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 By
David F. Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
Friday, Jan. 20, 1961, dawned clear, cold and beautiful
in Washington, D.C. It had snowed hard the day before, leaving eight inches
of new snow over everything. But that day, it all seemed fresh and new
as a handsome, young President John Fitzgerald Kennedy stood coatless
on the west side of the Capitol and ushered in a “new generation
of Americans” who would “pay any price, bear any burden”
in pursuit of liberty.
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I was 24 years old and part of the so-called Silent
Generation of the 1950s. But on that day, I, like millions my age,
was inspired to follow the example of this charismatic president
and ask what I could do for our country. Most of us had already
served in the military, so what call could we now answer?
Thus began for me and for many of my friends a
more than four-decade journey of service, inspired in no small measure
by John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. We got jobs, had families,
built our careers, our communities, our schools, our social services.
We ran for public office and volunteered to improve whatever profession
or trade we pursued.
Many of us—30,000 to 40,000 a year—found
the life insurance business. To be sure, it offered the allure of
doing well while doing good for others. But for many of us, there
was another attraction. Because we were our own bosses, we had the
freedom to do the volunteer work upon which our American society
was built—to do for our country. And so we did.
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What we can do for people
These thoughts have been inspired by a couple of events. The first was
a recent column by Jack Bobo, retired NALU CEO. He commented on the spirit
of service to others that for so long characterized our business, but
now seems so often missing. He echoed President Kennedy when he said,
“Perhaps it is time to emphasize to our recruits what we can do for
people rather than what they can do for us.”
The other event is the NAIFA transformation under way since last September,
when NAIFA President Dick Koob challenged us to create a new NAIFA out
of our long tradition of service to agents and financial advisors. And
create anew we have!
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The transformation of NAIFA into a 21st century
organization is well established. It is now up to you.
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As Dick reported in May’s “Viewpoint,”
since September we have completely restructured NAIFA headquarters, saving
nearly $2 million. Beginning this month, the Finance Committee and Board
of Trustees will put the finishing touches on the work of the NAIFA Transformation
Task Force.
In September, the National Council will vote to approve a new vision and
mission, as well as bylaw changes designed to focus NAIFA on the advocacy
and member benefits needed to ensure the continuation of the unique role
our members play in our society.
The transformation of NAIFA into a 21st century organization
is well established. It is now up to you. Familiarize yourself with the
task force report. Ask questions of your leaders, or send me an email
(dwoods @naifa.org). Get your
answers, and then ask what you can do for NAIFA. You and NAIFA will be
better for it.
David Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
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 NALU president in 1986-87.
This Month
Cover
Story
Expert to
Expert
Lighter
Side of Life
Making
the Transition
Managing
Money
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About Us
NAIFA
