The Membership Newsletter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Broward
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| "Serving the needs of our members since 1947" | MAY 2014 |
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OFFICIAL FAMILY: CLICK HERE FOR NAIFA-BROWARD'S OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
President's Message
Submitted by Richard Wieder
"I don't skate to the puck, I skate to where the puck is going." - Wayne Gretzky
Your board of directors and officers spent this year skating to the puck, bringing you the best Continuing Education courses available and world class speakers to our monthly program meetings. With the cooperation of our local associations, Palm Beach and Miami Dade, we shared the expenses to bring these Million Dollar Round Table speakers to our members.
I have been honored over the past three years to represent you as your president, and our May 14th meeting will bring in a new president and board of directors. I want to thank all of our members and everyone who has served on the board during the last three years for all that they have done for the membership and the insurance industry.
Our May 14th meeting is SOLD OUT and will be the most attended meeting of the year.
We look forward to visiting with you on May 14th, and if you are unable to attend, we hope you have a wonderful summer with your family and friends. Be well...
Rick
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS!
NAIFA-Broward thanks our April 16th CE presenter Michael Plaks, RHU and guest luncheon speaker John F. Nichols, MSM, CLU, DIA, NAIFA National President.
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THANK YOU TO
OUR SPONSORS!
PLATINUM  Best Care
Marc Spector &
Peter Leighton
(305) 652-3311
L&S Insurance &
Financial Services, Inc.
Lee Gorodetsky
(954) 351-2250
SILVER  Caregiver Services, Inc.
Nina Plonka &
Jessica Gonzalez
(305) 821-1262
For more information on sponsorship oportunities with NAIFA-Broward, please click HERE.
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NAIFA-Broward's May 14th Luncheon and CE Event is SOLD OUT!
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THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT AND REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
SPEAKER CHANGE, 12:30 - 1:30 PM:
David Levitt
President of Circle Mortgage Corporation
In March of 1974, David Levitt founded Circle Mortgage Corporation it was located on "City Hall Circle" in Hollywood, Fl. In 1996, David expanded Circle's horizons by becoming one of the first mortgage lenders to offer Reverse Mortgages in Florida. He is truly one of the pioneers of the Reverse mortgage industry. Circle is one of the largest reverse mortgage lenders in the state of Florida. They have provided help to over 8,000 seniors who have benefited from this product. David served on the Board of Directors of NRMLA (National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association) in Washington DC for over five years and recently served as vice-chair on their legislative committee. He has been a guest speaker on many occasions at most of the National Reverse Lending Conventions and conference's. He has also served as host as well as as a panelist on many financial topics concerning the industry. He holds a CRMP (certified reverse mortgage professional) designation which is the only national recognized accreditation for reverse mortgages. He continues to host a live weekly radio show for over 14 years at 8:00 AM on WFTL talk radio (850 AM band). David is known as the expert's expert in this highly specialized product as well as all facets of the lending industry.
The following is NAIFA-Broward's Slate of Officers and Board
of Directors for the 2014-1015 Association Year and will be installed
at our Membership Luncheon Meeting on May 14, 2014:
President
Ian L. Perkins, CLTC
Treasurer
Lee S. Gorodetsky, LUTCF, CLF
Secretary
Gary Haft, CEP
National Committeeman
Rick Wieder
Past Presidents
Joseph C. Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF
Arnold Pierre, LUTCF
Rick Wieder
Board of Directors
Gustavo Rivera
Kenneth Richenstein
For more information, contact NAIFA-Broward Association Executive Rhonda Milrot
at (954) 753-2262 or [email protected].
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Sponsorship Opportunities with NAIFA-Broward
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 Your Support of our Association is Appreciated! The NAIFA-Broward Association is now soliciting vendors that are interested in sponsorship opportunities. Our open enrollment period during the summer will insure that you will received the most competitive pricing and discounts for our Silver, Gold and Platinum levels as well as our single meeting and coffee sponsorship opportunites. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Please feel free to contact Rick Wieder at 954-650-8486 or via email at [email protected] for more information.
Very truly yours,
Rick S. Wieder, MDRT |
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NAIFA-Broward Member Vies For State VP!
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NAIFA-Broward Past President Joe Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF entered a contested race for NAIFA-Florida Vice President. The candidate who wins the NAIFA-Florida Vice President race will be in line for the NAIFA-Florida Presidency. The election will be held at the NAIFA-Florida Annual Career Conference on June 20-21, 2014 in Delray Beach.
The last time a NAIFA-Broward member served as NAIFA-Florida President was Steve Estler in 2000. Ironically Joe Chalom served one of his three terms as NAIFA-Broward President at the same time Steve was serving as NAIFA-Florida President.
