House Bill Aims to Increase 

State Guaranty Fund Caps 

H.B. 969, filed February 2, 2009, by Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center), would increase the current $100,000 protection for the life insurance cash value to $250,000. Additionally, the measure would increase coverage limits for annuities from $100,000 to $250,000.

 

Created in 1973, the Texas Guaranty Association Act provides policyholders a safety net if their life or health insurance company becomes insolvent or cannot meet its contractual obligations, but the amount of the guarantee is limited. 

 

With extreme volatility in the stock market, life insurance and annuities offer individuals and families viable options for financial security and peace of mind.  NAIFA-Texas SUPPORTS changes in the state law to increase coverage limits to provide greater protections for Texans and help them secure their financial futures.

 

PHOTO: Representative Wayne Christian of Center, TX

 

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Members Take NAIFA-Texas' Message to the Capitol and the 81st Legislature

PHOTO: (left to right) Robin Johnston of NAIFA-Austin, Rep. Mark Strama, Tammy Pirtle and Rep. Rafael Anchia. 

More than 130 NAIFA-Texas members visited the Texas Capitol on January 27, 2009, meeting to discuss pending and anticipated legislative issues with lawmakers in conjunction with NAIFA-Texas' Legislative Day.

 

After arriving at the Capitol in the early morning, attendees were greeted by State Representative and NAIFA-Texas member David Farabee of Wichita Falls and former Senator Ken Armbrister, legislative director for Governor Rick Perry. NAIFA-Texas members then spanned the halls of the Capitol to meet with members of both the House and Senate.

 

In the late morning, attendees gathered in the House gallery, where they were formally recognized in a House Resolution (H.R. 178) for their presence at the Capitol and contributions to the State and the industry.  Upon completion of the morning session in the House, a joint session was called into order and NAIFA-Texas members were among the select few to hear Governor Rick Perry's State of the State address in person. 

 

In a culmination of the day's events, NAIFA-Texas co-hosted a luncheon with IIAT, with more than 450 agents and legislators in attendance at the AT&T Executive Conference Center.

 

To view a breakdown of legislative issues of interest to NAIFA-Texas in the 81^st Legislative Session, please click here.

 

To view a slideshow of NAIFA-Texas' legislative day, please click here.  

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Texans Play Key Roles in 

 IFAPAC/APIC Meetings

Among those taking part in the meetings were Texans serving at the national level, including NAIFA President-Elect Tom Currey, CLU, LUTCF, National APIC Committee members John Ruckel, LUTCF, and Mike Steadman.

State PIC Chairs Lane Boozer, LUTCF, and Doug Massey, CLU, ChFC, and NAIFA-Texas PAC members Les Littleton, LUTCF, CLU, and Robin Johnston and Texas Government Relations Chair Doug Aycock, CLU, ChFC, all participated in the weekend programs. 

Additionally, State Representative and NAIFA-Texas member David Farabee of Wichita Falls provided welcoming comments to meeting attendees and participated in a question-and-answer session early Friday afternoon.  

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Keeping up with the 81^st Legislature

How do I determine my district and legislator?

Use the Who Represents Me? system on the Texas Legislature Hompage. You can enter your ZIP code, city, or street address to find your legislator and district.

How do I send e-mail to my representative or senator?

It is each legislator's prerogative to support feedback through e-mail. If a legislator chooses to do so, his or her home page will feature an e-mail feedback form. You can find your representative on the house website and your senator on the senate website.

How do I follow the status of a bill?

You can use the "Texas Legislature Online" to follow a bill through the entire legislative process. View the page How to Follow a Bill Using TLO to gain information on features provided by this website to follow a bill through the legislative process. This page includes information on how to find out when a bill will be discussed in committee, when a bill will be discussed on the floor, and how to find the current status for a bill.

Additionally, you can follow bills of interest to NAIFA-Texas by visiting this site: http://naifanet.com/page.cfm?usr=480000&pageid=14853

How do I view the text of a bill or lookup the status of a bill?

You can view bills, fiscal notes, and bill analyses by selecting the bill lookup link on the Texas Legislature Online home page. You can also use this link to inquire about the status for a bill. You will be prompted to enter a bill number.

