By Helen Thompson
Last December, when Greg Bailey, FSS, met with the then-new YAT committee, he helped spearhead an educational initiative that really took off. The working title of that initiative, “YAT University,” reflected YAT’s commitment to providing more and better educational opportunities for NAIFA members 40 and younger or those who are within their first five years in the business, regardless of their age. “I am extremely proud of the work the committee has done during the past two years in creating, developing and putting the meat on the bones on what started as YAT U.,” says Bailey, who is president of Bailey Partners in Omaha, Neb.
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Bailey believes the new NAIFA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICE will become the central resource place for advisors throughout the industry. |
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Bailey then went on to participate in the “NAIFA in the 21st Century” strategic plan during the next several months, representing the under-40 segment of NAIFA’s membership. He saw an opportunity to have YAT U. integrated into the education and sales training component of NAIFA 21. “It was an honor to even sit at the table, but we had a voice at the table that was loudly heard and well considered,” says Bailey. “The proudest moment that I have, looking back over the past year, is that we were able to weave the foundation of YAT U. into the NAIFA Professional Development Service being proposed as part of ‘NAIFA in the 21st Century.’”
Come to NAIFA’s Annual Convention and Career Conference, which takes place Sept. 8–12 in Washington, D.C. You’ll want to learn more about NAIFA advocacy and its importance to you at the grass-roots level at the Legislative Forum Town Hall Meeting and at the Day on the Hill general session. Also, stop by the YAT table at the NAIFA Super Booth to get the latest information on YAT programs and make your contribution to YATPAC in support of NAIFA’s advocacy efforts. Visit www.naifa.org/convention for more information and the complete schedule.
- YAT Meet & Greet: This reception is a great way to meet YAT leaders and other YATters from around the country. Saturday, Sept. 8, 6–7 p.m., Hilton Washington, Georgetown Ballroom—West.
- “Four Under Forty” Panel: You saw them in Advisor Today’s “Four Under Forty;” now, take the opportunity to hear about their strategies for success. Sunday, Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.–3:45 p.m., Hilton Washington, Jefferson Ballroom—West.
- “The Money Code”, presented by Dan Allison: In this YAT-sponsored educational workshop, Dan Allison will explain how his Money Code consulting system can show you how to use focus groups to better understand what is important to your current and prospective clients. Sunday, Sept. 9, 4–5:15 p.m., Hilton Washington, Jefferson Ballroom—West.
- YAT Roundtable: Take an opportunity to discuss issues of concern to YATters with the National YAT Committee. Get ideas from other groups and share what’s been happening with YAT in your area. Monday, Sept. 10, 12:30–2 p.m., Hilton Washington, Monroe Ballroom—East & West.
- YAT Happy Hour: Unwind and relax with your fellow YATters at our annual happy hour. Monday, Sept. 10, 9:30 p.m.–12 a.m., Gazuza Bar, 1629 Connecticut Ave, N.W.
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What’s next?
If you haven’t signed up to attend NAIFA’s Convention and Career Conference in Washington, D.C., next month, Bailey strongly urges you to come to D.C. for the conference and register on-site to meet some of your fellow YATters around the country and take advantage of educational opportunities created especially for young advisors (see adjacent box).
Bailey’s tenure as YAT Chair will end during the convention, and he’ll pass the reins on to Scott Sernett, CLU, ChFC. Noting that NAIFA is going through a period of change more pronounced than at any time in his life, Bailey expects Sernett to face totally different challenges during his time as YAT Chair. “It’s probably going to take at least two years to fully implement the new career center, but I see Scott leading the groundswell for YAT,” says Bailey. “He and his committee will be able to give valuable input to the creation and development of the center, which, I believe in my heart of hearts, will become the central resource place for advisors throughout the industry.”
Bailey will step out of the spotlight for a while. He wants to serve in leadership positions at his local association, NAIFA-Omaha and ran for treasurer this year—but didn’t win. “A lot of people would look at that and say, ‘Wow, the national YAT chair ran for office and got defeated to go through the chairs of his local?’” says Bailey. “But this represents something that’s good for NAIFA. Usually, you’re asked to serve [because no one is running for the office]. But we had a contested election, and now there’s a great young man—younger than I am, actually—serving as treasurer of NAIFA-Omaha.”
Besides, everything happens for a reason. Bailey and his wife are expecting their first child—a boy, he says—around Thanksgiving. And while he plans to continue with speaking engagements occasionally and to play an active role in his local association, he’s mostly looking forward to being a dad.
August 2007
The Midas Touch
Rings of Fire
More Tips From the MDRT Annual Meeting
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