Dear TAIFA Family,

As we recently celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday and enter the Christmas season, I am mindful of the blessings we are privileged to enjoy: life itself, the love of family and friends, our wonderful country and the freedoms we are afforded. Each of us is blessed to be in a business that provides service to others in a very personal and vital way.

As an organization, the first half of our financial year has been fruitful in many areas. We continue to prudently manage the finances of TAIFA and with strong cash flow, the association has been able to increase the amounts held in the Alamo Fund and in administrative reserve accounts. The success we enjoy is driven by membership. I hope each of you will take the time to review the Dues Activity Report which is available on the NAIFA website (www.naifa.org). I reviewed the most recent report (through 11/17) and, while we are ahead in total renewals to date (775) vs. last year at this time (557) we still have 35 more lapses than new members to date. We are very close to turning the tide on our membership and many of our locals are doing an excellent job. Our membership team, headed by state Chair Cylinda Clark, is doing an outstanding job in helping to increase new member recruitment and member retention.

In an effort to build up TAIFA leaders and place a premium on leadership training, the executive committee has enacted a plan to move the Team Texas Forum away from our business conference in July to coincide with our Presidents'-Elect meeting in May. They will be on consecutive days beginning on May 18, 2007 with the Presidents’-Elect meeting followed on May 19, 2007 for the TTF. The format will be new and improved as we took action on many of your comments from our first TTF last year. You will be hearing much more about this from Alan Carl and Glen Baecker in the days to come.

If you haven’t already done so, make plans to attend our Legislative Luncheon in Austin, on January 23, 2007. The registration information is on our website (www.taifa.org) along with other vital details. If you have not attended this function in the past then you are in for a real treat. And if you have, then you know how very important it is to our political involvement and influence with our legislators. While you are on the website, check your PAC contribution level (under the Government Relations tab) as we now have our PAC investors posted online.

In closing, it is my honor to serve as your TAIFA President. Whatever your faith, continue to take the time to pray for our troops and their families, for world peace and for all of our leaders during this holiday season.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,

Tim Provence
2006-2007 TAIFA President

In the first two weeks of pre-filing of bills for the 80th Texas Legislature, over two hundred House Bills and one hundred Senate Bills were introduced. “We are monitoring every bill filed in the Texas House and Senate and considering the impact they might have for insurance agents and financial services professionals in the State of Texas,” said Des Taylor, TAIFA CEO and Chief Legislative Officer.

One issue that is sure to be of interest to TAIFA members is a bill that would establish a life-only license in Texas. “The TAIFA board has agreed to reserve judgment on such a bill until one is filed,” Taylor said. He continued, “Until we see the actual language of the bill, it is impossible to judge its value or threat to existing agents.”

Also carrying considerable interest is the anticipation of Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin’s biennial report to the 80th Texas Legislature. In his report, the Commissioner will outline the state of the insurance industry in Texas, and provide recommendations for legislation to be considered in the upcoming session. The lines of communication between the Texas Department of Insurance have been open over the last several months, as TAIFA representatives have provided feedback on potential suggestions to be made by the Commissioner. Taylor concluded, “We are confident in the Commissioner’s ability as the leader of the industry in Texas, and TAIFA looks forward to seeing his report and legislative suggestions.”

With the 80th Session of the Texas Legislature quickly approaching, Texas IFAPAC is making it’s final contributions of the election cycle. December 9, 2006 is the 30 day point before the start of the 2007 Legislative Session, and marks the deadline for contributions given to Texas Legislators.

In the weeks since the 2006 general election, Texas IFAPAC has given an additional $15,000 to Texas lawmakers to offset the costs of a costly election cycle. In total, Texas IFAPAC has given $70,000 to candidates throughout the state in this election cycle.

The TAIFA executive committee approved a proposal by the board of directors to separate the 2007 leadership training from the TAIFA business meeting and TLRT Roundup. The change marks the first time that the leadership training has been offered separately in the last five years.

Under the new schedule, the Presidents'-Elect Meeting/Team Texas Forum/Local Success Planning training session will take place at the Austin Airport Hilton Hotel May 18-19, 2007. The TLRT Roundup and TAIFA Annual meeting will be held July 13-14, 2007, also at the Austin Airport Hilton.

Mark your calendars now to participate in the Team Texas Forum, TLRT Roundup and TAIFA annual meeting.

TLRT President Cherry Martin has confirmed that both NAIFA President John Davidson, LUTCF, FSS, and MDRT President Philip E. Harriman, CLU, ChFC will be featured speakers at the 2007 TLRT Roundup.

The Roundup is scheduled for July 13-14, 2007 at the Austin Airport Hilton Hotel. Mark your calendars now to participate in this historic event!

As 2006 draws to a close, the TAIFA staff is hard at work in ensuring a smooth transition of PAC administrative responsibilities to National IFAPAC. While the idea of transition might sound extreme, the transition will not affect the current fund sharing agreement between Texas and National IFAPAC. Half of every dollar that TAIFA members contribute to the Texas IFAPAC will continue to be contributed to National IFAPAC for the support of Texas’ Federal Congressional Delegation. With the transition, Texas joins every other state in transferring administrative responsibilities to the national association. However, all contribution decisions and allocation of PAC dollars will continue to be under the direction of the state PAC.

In a letter to be sent to all PAC investors, Texas IFAPAC Chair Wes Wessel, CLU, RFC reminded Texans that “[the transition] will assist our TAIFA staff by allowing them to be more involved in areas that will directly benefit our members.”

If you have any questions regarding the transition, please contact your local PAC Chair, a member of the PAC, PAC Chair Wes Wessel, or the TAIFA staff at 512-443-6157.