LILI Summit Continues Alumni Development 

The first annual LILI Summit was held January 27-28, immediately following NAIFA-Texas' Legislative Day events.  The summit, organized by former LILI moderator Glen Baecker and current LILI Chair Chris Hatton, hosted seventeen LILI graduates from past classes.  

  
Over the two days of continued leadership training, attendees reinforced the concepts they learned through the LILI program and discussed two new books, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, and Leadership and Self-Deception, Getting out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute. 

 

"The summit served to teach LILI graduates the differences between large and small group dynamics," said Glen Baecker.  "While many leaders are used to working in small groups, the dynamics can change greatly when they step into larger leadership settings," he added. 

With the success of LILI summit, further opportunities for LILI graduates to continue their growth and development are planned for the future.

 

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Officer & Trustee Nominations Due April 6

In anticipation of the NAIFA-Texas annual business meeting in July, the Committee on Nominations has prepared a letter to be sent to local presidents and executives, calling for nominations to the open officer and trustee positions. 

 

At the NAIFA-Texas Annual Business session in July of 2008 it was voted on by the Delegate Council to amend the NAIFA-Texas bylaws to adopt a Trustee model of governance, consisting of five (5) officers and seven (7) trustees, elected at large by the NAIFA-Texas Delegate Council. 

 

In addition to the seven trustees, members of the 2009 Delegate Council will elect a Secretary-Treasurer, President Elect, and National Committeeperson. 

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LILI Profile: Doug Richards of NAIFA-Austin

Each month, we highlight current students of the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI).  LILI students commit to six monthly sessions of intense leadership training and personal development in an effort to excel personally and professionally.  This month, we feature Doug Richards of NAIFA-Austin.

 

Q. What interested you in the LILI Program?

A. NAIFA-Austin President Karen Easterling recommended LILI to me.  She was a past student of the program and said that it was a life-changing experience for her. 
 

Q. What are your expectations of the program?

A. I expect to learn a lot, to get to know a lot of other people who are also interested in Leadership Training, to have the opportunity to share ideas, feelings, and beliefs about a variety of subjects.  

 

Q. How are you currently involved in your local?

A. I am the Membership Chairman. 

 

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

A. My desire to learn, to share and to grow.

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Download 2009 Application Form

Download Production Certification Form  

 

Join the Ranks of Texas Leaders Today!

Texas Leaders Round Table (TLRT) is now accepting applications for membership in 2009.  TLRT is Texas' own honor organization, recognizing top producers in the state and offering a great opportunity to network with other leaders.

 

As a member of TLRT, you'll receive a plaque recognizing your production achievement in 2008 and $100 off the registration to the Texas Leaders Round Table Roundup, an annual event held each July featuring sales ideas and MDRT-level educational and motivational speakers from across the country.

 

Become a member of TLRT today and join the ranks of Texas Leaders!
 

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2009 LILI to Begin this Month
A new crop of Leadership in Life Institute students will meet for the first time this month, as the 2009 LILI class gets underway February 23 at the NAIFA-Texas offices in Austin, TX.  Over the six months of classes, students will undergo a process of self-exploration, learning new skills to help them excel personally and professionally. 

 

There are ten students enrolled in the 2009 LILI class, including:

Thom Hughes of NAIFA-Beaumont;
Karolyn Chapman of NAIFA-Houston;
Ann Baker Ronn of NAIFA-Houston;
Doug Jackson of NAIFA-East Texas;
Panate Griffin of NAIFA-Austin;
Doug Richards of NAIFA-Austin;
James Baird of NAIFA-Abilene;
Ryan Raeke of NAIFA-Wichita Falls;
Michael Kennedy of NAIFA-Corpus Christi; and
Lesley Pinckard of NAIFA-Great Southwest.   

 

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NAIFA-TX Remembers: Kyle Morton of Fort Worth
Kyle Morton, 49, passed away Friday, January 30, 2009.  He was born January 18, 1960, in Fort Worth.

 

Following his graduation from Baylor University, Morton returned to Fort Worth and joined his father, Murray Morton of NAIFA-Fort Worth, in the financial services business in 1983. Since then he had been involved in the daily operations of Morton Financial Services.

 

He was also a partner in Educator's Resource Group where he assisted teachers in the retirement planning process.

Morton was a qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, having qualified every year since 1985. He held the designations of Registered Financial Consultant (RFC), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF).