The CIA is committed to offering a variety of webcasts to its members. Some will be educational in nature and will help members stay abreast of current trends and information. Other webcasts will focus on Institute governance issues and will allow the profession's leadership to share information with members in an interactive forum.
The Institute will also offer webcasts in various formats, such as, PowerPoint and audio, PowerPoint and full video at different pricing levels appropriate to the topic and type of webcast. The technological requirements to view each type of webcast will be provided at the time of registration
September 14, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., (EDT) Speakers: Peter Douglas, FCIA, University of Regina, Steve Prince, FCIA Dion, Durrell + Associates Inc., Joe Cheng, FCIA, J.S. Cheng & Partners Inc. This webcast will be a review of the recently published IAA guide on Stochastic Modeling. The guide presents the mathematical and statistical framework necessary to develop stochastic models in any setting (insurance or otherwise).
As an added benefit, the Guide is now available at the discounted price of $30.60 (plus taxes and applicable shipping) to webcast participants. Webcast registrants will be provided with a custom link to order the guide following their registration. The guide is available as a PDF or in hard copy. Shipping fees will apply to hard copy orders.
The guide is regularly priced at $36.00 plus taxes and shipping.
October 26, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., (EDT) Speakers: Emile Elefteriadis, FCIA, senior vice-president, pricing, Swiss Re and Cathy Shum-Adams, FCIA, vice-president, individual development, Optimum Reassurance This webcast, a discussion of reinsurance topics, will be of interest to both reinsurance companies and direct writers.
November 23, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., (EDT) Speakers: Neil Duffy, FCIA, Manulife Financial and Randy Colwell, regional vice president, Group retirement Services, Sun Life Financial This webcast will be an introduction to Defined Contribution Plans from a financial point of view, and how they are being affected by current developments in pension reform.
August 10 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., (EDT) This webcast will be based on the recently released exposure draft from the IASB. Speakers: Lesley Thomson, vice-president/actuary at Sun Life Financial and Chair of the CIA Task Force on International Accounting and Actuarial Standards (Insurance)
July 27, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., (EDT) Speakers: Barry Gros, FCIA, Aon Consulting and Chris Fievoli, FCIA and CIA resident actuary A recent survey commissioned by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and conducted by Ipsos Reid reveals interesting insights about Canadians’ level of preparedness for retirement. The results attracted a significant amount of media attention at a time when pension reform is again on the mind of Canada’s leaders. This webcast will provide a summary of the key findings, and how we as actuaries can interpret the results.
June 4, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Eastern Time Enterprise risk management (ERM) is often considered a compliance and risk mitigation exercise. Recent events have shown the benefit of skepticism and common sense to overcome ego and model worship. In this presentation, Max Rudolph of Rudolph Financial Consulting will discuss how to extend these building blocks to optimize a strategic planning process and use a disciplined risk culture to make better decisions.
ERM activities can be viewed as falling into three broad groupings: loss controlling, risk trading and risk steering. Actuaries have had long-standing roles, and are developing new roles, within each group. In addition, for actuaries to be totally effective guiding ERM programs, we need to understand the actuarial and non-actuarial roles within each group. Dave Ingram from Willis Re will make the participant aware of how these three groups of activities have greater and lesser emphasis within insurance, bank and non-financial firm risk management programs.
April 29, 2010 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT
This webcast will address a number of different topics associated with segregated funds. It will be of interest to actuaries involved in product design, pricing, financial reporting, and risk management. Topics to be discussed include:
Emerging product designs and how direct writers have handled the recent financial crisis;
Modeling considerations, including scenario generation, and techniques for managing the resulting complexity;
Hedging programs and how to reflect the cost of them in pricing and valuation;
An update from the Task Force on Segregated Fund Liability and Capital Methodologies; and
An update from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
Our presenters will be Deep Patel, Steven Prince, Peter Phillips, Alexis Gerbeau and Michael Bean.
This webcast will be a two-part series (can be purchased individually) that deals with developing and communicating effective performance objectives, providing positive and negative feedback, identification of potential problems, how to respond, assigning responsibility and follow-up. The second part will deal mainly with corrective action and progressive discipline.
Performance Management and Discipline Part 1 – June 1, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Strategies for developing and communicating meaningful and effective performance objectives will be provided. Checkpoint reviews, tips for providing positive and negative feedback as well as methods for identifying potential problems will be covered. Strategies on how to respond, assigning responsibility and follow-up will be discussed.
