THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE UNDERWRITERS
OF SAN FRANCISCO

November 2007 

To: Members of the Association of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco 

From: Russ Light, President 

Annual Report of the President 

It is a privilege and pleasure to report on the activities of your Association during the past year. 

The 2006 Banquet Committee was lead by Maggie Taylor as the chairperson and she arranged another wonderful event held on the evening of December 1, 2006.  A total of 320 members and guests attended.  We thank Maggie Taylor and the Association members who assisted, Marla Saltzstine, Janice Thames, Alvenia Anderson, Karla Scott, Marie Meadows and Michael Pellegrini.

The Association was able to present a check for $5,000 to the California Maritime Academy (CMA) scholarship fund for the fourth year in a row.  Thomas C. Dunworth, Vice President for Advancement of CMA, graciously attended and accepted this check. 

Our Association finances continue to be very sound and I am pleased to advise the Executive Committee has voted to present the CMA scholarship fund with a $5,000 donation for 2007.  

The 2007 Association Golf Tournament and Dinner were held June 22, 2007 at the Chardonnay Golf Club.  Golf Chair Marie Meadows assisted by the golf committee and volunteers comprised of Brett Eckert, Dan Graves, Keith Scally, Paul Keane, Ashley Fraser, Mary June Berger and  Gerald Ramos. They did an outstanding job in arranging this event.  A total of 54 golfers and 16 diner attendees were present and this year part of the mulligan cost contributed $1,300 to the CMA Scholarship fund.  Special thanks to all who sponsored a hole, refreshments and who donated golf and door prizes.  We look forward new and exciting things for next year’s tournament.

The Education Committee, chaired by Stan Gibson, is planning an Advanced Cargo Underwriting course and a Primary and Excess Liability Underwriting Course in 2007/2008 term.  It is an added benefit that through these courses offered by the Association students can receive Continuing Education credits towards their California Brokers/Agents P&C license.  We continue to offer the Glossary in either print or CD form.  The Association continues to focus on this key educational role for its members. 

Tom Deist, the Historian Chair, is making further progress for a grand presentation to prepare the Association for the upcoming 125^th anniversary.  We thank Tom Deist and the Association members who assisted, Julie Vogele, Marilyn Raia and Al Dugan for their efforts and support with the various aspects of the project.  Tom is once again working to assemble further historical information for this upcoming event. 

Cynthia Brixie, Vice President of the Association, continues to spearhead the Association website.  Please continue to log in to: http://www.amusf.com for the latest information and to register for the annual dinner and/or pay your annual membership dues.

Please note that the Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.  It will be held at Travelers, 100 California Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA. 

The 123rd Annual Banquet of the Association will be held Friday, November 30, 2007 at the St. Francis Hotel on Union Square.  Marla Saltzstine is our Banquet Chair assisted by Committee members Cynthia Brixie, Marie Meadows, Michael Pellegrini and Karla Scott.  Please join us for cocktails at 5:30 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM.  (As a reminder you must pay your annual membership dues even if you do not plan to attend the dinner to keep your membership active.)  As an added bonus, the 124^th Annual Banquet is set for Friday, December 5, 2008 at The Westin (formally the Argent).

I was honored to serve as President of the Association for the 2006-07 year.  I want to offer a huge “THANKS” to the executive committee: Vice President Cynthia Brixie, Treasurer Phil Nelson, Secretary Janice Thames / Julie Vogele, and directors Stan Gibson, Al Dugan, Tom Deist, Ben Walbridge and the numerous members who have assisted during the past year. 

I look forward to seeing you all at the 123^rd Annual Banquet.

Respectfully submitted,