Joe has served in various leadership roles in the NAIFA Federation for more than two decades. He currently serves as NAIFA-Florida Secretary/Treasurer and NAIFA-Broward Membership Chair. Joe began serving on the NAIFA-Florida Board as a director in 2007. In addition Joe has served on the NAIFA Communications Committee for five years.
He has received numerous accolades over the years, including the NAIFA-Florida President's Award in 2013.
Chalom stated that, "I am running for NAIFA-Florida Vice President to make a difference. I believe it is critically important that we express our passion in helping our clients protect their financial futures by insuring that we have a viable voice in the legislative process. We need to maintain and strengthen our state association to have a viable voice both in Tallahassee and in Washington DC."
Members of NAIFA-Broward have a rare opportunity to show their support by attending the conference, contributing to the campaign fund, maintaining your membership and most importantly asking a prospective member to join. You may also e-mail referral information to [email protected]. Please include your contact information so that you can be properly recognized for your efforts.
Visit JoeChalom4NAIFA-FloridaVP to learn more about Joe or to make a contribution.
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Community Service Update
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  Submitted by Lorene Roberts
Community Service Chairperson
Dear NAIFA-BROWARD Friends,
Thank you for your generous gifts during our Annual WeCare Food Drive. They are very special people that do an excellent service for our Community.
 Also, please CLICK HERE to see the letter of gratitude from MS, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, South Florida Chapter for our generous donation.
Kindest regards,
Lorene Roberts
NAIFA-Broward Community Service
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NAIFA-Broward Membership Report
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 Submitted by Joseph Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF Membership Chairperson The Countdown is On! Our membership year is closing rapidly! We have achieved 88% of our membership goal of 271 members. We only need 31 more active members prior to June 15 to achieve our goal! Membership dues are our primary source of revenue. However more importantly each member makes our collective voice louder for advocacy purposes in Tallahassee and Washington, DC. We currently have two NAIFA-Broward members qualifying for the NAIFA-Florida Pinnacle Club. Qualifiers sponsor a minimum of 5 members in the current membership year. Members who qualify for the Pinnacle Club will be recognized at the NAIFA-Florida Conference.They will also be recognized in this publication and on www.naifa-broward.org.
Our current membership sponsors are:
Joseph Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF - 13 members*
Ian Perkins, CLTC - 6 members*
Rick Wieder - 3 members
Lorene Roberts - 1 member
Kenneth Richenstein - 1 member
Lee Gorodetsky - 1 member
Dale Gorchoff, CLU, ChFC, JD - 1 member
Gary Haft, CEP - 1 member
John Field, MBA - 1 member
* Pinnacle Club Qualifiers
You can help us reach our goal! Find out if your licensed friends and associates active members. Click on www.naifa.org/consumer/advisor.cfm to find out. If they are not members, ask them why they are not supporting the association that supports them!
Don't have any friends? No worries. I have a list of warm leads that need to be contacted.
 Network, Learn, Be Motivated, Have Fun! The NAIFA-Florida Conference on June 20 and 21 in Delray Beach is one of our key member benefits. Mingle with top producing agents, local and state NAIFA-Florida leaders while learning how to create the "perfect week" from NAIFA Coach U, Bob Arzt and be motivated by Don Yaeger.
Are You registered? There is still time. Click here to register.
When you look at the value NAIFA Membership brings to the table, how can you afford not to be a member?
Did you know that NAIFA has a host of resources available at www.naifa.org to help you meet and/or exceed your 2014 goals?
Many of these resources are benefits included in your NAIFA membership. Additional resources are available for a discounted premium through our preferred vendor. I suggest that you visit www.naifa.org and visit the Member Benefits section of the website.
I pasted the benefits listed below directly from the NAIFA website. A small investment of time may lead to a major growth in your business!
Professional Practice Tools & Tips * NAIFA Virtual Library FREE
* NAIFA Virtual Assistant
* NAIFA's Advisor Today Magazine FREE
* NAIFA SmartBrief FREE
* The Career Activity Management (CAM) System� - NAIFA Edition
* The Value Pitch Process™ FREE
* LIMRA/NAIFA Sales Booster Assessment Tool
* LIFE Foundation Materials
* Million Dollar Marketing System
* The One Page Business Plan�
* NAIFA ClientCast� by RealWealth� FREE
* ClientCast� Upgrade
* NAIFA Bookstore
* Professional Resource Guide FREE In addition to the tools listed above there are many more tangible benefits of membership, like the NAIFA Coaching Program. Please feel free to share this valuable information with others who may benefit from these resources.
NAIFA is the ONLY organization whose primary mission is to advocate for insurance agents and financial advisors in multiple disciplines including; life, health, annuities, securities and property and casualty on both the state and federal levels of government.
If you are passionate about our profession and our association please join the membership committee. We have positions available that require minimal time commitments. Please contact me at (954) 340-1588 or [email protected] to learn how you can help. |
Welcome Our Newest NAIFA-Broward Members!