The speaker for this session is Melanie Polowin, Partner, Gowlings LLP. Other presenters will be announced. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
Performance Management and Discipline Part 2 – June 15, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
The second part will deal mainly with corrective action and progressive discipline. The importance of documentation will be discussed as well as some guidelines for conducting corrective action meetings and progressive discipline including terminations. A checklist will be provided on preparing for and conducting a termination meeting.
The speaker for this session is Melanie Polowin, Partner, Gowlings LLP. Other presenters will be announced. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
As a benefit of purchasing the live webcast(s), you will automatically receive access to the recorded version within 48 hours of the original air date.
This webcast will be a two-part series (can be purchased individually) that deals with on-boarding, developing and supervising new talent.
Supervision and Leadership Part 1 – May 4, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Participants will be provided with an overview of effective on-boarding and orientation practices to ensure new hires have a successful start. Guidelines for the first week, first month and 60 and 90 days will be covered. Realistic and measurable goal setting will be discussed as well as how to provide feedback during the on-boarding period and beyond.
The speaker for this session is Lorne Cohen, CIA Member. Other presenters will be announced. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
Supervision and Leadership Part 2 – May 18, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
The second part of the Supervision and Leadership series will focus on the identification of strengths and weaknesses, building on strength and methods for coaching through areas of weakness. Team dynamics will also be discussed with emphasis on distribution of work. Methods of communication will be reviewed as well as some strategies for ensuring ongoing effective communication including team and one-on-one meetings, setting expectations and understanding your own leadership style.
The speaker for this session is Lorne Cohen, CIA Member. Other presenters will be announced. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
As a benefit of purchasing the live webcast(s), you will automatically receive access to the recorded version within 48 hours of the original air date.
This webcast will be a two-part series (can be purchased individually) on attracting and hiring new employees.
Identifying and Recruiting Talent Part 1 – April 20, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Participants will be provided with a step-by-step process for gathering the information required for a job description and job posting, an overview of recruitment methods, tips for reviewing resumés and managing the interview process, including selling the job and handling interviewee questions. Assessing resumés and asking the right questions about scholastic experience and other methods for gaining insight into a candidate’s potential will be covered.
The speakers for this session are Frank Reynolds, CIA member; Melanie Polowin, Partner, Gowlings LLP; and Alicia Rollo, CIA Director, Education and Professional Development. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
Identifying and Recruiting Talent Part 2 – April 27, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Building on the material covered in Part 1, Part 2 will cover follow up interviews including second and third interviews, types of candidate testing and the legal implications, background checks, reference checks, communicating with prospective and eliminated candidates, making a verbal offer, making a firm offer of employment and keeping the new employee engaged with the organization leading up to their start date.
The speakers for this session are Frank Reynolds, CIA member and Melanie Polowin, Partner, Gowlings LLP. Other presenters will be announced. The moderator of the session is Chris Fievoli, CIA Resident Actuary.
As a benefit of purchasing the live webcast(s), you will automatically receive access to the recorded version within 48 hours of the original air date.
The CIA is pleased to present a new series of webcasts dedicated to people management strategies for individuals and teams.
Whether you are new to managing a team or are an experienced leader, these webcasts will provide insight into the challenges of recruiting, selecting, supervising and retaining employees, as well as managing performance and progressive discipline.
As a benefit of purchasing the live webcast(s), you will automatically receive access to the recorded version within 48 hours of the original air date.
Your package of six webcasts includes the sessions listed below.
To view a detailed description of each webcast or to view options to purchase webcasts individually, please select the appropriate webcast title from the list of Upcoming Webcasts.
April – Identifying and Recruiting Talent – A two-part series on attracting and hiring new employees.
Identifying and Recruiting Talent Part 1 – April 20, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Identifying and Recruiting Talent Part 2 – April 27, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
May – Supervision and Leadership – A two-part series that deals with on-boarding, developing and supervising new talent.
Supervision and Leadership Part 1 – May 4, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Supervision and Leadership Part 2 – May 18, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
June – Performance Management and Discipline – A two-part series that deals with developing effective performance objectives, providing feedback, identifying potential problems, taking corrective action and progressive discipline.
Performance Management and Discipline Part 1 – June 1, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Performance Management and Discipline Part 2 – June 15, 2010 – 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
November 25, 2009 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Eastern Time The development by plan sponsors of appropriate accounting discount rates for Canadian pension plans can be a challenge. This has particularly been the case during the recent capital market turmoil.
