Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton kicked off a month-long promotion of Life Insurance Awareness Month at the 2006 NAIFA Convention in San Francisco, CA. Hamilton shared the story of how his skating career and training were put in jeopardy by the premature death of his mother and lack of adequate financial planning she had done for her family. “My skating career could have ended when my mother died,” Hamilton said, “and a life of dreams may have been unrealized.” He continued, “There are much more than dreams at stake in the lives of so many people. You are providing for the most basic of needs, a consistent and adequate income in the face of personal tragedy.”

Hamilton further described his bout with cancer, and the steps that he has taken to ensure the financial security of his family. He praised the work of life insurance professionals for helping American families meet their economic goals and prepare for the worst of situations.

In July, TAIFA leaders secured the endorsement of Texas Governor Rick Perry in declaring September 2006 Life Insurance Awareness Month. For more information on Life Insurance Awareness Month, and ways that you can help meet the needs of underinsured Texans, please visit www.life-line.org.

Tom Currey, CLU, ChFC of Mansfield, TX was elected to a second term as NAIFA Trustee at the 2006 NAIFA Business Meeting, August 30, in San Francisco, CA. Among those supporting Currey were the more than 60 delegates representing Texas at the national level.

With his re-election, Currey begins his second two- year term on the NAIFA Board of Directors. NAIFA Trustees are involved in policy-making decisions on the national level and serve as a voice of representation for state and local associations across the nation.

In his address before the NAIFA Convention, Currey urged NAIFA members to “re-imagine NAIFA” by critically evaluating the membership model. He expressed his desire that NAIFA learn from the successes and challenges of the past in order to best prepare for the future. “Intellect alone cannot bring revitalization,” Currey said, “We must use our imagination to develop a new vision for the NAIFA Federation.”

Currey’s remarks come as a reminder to those throughout the Texas Association of the challenge delivered by President Tim Provence at the 2006 TAIFA Convention. Speaking to the theme “Charting our Course,” Provence said, “We have to move into uncharted waters to reach our full potential for growth, but this potential cannot be realized by looking backwards with complacency. It is only realized when we aggressively push forward.”

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you’ve been in the business and how did you get started?

A. I began my career in the insurance industry after working in Broadcast Communications for 5 years. I had worked up the ladder and would have to go out of state to advance any further. Rather than moving away from the state I called home, I visited with my personal Allstate Agent in Marshall, Texas about the insurance industry. I soon began working for Allstate on August 11, 1986.

I love what I do. I enjoy visiting with customers and helping them in a variety of ways every day. I make myself available to my customers at all times and still have the freedom to serve in other areas in my community.

I work in music at my Church and also serve on the Vestry, I am a volunteer fire fighter with Judson Metro VFD, which I helped get started and now serve as its captain.
I recently attained the LUTCF Designation and hope to continue my education and work towards CLU level soon.

Q. What interested you about the LILI program?

A. When the LILI program was first mentioned at my local association I knew that I had to go through the program. I just had to wait for the right time. We have had four previous presidents that went through LILI before being President and I want to continue the excellence they worked for. I enjoy finding new ways to increase my knowledge and skill as a person and professional and the LILI program looks to be the best program that I have ever seen. I want to be part of this challenge.

Q. What do you hope to gain/accomplish as a LILI student?

A. I want to learn and grow in my professional life as well as my personal life. I want to be better in everything I do in this life.

Q. As a participant in the LILI program, what do you think you bring to the table to challenge your fellow students?

A. My life experiences have taught me to fight for what I want and never stop, never give up. And most of all, NEVER stop having fun. My experiences have opened the door for me to bring a well rounded attitude and personality to the table with my fellow students.

Q. How do you think you can best contribute to your local association now and in the future?

A. I want to serve my local association the best way possible. I have worked with community services for several years. I will be president next year and I am looking forward to furthering the work of the last 4 presidents.

To learn more about the 2007 LILI Class and download the official application, please click here.

Many people often ask, “How do we impact what happens to our industry and our clients with legislation and regulation?” Allow me to share some thoughts on this subject with you:
In 1890, a group of insurance agents gathered in Boston, Massachusetts to organize a national association, comprised of the few local association in existence at that time. Seeking a larger voice in issues such as agent rebating, they formed the National Association of Life Underwriters, known today as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

In 1913, with the creation of the first Federal Income Tax, NALU secured special tax treatment for life insurance products for the benefit of the consumer. With each subsequent session of Congress, NALU/NAIFA has countered attacks on the tax deferred inside build-up of permanent life insurance, income tax free death benefits, and the separation of financial planning productions from clients’ estates. With strong legislative support and a dedication to educating and training agent members, NALU/NAIFA has led state and local associations in serving the American consumer.

Knowing that, the questions remain: What does this really mean? And, what part does the local association play in this important area?

Advocacy/Government Relations is like a three legged stool. The reality is that not everyone has a voice in our political process because they are not organized in such a way as to be heard. It takes money to run a successful campaign and get elected to office, and it also takes personal involvement from those that support a candidate.

The first leg of the stool is MONEY. TAIFA has a political action committee that asks members of our association to make regular contributions that can be given to candidates for state and national office that will listen to our thoughts on pending legislation and the effect their bills will have in the real world. Our PAC contributions help open the door for those conversations. TAIFA PAC works with local associations to increase the number of contributors and get on-going contributors to increase their contributions as they can.