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 Timothy Walsh, Futurity First Insurance
Kristina M. Clark, Thrivent Financials for Lutherans
Gustavo Rivera, Exam Solutions
Lauren Adams, Capital Insurance Agency (reinstated)
Douglas J. Collier, Innovative Wealth Management (reinstated) Member Benefit of the Month
Training and communications materials, including HIPAA  Total HIPAA Compliance prepares health insurance agents, HR professionals, Privacy and Security Officers, healthcare professionals and subcontractors of Business Associates to meet federally mandated HIPAA compliance regulations. With more than 100 years of combined regulatory, educational, professional management and healthcare experience, our staff prepares and delivers educational products and communications training in a variety of media that best meets the needs of individual learners. HIPAA/HITECH training (Privacy and Security) and culture change management are our areas of concentration. When creating multi-media training products, we collaborate with prominent health law and business attorneys and e-health consultants so that the materials we offer are accurate and up-to-date. NAIFA Members are eligible for 10% off all products, including HIPAA 2.0 for Agents and Brokers. Call 800-344-6381 and mention NAIFA13 to receive your 10% member discount. You can order online at www.TotalHIPAA.com with the same discount code.
Click HERE for a comprehensive guide to all of the benefits enjoyed by NAIFA members!
 NAIFA Managers Membership Award:
Connecting You to the Recognition You Deserve!
The Managers Membership Award recognizes organizations that support a strong financial services industry by investing in NAIFA. Life, health and multiline agencies and financial groups are eligible to receive this award by ensuring that a certain percentage of their agents, based on the organization's size, are NAIFA members.
All applications must be submitted online by Friday, June 13, 2014.
The agency manager must be a member of NAIFA and GAMA International to qualify for the award. For all requirements and application, please visit the website at www.naifa.org/mma.
IT PAYS TO BE A MEMBER!
NAIFA, the largest financial services membership association in the United States, is a federation of 700 state and local association all striving for the same common goal: to protect your livelihood and your clients' financial security. To join or renew securely online, please visit www.naifa.org.
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NAIFA-Broward Virtual Member Orientation
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 Invest 60 minutes and you will learn how to make more money and help protect your business!
When: Thursday, May 29th, 8:30 - 9:30 am
Where: Your Computer
On PC or Mac, use any browser with Flash. Nothing to download.
On a phone or tablet, launch the join.me app and enter meeting code: retirementcouncil
Join the audio conference:
No matter how you join the conference, everyone will be on the same audio call.
By phone:
1) Dial 1.408.418.5040
2) Enter conference ID: 678-753-695#
For more information, contact Joseph C. Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF at (954) 340-1588 or [email protected].
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Multi-line Update
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 Submitted by Lee Gorodetsky, LUTCF, CLF
The Latest Multi-Line Updates From NAIFA-FL Session Dispatch:
5. FLOOD INSURANCE RELIEF SB 542 achieved final passage on May 1 and will be sent to the Governor. This legislation contains language de-regulating rates for private flood insurance for the next few years, which can be offered in a stand-alone policy, or as a coverage or endorsement to a homeowner's policy. Insurers would also have the option of filing their rates for approval.
The legislation allows insurers limited flexibility to design their forms and coverages. The bill allows insurers to write only four types of flood insurance, standard, preferred, custom and supplemental. The standard policy will track coverages under the existing Federal flood program, and uses the current definition. Under the house bill, the preferred plan provides additional coverage by expanding the definition of "flood", adding additional living expenses, and mandating replacement cost for personal property, instead of ACV. The expanded definition of Flood includes water intrusion originating outside a structure that are not considered a flood loss under a standard flood policy issued by the NFIP. "Custom policies" must include the standard coverage at a minimum, but allow insurers to be creative. "Supplemental policies" authorizes a wrap policy product that is sold in conjunction with someone that has existing flood coverage from the NFIP or a voluntary insurer.
Agents must notify consumers being removed from the NFIP by a voluntary insurer that if the consumer later wants to re-enter the NFIP, a full risk rate for flood insurance may by charged by NFIP. This bill encourages surplus lines insurers to offer flood by eliminating the three declinations from other insurers when placing flood coverage.
Insurers must notify the OIR 30 days before they begin to write flood insurance, and file a plan of operation and financial pro forma with the OIR.
This legislation is effective upon becoming law.
6. HOMEOWNER CLAIMS BILL OF RIGHTS PASSES WITHOUT ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS SB 708 achieved final passage on April 30 and will be transmitted to the Governor. This legislation was a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. "The Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights is a much-needed resource for homeowners that will notify them of their rights and responsibilities when filing an insurance claim and give them the confidence that they will be treated fairly during a stressful situation," said CFO Atwater.
