample survey of the then total membership of 7,500 showed that one-third had begun some new effort in public service since hearing or reading the Gardner message. Here are a few examples: In El Paso, Texas, an MDRT member serving on the City Plan Commission has been instrumental in helping solve problems in race relations, in organizing an Urban Coalition, in exploring the formation of a citizen's crime commission, and in mobilizing the leadership of his community to mount an attack on the community's most urgent problems. In New York City, an inter-racial organization called APT. for Americans Progressing Together, formed with the help of an MDRT member, aids disadvantaged individuals in starting their own small business. In Boston, FUND (Fund for Negro Development), formed and directed by a Round Table member, raises capital and provides a pool of manpower to help blacks solve problems of housing, employment, and economic improvement. In Midland, Texas, in Bettendorf, Iowa, and in McCook, Nebraska, community improvement programs are headed by 85 life insurance agents who have used their talents to bring new industries and employment to their communities, and to solve urgent problems of taxation and financing for needy civic projects. * Through the years thousands of messages on life underwriters' work in public service have come from state and local government officials, community leaders and recipients of the agents' efforts. One national campaign chairman for the American Heart Association stated that "life insurance underwriters stand second to none in the contribution they have made towards a healthier, happier America. " James F. Collins, former president of American National Red Cross, said: By inspiring the members of local life underwriter I know that many organizations, including the American Dr. Fred Delli Quadri, former dean of the School of Social Work, Columbia University, and a past judge of projects entered for awards, commented: To one who has worked in the social welfare field for communities better and safer places to live in. Your Dr. John J. Sampson, a past president of the American Heart Association, praised the activity in this way: The life underwriter is a fortunate man: his pro- Sewall Milliken, former executive director of the Public Health Local community leadership and responsibility The Public Health Federation highly commends this In 1961, the Institute and NALU received the National Recognition Award of the Chamber of Commerce of the U. S. The Dublin Awards program was similarly honored in 1962 with the presentation of the Award of Merit of the American Society of Association Executives. More recently, the program received special honors from the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. 87 CONCLUSION The insurance companies cited in these pages represent most of the assets of the life insurance business in the United States. Still, as indicated earlier, there are many other company activities that have not been alluded to. In Hartford, for example, Connecticut General served as consultant to a group forming a local health clinic. In Wausau, Wisconsin, more than 300 employees of Employers Life of Wausau have taken part in a public service program to upgrade emergency services. In Bloomington, Ill., State Farm Life employees have established local drug and trauma centers. In Los Angeles, Pacific Mutual has developed informational brochures for a free clinic. In Royal Oak, Mich., Michigan Life helps fund training of school personnel on drug abuse. In Hartford, The Travelers, sponsors extensive safety research. Acacia Life in Washington, D. C. sponsors TB and glaucoma detection programs for employees. Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio, through the Nationwide Foundation, has supported research into blood clotting factors. In Los Angeles, Occidental Life of California has helped fund a heart mortality-computer study with the Pasadena Cardiovascular Foundation. And in New York City, North American Reassurance has contributed to a basic science research project in cardiac physiology at the New York Hospital Cornell Medical School. |