By David F. Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, NAIFA CEO

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

                                    —Abraham Lincoln

Nor can an industry. To be sure, ours is a pluralistic industry, perhaps now more than ever before. The fact that we call it by different names—insurance industry, financial services industry, financial security industry—is symptomatic of the diversity. And this diversity is reflective of the complex and evolving society in which we all live and labor.

It is also reflected in the many industry organizations: NAIFA, the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Society of Financial Services Professionals (SFSP), the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), etc. Each serves a unique purpose. And when they work in harmony, the industry, our clients and we all thrive and prosper.

It is in that spirit that we at NAIFA have begun an aggressive campaign to strengthen our bonds with other industry organizations. Here are some of the things we have done just in the last couple of months:

• Accelerated our outreach to AALU and ACLI to work in concert on a number of issues, including President Bush’s proposal for lifetime savings accounts and retirement savings accounts that could devastate our products and our industry and, despite its noble intent, wreak havoc with the retirement savings and financial security needs of the citizens of our nation.
• Had preliminary discussions with SFSP about producing continuing education courses for local NAIFA associations.
• Continued to work with MDRT as it expands its commitment to provide high-quality speakers to NAIFA local associations.
• Had preliminary and promising discussions with the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies regarding membership development and coordinated legislative activities.
• Engaged in discussions with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America regarding legislative and other issues of common interest.
• Worked closely with GAMA International to find ways to improve its delivery of high-quality management development and training programs to its membership.
• Held discussions with The American College’s Life Underwriter Training Council division regarding an increased focus on delivering LUTC classes through local NAIFA associations.
• Had ongoing discussions with the Association of Health Insurance Advisors to find ways to better serve the needs and interests of health insurance professionals, including issues involving long-term care, disability income and medical insurance.
• Strengthened our partnership with LIMRA International to deliver top-flight sales and marketing support to our members.
  Worked with the Association Executives Advisory Council to provide greater support for state and local associations.
• And we continue to work closely with the LIFE Foundation to create cost-saving synergies and deliver its many fine products and programs to NAIFA members.

In a February address, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, an accomplished pianist, said that when she plays the piano for a group sing-a-long or in church and everyone is singing in a different key, she “just plays in the basic key of C and everyone comes back to it.”

It is our hope at NAIFA that by “singing in C,” that is, by focusing on what unites not divides us, we help bring us all back to basics. And in so doing we bring about that more perfect harmony, which will ensure that our “house”—our industry—will not fall, but will emerge stronger and rise to new heights of service to the American people. The future depends on it.

David Woods is CEO of NAIFA and president of the LIFE Foundation. Previously a MassMutual agent for 30 years, he has been an MDRT member since 1970. He was NAIFA president in 1986-87.

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