The second leg of the stool is PEOPLE POWER better known as the TAIFA Political Involvement Program. We do this by identifying members who live in every legislative and congressional district that have a relationship with their elected representatives or are willing to develop one. These key contacts are vital due to their ability to get in touch with those serving on a moments notice.

Finally, the third leg of the stool is BEING KNOWLEDGEABLE. We must let OUR members know what is happening and how it affects our industry and the consumers we serve. Again, we get a lot of information as things develop in Austin and Washington D.C., and are continually developing an information network to equip members with the information they need to be involved and effective.

Each member has an important role to play in TAIFA’s advocacy. As a group of professionals, we are united in a common purpose, but we cannot succeed without strong member support. To learn more about TAIFA’s advocacy/government relations please click here.

TAIFA representatives attending the 2006 NAIFA Convention in San Francisco, CA contributed $8400 to the National IFAPAC, roughly 7.5% of the total $114,000 contributed by NAIFA members. "The show of support for the Political Action Committee is one of many reminders that Texans are committed to protecting the interests of insurance agents and financial advisors throughout the nation," said Des Taylor, TAIFA CEO. In addition to contributing at the convention, several TAIFA members increased their annual PAC support, including PAC Chairman Wes Wessel who upgraded to the Capitol level, and NAIFA Trustee Tom Currey who upgraded to the Emissary level.

The contributions come as TAIFA transitions into a new fund sharing agreement with the National IFAPAC. Over the coming months, PAC Chair Wes Wessel, CLU, RFC and committee members will be contacting local associations to explain the transition. Under the new agreement, the National IFAPAC will partner with the state association to provide more administrative services, which are presently performed at the TAIFA office. While the National IFAPAC will be taking over more responsibility for PAC administration, the 50/50 disbursement of political funds between the state PAC and the national PAC will remain unchanged. "Texas is entering into an agreement with National IFAPAC that has already been adopted in many other states," said Des Taylor. He continued, "This will allow us to free TAIFA staff of repetitive administrative duties, and allow us to reallocate our resources to focus on member recruitment and retention."

If you have any questions regarding the transition to National IFAPAC, please contact the TAIFA office.

The TAIFA Board of Directors will gather in Austin next month to plan for the coming year. Among other things, TAIFA President Tim Provence has put group cohesion at the top of his priority list. The Board of Directors began their team growth and development by taking the Harvard Temperament Test at the post-convention board meeting in July. “By working better together, we will be more effective in meeting our goals for the TAIFA membership,” said Provence.

The TAIFA Board will also receive the results of an annual audit from John Cantwell, CPA. “John is holding the TAIFA board and staff to the most stringent of standards to ensure we are operating as good stewards on behalf of those whom we represent,” said TAIFA CEO Des Taylor. He continued, “It is important that we continually look inward to examine the way things have been done, to determine the best course of action for the future.”

Finally, in anticipation of the upcoming elections and legislative session, the Board will discuss emerging legislative issues and make plans for the TAIFA’s Legislative Day on January 23rd, 2007. Each Regional Director will be encouraged to elicit involvement from members across the state in both the Political Action and Involvement Committees.

Orvis Akers, past president of TALU/TAIFA and TLRT, died August 16, 2006. “Orvis Akers brought a wealth of sound wisdom and dedication to TALU,” said Ken Tooley, former TALU CEO, “He was not only an insurance advisor to his clients, but a friend and confidant.” Akers served as president from 1969- 1970, a year in which membership rose to almost 6,300. During his term as president, he oversaw the birth of the TALU Political Action Committee.

Representing TAIFA at the memorial services was former board member, Alicia Rodriguez. “When I think of Orvis, I immediately think of three words: leadership, integrity, and loyalty,” Rodriguez said. In addition to serving at the highest level within TALU/TAIFA, Akers faithfully served the Upper Valley Association. He represented American National Insurance Company for 59 years and was a truly respected professional. “Orvis was kind and generous. He was strong in his beliefs and he stood by his word, expecting nothing more and nothing less in return,” said Ken Tooley.

In partnership with the Upper Valley Association, TAIFA has purchased a paver at the veteran’s war memorial of Texas in McAllen on behalf of the Akers family.

TAIFA member Robert T. McLelland, Jr. died August 9, 2006 in Odessa, Texas. Robert was affectionately also known as R.T. He joined the United States Army and served in Germany with the 11th Airborne. While home on leave he met and married the love of his life, Virginia Wilson. His work took him and his young family to various communities including Houston, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. R. T. and his family moved to Midland, Texas in 1969.

R.T. McLelland was a Silver Charter Member of the TALU/TAIFA Political Action Committee, and demonstrated his commitment to the success of insurance and financial advisors through his support and leadership.

With the 2007 Legislative Session looming on the horizon, issues are beginning to emerge, including:

A change in TDI statutes which govern agents' advertising and the advertising of insurance products,

A push by ACLI for a “life only” license in the state of Texas,

Changes in the Insurance Code governing life settlements, and

Recodification of the Texas Insurance Code

Visit the TAIFA Website at www.taifa.org for more information as it becomes available.