In a joint function held Thursday November 9, NAIFA Wichita Falls and Texoma Association of Health Underwriters hosted a Legislative Reception, honoring area lawmakers. Martha Hall, of NAIFA Wichita Falls, reported the attendance of Representatives Rick Hardcastle and David Farabee, a TAIFA member, in addition to Senator Craig Estes. “The reception was an amazing opportunity to meet one on one with our elected officials,” Hall said, “and everyone in attendance was overwhelmed by their willingness to listen to the issues that are important to insurance agents and financial professionals.”

In the November election, Representative David Farabee was elected to his fifth term in the Texas Legislature. TAIFA is proud to support the Representative, as well as the other TAIFA members who have been elected to serve in the 80th Session, beginning in January.

Pictured above (left to right): Martha Hall (President- NAIFA Wichita Falls, Rep. David Farabee, Luann Yarburry (President- TAHU Texoma)

NAIFA-Dallas held it's 2006 Legislative Gala on Thursday, November 30th to recognize and build relationships with area lawmakers. Several Dallas residents were also recognized and honored for their years of community service. Despite freezing rain and ice on the roadways, 150 people were in attendance.

Those headlining the event were The Honorable Dick Armey, former Majority Leader of the U. S. House of Representatives, Congressman Jeb Hensarling and C. Dean Davis, TAIFA general counsel.

Community Service Awards were presented to Geraldine "Tincy" Miller, Vance Miller, Former Senator David Cain, Jess Hay, and our TAIFA member Tom Dunning.

Elected officials attending included U. S. Congressman Ralph Hall, Congressman Jeb Hensarling, State Representatives and TAIFA members Joe Driver and Kirk England, as well as State Representatives Linda Harper Brown, Terri Hodge and Jim Jackson, who were recognized and presented with NAIFA-Dallas’ Legislative Service Award.

Also in attendance were, Texas IFAPAC Chair Wes Wessel and TAIFA Vice President Earl Thompson of Houston, who braved the icy weather to attend.

John Connally, NAIFA-Dallas Legislative chair and Karen Boykin served as co-chairs of the event and were joined by David Ayers, Deborah Brown, Yvette Kaplinsky, Lee McCasland, Jay McCluskey, Carmen McCracken, Mel Myers, Dwight Otto, Dan Smith, and Karen True in presenting this Gala event. Work will start on next year's Gala in a few weeks.

Pictured above: NAIFA-Dallas past president Wayne Harrell, Congressman Ralph Hall, and state Representative Jim Jackson

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

A. I have been in business just a little over 20 years. I joined the insurance business in October of 1986 with Southern Educators Life Insurance Company from Atlanta, GA. Their product guaranteed children would have access to the GSL program (which at that time was need based and the average family earned too much to qualify) for college loans. When the Higher Education Act was modified in 1989 the product was no longer sold in Texas. I was selected to run the satellite home office for the insurance company and, during that short one year period, encountered numerous situations that contributed to my commitment to a career in the financial services industry. I loved helping people build and maintain financial security, even when it just involved educational planning. I got a real glimpse of what folks really needed - someone to help them with their money AND to assist with making sure there was money there when the bread winner could no longer work or died. So began my commitment to the financial services industry and to the wonderful people we serve.

Q. What interested you about the LILI program?

A. There were several things. Today I am building a family practice, focusing on Retirement Planning and Defined Contribution Plans Consulting - there are five of us, but only two are advisors. I felt that the program would be beneficial in many ways, first of in assisting me with the development of the best leadership skills to lead my succession team into the 21st Century, developing a realistic business model, determining how this model will be carried out, defining goals and objectives, and then studying the real life experiences of successful and unsuccessful leaders. Many of the issues are addressed, studied, discussed and implemented through what we are learning in the LILI class. Knowledge is power and education is the fuel for the knowledge. I think it is one of the greatest programs developed within NAIFA today.

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

A. I feel very strongly that the LILI Program will help me to achieve the level of leadership necessary in my business and personal life. I have always felt giving back to the industry through NAIFA involvement was critical as an agent; and the LILI training enhances that opportunity.

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

A. Gee, that's a hard question! Perhaps one of the most value added resources I have, is my number of years experience. I moved quite efficiently through the final years of the industrialized economy into the new information age. I am a good end-user of systems, software and hardware. That has been the key to my growth through out the years. Today, I can populate 5 applications on one client, with whom I have just done a comprehensive financial plan, print and be ready for the closing appointment in about 8 minutes. Being up to date, in ALL of your technology, was predicted back in the late eighties to be a pre-requisite to being successful in the insurance and investment business in the 21st century. I believed it. I bought into that idea and worked hard to pursue excellence in all areas of my practice. This would probably be what I bring to the table that could challenge my fellow students - to stay on top of technology throughout their entire careers.

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

A. That's a hard question too. There are so many needs. One is to continue to contribute at a higher level each year to Texas IFAPAC. Also, I have a real passion for continuing education. I would like to see the CFPR designation being pursued by more of our licensed agents, CLU's and ChFC holders. So much has changed in our industry and around the world! Continuing to study has always elevated my production as well as my self confidence and maturity in the business. Then most importantly, I could not perform my duties, and provide my clients with the safety, stability and security they need and desire, if NAIFA were not working to educate, lobby and keep these products in favorable taxation status. In fact, simply put, we agents might not have such job security in this early 21st Century if it weren't for NAIFA. So, you can bet I will be in there somewhere, anywhere they need me, probably multi-tasking and feeling honored and blessed to have such great opportunity!