The CISR Program Celebrates 30-Year Milestone
AUSTIN, TX - January 7, 2016 – The National Alliance announced today that the Certified Insurance Service Representative Program (CISR) is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its founding.
Inspired Career Growth for Professionals in the Insurance and Risk Management Industry
In 1986, a group of dedicated CICs in Kansas founded the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR). For more than a year, the CISR Program was conducted in Kansas, Missouri and Michigan only. One year later, the dream of a national program was on its way to becoming a reality when the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors in Austin, Texas, assumed responsibility for the CISR Program. One state after another adopted the CISR Program, and by 1996 CISR was a national program.
Today, CISRs are truly the face of insurance and risk management for their clients, representing access to prompt and effective customer service. Expansions to the program, including the CISR Elite distinction for those who complete all nine courses, have made CISR a global community, with more than 27,800 designated CISRs and approximately 1,500 courses conducted worldwide each year. The Program is available in class and online, and in Spanish in the classroom only. The program can be conducted at a company or agency on an in-house basis and tailored specifically to local needs.
For all insurance professionals who consider service their personal responsibility, CISR courses are a popular resource for practical insurance knowledge, stressing the understanding and analysis of risks and exposures. All employees of agencies, insurance companies, and insurance-related businesses benefit from CISR courses. The one-day courses can be steppingstones for CIC institutes and CRM courses, charting a path for future success and career advancement.
Thirty years ago, there was neither a membership society nor an educational program especially for Customer Service Representatives. Today, the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives has grown to over 72,400 international participants.
Throughout its growth, the numbers have been only one measure of progress. From the beginning, the first consideration was individual education—making sure that CISRs set and exceeded the standard for personal achievement. Just like the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program before it, this insistence on quality drew the finest faculty in the country. Within 10 years, the CISR Program was offered in all 50 states. More than 20% of CISRs choose to continue their education by participating in the CIC and CRM Programs. More than fifteen years ago, the CISR courses were made available online so that they could be taken anywhere at any time. CISRs seeking an even higher distinction may meet their update requirements by completing all nine of the CISR courses and becoming a CISR Elite.
What began as the Advanced Lecture Series in 1990, evolved into the William T. Hold Seminars, and is now available to all insurance professionals with or without a designation. The Hold Seminars, which began as a response to requests for more advanced courses to enhance a CISR’s education and career while fulfilling continuing education requirements, has become one of the proudest legacies of The National Alliance.
Acknowledging Outstanding CSRs
The National Alliance created the Outstanding CSR of the Year Award, open to any service or account representative who is a model for their colleagues. Each year, candidates are nominated, required to write an essay addressing a current issue, and judged by expert panels. Each state presents its award winner to the panel for national competition. Through this entire process, the “best of the best” share their knowledge and experience with others. The greatest achievement in all those 30 years has been the celebration of what a few individuals with a powerful vision can create in a network of devoted professional peers.
Contact:
Paula N. Cook, CISR Senior Vice President
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
800-633-2165
