(Friday - Monday) 

 

The NAIFA Board of Trustees this year approved the establishment of a new program named the Congressional Council. The Congressional Council formally launched during the recent NAIFA Congressional Conference in Washington, DC.

The Congressional Council stems from the NAIFA Steering Council, which was carried over from The Association of Health Insurance Advisors' (AHIA) union with NAIFA. The purpose of the Steering Council has been to protect our members' businesses from adverse legislation and regulation. Steering Council dues have served as donations to the NAIFA War Chest and used to fund high priority - often emergency - legislative and regulatory initiatives that exceed NAIFA's budget. Examples of how War Chest funds may be used include:

• Activation of the grassroots network
• Promotion of the value of the agent-advisor through enhanced public relations
• Enhancement of lobbying efforts to influence lawmakers, especially members of Congress
• Issue-specific targeted media campaigns using television, print, radio, and/or new media
• Involvement of members in Days on the Hill

The Congressional Council is a "repackaged" version of the Steering Council program and is designed to maximize NAIFA's donor giving programs - IFAPAC and the War Chest. Congressional Council Members contribute both a minimum $2,500 annual contribution to IFAPAC and a minimum $500 annual contribution to the War Chest. In exchange for their investment in NAIFA's political programs, members receive the following benefits:

• New - Advisory Group membership to inform the NAIFA Government Relations Committee
• New - U.S. Capitol Evening Tour during the Congressional Conference
• New - Exclusive Membership-only Lapel Pin
• New - Public Recognition at NAIFA meetings and in NAIFA publications
• Subscription to National Journal
• Subscription to the weekly, policy-oriented Monday Morning Memo

The Advisory Group will be made up exclusively of Congressional Council members. The group's role will be to provide insight and feedback to the NAIFA Government Relations team and the NAIFA Government Relations Committee as they work to submit formal policy recommendations to the NAIFA Board of Trustees. The group may be asked to informally advise NAIFA staff on issues related to a member's professional experience and expertise; may receive policy or industry-related surveys; may be asked to assist NAIFA staff with technical data; and may have opportunities to provide comments and specifics on legislation and regulations that fall within their areas of expertise.

If you, like me, wish to be a part of this important new group, please contact Jill Hoffman at 703-770-8158.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan B. Waters, CAE
Chief Executive Officer 

 

NAIFA strives to keep members and lawmakers informed about where we stand on important issues. By clicking HERE, you can find NAIFA's stances on the issues that matter most to the business of insurance and financial advising. Check regularly for updates and additional information.

Please consider a contribution to YOUR Political Action Committee!

 

The Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee (IFAPAC) is a term used to describe collectively the PAC sponsored by NAIFA at the federal level and the PACs sponsored by each state association. Each PAC is a fund that supports the campaigns of candidates for public office who understand issues important to insurance agents and financial advisors. IFAPAC's goal is to help the associations advance the legislative and regulatory interests of the members of NAIFA. While any U.S. citizen can contribute to IFAPAC, only members of local NAIFA associations may be solicited to do so. Contributions must be voluntary. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Of approximately 4,600 political action committees registered with the Federal Election Commission, IFAPAC ranks in the top tier. IFAPAC is the largest insurance PAC in the country. In the last election cycle, the national IFAPAC contributed approximately $1.1 million to federal candidates and committees.

For more information about IFAPAC and to contribute securely online, please click HERE.