Leaders Blog

Then join the Chapter Services Team on November 21 @ 3 p.m. Eastern! We will be conducting our Q4 training webinar, “Creating Local Engagement for the Expanded NAIFA.” The webinar will expand on topics discussed at the National Leadership Conference, including:

During this month of giving thanks, we want to thank you for belonging to your professional home. Your commitment to NAIFA is what makes us strong, united, and effective. We are grateful for the expertise, passion, and dedication you bring to our association.  Discover new ways to lead, inspire, and give back as we grow our NAIFA family together.

NAIFA distributed the following press release about the Peak 65 Series and our upcoming Impact Day.

NAIFA’s Lifetime Healthcare Center is presenting “The Peak 65 Series: Impact Day for Lifetime Healthcare,” a one-day virtual event, November 19, beginning at 11 am eastern. It features a dozen 20-minute TED Talk-like presentations covering timely topics on the financial implications of longevity and aging. Presenters include recognized thought leaders offering insights on long-term care, disability income, hybrid insurance products, Medicare, federal and state legislative and regulatory considerations, and more.

It is with great sadness that NAIFA shares news of the passing of Past President Richard A. Koob, AEP, CASL, ChFC, CLU, who passed away at his home in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. He led NAIFA as the association’s national President during the 2002-2003 term and served as the Life Happens Board Chair in 2008. 

Dick Koob began his career as a student-agent with Northwestern Mutual in 1967 and joined NAIFA on his first day on the job. He later became a full-time agent, transferred to the Northwestern Mutual home office to serve as a recruiter, and then returned to the field as a senior financial representative. He received the NAIFA Quality Award for 40 consecutive years and qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table over a similar span. He held more than 75 positions on numerous MDRT committees, including chair of five committees and Divisional Vice President twice.

He was the President of NAIFA-Waukesha for 1979-1980 and NAIFA-Wisconsin for 1987-1988. He joined the NAIFA-National Board of Trustees in 1996 and was elected Secretary in 2000. As NAIFA President, he formed and led NAIFA’s 2002 Transformation Task Force, which developed a strategic plan focused on delivering legislative advocacy and bottom-line benefits for NAIFA members. Koob was politically involved and active. He chaired the NAIFA-Wisconsin Committee on Political Action for many years and ranked as an IFAPAC Two-Star General based on his lifetime contribution total. He served on Rep. Paul Ryan’s Financial Services and Insurance Advisory Board.

In 2013 at NAIFA’s annual conference in San Antonio, Koob received the John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the insurance and financial service industry’s highest and most prestigious honor.   

Koop studied at Loras College and Oklahoma City University and was a veteran of the United States Army. In his community, he served on the Insurance Committee of the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was trustee-treasurer of St. Mary Catholic Church.

NAIFA sends our sincere condolences to Dick’s family and friends, including his wife Judy and children Kimberly, Melissa, and Christopher.

We're offering two sessions of our member benefits webinar as we start to look towards 2025. Join us on November 18th at 3 pm eastern or December 4th at 2 pm eastern for a special webinar as we celebrate all the benefits we're thankful for at NAIFA. We'll share all there is to love about being a member of your association and how to make the most of your membership.

NAIFA-Tennessee was recently spotted recognizing new members on LinkedIn! 

Join us on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 3 pm Eastern as NAIFA’s Government Relations team unpacks the results of the 2024 general election and its implications for insurance agents and the broader financial services industry. With a new administration, shifts in the Senate and House, and changes across 11 gubernatorial offices and 85 state legislative chambers, this webinar will provide valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

NAIFA's Blueprint Chapter Leadership Training, a dynamic Chapter training program, is an essential training program for newer leaders and a great refresher for experience leaders! The newly re-launched training covers a myriad of Chapter related topics in an easy-to-use structure. 

Now broken down into a series of short videos, which can be completed in less than two hours, the Blueprint Chapter Leadership Training includes:

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on October 3rd, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - 2025 Blackout Dates! As a reminder, Chapter programming is prohibited around the FSP Institute, Congressional Conference, the National Leadership Conference and NAIFA Live. Exceptions include LILI classes, NAIFA Live watch parties, study groups, LUTCF classes, LACP exam prep classes and advocacy meetings.

Are you following our new campaign on social media? "Overachieve in Life" is a great way for us to showcase our members living their best life...and how a career in insurance and financial services allows them to have a great work/life balance to pursue their passions. Be sure that you are following NAIFA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram as we continue to publish this series.

On November 11, our nation will celebrate, honor, and remember our Veterans. Our Veteran's Day episode of the Advisor Today Podcast will feature Joshua Herrington-Vickers, a former United States Air Force Airman serving from 2009 to 2015 before entering the financial services industry. Joshua was deployed to Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Tune in to hear his story.

If not, sign-up to become one today! The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

NAIFA-New York was recently spotted for their upcoming NAIFA Live Watch Party, featuring Tom Love!

It will be an hour networking with Long Island advisors, while enjoying a brief CE presentation, presented LIVE across the U.S. Be a part of NAIFA Live Watch parties happening in all 50 states concurrently!

The campaigns are done, the voting is over, and the results are becoming clear. Donald Trump will return to the White House as the 47^th President of the United States. Republicans will also control the Senate with at least 52 seats. Races determining which party controls the House of Representatives have yet to be decided (and may not be for some time).

We are proud of NAIFA alumni who fared well yesterday. Austin Scott (R-GA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), and Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) were re-elected to the House of Representatives. Montana Insurance & Securities Commissioner Troy Downing (R-MT) is a newly elected first-term Representative. Former NAIFA members in the Senate, Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), were not on the ballot this cycle and continue to serve in the upper house. As past members of our association, all of these lawmakers understand our industry and the great work NAIFA members do. 

When selecting a date for your State Convention, there are many things to consider. To make selecting a date even easier, Kitces.com puts together a comprehensive calendar of all of the financial advisor conferences across the country each year. We encourage each State Chapter to submit their State Convention to be considered for Kitces' master list for 2025!

The Chapter Services Team will be conducting their Q4 training webinar, “Creating Local Engagement for the Expanded NAIFA,” on November 21 @ 3 p.m. Eastern! 

We are #NAIFAproud to announce that we have presented 1,223 NAIFA Quality Awards for 2024. The NAIFA Quality Awards (NQA) have stood as the hallmark for outstanding client care in our industry since 1945. We especially thank our company supporters, Southern Farm Bureau, Modern Woodmen, and COUNTRY Financial. Check out the list of the 2024 Recipients now available online.

November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the need for long-term care (LTC) planning and the financial, emotional, and physical impacts associated with it. The campaign is aimed at educating the public about the importance of preparing for the potential need for long-term care services, which include assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating, often needed due to aging, chronic illness, or disability.

NAIFA-North Dakota was recently spotted for their last NAIFA Live Watch Party of the year, featuring Tom Love!

These Watch Parties will be held at E4 Insurance Services in Fargo, and Minot State University - MSU Student Center 2nd Floor. 

As part of November's Long-Term Care Awareness Month, NAIFA is kicking off the Peak 65 Series and starting with a virtual Impact Day to explore topics within lifetime healthcare. Join industry thought leaders and subject matter experts for a free, virtual TED-talk-style event that showcases our expanded Center that now covers topics such as: 

• longevity
• caregiving
• Medicare
• vitality
• extended care 

The expanded Center is also now looking for brand ambassadors! Are you a financial service professional who practices in an area that touches topics in lifetime health? If so, please let us know so that we can talk about how to get you more involved and part of the brain trust!

NAIFA is proud to present the FSP Institute, January, 26-29, at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, TN. Registration is now open.

We are always looking for ways to help amplify the NAIFA brand, promote our members, and encourage more financial professionals to join our association. Here are 5 easy things you can do to help make a difference.

