CAL Advisor

September 18, 2007

E- Newsletter Volume 1, Number 3

In This Issue

·    NAIFA National Convention Update

·    Legislative Update

·    Member Benefits – Looking Ahead

·    Monthly Business Sales Idea

www.naifacalifornia.org

Don’t forget to visit our website for complete up to date information.

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Sacramento, CA  95815
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NAIFA-California@naifacalifornia.org

NAIFA National Convention Update

By Dennis P. Sunderman, CSA
NAIFA-California President 2007-2008

 

Dennis SundermanThis has been an exciting month and there are several important events to report on.

On September 8th-12th, NAIFA held the 117th National Convention in Washington DC and NAIFA-California was well represented by our 74 delegates, nearly 30 LILI graduates, a number of Past-Presidents and numerous guests were in attendance.  The primary mission of the convention was to elect officers and to amend bylaws, both of which were accomplished.  But three additional events were especially noteworthy.

First, was the introduction of our new NAIFA CEO John Healy, CAE.  John is incredibly qualified to lead us forward, and to implement the NAIFA-21 transformation.

Second, was the LILI 7 session.  On the day prior to the convention, more than 300 Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) alumni from 26 states attended the annual LILI 7 session.  It was a time to meet with graduates and moderators from around the country, to re-assess mission statements, guiding principles, core values and to have fun.  As of 2007, the institute has nearly 1,000 graduates, and is considered to be a premier NAIFA member benefit.  It was an exciting event for all!

Third, was the “Federal Day on the Hill”.  More than 1,400 NAIFA members met with their legislators in the Capital.  The California delegation met with a number of our State Representatives and had meetings with the staff of Senator’s Boxer and Feinstein.  This year’s discussion covered Life Insurance Awareness Month, Insurance Tax Incentives in a Pay-Go Era, the McCarran-Ferguson Act, and Rule 12B-1 Fees.  A special thank you goes out to Deanna Dooley and her wonderful husband Bob for coordinating this historic event!

I would also like to express my appreciation to our Executive Vice President, David Dellinger, and our Director of Finance and Communications, Carol Nicolaysen for their extraordinary service to NAIFA-California and contribution to the success of the convention, and to our Membership Coordinator, Kay Nauta back home in Sacramento.  You are all appreciated! 

John Davidson, LUTCF has completed his term as NAIFA President and will now enjoy a very coveted position, of Past President.  Thank you John!  Your incredible vision, leadership, and service to our industry are remarkable.  You are dearly loved and admired by all of us in California, and thousands of members around the country.

Here’s the new line-up including the names of those who moved up, were re-elected, or newly elected.

President               Jeffrey J. Taggart, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF

President-Elect      Cliff F. Wilson, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF

Secretary               Thomas D. Currey, CLU, ChFC,

Trustee                  Robert A. Miller, M.S., M.A. (Two-year term) incumbent

Trustee                  John F. Nichols, CLU, DIA (Two-year term)

Trustee                  Robert O. Smith, J.D., CLU, ChFC (Two-year term)

Trustee                  Jules Gaudreau, CIC, ChFC, (Two-year term)

Trustee                  Robert Weigner, CLU, CFP, CFS, CIC, LUTCF (One-year term)

Trustee                  Susan D. Wier, CFP, ChFC, LUTCF (Two-year term)

The additional incumbent trustees that were not affected by this year’s election are listed at www.naifa.org under trustees.

In addition to officer elections, the following six proposed bylaw amendments were either approved or defeated.

1.      Mission Statement Revision.  “Postponed”. Thought to be too wordy, didn’t recognize P and C agents and will be re-drafted for next years convention.

2.      To change membership from local only, to all three levels of the federation.  Approved

3.      Would require local and state associations to use a NAIFA-(location) name.  Approved

4.      Would increase national dues by $49.00 annually with a CPI adjustment.  Approved-without the CPI adjustment

5.      Would re-allocate National Council votes to a system based on state membership totals rather than number of locals.  Defeated.  Will be re-addressed at the 2008 convention in San Diego.

6.      Would create a separate standing committee on Communications.  Approved

The 2008 NAIFA Convention “Catch the NAIFA Wave!” will be in San Diego, CA, September 6-10, 2008.

