Perception, Performance and Ida Gates

NAIFA has been getting good feedback.

By C. Robert Brown, CLU, LUTCF, NAIFA President

It is a pleasure to pass along to you some of the very positive comments NAIFA has been receiving lately. Consider the following:

1. The convention evaluation forms are starting to come in and the respondents’ approval is overwhelming. There is no doubt our convention was a hit, and the good feeling we came away with from Las Vegas is fueling our momentum.

2. Recently, I attended the Society of Financial Services Professionals Financial Forum and the LIMRA meetings. The warm reception NAIFA received from these sister organizations and their comments about us were very gratifying to hear.

During the Society meeting, president Dick Bell in his address urged members of the Society to get involved in NAIFA and the other industry organizations. It was a welcome message indeed. It is clear that the Society leadership is supportive of NAIFA, and I am happy to join them in seeking ways we can leverage each other to move the industry forward.

3. At the LIMRA meeting, retiring president Rich Wecker acknowledged and praised NAIFA for its constructive impact on the regulatory issues that affect both NAIFA members and the life insurance and financial services industry. These comments are evidence that our efforts to promote unity in the industry are taking root.

4. The momentum doesn’t end there. Our stellar lobbying team scored a victory in the recent controversy involving military base sales, and Life Insurance Awareness Month concluded with members of Congress expressing their support for the ownership of individual life insurance.

5. I have recently crossed paths with the leadership of some of our other sister organizations. I am pleased to report that they all expressed their support for the advancement of NAIFA. There is positive energy everywhere and it is evidenced by the attitude of cooperation and collaboration.

This brings me to Ida Gates of the Montgomery County local association in Pennsylvania.

Ida called me the other day to report on her results in reconnecting with the “fallen away” members in Montgomery County. She was enthusiastically communicating the Bottom Line Member Benefits that NAIFA is delivering to these individuals. As a result, she was being quite successful in converting them into members.

Her success is our success. Ida Gates is proof that the message sells. We are delivering on our value proposition: “Advocacy and Bottom Line Benefits.” What we need are more members like Ida carrying the message.

Please look around for opportunities in your local where you can make a difference. Join Ida and all of us in delivering the NAIFA message.

Remember, it’s “75k in ‘05.”

Bob Brown is the president of UCL Financial Group in Memphis, Tenn. He is a member of GAMA, AHIA, AALU, MDRT and The Society. He became president of NAIFA in September 2004.