A change in presidential administrations often brings changes that can significantly impact tax and estate planning. As we approach the sunset or possible extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), financial professionals must prepare for what may be a new era of tax policy. At a time when the population is aging, and interest rates remain uncertain, these potential tax changes could have far-reaching consequences for financial planning strategies.

NAIFA-Illinois was recently spotted recognizing a new member, Gina Ross, on LinkedIn! 

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - Candidate Selection Group (CSG) general principles, IFAPAC Administrative Fund uses and updated administrative fees!

Having difficulty finding the tools and resources available on NAIFA's website? We heard your request loud and clear! We've developed a landing page full of useful links to easily access many of the links and files on our website. In case you missed it (ICYMI) earlier this week, Emily Cabbage, Senior Director of Membership and Zack Huels, Director of Membership Engagement, hosted a special webinar to walk members through many tools and resources available from NAIFA and more importantly where to find them! 

NAIFA's MentorLoop is designed to foster professional development, enhance skill-building and create a supportive network within our membership. Whether members are looking to mentor someone, or seek guidance themselves, this platform provides a structured framework to facilitate these valuable connections.

Here are a few key features of NAIFA’s MentorLoop:

NAIFA-Iowa was recently spotted for their Tuesday Membership Tip on LinkedIn. You can learn more about key membership benefits here. 

Not a NAIFA member yet? Join today!

Join us! The Chapter Services Team will be conducting their Q4 training webinar, “Creating Local Engagement for the Expanded NAIFA,” on October 17 @ 3 p.m. Eastern! 

• Board Orientation
• Strategic Leadership
• Chapter Finance/Compliance
• Succession Planning

• Advocacy
• Grassroots
• IFAPAC

• Branding

Membership

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on October 3rd, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

If you attended the National Leadership Conference last month in Arizona, you were able to get a glimpse of some of the great things happening across NAIFA Nation. Even if you were not able to attend, don't worry! NAIFA membership is hosting a special a special session to review some of the latest and greatest programs and initiatives NAIFA has to offer. Join us on Monday, October 14th at 2 pm eastern. This session will provide tips, tools, and insights to close 2024 strong and set you up for success in 2025.

During the Membership Session of the National Leadership Conference, NAIFA Trustee and Membership Vice Chair Carina Hatfield announced the winning chapters from the Summer Membership Challenge. 

A message from NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux:

Dear NAIFA Leaders:

The final NAIFA 2030 Strategic Plan, as approved by the Board of Trustees in Phoenix, is now available here.

Thanks to many of you for submitting fantastic and forward-thinking input over the summer months. As you may know, the plan initially was drafted by a cross-section of NAIFA members, staff, and industry professionals who served on the strategic planning committee, then reviewed by a stakeholder review team, and enhanced by further feedback from you, as well as our past presidents, general membership, and our internal staff team. 

As we approach the sunset of key provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set for 2025, taxpayers and businesses alike are bracing for significant changes. With the potential for major tax legislation on the horizon, now is the time to prepare.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - a model Succession Planning Policy! A good Succession Planning Policy can be extremely helpful in guiding the organization's process for recruiting and developing new talent. Having a plan in place puts you in a posture to recruit top talent; avoid groupthink; promote diversity; maintain a balance of creativity and institutional knowledge; promotes trust between leaders and members; and maintains a balance of power on a board.

Last week more than 90 of the nearly 400 Triangle Team members made the trek to the Arizona Biltmore for the 2024 Apex and National Leadership Conference. Members who qualify for the Triangle Team were treated to early entrance to the Welcome Reception. This was one way that we recognize and thank our most engaged members. Check out the full list of Triangle Team members.

Thank you to everyone who attended NAIFA's 2024 Apex, National Leadership Conference, and Belong awards gala. We honed our leadership skills, benefited top-notch motivational speakers and professional development presenters, and networked with some of the top professionals in the business. Review the awards and leadership recordings, browse our photographs, and read the press clipping on our conference recap site. If you attended Apex/NLC you can add your own photos to share with NAIFA Nation.

Earlier this year, NAIFA rolled out a series of Member-To-Member programs, one of which was the P&C Study Group. NAIFA-Missouri Past President, Jennifer Hodges, approached NAIFA staff about how we can acquire, engage, and retain more P&C agents. From that conversation, the NAIFA P&C Study Group was formed.

This October, we’re bringing back some of our Apex speakers for the Advisor Ambassador Accelerator Academy to enhance your professional skills. And get ready for a truly unforgettable experience as we welcome Hall of Fame speaker Walter Bond! Walter will empower you to elevate your career like never before. Don't miss this chance to learn from one of the best in the business!

NAIFA's 100% Agency and Financial Security Champion programs allow your agency or firm to fully support NAIFA membership while promoting and elevating your agency/firm's brand. Participating firms and agencies are listed on our consumer site and receive additional publicity and program discounts. Learn how your agency or firm can display the 100% Agency or Financial Security Champion logo and be a part of NAIFA Nation.

Did you know that since 2021 more than 400 students from more than 100 schools have participated in NAIFA's Future Leaders program? This free program allows college students to hear directly from NAIFA members about their careers, the path they took to get where they are, and the things they know now, that they wish they would have known back then. Do you have student members in your chapter? Invite them to participate. If you know of a student (or even a child or grandchild of a client) interested in a career in our industry, invite them to participate in our Future Leaders program to explore career options. Our fall session starts on October 9th.

The Chapter Services Team will be conducting their Q4 training webinar, “Creating Local Engagement for the Expanded NAIFA,” on October 17 @ 3 p.m. Eastern! 

NAIFA members are invited to the Q4 State of NAIFA webinar at 12 pm Eastern, October 16, 2024. Hear updates on NAIFA's advocacy efforts, professional development programs and other membership activities designed to enhance your professional growth.

NAIFA Memphis/West TN was recently spotted for their 1^st Annual Pickleball Tournament which was held on September 6th. The tournament was a success with a percentage of the proceeds going to Camp Good Grief. There were members that played in the tournament as well as players from the community. It was a day filled with fun while supporting Camp Good Grief!

NAIFA's MentorLoop is designed to foster professional development, enhance skill-building and create a supportive network within our membership. Whether members are looking to mentor someone, or seek guidance themselves, this platform provides a structured framework to facilitate these valuable connections.

Here are a few key features of NAIFA’s MentorLoop:

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - Advocacy Chair, Grassroots Chair and IFAPAC Chair position descriptions! Each position is outlined in great detail, including:

NAIFA-Texas was recently spotted recognizing new members on LinkedIn and their Chapter blog!

The Chapter Excellence Award (CEA) was launched last year to recognize the success of those Chapters who have excelled in providing a quality member experience to their members, as determined by their Chapter Agreement Compliance, their Chapter Health Rating and membership growth. Congratulations to this year's Chapter Excellence Award winners! 

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on September 5th, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

Scott Dorminy is the Top Recruiter for the Month of August 2024! Straight outta Russellville, Arkansas, Scott is part of the Farmers network and runs an agency of his own name. A member since 2015, Scott is a true man of NAIFA action. 

The College Football season has finally arrived! The IFAPAC Pick 'Em competition is warming up. While last week's games may not have been nail-biters, we saw some upset among Florida, Florida State, and LSU fans... and we also have a tie for our first-week winners!  Congratulations Dick Porter and John Carroll on the week one victory! You've got IFAPAC swag heading your way.

As the NAIFA Government Relations Team prepares for another dynamic legislative season, we want to hear from you! We are asking our state chapters to complete the annual NAIFA Government Relations State Issues Survey to help us grasp national trends, prepare impactful policy materials, and align advocacy efforts effectively – thus continuing to advocate for Main Street USA.

