Dear Friends,
On behalf of your NAIFA family, I’d like to personally thank you for participating in the premier association of insurance and financial professionals and wish you a very happy New Year!
Last year brought many exciting changes to NAIFA, as your member representatives on NAIFA’s National Council voted overwhelminglyto modernize our association’s structure. We are now a leaner, nimbler NAIFA, with state and large local chapters working hand-in-hand as One NAIFA to provide a consistent, high-quality member experience that gives our members the best opportunity to succeed and prosper.
NAIFA 20/20 Member Experience
In 2019, the continued implementation of the NAIFA 20/20 strategic plan will bring tangible changes in the ways we serve members. To begin with, every new member – as well as those who have joined in the last three years – will receive a guided tour of the programs, services, and volunteer opportunities that come with membership. This New Member Orientation package will allow those new to our association to map out their top areas of interest and save key dates. Subsequent webinars will provide deeper dives into specific program offerings in advocacy and professional development.
Current members will also benefit from a Member Benefits Refresher webinar series that steps through NAIFA benefits and provides bonus advocacy and public relations training.
State chapters are ramping up efforts to ensure we provide a high-quality experience and top value to all NAIFA members. With the assistance of NAIFA’s national office, they will build on successful educational and networking benefits and leverage technology to create new opportunities. One example of this is NAIFA Live, an innovative professional development offering that allows virtual interactive participation with live attendees and presenters at NAIFA state chapter meetings. NAIFA Live is being tested on a pilot basis in four states beginning later this month.
NAIFA Advocacy
The new year also brings a new Congress and new advocacy challenges. Substantial turnover on Capitol Hill means that a new class of federal legislators will be deciding issues ranging from taxation to financial reform to health care, all of which will impact your businesses and clients. Many of these new representatives and senators know little or nothing about the important work advisors do for American consumers and the ways laws and regulations can either help or hinder your work. There is no one better to educate Congress on these matters than NAIFA members.
I hope you will join your colleagues at NAIFA’s Congressional Conference, May 14-15 in Washington, D.C. The conference is the insurance and financial services industry’s largest and most influential Washington, D.C., fly-in. NAIFA members from all 50 states, in addition to receiving valuable advocacy training, will meet with lawmakers and aides from nearly every congressional office to provide education and expertise and develop relationships that are key to successful advocacy. It’s a great event. Please, don’t miss out!
On behalf of NAIFA’s staff, the Board of Trustees, and myself, we look forward to serving you in the coming year. We succeed only when you succeed; this provides our motivation to continuously improve your membership experience and ensure you get top value for your investment in NAIFA. We sincerely hope you enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019!
Best regards,
Kevin Mayeux, CAE
