Presidential Communications

In each issue of Contingencies, the Academy's bimonthly magazine, the president of the Academy offers perspectives on issues relevant to the profession and the public policy work of the Academy.

In 2010, Academy President Ken Hohman wrote about:

• Hidden Value
  
  In the broad debate on financial security, it is vital that actuaries be an integral part in planning the direction our financial leaders will take.

• A Spirit of Cooperation
  
  The five U.S.-based membership organizations for actuaries collaborate through the Council of U.S. Presidents (CUSP). CUSP recently recommended ways to make the disciplinary process more efficient.

• It's a Small World
  
  The U.S. economy is more intertwined with the economies of other countries than ever before—that's why it is important for U.S. actuaries to stay engaged in international actuarial activities.

• Stepping Back to Look Forward
  
  The actuarial profession must have a strong, respected, nonpartisan voice addressing public policy issues at the federal and state levels.

In keeping with his pledge to encourage better and more frequent two-way communications between the Academy leadership and its members, President Ken Hohman also authored a number of letters throughout the year to update members on Academy activities and accomplishments. The 2010 e-mail messages covered:

• A message highlighting the Academy's public policy work (February 2010).
• A message announcing the Governance Task Force (March 2010).
• A message seeking nominations for regular director of the Academy board of directors and announcing the formation of Academy Advisors (April 2010).
• A message providing updates from the May 20 board of directors meeting. (June 2010).
• A message announcing the 2010 Academy Volunteer Survey (July 2010).
• A message recapping public policy and professionalism activities over the summer at the Academy (August 2010).
• A message recapping highlights from the October board of directors meeting as well as a full slate of recent public policy and professionalism activity at home and abroad. (October 2010).