We look forward to seeing everyone who is attending the combined Apex and National Leadership Conference September 19-21 at the Arizona Biltmore. To see who has signed up, check the Who's Coming? page on the conference website. And if you're a last-minute planner, it's not too late to register and add your name to the list. The preferred rate for NAIFA's room block at the Biltmore has expired, but if you would like assistance locating accommodations in the vicinity of the Arizona Biltmore please contact NAIFA Member Services at 877-866-2432 or info@naifa.org.

NAIFA is working with a graduate studies team at Georgetown University to undertake a study on our membership. The pro bono agreement will result in a paper and all contributors/participants will be thanked in the paper and presentation that will be given to NAIFA's National Membership Committee and provided to the Board of Trustees. If you're willing to give 5-7 minutes to complete this survey and/or want to be interviewed by the study leaders, your name will be included in the study to acknowledge your contribution. Thank you in advance for your time and commitment to improving NAIFA!

It's hard to believe that this weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. That means that this is the last report of the Summer Membership Challenge. But, these are not the final results...you still have until August 31st to make progress on your membership numbers. We've had some shifts in the leaderboard this week with Wisconsin moving into 2nd place and Massachusetts into 3rd! Here is our leader board as of August 26th: Washington, D.C. (+10), Wisconsin,  (+8), Massachusetts (+7), Arkansas (+6),  Montana (+4), South Carolina (+4), North Dakota (+2), South Dakota (+2),  Idaho (+2), and Hawaii (+1).

NAIFA-Cincinnati was recently spotted for an upcoming President's Cup Golf Outing, on September 5th! Grab your clubs and join NAIFA-Cincinnati for their Annual President's Cup Golf Outing at Cincinnati's premier public championship golf course, Glenview Golf Course.

NAIFA is pleased to announce the inaugural class of the NAIFA Hall of Fame to recognize and celebrate members whose extraordinary service and contributions represent the legacy of the most accomplished, impactful, and inspirational members of the NAIFA family. The NAIFA Board of Trustees authorized the creation of the Hall of Fame earlier this year.

“The inaugural members of NAIFA's Hall of Fame not only exemplified leadership within the financial services industry but also steadfast support for NAIFA's mission,” said NAIFA President Tom Cothron, LUTCF, FSCP. “Their unwavering dedication and commitment to NAIFA and the industry were instrumental in advancing policies and shaping the landscape of financial security in America. Their contributions have played significant roles ensuring that families across the nation can achieve their financial goals with confidence.”

Life Happens created Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) and continues to coordinate the awareness campaign each September to remind Americans about the importance of life insurance for their financial security. Now that Life Happens is a NAIFA Community, NAIFA members have access to specially selected LIAM resources and content.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, an updated Keep it Legal Guide! As part of the merger of NAIFA and FSP, a Code of Ethics Committee created a document that places the FSP Code of Professional Responsibility within the ethical standards of NAIFA to help explain the application of the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

It's hard to believe that in a few weeks, it will be September! That also means this is the final push to the top of the Summer Membership Challenge. Here's our leader board this week: Washington, D.C. (+15), Arkansas (+7), Wisconsin (+7), South Carolina (+5), Massachusetts (+4), North Dakota (+3), South Dakota (+3),  Idaho (+2), Montana (+2), Nevada (+1), and Tennessee (+1). Arkansas and Wisconsin are now tied for 2nd place with South Carolina on their heels. Who will walk away with the prize money? Make the most of the last 2 weeks of competition!

Most Americans are unaware of the complexities surrounding Social Security. With over 2,700 rules, it's no wonder many feel lost about where to seek help and how to make informed decisions. Shockingly, 96% of those currently collecting Social Security missed out on maximizing their benefits, leading to large losses per household. The stakes are high, and with Social Security, you only have one chance to get it right – forever.

College Football is only weeks away, and, in the spirit of the season, IFAPAC is hosting a College Pick ‘Em League! Members who would like to participate may buy-in with a $150 contribution IFAPAC. Members can register to be added to the league or make their $150 contribution online before August 20th to be automatically enrolled with the email on record with IFAPAC.  

If you missed the August 12 cutoff to book your room at the Arizona Biltmore for NAIFA's Apex and National Leadership Conference, you're in luck. We have been able to extend the deadline until August 25. Act now to get the best possible rate. We look forward to seeing you at Apex and the NLC.

It's going to be a great event with a strong emphasis on networking (see who among your colleagues will be there), professional development (check out the schedule of inspiring keynotes and practice-building breakouts), and fun! And don't forget, we have a full slate of programs exclusively for NAIFA volunteer leaders.

There are only three weeks remaining of our Summer Membership Challenge! Which chapters will come out net positive at the end of August to be rewarded? Here's a quick look at the competition: Washington, D.C. (+15), Arkansas (+9), Wisconsin (+7), North Dakota (+4), South Dakota (+4), South Carolina (+4), Massachusetts (+3), Idaho (+2), and Tennessee (+2). Arkansas and Washington, D.C. have proven to be tough competitors throughout the summer but Wisconsin is closing in! How will your chapter make the most of the final weeks of competition?

NAIFA-Ohio was recently spotted recognizing new members on LinkedIn! 

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

Launched late last year, NAIFA's MentorLoop is designed to foster professional development, enhance skill-building and create a supportive network within our membership. Whether members are looking to mentor someone, or seek guidance themselves, this platform provides a structured framework to facilitate these valuable connections.

Here are a few key features of NAIFA’s MentorLoop:

We are in the final month of our Summer Membership Challenge! Which chapters will come out net positive at the end of August to be rewarded? Here's a quick look at the competition: Washington, D.C. (+15), Arkansas (+10), Wisconsin (+6), South Dakota (+4), Massachusetts (+3), North Dakota (+3), South Carolina (+2), Idaho (+1), Kansas (+1),  Michigan (+1), Montana (+1), and Nevada (+1). Arkansas and Washington, D.C. have proven to be tough competitors throughout the summer. There is still plenty of time left in the competition.

We are #NAIFAproud to have welcomed back Life Happens into the NAIFA family earlier this year. This September marks the 21st Anniversary of Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), and we have LIAM content exclusively available for our members.

We want to hear from our members on how they plan to participate in 2024. Are you hosting an event focused on life insurance? Have you requested a proclamation from your city or state? We want to spotlight the work you are doing for LIAM24. Let us know what you are doing! Drop us an email at membership@naifa.org. 

College Football is only weeks away, and, in the spirit of the season, IFAPAC is hosting a College Pick ‘Em League! Members who would like to participate may buy in with a $150 contribution IFAPAC. Members can sign up below to be added to the league or make their $150 contribution online before August 20th to be automatically enrolled with the email on record with IFAPAC. 

Don't miss out on Apex and the National Leadership Conference, Sept. 19-21 at the Arizona Biltmore. Register today and book your hotel before Aug. 12.

NAIFA- Maryland was recently spotted for an upcoming Brews & Bites Event! This event will be held on August 22nd at RAR Brewing in Annapolis. Join NAIFA-Maryland from 4pm - 7pm for a fun evening of brews, bites, and networking with those in the financial services industry!

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on August 1st, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, updated succession planning resources! Resources include:

This year, the National Leadership Conference and Belong awards gala have been combined with NAIFA's Apex to create an extraordinary three-day event. As always, the NLC and Belong will celebrate NAIFA's leaders and recognize extraordinary members. Please join us and encourage all NAIFA members to come as well so that we may properly honor our 2024 award recipients, including:

• John Newton Russell Memorial Award recipient Matthew Tassey of NAIFA-Maine
•  Terry Headley Lifetime Defender recipient John Ruckel of NAIFA-Texas
• NAIFA Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year Kathleen Owings of NAIFA-Colorado

NAIFA Webinar: A Conversation About the Courts
August 8 | 12 pm eastern

A federal court has granted a stay in the lawsuit NAIFA, several NAIFA chapters, ACLI, and other partners filed to stop the Department of Labor from implementing its fiduciary-only rule. The stay means the DOL rule will not go into effect in September, giving the court more time to consider NAIFA's lawsuit. Furthermore, the court stated that NAIFA's lawsuit is "virtually certain to succeed on the merits." 

