When Canadian George Ryrie, MBE, FSA, FCIA, became vice chairman of the LOMA’s Educational Council (now the Life Management Institute Council) in 1950, the FLMI Program could hardly be called international in scope. The first foreign students were from India and began enrolling for examinations in the 1940s. However, when the Indian government nationalized insurance companies, FLMI program participation was not longer allowed.

The FLMI Program remained largely an American one until Ryrie and a group of committed colleagues began the drive to merge the educational programs of LOMA and the Life Insurance Institute of Canada (LIIC). "In 1950, the LIIC administered 3,000 examinations while LOMA reported 10,000 examinations written that year. Clearly, the merger of the two institute programs was a major move for both organizations," said Ryrie, "and it soon became obvious that it would not be achieved by waving a magic want."

Despite the sometimes overwhelming obstacles, Ryrie persisted with the tedious three-year consolidation process. "Because of the differences between Canadian and United States insurance laws, text material and examination questions required much time and attention," Ryrie explained. "Transfer credits for examinations already completed by Canadian students required delicate handling, and provisions had to be made for Canadian students writing in French. These and other items lead to many hours of discussion and creative work by all concerned."

Ryrie’s vision and tireless efforts changed the scope of the FLMI Program. Not only did the merger have a tremendous impact on the enrollment figures and curriculum of the FLMI Program, but it also encouraged companies throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations to enroll students in the program. In the course of bringing Canada into the FLMI Program fold, Ryrie opened the program to the rest of the world as well.

Today, Canadian and foreign students constitute almost 20 percent of the active list of 300,000 FLMI students. Students from more than 40 countries now participate in the FLMI Program. In the 1987-88 academic year, Canadians enrolled for 19,148 examinations and 458 earned their FLMI diploma. More than one third of the 198 Master Fellows are from outside the United States. The incorporation of Canadian information into FLMI course materials has made the program one of the few of its kind that meets the needs of two countries.

For his role in the creation of the international FLMI Program, George Ryrie was selected to receive the Life Management Institute’s highest honor, the Insurance Education Award. He is the seventh recipient of the award, which is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to insurance education in general and to the FLMI Program in particular. Ryrie was unable to attend LOMA’s Annual Conference in Orlando, but Paul Statler who worked with Ryrie before his retirement from North American Life, was on hand to accept the award plaque from fellow Canadian D. Ian Fraser, FLMI, chairman of the Institute Council and executive vice president and secretary of Canada Life.

Ryrie began his career at North American Life as a clerk, rising through the ranks to become president of the company in 1966 until his retirement in 1972. Ryrie’s interest in training and professional development led to many years of involvement with LOMA. Those years yielded several important contributions to insurance education, but none more historically significant than the Canadian and LOMA educational program consolidation coup. Ryrie credits W.J. (Jack) Adams, then chairman of the LOMA Board of Directors, with the consolidation idea, and in a written award acceptance statement, recognized others for their work in the project:

"Jack Adams and I were not alone in the major enterprise involving the educational programs of the two institutes . . . Closely identified with the various developments were: G.T. Prentice of Imperial Life, M.F. Auden of Confederation Life, A.W. Anderson of London Life and J.D. Williamson of Canada Life. In particular, may I mention J.H. Kohlerman and R. Werner Lederer as two staff members who labored untiringly on a project which greatly increased their work load but which I hope ultimately gave them a great deal of satisfaction."

Ryrie went on to serve other LOMA committees, and became the chairman of LOMA’s Board of Directors in 1965. In his award statement, Ryrie thanks the Institute for the honor, and wrote: "The notification of this award triggered a flood of memories of the people and events of those interesting and rewarding days."

Canadian Societies
Ryrie’s association with LOMA has certainly been rewarding for the FLMI Program and professional movement. Canada is the home of four FLMI societies in Montreal, Quebec, Winnipeg and Toronto, which has the largest society in the world. Four other societies are flourishing outside North American in Hong Kong, Jamaica, the Philippines, and the newest FLMI society in Trinidad/Tobago.

The process that Ryrie began in 1950 continues today. To further the international scope of the FLMI Program, the Institute is planning to offer more of the FLMI Program in French (three courses are now available in French). The success of the FLMI Program in Canada and throughout the world proves that although insurance laws are different everywhere, the basic principles and operations of insurance companies transcend borders, language, and culture.