In 2009, the Committee on Pension Plan Financial Reporting (PPFRC) established a subcommittee to investigate whether guidance can be provided to actuaries who are advising pension plan sponsors on the selection of accounting discount rates. Gavin Benjamin, who is a member of the PPFRC, and Marlene Puffer, whose expertise includes fixed income investments, will be your speakers. Gavin and Marlene will discuss the results of some analysis conducted by the subcommittee and will highlight some of the things actuaries may wish to consider when advising plan sponsors on the selection of discount rates.
November 19, 2009 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time On November 3rd, the Institute released its new vision for pension reform in Canada, titled Retooling Canada’s Ailing Pension System Now, For The Future.
In this first-ever live webcast from a CIA meeting, a panel consisting of Institute President Bob Howard, Monique Tremblay, Chair of the Task Force on Pensions, which was responsible for having the document produced and Tony Williams, one of the drafters, will discuss the content of the document, the thinking behind its various elements and answer questions from members.
The strategies in the document have already been discussed on various occasions to help governments understand the depth of reform necessary to turn around the dire circumstances the Canadian Pension System is currently in. The time for effective pension reform is now, and the actuarial profession’s new position helps to provide some simple and well-thought out solutions for governments to consider as they move towards implementing change.
October 27, 2009 at noon, Eastern Time This webcast will address the exposure draft on changes to the Standards of Practice for margins for adverse deviations for P&C Insurance. Jacqueline Friedland, member of the Property and Casualty Insurance Financial Reporting Committee, will be your speaker and will share the feedback that was received during its development and solicit additional input from those in attendance. It is anticipated that the new Standards that address claims development, investment return margins, and the use of stochastic approaches in determining margins, will be in effect for year-end 2009. The webcast will also examine the new educational note on Provisions for Adverse Deviations, which is scheduled for release by year-end 2009.
As mentioned in the April 29th, 2009 CIA Announcements, the Practice Council has reviewed the International Actuarial Standards of Practice (IASPs) developed by the International Actuarial Association (IAA). These IASPs provide guidance for actuaries in the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These were released to membership on June 25th, 2009 as either educational notes or research papers, as appropriate.
In order to help the membership understand these documents, we are scheduling two webcasts this summer to review their content in more depth. This is the second of these two sessions and will cover IASP #6, #7, #8, #10, #11 and #12.
As mentioned in the April 29th, 2009 CIA Announcements, the Practice Council has reviewed the International Actuarial Standards of Practice (IASPs) developed by the International Actuarial Association (IAA). These IASPs provide guidance for actuaries in the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These were released to membership on June 25th, 2009 as either educational notes or research papers, as appropriate.
In order to help the membership understand these documents, we are scheduling two webcasts this summer to review their content in more depth. This is the first of these two sessions and will cover IASP #3, #4, #5 and #9.
Actuaries routinely focus on Standards of Practice and ‘best practices’ within their particular areas of practice. Experience tells us that the vast majority of work produced by actuaries is of high quality. At the same time, many actuaries do not spend much time focused on the profession’s Rules of Professional Conduct and might not be giving broader consideration to the way in which they practice to ensure that they are held in the highest regard as professionals.
Join our 90-minute CIA-sponsored webcast entitled, “A Guide for Actuaries on Good Professional Practice” moderated by Joseph Nunes, FCIA. This webcast will focus on three areas relevant to all actuaries. First, Mo Chambers, Past President of the CIA, will provide a ‘refresher’ on the CIA’s Rules of Professional Conduct. Participants will be reminded of how the Rules relate to our Standards and how they can increase their awareness of how the Rules affect their daily work. Second, Rob Smithen, current Chair of the Committee on Professional Conduct, will provide a review of our current disciplinary process and highlight some of the most common practices that can lead to disciplinary action. Third, Peter Manderville, a lawyer and Partner with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, will share his insights into the very modest volume of litigation involving actuaries. He will also share possible future trends and helpful hints to help actuaries avoid possible civil litigation.
As actuaries attempt to "see beyond risk" in advising their clients and employers on long-term economic perspectives, they may find themselves wondering how to adjust their forecasts to reflect recent market conditions.
Join our two-hour CIA sponsored Economic Round-table webcast for views on the financial markets and on the factors that will drive future actuarial assumptions and investment performance. The panel will be moderated by Josephine Marks (FCIA) and will provide various perspectives from Patricia Croft, Chief Economist at RBC Global Asset Management, Michael Banks, Chairperson, Committee on Pension Plan Financial Reporting, Wally Bridel, Member, Committee on Life Insurance Financial Reporting and Martin Roy, Vice President and Portfolio Manager - Structured Fixed Income, Fiera Capital Inc.