Join us for an important webinar that will explain what the stay means for financial professionals and your clients. Our panelists will also discuss other recent court rulings, including Supreme Court decisions overturning the Chevron Doctrine (Loper v. Raimondo), sidestepping the constitutionality of taxing unrealized income (Moore v. US), and narrowing buy-sell agreement tax benefits (Connelly v. United States). 

It's Week Four of the Summer Membership Challenge! Congratulations to the following chapters showing growth since June 1st: Arkansas (+3), Greater Washington, D.C.(+14), Georgia (+1), Hawaii (+2), Idaho (+1), Illinois (+1), Kansas (+2), Montana (+2), Nevada(+1), North Dakota (+2), Rhode Island (+1), South Carolina (+3), South Dakota (+4), Tennessee (+1), and Wisconsin (+7).

IFAPAC turns 58 on August 18th! All 2024 contributors are invited to celebrate our standard-setting, industry-leading PAC's birthday a few days early on Thursday, August 15th at 4 pm Eastern. During the event, IFAPAC will raffle off birthday gifts to three lucky IFAPAC contributors. The gifts are $100 Visa Gift Card, $100 for Starbucks, and $100 for Dunkin Donuts gift cards.   

The Trifecta Team comprised of Membership, Grassroots, and IFAPAC, is pleased to announce the Q2 2024 Hard Hat Winners. Membership, Corrado Gugliotta, Grassroots, Joseph Pearl, and IFAPAC Timothy Johnson. These gentlemen went above and beyond during the second quarter to move the needle in each respective area. We are #NAIFAproud of their efforts!

NAIFA’s Committee on Governance has nominated John Wheeler, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CRPC, LACP, CLTC, LUTCF, Executive Senior Partner at Totus Wealth Management LLC in Houston, Texas, to be the 2025 NAIFA Secretary. Wheeler, who currently serves on NAIFA’s National Government Relations and IFAPAC Committees, is a past NAIFA-National Trustee and Past President of NAIFA-Illinois. He has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1973. As incoming Secretary, Wheeler will be in line to serve as President-Elect in 2026 and President in 2027.

NAIFA-Memphis/West Tennessee was recently spotted for their 1st Annual Pickleball Tournament, benefitting Camp Good Grief. The tournament will be on September 6th from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm (matches start at 9:00 am). 

Come on out to the brand new Pickleball901 facility in Collierville for a day of friends, fun, and a great inaugural event, including lunch, refreshments, snacks, a commemorative tournament T-shirt, and a day full of excitement.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, an updated Financial Internal Controls list! The list includes details on:

It's Week Three of the Summer Membership Challenge! Unfortunately, we do not have updated results this week due to staff vacation. But, you won't want to miss what's in store next week! Be sure you are registered for our webinar, Passion Powers People a special mid-summer meeting to focus on membership. With three Supreme Court decisions affecting our business, the looming DOL fiduciary-only rule, and the upcoming expiration of certain elements of the Tax and Jobs Cut Act, the time is now to expand our base so that we are prepared to welcome in new leaders at the state and federal levels.

September 19-21 | Arizona Biltmore | Register Today

NAIFA-Tennessee was recently spotted recognizing new members on LinkedIn! 

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

After another successful Congressional Conference and Day on the Hill, NAIFA advocacy is only speeding up as we head into NAIFA’s summer in-district meetings. The upcoming Congressional recess provides NAIFA members with the opportunity to continue building those relationships with their lawmakers and staff outside of Washington, D.C.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, an updated budget template! A budget is essential to managing a Chapter, and the Treasurer should work with the executive committee and staff to develop an annual budget. To help prepare your budget, click below for a budget template.

Join us for a deep dive webinar on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern. Two Humana experts, with nearly 45 years of combined experience, will delve into the benefits and opportunities of Medicare Supplement products.

The National Leadership Conference and Apex are taking place at the Arizona Biltmore, September 19-21. See who is coming on the Apex/NLC homepage. If your name is not on the list, now is the time to register and be added. Are you already registered? Review the list to see who among your NAIFA colleagues will be joining you in Phoenix and whose names are missing that you would like to encourage to attend.

To help NAIFA leaders spread the word about NLC and Apex, we've created a toolkit of marketing materials to help you reach out via your online presence, emails, social media, or in person. These ready-made posts, graphics, flyers, and videos are designed to help NAIFA chapters and leaders promote NLC and Apex.

Walter Bond, Hall of Fame speaker, former NBA ball player, and most importantly, proud NAIFA member has a message for all producers on how to use July as the halftime of your year. Have you got your second-half strategy mapped out? Do you know what you're going to do on offense and on defense for your business? One thing you can do is join Walter Bond in person September 19-21st at our National Leadership Conference in Arizona for an inspiring talk that will allow you to do more and be more in 2024.

Join us for a special mid-summer meeting on Wednesday, July 31st at 12 pm eastern to focus on membership. With three Supreme Court decisions affecting our business, the DOL fiduciary-only rule, and the upcoming expiration of certain elements of the Tax and Jobs Cut Act, the time is now to expand our base so that we are prepared to welcome in new leaders at the state and federal levels, as well as take action when necessary. 

You've likely heard Van Mueller say, "There has never been a better day to be an insurance agent,"  but what you'll walk away saying is, "There has never been a better day to belong to NAIFA."  

What We'll Cover:

• Membership Referral Program and What's in it for YOU
• Summer Membership Challenge and What's in it for YOU
• Rewards and Awards for Top Recruiters
• Member-to-Member Programs that Deliver 10X on your Dues Investment
• New Membership Benefits that Help You Prospect

Do you know someone who is passionate about NAIFA, but isn't in a formal leadership role (or might be ready to dip their toe in the water, but needs to start small?) Invite them to attend this session & ask them to be part of our Brand Ambassador Team!

Passion for people is what has powered NAIFA since 1890, and it's on all of us to ensure that we keep NAIFA strong!

Check your results for Week Two of our Summer Membership Challenge! Take a look at how you stack up against other chapters. Congratulations to the chapters that have grown since June 1st: Arkansas, Colorado, GWDC, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. We've added 3 more states with growth this week! Let's keep the momentum going!

On July 25 @ 3 p.m. Eastern, the Chapter Services Team will be conducting a Succession Planning Training Webinar! As we begin to plan for 2025, the webinar will provide Chapters with succession planning tips and tricks and answer any questions Chapters may have. Topics include: 

According to National Mentoring Day, which is celebrated on October 27 each year, 97% of those who have a mentor find the relationship to be immensely valuable, and entrepreneurs are twice as likely to succeed if they have a mentor. That is why we launched the NAIFA Mentor Loop program in 2023, our exclusive member benefit that matches mentors and mentees while providing a structured and supportive framework.

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on July 11th, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

The results are now for the first week of our Summer Membership Challenge! Take a look at how you stack up against other chapters. Congratulations to the 10 chapters that grew since June 1st: Arkansas, GWDC, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Two NAIFA signature events, the National Leadership Conference (including the Belong awards gala) and Apex, are coming together this year as a three-day extravaganza at the world-class Arizona Biltmore. 

Don't miss out. Join us September 19-21!

The National Leadership Conference and Apex offer a great opportunity to get together with NAIFA leaders from across the country. Special sessions are specifically designed to benefit NAIFA leaders and allow you to share best practices.