September 2007 is Life Insurance Awareness Month. 

As of this writing President George Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Los Angeles City Council and the Santa Barbara City Council have all provided proclamations.  A special thank you goes to Gil Mares, Tom Michel, and NAIFA- Los Angeles for making an outstanding presentation to the Los Angeles City Council.

This year’s national spokesperson is comedian and actress Molly Shannon from “Saturday Night Live”.  Her real life story about losing her mother, sister, and cousin at the age of four in an automobile accident, (and how her father who was so badly injured that he could not work), brings reality to the discussion of life insurance and the terrible repercussions for families that are under insured.

In conclusion, please consider asking a non-member to look at the benefits of association membership and invite them to join.  The larger we are, the stronger we are in Washington and Sacramento.  Also, the new Association Achievement Award application is now available on the NAIFA-California website.  Please note that all LILI applications must be submitted by October 12, 2007.

Thank you for your membership and service!

 

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Legislative Update

By Michael Ables, LUTCF
Chair, Government Relations Committee

Shari McHugh

Legislative Advocate

 

GREAT NEWS!!!

 

AB 8 (Nunez & Perata)

NAIFA-California Position: Oppose

 

As you may have heard in the press by now, the Governor has indicated his intention to VETO AB 8 (Nunez & Perata).  AB 8 would have a devastating impact on your clients’ health security, on your profession and on the state’s economy.

 

Although the Governor has indicated he will veto the bill, the health care reform battle is not over.  He has called for a Special Session of the Legislature to work towards enacting comprehensive health care reform.  It is for this reason that NAIFA-California is urging its members to send a letter of appreciation to the Governor for his willingness to VETO AB 8 as well as to outline a number of the key policy considerations the Governor should take into account as he works with the Legislature to craft a reform plan. 

 

LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR – SEND IMMEDIATELY!

 

Currently, AB 8 (Nunez & Perata) is awaiting the Governor’s action.  While he has indicated he plans to VETO the message, he has not yet done so. 

 

In order to assist its members, NAIFA-California has prepared a sample letter that can be sent to the Governor.  This letter is available online at NAIFA-California Grassroots.

(http://www.capwebworks.com/game/login.aspx?clientid=-1431057410&clientproductid=-432960112&hdr=naifa)

 

NAIFA-California greatly appreciates your help in generating as many letters and emails as possible. In order to ensure our voices continue to be heard during the health care reform debate, it is critical that you take action and fast!

 

Click on the link and get the details from the Monthly Legislative Update!

 

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Member Benefits – Looking Ahead

By Michael K. Fiamingo, LUTCF
Chair Member Benefits

 

Looking ahead, October is a good time to focus on Membership, in November focus on PAC and in December continuing education; LUTC, FSS, CLU, ChFC.

If you are looking for a high caliber speaker, get your requests in early at the speaker’s bureau on the NAIFA-California Member Benefits website,
http://www.naifacalifornia.org/MemberBenefits/MemberBenefits.htm

If you have a good sales idea you would like to share, please e-mail it to Carol Nicolaysen at caroln@naifacalifornia.org or me at mifarm@aol.com. 

 

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Monthly Business Sales Idea
Turn $400 into $70,000

By Adi Ringer, CLU, LUTCF, ChFC. CFP

 

Last year I went to an educational workshop hosted by an Insurance carrier.  The cost was $400 for a 2 day event on advanced planning, things like 419 plans, ESOPs, IDITs, etc.  After a class like that, you can go research these concepts in more detail to become an expert or you can learn enough to spot the opportunities and bring in an expert.

 

Sure enough, a few months went by, and with the information fresh in my mind, I spotted an opportunity and BAM!  $70,000 in compensation, after splits.  The client benefited from an appropriate tax strategy, the family benefits from Estate Protection and you benefit for being involved in a case that if you hadn’t learned about the concept, would have never spotted.

 

Opportunities like this exist everywhere.  Some people never learn anything outside of their comfort zone or their particular market.  I would encourage you to learn what’s out there.  Even if you don’t pursue the advanced markets, a referral to a large case can give you a nice return on your investment!

 

Adi Ringer is a Partner in Burrola Ringer

He can be reached at (805) 474-6006 or via e-mail at adi@burrolaringer.com

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