NAIFA-TX eNewsletter

Collectively Creating Value for Texas' Insurance Agents and Financial Advisors April 2008
In This Issue
NAIFA-Texas Key Contacts
Texas Leaders Round Table
2008 Convention
Advocacy in Action
NAIFA-Texas News
Membership News
LILI Profile
2008
Convention and Leadership Training
 
Team Texas Forum '08
May 2-3, 2008
Austin Airport Hilton
 
TLRT Roundup & NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting
July 24-26, 2008
Inn of the Hills
Kerrville, TX
Strategic Partners
 


 
 
2008 Convention Sponsors
 
Don Boozer and Associates
 
 
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
 
Please contact Chris Williston at
[email protected].
 
Become a part of the NAIFA-Texas political network by becoming a Key Contact for your lawmaker.  Key contacts:

-Deliver PAC checks to candidate fundraisers;
-Respond to Action Alerts during the legislative session; and
- Answer questions from lawmakers regarding insurance and regulatory issues.

   
 
 
Join TLRT Today!
 
The TLRT Board has voted to extend the March 31 deadline for TLRT Applications!
 
Texas Leaders Round Table is Texas' own honor organization, committed to highlighting the accomplishments of Texas insurance agents and financial advisors who excel in representing their companies and clients. 
 
 Members of TLRT receive substantial savings at the July TLRT Roundup. 
 
 
Advocacy in Action
 

Debate on Optional Federal Charter Heats Up

On Monday, March 31 the U.S. Treasury Department issued its Blueprint for a Stronger Regulatory Structure, calling for the creation of an Optional Federal Charter (OFC), allowing insurance companies to be regulated by a central department within the federal government, rather than the current regulation by state government.  The Treasury based its recommendation on the fact that, "insurers are not only being subject to licensing requirements and regulatory examinations in all states where the insurer operates, but also operating under different laws in each state" (p.10).  According to the Treasury, an Optional Federal Charter would "ensure safety and soundness, enhance competition in national and international markets, increase efficiency in a number of ways, including the elimination of price controls, promote more rapid technological change, encourage product innovation, reduce regulatory costs, and provide consumer protection."       

 

In response to the Treasury's report, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) issued a scathing critique of the Department's recommendations, accusing the Treasury of putting "the needs and convenience of Wall Street ahead of the cares and concerns of Main Street."  The NAIC called into the question the capability of the federal government to bring more stability to the Insurance Industry, citing the failed response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster as an indicator of federal competency. 

 

NAIFA President Jeff Taggart has asserted NAIFA's continued position of neutrality on the issue of Optional Federal Charter.  To view the report in full, please visit: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/Blueprint.pdf

 

 

2008 Legislative Luncheon to Focus on Developing Federal Issues; Stenholm to be Keynote Speaker

With the 2008 elections on the horizon, NAIFA is monitoring issues at the Federal level that could threaten the industry.  A constant threat arises from the "Pay As You Go" budget rules that have been enacted in both the House and the Senate, which require that revenue must be found for every dollar of expense Congress authorizes.  This need for more revenue places the tax benefits of life, health, disability income, long-term care insurance and annuities under the scrutiny of the tax-writing committees of Congress. 

 

With these issues in mind, the 2008 Legislative Luncheon, to be held on July 26 in conjunction with the NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting, will focus on issues at the Federal level.  Charlie Stenholm, a senior political advisor to a Washington, D.C. based firm and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, will offer NAIFA-Texas members with an "inside the beltway" perspective of legislative issues and the current environment on Capitol Hill leading up to the 2008 elections.  The event will be sponsored by Southwest Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

Registration is now open for the 2008 TLRT Roundup and NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting.  To be a part of the event, download the Registration Form or Register Online today!

 
NAIFA-Texas News
 

NAIFA-TX Members Receive CE Discounts

NAIFA-Texas continues its relationship with 360training.com, the premiere provider of CE online, providing a 33% discount on all insurance CE.  All courses offered at 360training.com are approved for Texas Continuing Education Credit. 

 

Members can log on to receive CE credit in the areas of

  • Anti-Money Laundering,
  • Agency Operations ,
  • Property Insurance,
  • Principles of Insurance,
  • Flood Insurance (Self Study),
  • And much more!

To begin earning your CE credit today, logon to 360Training.com and use the discount code: "NAIFATX08."