Summer is no time for us to take our foot off the pedal when it comes to NAIFA advocacy efforts. Last year, NAIFA members held more than 135 meetings with members of Congress and their staff in their home districts during the annual summer Congressional recess. 

When you're talking to member or a prospective member, do you know all of the benefits that NAIFA has to offer them?

Back in April, our Membership Team put together some videos on how to make the most of your NAIFA membership. These are great resources to use for recruitment and retention efforts.

In case you missed it, we have all of the videos linked below here for you to access and use as you please.

Join the Chapter Services Team on July 25 @ 3 p.m. Eastern as they conduct a Succession Planning Training Webinar!

As we begin to plan for 2025, the webinar will provide Chapters with succession planning tips and tricks and answer any questions Chapters may have. After the webinar, resources will be posted in the Chapter Playbook for Chapters to reference!
Presidents, President-Elects, Immediate Past Presidents, Executive Directors and Chapter Staff are encouraged to attend, but ALL Chapter Leaders are invited!

Reminder that the next "Wake Up Wednesday" with Marques Ogden will happen next Wednesday, July 10th at 9 am eastern. Wake Up Wednesday is a motivational hour with Marques who is not just a member, but one of our keynote speakers at this upcoming Apex at the Arizona Biltmore September 19-21, 2024. Once a month the NAIFA early birds get together to talk about mindset with Marques leading us through key points to help us optimize our time, efforts, and self-talk so that we can do more and be more. This great new member-to-member program is guaranteed to get you going and ensure that you don't get comfortable with being comfortable! 

NAIFA has a new virtual Book Club that any member can join! We kicked off last Friday with "Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen" led by John D. Richardson (JDR). Participants were given a guidebook ahead of the call to allow for structured discussion and first met in large group format with breakout rooms to follow with small group discussions to talk about how to actually apply the principles in the book to your practice. Great ideas were exchanged and people from across the country were able to meet each other for the first time and really get to know one another on a personal basis. 

Last week, NAIFA-Missouri's Membership Chair, Jennifer Hodges hosted NAIFA's first P&C Study Group. This Member-to-Member Program was designed primarily for members in the P&C space but is open to all members to participate and contribute. The study group will meet once a month to review case studies, hold discussions, and uncover ways to leverage NAIFA to build your business.

We have started to see some movement in the chapters with our Summer Membership Challenge! Our first results will officially be posted on Monday, but you can also catch up each week in the Leaders Blog! Help your State chapter win cash prizes to be put back into your programs and membership development.  We are a word-of-mouth society and your referrals are our future members, so let's get out the invites to those financial service professionals (attorneys, agents, advisors, loan officers, financial coaches, and accountants) that you know who are good candidates for NAIFA membership. Make sure they use your name and you will be rewarded! 

Big shout out to NAIFA-Illinois Executive Director, Sara Decatoire, CAE, IOM for leveraging an opportunity in her state this month! NAIFA Coach, Walter Bond will come to select cities this summer to offer his Shark Mindset Sales System to financial service professionals. When Sara heard that Walter was offering two workshops in the Chicago area, she decided to take it a step further and filed for CEs in Illinois, adding extra value to the attendees. Workshop sessions are open to members and nonmembers. There will be a table set up with information about joining NAIFA available. Sara, along with other NAIFA members will attend the events to answer any questions and sign up new members to NAIFA. We are #NAIFAproud that Sara took the initiative to make this into a real win-win! 

NAIFA-Wisconsin was recently spotted for celebrating a recent Birthday! June 17, 1936, marks the day when NAIFA-Wisconsin was born. 88 years of existence and what a storied existence it is.

Originally chartered as the Wisconsin State Association of Life Underwriters, the original people forming the Wisconsin corporation were Alvin Moser & J.N. Patterson of Milwaukee, E.G. MacDonald of Sheboygan, and Robert L. Hesse of Madison. As they celebrate 88 years, let’s raise a toast to our members' continued vision and vitality well into the future!

Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern, to explore Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) and discover how it can open the door to new client opportunities. This live event is free for members.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Connelly v. United States has fundamentally changed the landscape of buy-sell planning for many business owners. Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm eastern, to explore these changes and learn how to navigate the new complexities of buy-sell agreements effectively. This live event is free for members.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, a "Call for Board & Committee Volunteers"  email template! As we head into nomination season, this template can be used to aid in your hunt for new volunteers. The template can be downloaded, edited and emailed to current Chapter members asking them to consider volunteering with the Chapter.

NAIFA is proud to announce that Matthew S. Tassey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, is the recipient of the 84^th annual John Newton Russell Memorial Award. The award is the highest honor accorded by the insurance industry to a living individual who has rendered outstanding services to the institution of life insurance. The selection committee consists of representatives of 11 leading organizations in the life insurance and financial services industry. Tassey will be celebrated and formally presented the award at NAIFA’s Apex 2024, National Leadership Conference, and Belong event Sept. 21 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.

Be sure to attend Apex/The NLC/Belong to congratulate Matt and celebrate his achievement!

Earlier today the state presidents, president-elects, membership chairs, and executives received the details about our Summer Membership Challenge! State chapters will compete to win cash prizes to be put back into your programs and membership development.  We are a word-of-mouth society and your referrals are our future members, so let's get out the invites to those financial service professionals (attorneys, agents, advisors, loan officers, financial coaches, and accountants) that you know who are good candidates for NAIFA membership. Make sure they use your name and you will be rewarded!

Dennis Cuccinelli, Trustee and National Membership Chair, and I had the pleasure of attending NAIFA-Connecticut's recent June event. Addison Rosenbluth, President, along with Mark Male, Chapter Executive, ran a great meeting that was packed full of ideas that Addison has graciously allowed us to share.

NAIFA’s revised LUTCF designation program makes the best use of advances in technology and reflects current insurance industry conditions. Promoting the LUTCF is a great way to give early-career professionals a leg up in the industry. It also provides a meaningful introduction to NAIFA and promotes membership.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, an updated Chapter Executive Director's report! Chapter Executive Directors are encouraged to use the report to submit a summary of activities at the Chapter and Headquarters level.

The Chapter Services Team will be conducting a Succession Planning Training Webinar on July 25 @ 3 p.m. Eastern. 

As we begin to plan for 2025, the webinar will provide Chapters with succession planning tips and tricks and answer any questions Chapters may have. After the webinar, resources will be posted in the Chapter Playbook for Chapters to reference!
Presidents, President-Elects, Immediate Past Presidents, Executive Directors and Chapter Staff are encouraged to attend, but ALL Chapter Leaders are invited!

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, an updated Guide to NAIFA Chapter Leaders & Executive Engagement Requests! The guide includes commitments to NAIFA, noting hours per month, for Presidents, Immediate Past Presidents, President-Elects, Secretary/Treasurers, Membership Chairs, YAT Chairs, DAT Chairs, Advocacy Chairs, IFAPAC Chairs, Grassroots Chairs, Programs Chairs, LILI Chairs, Chapter Executive Directors and Affiliate Leaders. 

NAIFA-Wisconsin was recently spotted for an upcoming NAIFA Live Watch Party! Join fellow NAIFA-Wisconsin members for a NAIFA Live Watch Party! In Train Your Brain for Success, you will learn to harness the incredible creative capacity of your mind and achieve your personal best – professionally, financially, and personally.

The Watch Party will be held Thursday, June 20th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at D2 Sports Pub.

By popular demand of our members, NAIFA is launching a book club to keep our members actively engaged through the summer and the remainder of 2024! This initiative is powered by our loyal members who will host each session. Our first session will be Friday, June 28th at 12 pm eastern. The June book will be Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller and hosted by John D. Richardson.

