Description: This is Cecil Bykerk's acceptance speech for the SOA's presidency for 2008-2009 delivered at the 2008 annual meeting. He reviews volunteerism, the education of actuaries, networking and promoting actuarial brand.

Description: This is the third in a four-part series dedicated to strategies for improving EQ, based on the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 written by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. In previous issues of The Stepping Stone, I discussed the skills of self-awareness and self-management. In this article, I will share a few more of the book’s strategies and provide examples and personal insights to illustrate how to develop the third skill of social awareness in personal, social, and business situations.

Description: The chair of the International Section of the SOA reports to the section members.

Description: This article is intended to provide an introduction to microfinance and microinsurance. Microfinance began in the 1960's and 1970's as a humanitarian activity directed at the poor to provide micro loans for working capital. Microinsurance MI protects people in the low-income range against specific perils in exchange for regular premium payments.

Description: The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the research mission of the SOA, its inner workings, major efforts, funding and its unique qualities.

Description: This article is an overview of the FAP course, a new e-learning tool that encompansses real-world applications and examples to demonstrate actuarial practice and to teach principles that help candidates make the transition from the preliminary examinations.

Description: Linda M. Springer, FSA, MAAA, spent more than 25 years in the financial services industry in executive positions responsible for general and financial management and strategic operational planning. Springer is now the eighth director of the United States Office of Personal Management. In this interview, she discusses government life, on–the–job challenges and how her actuarial background has helped her progress in her career.

Description: "Given the typical career trajectory of an actuary starts with increasing technical skill, we often overlook developing our communication skills, much to the determent of our overall career growth and business effectiveness. The only way that our work turns into business action is through communication, and business action is the sole purpose of our analyses. Come explore several ways to communicate more effectively by developing an understanding of our audience and what their “win” is, focusing on developing impactful messaging and outlining clear action, and how networking, especially broadly across the organization, can help us communicate more effectively. After this session you will be able to: Understand your audience and tailor your communication appropriately Develop clear messaging and explanations and deliver next steps Understanding how broadening your network can help you communicate more effectively"

Description: News release announcing the change to section dues. Section dues will now be part of member's annual membership. SOA non-members will still pay a nominal fee to join a professional interest section.

Description: Because of its complexity, ensuring the security of cyberspace is one of today’s most significant challenges. As the cyber environment becomes more integrated with the real world, the direct impact of cyber security incidents on business is also heightened. This study aims to develop a generic model that can be applied by any organization. For the validation of the developed cyber risk analysis method, simulations and sensitivity analysis will be performed.