In order to assist state associations AHIA has created the State Legislative Intelligence Network (SLIN). It is apparent to health and employee benefits advisors that health care reform continues to remain a front-burner issue. Often when a specific legislative proposal of concern to health and employee benefits advisors arises it is a state association that serves as AHIA’s “eyes and ears.” When a state association alerts AHIA of a particular issue, AHIA steps in and provides advocacy and financial assistance if possible. Many states are already fully prepared and equipped to analyze and defeat harmful legislation. However, this is not the case for all states. AHIA has learned there is an increased need for communication between state associations. States should be able to directly share valuable information and effectively communicate with other states experiencing the same challenges.
AHIA's State Legislative Intelligence Network formalizes assistance and allows states to share and advance ideas, research, and strategize solutions to help each other with state legislative challenges. Through this network AHIA aims to stimulate dialogue and develop a workable exchange of intelligence on pertinent state health issues.
States can easily take advantage of this network by sending an email to AHIA at ahia@naifa.org. Simply write “SLIN” in the subject box and clearly describe the state health issue of concern. AHIA will then facilitate the transfer of your message to the AHIA State Health Chair who will respond directly to the inquiring association. Associations will provide the status of the initiative in their state, convincing arguments used to sway legislators, unexpected questions that may arise, coalition partners, and most importantly effective and ineffective strategies.
As the bridge to intelligence sharing, AHIA is certain that the State Legislative Intelligence Network will position state associations as the strongest advocates on behalf of interests to health and employee benefits insurance advisors.
Something for Everyone at the 2008 NAIFA Convention and Career Conference
Independent advisor, career agent, NAIFA leader, new member, young advisor or industry veteran, there is something for every NAIFA member at the 2008 NAIFA Convention and Career Conference September 6-10 in San Diego.
The NAIFA Convention is known for addressing the governance of the NAIFA federation. Each year national council delegates meet to elect new leaders and vote on proposed bylaws amendments. Convention Chair and NAIFA President-Elect Cliff Wilson wants NAIFA members to know there is even more to the NAIFA Convention. It is the Career Conference part of the meeting.
“The NAIFA Convention and Career Conference features educational workshops focused on the variety of specialties practiced by NAIFA members” says Wilson. “There will be sessions appealing to life insurance agents, financial planners, multiline agents, health insurance advisors and more.”
Plus, the 2008 Convention and Career Conference will feature a new slate of events on Tuesday afternoon of the convention as well as the new Independent Advisors Networking Dinner.
Monday night during the Convention, companies traditionally arrange dinners for their representatives. As many as 20 different companies have hosted events in recent years. Recognizing the growing number of independent advisors in the NAIFA federation, Monday night will feature a networking dinner exclusively for independent advisors.
The popular LILI 7 workshop for LILI graduates has been moved to Tuesday afternoon along with a special NAIFA advocacy workshop and an extended session with economist and futurist Jeff Thredgold.
Thredgold is the featured presenter in the Tuesday General Session, but he will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an expanded session that will explain the economy, financial markets, education, government, and give a sneak preview of the future. Thredgold’s insights will give you a glimpse at the issues that will shape our lives and careers.
And, the Young Advisors Team (YAT) provides special events for those advisors who are 40 years of age or younger or new to the industry in the last five years. YAT will hold a special young advisors legislative workshop, host a session on Tuesday of the convention featuring NAIFA’s Advisor Today’s Four Under 40 honorees, as well as happy hours and other YAT events.
Find out more about all of the 2008 NAIFA Convention and Career Conference events at www.naifa.org/convention.
New Tiered Pricing for NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program
Sarah Sears-Egeli, Director of Membership Programs
In response to feedback regarding the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy program, a new tiered pricing system has been implemented. As outlined below, pricing will be based on the number of participants and will be reduced from the previous $50 per participant.
# Partners Enrolled
Price
1-5
$40 per participant
6-10
$30 per participant
11+
$20 per participant
The NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program is a NAIFA initiative that enables companies and agencies to further support and protect the industry by giving eligible employees a voice against harmful legislation and regulation that directly impacts the insurance and financial services industry.
Who is eligible to participate in the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program?
• Corporate non-managerial employees of home offices and broker-dealers
• Non-producing agency employees and support staff
What will the participants in the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program receive?
NAIFA GovTalk—Online newsletter keeping Partners up to date on NAIFA’s latest legislative and regulatory efforts
NAIFA GovAlerts—Timely email messages that let Partners know when and exactly how to make their voice heard quickly on the issues that could impact our industry
Email updates on new articles posted on the Advisor Today web site www.advisortoday.com
Additional email communications related to federal issues
How can the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy make a difference?
By responding to GovAlerts, the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy can play a crucial role in influencing the issues that are critical to our industry. Partners’ support for NAIFA strengthens our industry’s voice on Capitol Hill!
Why is the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program important to you and your company?
Our industry is facing increased legislative and regulatory threats that challenge our very way of
doing business. The tax advantages on our products are being threatened and therefore our clients’ financial security is being threatened as well. Now is the time to grow NAIFA’s collective voice and expand our opportunities to address the issues that are critical to our clients and our industry.
How can you or your company enroll eligible employees in the NAIFA Partners for Advocacy Program?
Renew your membership investment in NAIFA with our fast and easy online renewal process. Simply go to www.naifa.org and click “Renew” at the top of the page.
Would you rather pay your membership dues in 12 easy monthly installments? Renew online through our monthly bank draft or credit card program. If you elect to have your dues deducted/charged on a monthly basis, dues are debited/charged from your account or to your credit card on the 5th day of each month. If the 5th falls on a weekend, the debit will occur on the next business day. Please note, NAIFA only accepts VISA & MasterCard for enrollment in the monthly credit card program.
If you've had trouble getting email from NAIFA, go to the NAIFA Email Preference Center at www.naifa.org/about/email.cfm for instructions on how to keep important email out of your spam folder.
Does NAIFA have your current contact information? Check can review your member information, including email and address, online at https://secure.naifa.org/imisw, or contact the Member Service Center at (877) TO-NAIFA (866-2432) or membersupport@naifa.org.
NAIFA informs our members of many tools and resources through email updates, and you may miss out on this information if NAIFA-National doesn't have a working email address from you or if NAIFA email gets lost in your spam filter. In addition, we want to be sure that all NAIFA members receive our e-newsletters, including GovTalk and The NAIFA Advantage, as well as GovAlerts that inform you of urgent legislation that could have an impact on your business and our industry.
