NAIFA-Texas eNewsletter
September 2009
In This Issue
Article Headline
2009 NAIFA Convention
Leadership In Life Institute
 
Texas PAC Chair Les Littleton and Key Contact Wes McKnight of NAIFA-Pineywoods delivered a PAC check to Representative Wayne Christian during a Sept. 10 reception in Nacogdoches.

 
October 15th is "Back the PAC" Day! 

Across the NAIFA Federation and across Texas PAC volunteers will hit the phone lines to call members to contribute to the PAC. Compared to last year, contributions are down, and we need to raise over $5,000 to catch up.
 
How Can You Help?
If you currently contribute $100, please upgrade to $200 or more. It's very easy to do on a monthly bank draft ($17.00-$24.00) Ambassador level per month or online by credit card. 
 
What Happens To My Contribution?
All contributions go to national IFAPAC. Half of the monies stay at National for Federal (U.S. Congress) contributions and the other half is returned to Texas for state officeholders and candidates.
 
PAC contributions strengthen relationships with legislators.
Your PAC dollars make this happen!
 
Mail your PAC Contribution to (include member ID)
:
IFAPAC
P.O. Box 759063
Baltimore, MD 21275-9063
 
Or
 
Click here to contribute online.
NAIFA-Texas Position on Health Care Reform
 
NAIFA-Texas is committed to the preservation of the private delivery of health insurance.  We oppose the creation of a public plan that would unfairly compete against private insurance companies in the health insurance marketplace. We oppose any plan that diminishes or eliminates the important role that agents perform in the marketing, selling and servicing of health insurance. NAIFA-Texas believes that we must build upon the strengths of the current system, reduce costs, insure coverage for more Texans, and improve value throughout our health-care system without resorting to new government programs or jeopardizing the high quality of care we enjoy and expect as Texas consumers. 
 

NAIFA-Texas and 360 Training have partnered together to bring members an unlimited amount of insurance continuing education courses for only $35.00. Click here to view the courses offered. 

 

As you know, the Texas Department of Insurance requires that you complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Fifteen of the thirty hours must be completed in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting. Online courses through 360 Training qualify as "CLASSROOM EQUIVALENT" courses that can be completed in your office or home.

Click here for more information and requirements on Texas insurance continuing education. 

 MEMBERSHIP COLUMN
 
Did You Know?
Membership News From
Across the State
 
Did you know that the NAIFA-Texas Officers & Trustees have committed to obtain the following new members?
  
NAIFA-TX Officers:
President Randy Robertson - 5
Pres. Elect Cylinda Clark - 5
Sec./Treasurer Stephen Ehlers - 5
Past-President Earl Thompson - 5
Nat'l Cmteman Ron Mullen - 2
CEO/CLO Des Taylor - 3
 
NAIFA-TX Trustees: 
Lee Ripley - 3
Frank Correa - 3
Kirk Haworth - 2
Lane Boozer - 3
Douglas Massey - 3
Joey Ussery - 10
Jason Talley - 4 
Total New Member Commitments    53
 
Will the Officers & Trustees
obtain their goal?
 
 
2009-10 Membership Contests
 
New Member Incentive for Individuals:
Members who recruit a new member will be entered in a drawing  to win a free year of membership. The winner is drawn at the NAIFA-TX Annual Meeting in July 2010.
 
New Member Incentive for Locals:
$500 will be provided to the local in each of the three categories: small, medium and large with the highest number of new members. Contest start date is March 1-April 30, 2010.
 
Membership Year-End Contest, Wrangler Award:
NAIFA-Texas' Wrangler Award will be awarded to three local associations in each of the three categories: small, medium and large, in recognition for achieving  Year-end membership goal. 

Endorsed Professional Liability Program

 NAIFA endorsed professional liability insurance
Errors & Omissions Insurance

 The NAIFA-endorsed Professional Liability Insurance Program provides quality errors and omissions coverage (E&O) to NAIFA members. The program offers comprehensive professional liability insurance, superior customer service, an easy application process, and competitive rates. For information on all available coverage options and features, and/or how to apply, visit: www.naifainsurance.com

2009 Corporate Partners

 
 
 
 
  
Senate Health Reform Bill Draws NAIFA Comments
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., on Sept. 16, drew the attention of health and benefits groups by releasing a health reform bill draft that includes many provisions sought by consumer groups, such as a guaranteed-issue provision and a ban on benefits caps, while leaving out any provision that could create a government-run, "public option" health insurance program. The bill would impose a 35% excise tax on "high cost" health plans, and it would cap flexible spending account contributions at $2,000 per year.
  
NAIFA has congratulated Baucus on the release of the proposal. "We share the chairman's goal of spreading comprehensive health insurance to millions of Americans not now covered," NAIFA President Thomas Currey says in a statement about the bill. "We are particularly pleased to note that the chairman has opted to move away from a government-run health insurance plan. We believe that in doing so Chairman Baucus recognizes that the chance of actually achieving comprehensive reform this year increases. We pledge NAIFA's help in crafting a final proposal that will be supported by all Americans." Currey notes that, in addition to leaving out a government plan provision, Baucus has left out a long term care insurance provision included in some of the other major health reform proposals. "In doing so, the chairman's proposal recognizes that there are better ways to address long-term care needs," Currey says.
 