The 2024 Membership Survey will close this Friday, June 14th at midnight eastern.  Who will be the lucky winner of the $500 gift card? If you haven't yet taken the survey, it takes 10 minutes to complete, but provides so much information that we can use in promoting our association. 

If there's one positive that came out of the pandemic, it's that we have the technology that allows us to experience special events together. While virtual is never as good as face-to-face, we also have learned through the pandemic that every moment together is precious and we want to mark time to acknowledge this powerful purpose that we all are involved in called NAIFA.

If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that we all get too many emails. It can be difficult to keep track of events, offers, benefits, and many other details when they are spread throughout multiple emails cluttering your inbox. 

If you're looking for something that may help, we have an example from NAIFA-Florida on how they're delivering their message to their members in a streamlined, effective way.

Major federal tax legislation is all but certain to be coming from Washington, D.C., in 2025. Many provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire at the end of next year and Congress will need to address the situation. This NAIFA advocacy webinar will give you a better understanding of what is being dubbed the "Super Bowl of Tax" and provide insights into some of the proposals likely to shape the debate.

June 13 | 1:30 pm eastern

Register now and encourage your NAIFA colleagues to do the same to guarantee you get the best rate on NAIFA's Apex event and National Leadership Conference, September 19-21 at the Arizona Biltmore. Your registration includes the Apex conference, National Leadership Conference, and Belong awards celebration.

The early registration rate of $800 ($150 off the regular rate) is guaranteed through June 17. 

NAIFA is a trusted source and subject of interest for influential media outlets. The association appeared in more than 250 stories in more than 88 media outlets in 2023, including Barron's, Broker World, CNBC, Financial Advisor, Forbes, The Hill, InsuranceNewsNet, InvestmentNews, and Politico.

The lawsuit filed by NAIFA and other organizations opposing the Department of Labor’s fiduciary-only rule has dominated recent industry-related headlines. As one of the major plaintiffs in the suit, NAIFA has featured in the news stories. Other recent media hits include personal and professional insights from Corey Anderson, DIA, a loyal NAIFA member since 2000, and NAIFA Trustee Ernest Guerriero, CLU, ChFC, CEBS, CPCU, CPC, CMS, AIF, RICP, CPFA.

Last week, nine state chapters added members!  Notably, Colorado continues its new member acquisition success!  The chapter added another four members last week after recruiting seventeen in May!  Keep up the great work!

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on June 6th, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, the Chapter Advanced Continuing Education Credit Guide! With the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP) merging into the NAIFA family at the beginning of this year, you now have access to an increased offering of qualified continuing education programs! In addition, NAIFA is now offering CLE, CPE, CFP and PRC filing on behalf of our Chapters.

On June 18th at 6 pm eastern, you are invited to join all of NAIFA Nation for a Virtual Happy Hour to honor the founding of our incredible association 134 years ago. Take a look back with us on NAIFA through the years, enjoy some camaraderie with your fellow members, hear about some exciting things in store throughout the summer and the rest of 2024, and toast to the next 134 years!

In the ever-evolving landscape of retirement planning, Social Security remains a critical source of income for most Americans. The annual release of the Trust Fund Report, issued in May, sparked widespread media coverage and client concern. Questions such as "Will Social Security still be there?" and "Is it going broke?" continue to circulate. Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern, sponsored by Security Mutual Life which can help you deal with the concerns that clients may have. 

NAIFA-Illinois was recently spotted recognizing a new member, Bryan Zic, on LinkedIn! 

We are thankful for our loyal members! NAIFA recognizes our members who are celebrating an NAIFA milestone anniversary this month. Congratulations on your choice to belong to the community that cares. We are moving the needle on #financialliteracy and increasing #financialsecurity in #MainStreetUSA because of your commitment. We are honored that you belong to us and today, we honor you.

The last week of May, while shortened, was very good for new membership growth! 

NAIFA members are invited to the Q3 State of NAIFA webinar at 12 pm Eastern, June 27, 2024. Hear updates on NAIFA's advocacy efforts, professional development programs and other membership activities designed to enhance your professional growth.

Don't miss your opportunity to shine! All award submissions will close at 11:59 pm eastern on Friday, May 31st. NAIFA's awards provide an opportunity for our members to differentiate themselves from the crowd and receive national recognition for their contributions. 

I am happy to announce that we are beginning to create the Investment, Retirement, and Estate Planning Center (IREP) that will serve as a new thought leadership hub for members and industry partners. The new Center will be created using the same blueprint that has served the Limited & Extended Care Planning Center well for more than six years. The IREP will: 

• grow membership and non-dues revenue through creating a dynamic workgroup space for individuals, firms, and companies to come together in a study-group format
• showcase and include partners that offer solutions in the IREP space
• provide  content in the form of articles, sessions, events, and Impact Days
• include a Legislative Working Group to serve as a sounding board to NAIFA's Government Relations' committees and staff 
• offer opportunities for members to work together to advance initiatives in the IREP space
• offer opportunities for members to stand out and be recognized for their work and volunteer service

Keep Growing this Summer

Positive Moves to Make this Summer to Keep You Growing

In case you missed our pre-Memorial Day email, we've got a whole list of things to keep our membership engaged and growing this summer. Check out all we have to offer you this summer!

We were thrilled to have so many of our volunteer leaders participating in the 2024 Congressional Conference in Washington, D.C. These leaders were recognized on the big digital board, on the main stage screens, and in the event signage. 

NAIFA-North Dakota was recently spotted for an upcoming NAIFA Live Watch Party! Join fellow members for the next NAIFA Live presented by Roger Seip on Train your Brain for Success!

These Watch Parties will be held at E4 Insurance Services in Fargo, and Minot State University - MSU Student Center 2nd Floor!

NAIFA Nation will not slow down this summer! We all know that we need to keep fit to stave off disease, maintain our mobility, and increase our longevity. To get us going, we are holding a virtual Step Challenge that NAIFA members and their families can participate in and will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

By popular demand of our members, NAIFA is launching a book club to keep our members actively engaged through the summer and the remainder of 2024! This initiative is powered by our loyal members who will host each session. Our first session will be Friday, June 28th at 12 pm eastern. The June book will be Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller and hosted by John D. Richardson.

The following press release was issued today. Top things to know about the newly launched software that includes Carroll Golden's Caregiving Conversation work: 

• All NAIFA members receive a discount on Asset-Map software 
• You can have your prospect or client fill out their map before or after you meet as part of your discovery process. They will get notified via text or email to plug in their info and you can follow along throughout their process giving them a visual map of their financial picture
• The new stencil will now be available to all of Asset-Map's 6,000 subscribers with NAIFA plugs to join and be involved in our collective financial security work. This is an amazing distribution opportunity for NAIFA to raise awareness of our organization and the work we do so that we can grow membership while providing current NAIFA members with a great discount on a great fintech product.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, a Chapter Services Team Calendar! The calendar includes key dates for Chapter Leaders Webinars, reporting responsibilities, special training webinars and more.

We are mission-driven and member-powered! Lend your voice on NAIFA and how we can improve the association and you could win $500!

The annual membership survey is now open and will close on June 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm eastern. This year's survey has been expanded to include questions on education and consumer-facing social media now that NAIFA includes the Society of Financial Service Professionals and Life Happens.

Complete the entire survey, add your complete contact information, and we will automatically enroll you in a random drawing for a $500 gift card. Each NAIFA member who completes the survey is eligible for one entry into the drawing. Please complete the survey only once. 

NAIFA is proud to announce the rechartering of the former FSP Austin chapter as the new NAIFA-Austin chapter. This development marks another significant step in the ongoing integration between NAIFA and FSP, aimed at strengthening the support and services offered to members across the nation. The merger of NAIFA and FSP continues to open new doors for enhancing member experiences and operational efficiencies. 

