FPA of Michigan NEWSbrief
January/2010
Leadership
By Richard T. Feight, CFP
FPA of Michigan Chairman of the Board
Richard Feight
Theodore Roosevelt once said: "The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick men to do what he wants done, and self restraint from meddling with them while they do it."
 
That certainly rings true in the FPA of Michigan. Your FPA of Michigan Board of Directors is made up of hard working professionals striving to make this Chapter the face for financial planning in Michigan. Be it lobbying against the service tax on your behalf or working with Junior Achievement to promote financial literacy in inner city Detroit schools, this Board, on your behalf, has taken their passion of personal finance to another level.
 
We would like to welcome our new Board Members who join us this year:  Ginny Sherrow, Ryan Smith and Drew Sygit.  We also say thank you to Ken Klegon, Al Ferrara and Kent Bowman for their many years of service on the FPA of Michigan Board.  Ken, Al and Kent have moved off the Board of Directors this year, but remain active as committee members.
 
As we transition into a new year and put the trials of 2008 and 2009 behind us, I challenge you to become active in our Chapter in promoting financial planning. Whether you become a team member of a committee or just volunteer to call your favorite service provider and ask them to sponsor our chapter, just that little effort can make a big difference. Who knows? It may propel you into a leadership role. It was Peter Drucker that said: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." So as you make plans for the New Year, make our Chapter a part of those plans. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!  

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar!
Calender
 
CE DAY
Co-sponsored by FPA of Michigan and NAIFA - Greater Detroit
When:  Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time:  8:00 am to 5:00 pm
 
February Education Program
When:  Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time:  8:30 am to 11:00 am
Topic:  Hot Topics in Estate and Retirement Planning
Speaker:  Nancy H. Welber, JD
Registration information will be sent out shortly
Pro Bono Opportunity
Join your fellow FPA of Michigan Members ...

Join us on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 for a day of volunteering at Junior Achievement's Finance Park (on Larned Street in Downtown Detroit --- free parking provided).  We will spend the day helping students at the center.  The day begins about 8:30 am with 30 minutes of informal training and then the students arrive about 9:00 or 9:30 am.  The day ends around 2:30 pm with lunch provided.  We will need at least 8 "helpers".   

Please let Mary Medonis know (248.446.8909 or [email protected]) if you can participate in this rewarding and enjoyable day!

 
Karen Norman
Director of Pro Bono/Public Relations
 

JA logo

The Emperor's New Swimsuit
With the economy at low tide, more high-net-worth clients should know the difference between truly self-insuring and 'going bare.'
 
Written by Andrew McElwee ([email protected]), Executive Vice-President of Chubb and Son and Chief Operating Officer of Chubb Personal Insurance.  
 
In 1992, financier Warren Buffett famously observed, "It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked." 
 
Amid today's receding economic waters, such indecent exposure isn't exclusive to those who risked wealth on supposedly can't-lose investment opportunities. The "bare" also include high-net-worth individuals and families who continue to rely on self-insurance without fully understanding the potential impact to their personal balance sheet and lifestyle.
 
Chubb Group is a Gold Sponsor of the FPA of Michigan
   
 Chubb Personal Insurance
THE DATE HAS BEEN SET
FPA of Michigan 2010 Annual Fall Symposium
Inn at St. John's
 

When:  September 30/October 1

Where:  Inn at St. John's in Plymouth

 
Last year's Symposium (also held at the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth) was close to a sell-out so be sure and mark your calendar for the FPA of Michigan 2010 Annual Fall Symposium - Thursday, September 30th through Friday, October 1st.  The following are a few comments from your fellow FPA Members about the 2009 Symposium:
  • Strong speakers, great location, great attendance!
  • Information-packed, most speaker's information applicable to my practice. 
  • Quality of speakers, location superb, organization of this meeting...all great!
  • This venue beats most hotel accommodations.  Don't mind two hour drive.
  • Great agenda and speakers.  Very relevant topics.  I received great ideas and knowledge.
  • Great job - I will bring my sales assistant next year.  Thanks!
  • Best conference I have been to in quite a while.
  • I learned something from every speaker and the networking with other members was excellent.
  • This was my first time attending and I came away with some helpful tips.
 REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR
SEPTEMBER 30TH AND OCTOBER 1ST
... YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS YEAR'S EVENT!
The FPA NEWSbrief is published monthly.  This issue was compiled, written and edited by Mary Medonis, Richard Feight, Ryan Smith and Drew Sygit.
 
FPA of Michigan
Tel:  (248) 446-8909
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.fpami.com  
In This Issue
Leadership
Upcoming Events
Pro Bono Opportunity
The Emperor's New Swimsuit
The Date Has Been Set ...
Thank you to our Sponsors
Meet Your 2010 FPA of Michigan Board of Directors
Congratulations to the following members ...
Checkoff Children's!

Thank you to our Sponsors

 

Action Group

Artio Global Investors

Charles Schwab Advisor Services
 
 Chubb Personal Insurance
 

Direxion Logo

DWS Investments


Laserfiche

 Morningstar Investment Services
 

Munder Capital Management

 Sigma Financial Corporation
 

TD Ameritrade

 Thornburg Investment Management

MEET YOUR 2010 FPA OF MICHIGAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Sandy Adams, CFP�

President

Education/Programs

 

Jennifer Bacarella

Treasurer

Sponsorship

 

Ted Bugenski, CFP�, CFS

Secretary

Sponsorship Co-Chair

 

Richard Feight, CFP�

Chairman of the Board

Communications/Technology

Ethics

 

Kevin Jarchow

Education/Programs

Public Relations/Pro Bono

 

Evelyn MacIntyre, CFP�

Government Relations

 

Mary Medonis

Chapter Administrator

 

Karen Norman, CFP�

Public Relations/Pro Bono

 

Laurie Renchik, CFP�

Government Relations

 

Ginny Sherrow, CFP�

Career Development

Membership

 

Ryan Smith

Communications/Technology

 

Drew Sygit, CMPS, CMC, CRMS, CMLP, CALP, MBA, NAMB/MMBA

Membership

Communications/Technology

 

Clint Struthers, AAMS, RFS

President Elect

Symposium Chair

 

Michael Witzke, JD, CLU, ChFC

Legal
 

Congratulations to the following members who have reached a milestone in their membership with the FPA:

5 years
Nathan Mersereau
Kristine Miele
 
15 years
Edward Lambert
Susan Myers
Donald Paulson 

20 years
Michael Lutz 
 
25 years
John Foster
Kenneth Klegon
Kathleen Reichart
Ronald Wiser
Checkoff Children's!
An easy way to give, a great way to make a difference!
 

For the first time ever, Children's Hospital of Michigan is one of the charitable organizations eligible to receive voluntary contributions from taxpayers who choose to use the 2009 Michigan Voluntary Contributions Schedule (Form 4642) when they file their 2009 State of Michigan tax return.  This is an easy way for Michigan taxpayers to donate and make a profound difference by supporting Children's Hospital, the largest and only freestanding children's hospital in the state.