 
 

Board Recommends Governance Changes

On March 29, 2008 the NAIFA-Texas Board of Directors voted unanimously to recommend a bylaws amendment that would abolish the regional director system of governance and adopt a new model of trustee representation.  The proposed amendment, which will be considered by the NAIFA-Texas Delegate Council in July, would alter the composition of the board, replacing ten regional directors with seven trustees elected from the membership at large. 

 

A copy of the proposed bylaws changes will be sent to local Presidents and Secretaries for review in advance of the July 26 Annual Meeting.  Additionally, local leaders will receive a letter from NAIFA-Texas President Alan Carl, explaining the proposed amendment and the impetus behind the board's decision to recommend restructure. 

 

In addition to the bylaws recommendation, the Board also:

  • Pledged support to the National IFAPAC Administrative Fund in the amount of $3/member, totaling $10,545;
  • Received a report from the Investment Committee who unanimously approved the placement of the Legacy Endowment, Alamo and Administrative Reserve Funds with Brinker Capital;
  • Finalized plans for the 2008 Team Texas Forum and Local Success Planning seminar;
  • Received comprehensive PIC/PAC training from National IFAPAC Regional Vice Chair H. Dan Smith; and
  • Selected a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, to be announced at during the 2008 Annual Meeting.
 

Tom Currey Provides Board with NAIFA 21 Update

NAIFA Secretary Tom Currey delivered an update of the NAIFA 21 initiatives to the NAIFA-Texas board on March 29, 2008.  In his report, Currey applauded NAIFA CEO John Healy's efforts to respond to member feedback he has gathered during his "Listen and Learn Tour," which made stops in Dallas and Houston earlier this year.

 

"NAIFA 21 is developing and moving forward," said Currey, citing the already launched Partners in Advocacy and Gov Watch programs.  He added, "Certain aspects of the plan are going to take longer to implement, but NAIFA is committed to delivering more value for members in a variety of ways." 

 
Finally, Currey noted a reorganization of the NAIFA staff and a new commitment to customer service under NAIFA's Deputy CEO Susan Waters.  The staff changes include new directors of Communications and Public Relations, among others. 
 
NAIFA-TX Remembers: J. Barrett Garrison 
 
 
On Saturday, March 29, J. Barrett Garrison, passed away. Barrett, a 44 year district manager of MetLife, was a long time member of both NAIFA and the Society of FSP. He was also a past president of NAIFA-Austin of the Society of FSP.
Membership News 
 
12 Locals Reach 75% Membership Benchmark
Congratulations to all of the local associations who reached the 75% membership benchmark by March 31, 2008, including:
 
NAIFA-Abilene
NAIFA-Amarillo
NAIFA-Central TX
NAIFA-Corpus Christi
NAIFA-Gulf Coast
Heart of Texas AIFA
Mainland AIFA
Plainview AIFA
San Angelo AIFA
NAIFA-Tyler
NAIFA-West TX
NAIFA-Wichita Falls
 
 

LILI Profile: Melissa McConville of San Antonio

Q. What interested you in the Leadership in Life Institute?  

A.  The LILI graduates I know always spoke of the program with such enthusiasm, and that excitement intrigued me.  I always considered myself a leader in the various areas of my life, and though I am a constant "student of the business," I was looking for a way to use my experiences in life and the business world to hone my entrepreneurial and leadership skills.  LILI presented the perfect opportunity.

 
 

Q. What were your expectations of the program?  How has the program compared with your expectations so far? 

A.  I honestly didn't know what to expect, and I consider that a good thing!  While I always try to approach new situations and opportunities with an open mind, I was most looking forward to the group dynamic of the program.  Each and every candidate would be bringing their unique perspective to the table.  So far, the course material is top notch, but the discussions we have had and the relationships being built and strengthened have far exceeded anything I would have hoped for.

 

Q. How are you currently involved in your local? 

A.  I am currently involved in my local association on the member level through regular meeting attendance, although I look forward to (hopefully) serving on the local board very soon!

 

Q. In what ways do you hope to serve your local association in the future?  

A.  Member education, recruitment, retention, and advocacy are the key areas I would like to focus on in the future.  Excellence in these and other areas will allow us to continue to attract and retain advisors from across the spectrum.

 

Q. What is the greatest asset that you bring to the LILI program?

A.  Many of my fellow candidates hail from the retail side of our industry, whereas I practice on the wholesale side, so I will approach things differently than others might.  I think, though, that my open-minded, (brutally) honest approach to life will allow me to give to and take from this program in equal parts.