In the complex world of financial planning, life insurance remains fundamental. However, the traditional view of life insurance as merely a safety net is evolving, especially when it comes to enhancing charitable giving strategies. We invite you to join our us on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern. This webinar is made available at no cost to both NAIFA members and non-members, thanks to the generous sponsorship by the American Cancer Society.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, a model Affiliate Funding Policy! All NAIFA members who do not belong to a Local Chapter are aligned with an Affiliate area within their State Chapter. Providing sufficient Affiliate funding is essential to meeting the goal of providing members in Affiliate areas with engagement, programming and a quality member experience.

The following press release was just put out today announcing our new partnership with Brookstone Capital Management. Derek Gubala, VP of Business Development, and Randy Clark, Senior Director, Membership Development, were the key drivers in putting together this partnership. Having met at an Ed Slott event two years ago, Gubala exhibited at Apex 2022 and called it "the best industry event I've attended in a long time". This led Gubala to further invest in a sponsorship at Apex East held in October 2023 and will return to support NAIFA at our upcoming Congressional Conference.

An ongoing survey of NAIFA members will provide updated data to help NAIFA and our industry partners in future actions on the Department of Labor’s final fiduciary-only rule. The results will help us educate policymakers – and potentially the courts – on how the proposal will impact consumers and your business.

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month (DIAM), a national awareness campaign that NAIFA’s consumer division Life Happens created and coordinates each year. We encourage you to join along. This awareness campaign is critical because 4 in 10 people of working age are “extremely concerned” about being able to support themselves if an illness or injury were to keep them out of work, according to the 2023 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA.

NAIFA-Wyoming was recently spotted for an upcoming Golf Outing! Join fellow members for a day of fun including golf, fellowship, and networking on the patio at the Refinery. If you bring a prospective member and receive a discount on your registration. If a non-member joins NAIFA at the tournament, they will golf for free!

In April, we continued our relaunch of the Award-Winning YAT Advisor Ambassador Program. The YAT Advisor Ambassador Program is a class designed specifically for younger advisors (those under 40 and relatively new to the business).

A class of 22 young advisors came together and participated in group discussions on topics such as prospecting, networking, and brand amplification. These sessions focused on peer-to-peer learning and gave these advisors transferable ideas to start using in their careers immediately.

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on May 2nd, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

The Sudden Death round between North Dakota and Utah has concluded! Congratulations to both chapters for their efforts – North Dakota raised over $2,000, and Utah over $4,000 in forty-eight hours! With this victory, Utah joins our Final Four states to compete against Maryland for a shot at the Championship.  

The LUTCF course of study is ideal for financial professionals in their first five years in the business and offers valuable instruction on prospecting, selling, and practice-management. It also provides program graduates with a working knowledge of insurance and investment products available to help clients manage risk. As a NAIFA Leader, please help financial professionals in their early career stage to discover the LUTCF and understand its benefits.

NAIFA is seeking feedback on the Department of Labor's fiduciary-only final rule. We have created a survey of financial professionals and will use the results to educate policymakers – and potentially the courts – on how the proposal will impact consumers and your business. 

How the DOL Fiduciary-Only Rule Will Impact Financial Professionals and Consumers
May 2 | 2 pm eastern

It's not too late to register for NAIFA's free webinar on the Department of Labor's final fiduciary-only rule. NAIFA's Government Relations Team and counsel from Steptoe LLP will explore how the rule will directly impact financial professionals and consumers. It will provide an update on the next steps: What NAIFA is doing to protect your business and clients, the likelihood of NAIFA’s participation in litigation, and what financial professionals can do to advocate on their own behalf. The webinar will expand on Steptoe’s written analysis of the rule and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

New to the Chapter Playbook this week, updated sponsorships resources! Resources include:

Ensuring income protection is critical for your clients, particularly during their income-earning years. We invite you to join our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern. Sponsored by Ash Brokerage, this webinar is designed to arm financial professionals with the tools and techniques needed to effectively manage discussions around disability income plans and life insurance.

NAIFA-Arkansas was recently spotted recognizing new members on LinkedIn! 

We continue to need your help! Through our efforts, we have renewed almost 100 members from this list. But we have many more to reach who have recently expired and haven't renewed their membership. We know that many of our members' connections extend across state borders. This is the latest listing of our lapsed members, so you can help encourage the members you know on this list to renew their membership.

NAIFA has redesigned and relaunched the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF®) program, a three-course training series for one of the most sought-after designations in the insurance industry. Since 1984, NAIFA’s LUTCF has prepared more than 70,000 insurance and financial professionals to excel in the industry and is often the first designation successful agents and advisors earn.

The April 11 State of NAIFA webinar has been posted to the State of NAIFA Archives page. NAIFA President Tom Cothron, CEO Kevin Mayeux, and Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle provided association and policy updates. Among the topics discussed are: member benefits and programs, the Department of Labor's fiduciary-only rule, the development process for NAIFA's new strategic plan, the NAIFA Women's Financial Security Fly-In, NAIFA's Congressional Conference, and the combined Apex/National Leadership Conference.

Our All Member Orientation is back again for Q2. In case you missed it, we held a great All Member Orientation in January to highlight key benefits for all NAIFA members. We had a lot of new faces join us for this live stream, but we also saw a number of leaders and long time members join us as well.

Below are the standings, as of Monday, April 15th for all 4 Divisions and their team competitions. There's still time to make an impact on your Chapter's ranking. This round wraps on Sunday, April 21st. Don't forget, that this round will include your chapter's monthly contributors. This will be a three-team game and two teams will advance to the next round.

Understanding the intersection between financial assets and estate planning is extremely important for maximizing wealth and enhancing asset protection. Join us on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern for an in-depth webinar that focuses on aligning your clients' financial assets with their estate planning goals. This session is ideal for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of estate planning essentials like revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, and how to effectively coordinate these with various financial assets, including investments, real estate, and retirement accounts.

NAIFA- South Carolina was recently spotted for their upcoming events for the Midlands Affiliate!

On April 11th, there will be a networking Happy Hours where professionals can come together to connect and collaborate. This event is free to attend and will be held at Bourbon, in Columbia SC.

On May 9th, they will host another networking Happy Hour where you can join fellow financial advisors and insurance agents for an evening of craft brews and insightful discussions on industry trends and strategies! This event will take place at Craft & Draft, in Columbia SC.

Washington, D.C. is the place to be May 20-21st. Just ask the 70 people making their first trip to NAIFA's Congressional Conference! As NAIFA's key signature advocacy event, many of our members make it a point to head to Capitol Hill every year. This year, we have such a strong showing of first-time attendees, who will amplify our voice and take back to their chapters their experience of influencing legislation at the federal level. 

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on April 4th, for the Chapter Leaders Webinar! Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

We need your help! Through our efforts, we have been unable to reach many members who have recently expired and haven't renewed their membership. We know that many of our members' connections extend across state borders. That's why we've created a new page listing our lapsed members, so you can help encourage the members you know on this list to renew their membership.

Twenty-four chapters are battling to move on to the Terrific 12. Who will be knocked out at the end of the second round of IFAPAC Madness? The clock is ticking to secure contributions before the buzzer at the end of the day on Sunday, April 7th.  

Much like the NCAA March Madness Brackets, IFAPAC has created its bracketology based on 2023 fundraising totals. Chapters will go head-to-head during each round to see who raises the most during the allotted time. Chapters need to be increasing donations in each round. Totals do NOT carry over from each round, the results are not cumulative. The chapter with the highest total during the allotted round will move on to the next round.

Help us shape the next era of financial service professionals and give back to your NAIFA family. We are looking for experienced financial professionals to serve as LUTCF mentors to assist LUTCF students in maximizing their professional training experience to allow them to thrive in the insurance and financial services industry. 

