The Ontario Broker - February 2018 - 22

When you get involved
with something, you
get a say on how things
should work.
You get to determine
destiny in a way.
Dating back to 1973 when Brian's father took over
the brokerage, James Purcell Insurance Brokers has
become a staple in the Spencerville community.
"The business today, we deal a lot on the Personal
side. We know our clients well. We're heavily
involved in the community so we get to know
everyone. We experience a lot of organic growth
through referrals."
Brian got involved with the IBAO sixteen years
ago. He joined the Board halfway through his
predecessor's term. "It was brought up at the
Members' Meeting the year prior. The IBAO was
looking for a Territory 12 Director. I received a lot
of encouragement from various people to join."
He started in March 2002 and continued his
involvement for four years. Two of those years
he chaired the Young Brokers Council and was a
driving force behind the inaugural Young Brokers
Conference. "I was in my last year on the Board
when we held that first retreat. It was a big rah-rah
for young brokers, a great networking opportunity.
We first presented the idea at Convention. I
remember very clearly, it was a bit of a mixed
reaction from Principal Brokers. They were either
very encouraging or thought the retreat was an
excuse to get out of the office. We had maybe 40
brokers attend. It's incredible to see how far the
event has come."
When Brian's term ended, he joined RIBO's Council
for three years, and was re-elected for a total of
six. "As RIBO Director it was totally different than
the IBAO. You're there to look at the behaviour of
brokers, to protect the consumer. You're concerned
about regulation. It's a completely different agenda
between the two boards."
Brian became RIBO President near the end of his
tenure. "I still sit on the Disciplinary Committee.
When there's a hearing for brokers, I'm on a contact
list. It's like a true court case - four brokers and one
public member sit on a panel."

FEBRUARY 2018

22

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