The Finance Committee is scheduled to begin mark-up this week. Mark-up is expected to be lengthy. Committee Senators have promised they'll be offering numerous amendments, ranging from liberal Democrats attempting to insert a government plan option into the plan to conservative Republicans trying to add caps on damages and/or attorneys' fees to medical malpractice reform proposals (and everything you can imagine in between). After Finance completes its work, the bill will be combined with the measure approved on July 15 by the Senate's Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee prior to going to the Senate floor, where more amendments and extensive debate is expected.
 
 

New TWIA Rules Adopted by TDI

The Commissioner of Insurance has adopted rules, effective immediately, implementing provisions of HB 4409 (81st Texas Legislature, 2009, Regular Session) concerning the plan of operation for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). These rules concern declinations of coverage, flood insurance, minimum retained premium, continuation of coverage for persons under the pre-existing certificate of compliance approval program, a certificate of compliance transition program, and the definition of the terms alter and alteration.

 

Because we're in the midst of hurricane season, these rules are being adopted on an emergency basis, and will be replaced with permanent rules within 180 days. 

 

To be eligible for coverage through TWIA, the insured must have one declination from a licensed insurer (authorized).  The insurer must be writing new or renewal policies that include windstorm coverage somewhere in the Tier 1 coastal counties. The declination can be either a refusal to offer or a nonrenewal of windstorm coverage, or a refusal to offer substantially similar coverage to the coverage being sought by the applicant and provided by TWIA (such as higher required deductibles or coverage that does not pay for replacement of damaged property, known as Actual Cash Value coverage).  The agent may assist the customer in obtaining the declination. 

 

This rule applies only to policies issued or renewed on or after November 1, 2009, and that are then canceled within 180 days of the effective date of the policy.  The minimum premium for a TWIA-covered structure is the greater of the premium amount for 180 days or $100.  ($100 is the current minimum premium.) 

  

The Currey's on Main Stage
 From left to right: Charlotte and Tom Currey, daughter-in-law Rebecca and sons Matt and Joel Currey. Son Adam Currey also was present, carrying the Texas flag to the main stage.
 

Currey Assumes NAIFA Presidency;                    Wows Audience with his Remarks                  

Citing "the daunting challenges facing NAIFA" and the belief that "imbedded in every challenge is an opportunity," President Thomas D. Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, addressed NAIFA's 119th annual meeting Sept.16 in Orlando, FL.  His remarks were greeted with thunderous applause by a cheering crowd that included many Texans who were on hand to usher the Currey family to the main stage during closing ceremonies.  "The legislative and regulatory environment is the crucible where our careers are at risk," Currey said, citing healthcare reform, regulatory reform, and the taxation of agents' products, at both the accumulation and pay-out stages, as reasons for heightened concern about the future of many fundamental tenets of the financial services industry.  He underscored NAIFA's commitment to a leadership role in protecting agents/financial advisors careers and shaping the legislation and regulation that determines what those careers will look like. Click here to read a copy of Currey's remarks in their entirety.

 

Nearly 1,800 NAIFA members attended the 2009 NAIFA Annual Convention & Career Conference Sept.12-16.  Delegates, part of NAIFA's governing National Council, participated in educational seminars, networking events and voted on asssociation business including the election of officers and trustees and bylaws amendments. The National Council approved an increase in NAIFA national dues, effective January 1, 2010, for three consecutive years, with a portion of the first year adjustment (total $110 per member) to be shared with NAIFA state and local associations. Smaller second and third year adjustments ($15 per member) will be retained by national.

 
NAIFA Execs Elect Taylor to Top Post 
The Association Executives Advisory Council (AEAC), representing NAIFA local and state executives throughout the federation, elected NAIFA-TX CEO Des Taylor chair of the Council at their Sept. 12 meeting in Orlando, FL., preceding the start of the NAIFA National Convention & Career Conference Sept. 12-16. "To be selected to a leadership position by your peers is an honor," Taylor said. "To serve as Council chair during the year that Tom Currey is NAIFA president is particularly meaningful, from a personal standpoint." Taylor was first elected to the Council two years ago and served as co-chair of this year's Association Executives Conference (AEC). Named NAIFA-TX CEO & CLO in March 2002, he was appointed earlier this year to serve as a member of NAIFA's Government Relations/Policy Formation Committee.
 

AEAC's mission is to maintain governance that promotes and enhances the image, professionalism, and education of association executives, communicates with the federation, and serves as a liaison to the NAIFA Board of Trustees and Committees.

 

The Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) is NAIFA-Texas's greatest opportunity for professional development and personal growth.  Each year, students from across the state gather for six sessions of intense discussion and instruction, aimed at helping students get the most out of their personal, professional and association lives.  Acceptance to the Institute is by application only, with space limited to 12 students each year. The application for the 2010 Leadership in Life Institute is now available.  Please take a moment to consider applying to be a part of LILI.  Classes begin on February 1, 2010 and run through July of 2010.