Insurance professionals are famous for adhering to the beststandards of risk assessment and management, so it might seempuzzling at first to hear that a large group of them got togetherfor a night of casino gaming.

But as the nearly 150 insurance professionals who attended theInsurance IndustryCharitable Foundation (IICF) second annual Casino Nightfundraiser last month in San Francisco can attest, nothing is toofar out of character when it comes to raising money for a goodcause.

Competitive spirit for a greater good

As we all know, the insurance industry has an intense level ofbusiness competition between carriers, brokers and agencies. Wherethe industry stands out, however, is in its ability to put asidethat competitive spirit for a greater good. But on Casino Night,the festivities were attended by representatives of dozens ofcompanies who are competitors by day, partners in philanthropy bynight.

And the results speak for themselves: On top of the night's goodtimes and opportunities for networking, Casino Night raised morethan $100,000 for IICF's Western Division grants program. Thisprogram provides funding to local nonprofits throughout Californiaand the Western U.S. that focus on child abuse prevention, disasterpreparedness, education, and health and human services. Earlier in2016, the Division dealt out $340,000 in grants to 35 localnonprofit groups, and the funds raised at this year's event willsupport similar efforts for 2017's grantees.

“Casino Night is a great fit for insurance industryprofessionals,” said Melissa Duncan, executive director for theIICF's Western Division. “On one hand, you have a natural, relaxednetworking atmosphere. On the other, you have a fun event that'sstreamlined to raise funds directly for the local community.”

Prizes and bragging rights

Sweetening the pot were the prizes and bragging rights that wereup for grabs for the night's raffle winners (chips won at thetables could be turned in for raffle entries). But above all else,camaraderie and community were the highlights of the evening. Asthe night progressed, some players' chip counts grew while otherspetered out. On countless occasions, winning players were seendonating chips to those who were running low so everyone could stayin the game for the duration of the evening.

The insurance industry is one of the few industries that joinstogether to support a singular, sector-wide foundation. Gold-levelsponsors for the event read like a roster of top insuranceorganizations with operations in the Western U.S., including AIG,Chubb, CNA Insurance, Lockton Companies, Surplus Line Associationof California and Zurich.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

More than fun and games

Events focusing on fun and games offer a great way for theinsurance industry to raise money for local nonprofits, but it'shardly the only way in which organizations like IICF give back.

“I can't say enough about the spirit of camaraderie that formsat Casino Night, or at similar events like IICF's Trivia Nights orbowling tournaments, yet the heart of the industry really comes outthrough volunteer service projects during the Week of Giving,” saidDuncan. “Time and time again, we see insurance professionals rollup their sleeves to give back in a tangible way. Volunteer supportfrom the industry is so tremendously valuable for the localnonprofit organizations we support. Service-based projects are anincredibly important part of what we do.”

The ability to give back through fundraising events and hands-onprojects gives insurance professionals the ability to truly immersethemselves in the communities in which they reside and work.Whether spending an afternoon at a local soup kitchen orparticipating in meaningful dialogue surrounding leadership withfellow professionals, IICF members never run short of ways to giveback and engage with their communities. These opportunitiesinclude:

• Week of Giving and service projects: Aservice-focused week in October in which members of the insuranceindustry donate their time to participate in 200-plus serviceevents held across the United States. Service areas includeeducation, food programs, homeless services, youth and children,arts, women's programs and many more.

• Networking events: Events (such as the CasinoNight) that are designed to bring the industry closer togetherwhile raising money to support funding and programming for IICF'sregional grants committees.

• Annual dinners: Formal gala events hosted oncea year in each of IICF's four domestic regions, as well as in itsLondon Division. Each dinner features celebrity speakers, guestspeaker appearances and industry honorees.

• Women in Insurance Conference Series: IICF'sflagshipconference event takes place every year in June, with theformat switching each year between one three-day event in New YorkCity and four, single-day events in key metro areas across the U.S.Proceeds from the conference fund IICF programming at the nationaland regional levels.

Combining the collective strengths of the insurance industry,IICF enriches communities and lives. As IICF and its supportersgear up for the 2016 Week of Giving in October, take a moment tolearn more and get involved in a service project near you atIICF'swebsite.

Steve Marohn is the Western Zone officer for CNA. Contact him via LinkedIn.