May: people and society news

An update for May on what our society has been up to...

Keep on running

Fancy spending your ‘one time a day’ run or walk connecting with other actuaries and helping out your chosen charity?SIAS is continuing it’s ‘run with SIAS’ programme for its members during
the lockdown:  

1. Take a photo or a selfie pre or post your run or walk (alone or with your pet) – it doesn’t matter if your run is long or short, if you are an experienced runner or you began during the lockdown  
2. Post it on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn with the very important phrase #IrunwithSIAS  
3. Tag them in your post and follow SIAS (Twitter @siascommittee and/or Instagram @siasevents)  
4. Send an email with your Twitter or Instagram name, postal address and your chosen charity to [email protected]

Previous participants are welcome to complete another three runs. 

For your first run or walk with SIAS, a SIAS-branded water bottle will be sent out – albeit after the lockdown! 

For your second and third run or walk with SIAS, a £10 donation will be made each time to your chosen charity. SIAS would like to encourage you to support any local food banks or COVID-19 related charities – at these difficult times, we should come together to support our local community and our carers. However, you can support any charity you wish to. 

You can fundraise a maximum of £20 with each run or walk for your chosen charity.

Keeping good company

A recent message from Master Fiona Morrison outlined what the Worshipful Company of Actuaries (WCA) is doing to connect withits members during thelockdown period.

“There has never been a time in the Company’s 40 years when community was so important,” she said.  “I usually think of this in terms of meeting and doing things together, whether at dinners or less formal social events. But all that is off for the foreseeable future. We all know that we must adapt to survive, and that is just what we are doing.”  She went on to describe three ways to connect that are ‘COVID-19 compatible’.

First, the WCA is providing ‘virtual socials’ using the Zoom app, where members can meet on laptops, tablets and smartphones. The first took place on 26 March for an hour, and the WCA aims to make them a regular occurrence. “Pour yourself a cup of tea, or perhaps something a little stronger, and join me and other members on a video link,” said Fiona. “Join in for as long or short as you like during the hour, with your own drink and food…. In future we may do things like quizzes, or other themes.”

The new Whatsapp group has also been useful. “During this crisis, it has taken on a life of its own, enabling members to share thoughts, pictures and information,” Fiona said. “As well as the clerk posting practical information, some members have found amusing films and cartoons, bringing many smiles. Some members who are self isolating have said how the humorous posts are much appreciated.”

Realising that Zoom and WhatsApp aren’t for everyone, the Master is keen that the community be inclusive for all, and so the third way of connecting is more personal. “If you would prefer to be put in touch with a member who would phone/email/text, or whatever you prefer, on a one-to-one basis, please let us know,” she said.  “Do you need help with your shopping or other things?  If so, we will try to find a member near you.  We can’t promise, but we’ll certainly try to find a solution. This is clearly the first time we’ve ever attempted anything like this, but I have confidence that we can deliver, so don’t be reticent in asking!”

The charity and community the WCA is famous for is certainly coming into its own. If you are interested in joining, please visit www.actuariescompany.co.uk

Poker faces

Some 45 people took part in the annual SIAS Poker tournament on 11 March. It was a strange tournament this year, taking place as the government’s COVID-19 policy evolved but before social distancing was at the forefront of people’s minds. Nevertheless, most who purchased tickets attended. It was fantastic to see some of our regulars, as well as some new faces. Plenty of food (and some drink) was provided to facilitate rational thinking.

The top 10 players all received cash prizes ranging from £35 to £370. The top three were Rajinder Poonian in first place, Lewis Wilson in second, and Peter Jackson in third. Congratulations to all the winners!  

SIAS would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting our socials. We are hoping to run more events in the future, but please check out our website, sias.org.uk. Given the current circumstances, these may be virtual.

By Kishan Patel

Picture Credit | iStock