The 2024 Congressional Conference is coming to Washington, D.C., May 20-21. This is NAIFA's can't-miss signature grassroots event and the most impactful association fly-in in the insurance and financial services industry. See who is attending. If your name is not on the list, register today to have it added. If you notice colleagues or members from your chapter who aren't yet registered, why don't you give them a friendly nudge? The more people we have in Washington advocating for our businesses, clients, and communities the more influential we are.

How can we ensure the success of younger advisors within NAIFA?

We recently held our first quarterly Young Advisor Team call of the year. We asked all YAT chairs to come together and talk about their individual efforts in their state chapters. From golf socials to happy hours, we know in-person events and activities are a common way to get membership involvement. But one of the main things we really focused on was understanding what younger advisors want out of their NAIFA membership. 

Consider for a moment the state of our industry. 80-90% of advisors fail out of the business. If you knew you could do something about that, would you? My challenge to everyone reading this is to formally, or informally, mentor a younger advisor in your state. Even if it's just one coffee meeting or phone call a month, find some time to sit down with them and just listen to what their experience has been like.

Our 2023 John Newton Russell Memorial Award recipient, Joe Jordan is an inspirational speaker, behavioral finance expert, and the author of the award-winning book, Living a Life of Significance. The book has sold over 125,000 copies, is translated into five languages, and was featured in Nick Murray's "The Advisor's Essential Library."  

As financial professionals, understanding the intricate web of challenges your clients face, especially those entangled in student loan debt, is paramount. With the United States grappling with an overwhelming $1.7 trillion in outstanding higher education loans, the issue is more critical than ever. 

We invite you to join us for a Journal Live audio discussion on "Excessive Student Loans: The Harbinger of Death to a Financial Future," on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 12 PM Eastern. This session is not just another webinar; it's an opportunity to deepen your understanding of how excessive borrowing for higher education can severely limit your clients' financial growth and stability.

Presented by Greg Geisler, PhD, and J. William Harden, CPA, ChFC, PhD, this 45-minute program will offer a comprehensive look into their study's findings on the long-term impacts of student loan debt. Learn how excessive debt burdens can hinder your clients' ability to engage in long-term tax-advantaged savings and prepare for a financially secure future.

Included is a Q&A session, where you can engage directly. This event is free for members and presents an excellent opportunity to enhance your ability to guide clients through the complexities of student loans.

April is National Financial Literacy Month, an annual observation NAIFA wholeheartedly agrees with. But why is financial literacy important and what are we doing about it?

FINRA surveys consistently show that around two-thirds of Americans lack basic financial understanding, and their lack of knowledge is significant. Those who score higher on FINRA’s financial literacy quiz show a greater tendency to earn more than they spend, have an emergency fund of three-months’ salary or more, contribute to retirement accounts, and accurately estimate their retirement savings needs.

The "I Love NAIFA Month" and the "It's Not Luck, It's NAIFA" referral incentives have been a smashing success.  As such, NAIFA has extended this initiative through April with a slight change!  For every member who joins and lists a member as the referral source, that referring member will receive a $10 Dunkin Donuts gift card.  

NAIFA-Georgia was spotted for the celebration of the 2024 Top Women Advisors in Georgia!

Congratulations to an outstanding group on women!

Congratulations to the 24 teams advancing to the next round of IFAPAC Madness 2024! Starting today, chapters will be competing to advance to the Terrific Twelve. The winner will be announced on May 20, 2024, during Congressional Conference! The 2024 Champion Chapter will receive a trophy that can tour around the chapter all year.   

Round Two

The clock for our second round began on, Monday, March 25th and runs through Sunday, April 7th.

On April 18th NAIFA Live will feature Michael McGlothlin, CFP, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF,  best-selling author, industry-renowned speaker, and expert in growth strategies for financial advisors. Join Mike as he explains how financial professionals can clarify their message to generate leads, create more referrals or empower their sales team. By using the StoryBrand Marketing Framework, Mike will help you understand what customers are looking for so you can tell your story in a way people listen.

NAIFA is a proud sponsor of the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo in Denver, CO this coming April! If you are in the Employee Benefits space you will want to make plans to join and hundreds of the nation’s top brokers, agents, and advisors at BenefitsPRO Broker Expo!

For 20 years, the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo has gathered leading industry practitioners and experts to create a robust conference, designed to provide you with tools and resources you can implement immediately to increase your bottom line! Join NAIFA in Denver, April 29- May 1, 2024, and leave with fresh strategies and tactics that you can put into action right away. 

As a part of our partnership with BenefitsPRO, we are pleased to offer our members a 15% discount on registration for this fantastic event! Use promo code: NAIFA15 when registering.

Time is ticking to ensure your chapter makes the cut for the deadline of the first round of play on Sunday!
Will your chapter advance or will you be knocked out at the end of the first round of IFAPAC Madness? There is still plenty of time to secure IFAPAC contributions for your state. Round One started on Tuesday, March 5th and will run through Sunday, March 24th. All 51 chapters will be competing to advance through the brackets. The winner will be announced on May 20, 2024, during Congressional Conference! The 2024 Champion Chapter will receive a trophy that can tour around the chapter all year.

As we continue to strive for excellence and growth within our organization, we recognize the invaluable contribution of each member in shaping our community. However, we have noticed that some of our valued members have lapsed in their membership. We know that we are stronger together and the more members we have the louder our voice. That’s why, we are reaching out to you for your assistance in encouraging these lapsed members to renew their commitment to our profession by ensuring their membership is current.

Now, more than ever, NAIFA needs to flex our collective strength as we advocate for ALL financial models against the DOL fiduciary rule for our collective interests and ensure a fair regulatory environment. With your support, we can bring these members back into our congressional footprint and further enhance our message.

The Congressional Conference is NAIFA members' best opportunity to experience the power of grassroots advocacy first-hand in our nation's capital. Attendees really do make a difference on behalf of their businesses, clients, and communities. Networking allows them to be inspired and share ideas with politically involved colleagues. Training, policy briefings, and expert speakers give them the knowledge and guidance they need to be effective advocates. Meetings with lawmakers allow NAIFA members to speak with a unified voice and forge meaningful relationships with people whose decisions impact the financial security of every American.

NAIFA is proud to be a 2024 partner of Medicarians Vegas 2024.  Medicarians is more than Medicare, it is the home of senior health, wealth, and AgeTech. Set for April 8th - 10th, 2024, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, this event is a must-attend for those looking to navigate the future of the industry with confidence. This will be the only place to network and learn from more than 2,500 participants across this sector.

NAIFA Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Diane Boyle will take the stage on Monday to talk about the importance of advocating in Washington, D.C. with your fellow financial professionals on the issues impacting our industry and the clients we serve.

Join the Chapter Services Team on March 28 @ 3 p.m. Eastern as they host a “Successful Chapter Sponsorship Programs” webinar!

NAIFA members, mark your calendars for April 11th at 12 pm Eastern for the Q2 State of NAIFA webinar. Learn about the latest on NAIFA’s progress, advocacy efforts, and how you can get the most out of your membership.

Join us for an insightful webinar led by head lobbyist for health policy issues affecting producers, Michael Hedge, and policy director, Roger Moore, aimed at financial service professionals, IMOs and FMOs, and other stakeholders within the Medicare ecosystem. In this webinar, we'll delve into the intricacies of these proposed changes and explore their potential impacts on various aspects of the Medicare landscape.

As you plan out your calendars with events and agency presentations, remember that we are here to prepare you and ensure that your membership efforts are as effective as possible.  Consider booking a time with Zack Huels (Zack’s Calendly) for presentation tips and tricks.  If you will be working an event, contact Randy Clark (rclark@naifa.org) to make sure you have all the materials you may need to sign up new members.