Webinars vs Seminars

I have taken my share of webinars and attended many seminars.  However, I have not decided which I like better.  What is your opinion: webinar or seminar?

There are good points about each.  If I am attending a webinar there is no travel, only an hour or two from my work, lower cost and less extraneous chatter.  Ironically, the positives for a webinar are also the negatives for a webinar: there is no travel, only an hour or two from my work and less extraneous chatter.  I love to travel, occasionally I love being out of the office, I love meeting new people and all the small talk, all positive aspects of seminars.

This afternoon I attended a webinar that was very interesting, the subject matter moved at the correct pace and I learned a thing or two, the basis for a good webinar.  I also attended a seminar this month that was very interesting to hear what my peers are doing as an ESOP, the subject matter moved at the correct pace and I learned a thing or two.  How do you decide?

Over the years, I have learned the names of the presenters and if I like their style of presentations.  That is objective however, it provides a basis to decide.  What happens when the subject matter is so compelling that you will listen to a presenter that you are not fond of their style?  In that instance, I say seminar and here is why:
 

• Meeting your peers adds their knowledge to the seminar
• The give and take of the audience breathes life into the subject
• Lastly, as humans we are still social beings and enjoy the company of others.

During the next month, I have six webinars and three seminars scheduled.  I will have plenty of information to decide: is it seminar or webinar? 

FEMA Phone Lines Busy? Register Online

When disaster survivors call FEMA's 800 No. to register for disaster assistance, they may get a busy signal because of the heavy volume of calls. Widespread flood and other disasters around the country have increased the volume of people applying for federal aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are advising applicants to try the FEMA website if they don't get through by phone right away. If you don't have a computer, your local library or a friend may be able to get you online. The website to visit is DisasterAssistance.gov. The screens will prompt you through the registration process. You can also apply by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.
FEMA's 800 number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators take calls seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Wyoming County EMA Releases a Statement

• Well Test Kits are available for pick-up at the following locations: (All kits should be returned to Wyoming County Conservation District office, regardless of pick-up site).

o   Wyoming County Conservation District Office, 21 Hollowcrest Road, Tunkhannock, PA   (8 AM-4 PM )

o   Wyoming County EMA Building, 3880 SR 6, Tunkhannock, PA (9 AM-6 PM)

• Well Disinfectant Procedures are attached, and will be posted on the Wyoming County EMA website www.wycopa.org – follow the link for flooding information.

• The American Red Cross is in need of volunteers. Please call (570) 836-2626 if you are able to donate time, supplies, or monetary donations.
• Reminder: The Wyoming County EMA Information Hotline (570) 836-3399 provides timely updates and general information.  Residents can also leave damage reports on this line.
• Mental Health Counselors will be available through the Wyoming County EMA.  Please call (570) 836-2828 or (570) 836-3399 to obtain scheduling information.
• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, if you get a cut or a puncture wound that is exposed to flood water, there is some risk of tetanus and you should be vaccinated if you haven’t had a tetanus vaccination or “booster” in the past 5 years.
• Residents are advised to use the utmost caution in appropriate disposal of hazardous materials, such as refrigerators. propane tanks, paints, and other household chemicals. Please contact your local municipality for specific instructions on safe removal of these items.
• National Guard Troops are on scene to assist in securing affected areas.
• The county-wide travel ban has been lifted; however, many roads remain closed, and bridges have not yet been inspected and are therefore closed to vehicular traffic. Please adhere to all posted signs regarding closures and detours. We continue to advise that motorists restrict their travel to that of an essential nature.
• Wyoming County remains in a State of Emergency.
• Residents are warned to stay out of flood waters due to possible contamination.
• Stay tuned to local media for updates on recovery efforts.
• In case of emergency, call 911.
• 
  
  SHELTERS
  • Tunkhannock Area High School – pets are permitted.
  
  
   PennDOT warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because the water may be deeper than it looks, and to never drive around barricades or signs on closed roads – Turn Around, Don’t Drown. 
  
  
  The Wyoming County EMA Information Hotline can be reached at (570) 836-3399.
  
  
  Additional questions should be directed to Katie Kamp, ECTF Planning Specialist, at (570) 836-2828.

Local Resources Can Help Save Your Premium Dollars

Cancer researchers announced this month that cancer costs our global economy over 900 billion dollars a year.  Our office had a representative from NE Regional Cancer Institute give a presentation on healthy lifestyles.  Everything from tobacco cessation to dietary requirements, from types of cancer in our area to the truth about cancer in our area,  prevention and detection was discussed.  Doctor check ups, lab tests, etc are important to help us stay healthy.  There is an added bonus for being healthy your insurance cost less.  Thats a win - win situation we can all get behind!  For more information about the NE Regional Cancer Institute visit their website at www.cancernepa.org.

Computer Security

Intel will pay about 7.7  billion to buy McAfee.  What do you use for your computer secruity?  Do you use anything?  Computer virus, spam, identity theft via the computer and many other computer threats can make people leary of using the computer at all.  I probably over use security.  Better safe than sorry idea.  But that does not mean I am protected.  Someone could steal my computer; it could be that simple.  So what do you do?  If you are a business or a home owner there are endorsements that can be added to your policy for identity theft, computer viruses etc.  Contact your customer service agent or your agent and ask what’s available for you.  Remember in the infamous words of Hill Street Blues, “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”

New Rules For Traveling to Canada

Plan on traveling into Canada?  You will need a new Vehicle Identification Card to travel into Canada.  Call your agent early to get an ID card for your car.  The new cards have to be issued by your insurance carrier not your agent.  Plan ahead and remember to put us on your to do list to call early for your Canadian ID card.