The Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors was awarded CAIFA’s “Overall Totem Pole Winner” award Sunday night during a gala dinner at CAIFA’s 2001 national conference in Toronto.

The Overall Totem Pole award honours the CAIFA chapter that demonstrates excellence in providing services and support to its membership and its local community. CAIFA Ottawa won the award for its commitment to providing relevant member services and its ongoing commitment to raise funds for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To date, CAIFA members from across the country have raise $3 million dollars to help find a cure. CAIFA Ottawa president, Carol-Lee Whipple, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter

CAIFA Ottawa was one of three finalists competing for the top honour. Runners-up included the Kamloops and Vancouver-Fraser Valley chapters who were the third and second respectively in the category.

The CAIFA Toronto chapter was also presented with the Professional Development Award in recognition of its educational programs and the events the chapter has provided to its membership.

CAIFA Toronto and CAIFA Peel Halton were also recognized as having excelled in the areas of member communication with the Membership and Member Service award while the Public Awareness Award was picked up by CAIFA Edmonton in recognition of their efforts to raise awareness of the value of working with a professional advisor within their community.