This legislation requires insurers to provide a "claims bill of rights" to consumers that file homeowners' claims within 14 days after the claim is reported. We worked extensively to make the notices track existing law provisions throughout the insurance code, and inserted language clarifying that this notice does not create new law or a new cause of action in the courts. Originally, the legislation included numerous requirements for contractors accepting an assignment of benefits ("AOB"). The Legislature removed the AOB language, as passage of weak AOB requirements could weaken progress insurers may make in the courts by codifying clearly that AOB's are permissible.
Upon signing by the Governor, this legislation is effective July 1, 2014.
7. TWO CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION MEASURES PASS HB 1089 achieved final passage on April 28 and will be transmitted to the Governor. This legislation provides that, with respect to wind-only coverage for commercial lines residential condominiums, effective July 1, 2014, a condominium is ineligible for coverage if 50% or more of the units are rented more than eight times per calendar year for a rental period of less than 30 days. This legislation also delays the implementation of the prohibition on Citizens coverage for new construction seaward of the coastal construction control line or within the Coastal Barrier Resources System from July 1, 2014 until July 1, 2015.
Upon signing by the Governor, this legislation is effective July 1, 2014.
HB 1672 achieved final passage on May 1 and will be transmitted to the Governor. This legislation directs Citizens to stop writing new commercial residential multi-peril policies in the coastal account. Citizens will write separate wind and all-other perils policies for these structures. Among the other items set forth in this legislation is the prohibition on insurance agents, brokers or insurance agency employees from accepting any referral fees or other compensation from an authorized mitigation inspector. This legislation creates the same process for Citizens that exists for state agencies, which allow bid protests to go before an administrative law judge at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. Citizens is required to issue an annual report of its estimated bonding capacity, estimated claims paying capacity and estimated year-end cash balance.
Language placing surplus lines into the Clearinghouse was stricken from the bill.
Upon signing by the Governor, except as otherwise expressly provided in the act, this legislation shall take effect July 1, 2014.
16. MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT INCREASE SB 392 achieved final passage on April 30 and will be transmitted to the Governor. This legislation raises the speed limit on access highways to 75 miles per hour and certain other highways to 70 miles per hour. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is authorized to set such maximum and minimum speed limits over other roadways under its authority as it deems safe, not to exceed a maximum of 65 miles per hour.
Upon signing by the Governor, this legislation is effective July 1, 2014.
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2014 Congressional Conference
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In April 2013, over 1,000 NAIFA members from every corner of the country came to Washington, DC and took to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advise them on how their decisions affect agents, brokers, and their clients. On May 20th-21st, 2014, NAIFA will be holding its 2014 Congressional Conference with a similar goal - to establish and cultivate relationships with lawmakers, to share the expertise of NAIFA members, and educate them on the value of life insurance, annuities, retirement savings, and employee benefits for 75 million American families. Please register today and join us in this important effort to educate lawmakers about the value of your business to your clients!
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SAVE THE DATES AND MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND!
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NAIFA-Florida Annual Career Conference
June 20-22, 2014 in Delray Beach, FL
"Challenges, Opportunities, Transformations"
NAIFA National Career Conference and Annual Meeting
September 6-8, 2014 in San Diego, CA
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Your Support of IFAPAC is Appreciated!
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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.
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| NAIFA-Broward Monthly Luncheon Meeting Schedule | |
 No Membership Luncheon Meetings in June, July or August.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month. They begin promptly at 12:00 noon and generally last until about 1:30 pm. Our meetings are held at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club, located at 415 Country Club Circle, Plantation, FL 33317
Reservations are necessary and can be made online at www.naifa-broward.org. The cost for lunch is $20 for members with reservations and $25 without reservations. For non-members the cost is $30 with reservations and $35 without reservations. Credit card payment is accepted on the website and at the door.
Continuing Education classes sponsored by NAIFA-Broward are free to members (except for special programs, like classes offered through NAIFA-Florida). For non-members the cost is $15 per credit hour. Our first morning class will begin promptly at 9:30 am and the second class will begin promptly at 10:30 am. Anyone arriving more than five minutes after it starts will not receive CE credit. You will also be asked for photo ID when signing in. Information on each month's meeting and CE topic can be found on our website at www.naifa-broward.org.
For more information, contact NAIFA-Broward Association Executive Rhonda Milrot at (954) 753-2262 or email [email protected].
Prepaid Luncheon Program
Members can prepay ten lunch programs for $175.00 and save $25. Members need to register for each program they are attending. Unused fees for luncheon programs may be rolled over to the following membership year. The Prepaid Luncheon Program is available for members only, is non-transferable and non-refundable.
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CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT! |
 For the latest NAIFA-Broward news and events, please visit our website at www.naifa-broward.org! NAIFA-Broward, c/o Association Executive Rhonda Milrot P.O. Box 770188, Coral Springs, FL 33077Phone: 954-753-2262 * Fax: 888-613-6695 * E-mail: [email protected] |
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