By Lucretia DiSanto Jones

Advisor Today.com caught up with Angela Mann, a board member of the Indianapolis AIFA, during the 2003 NAIFA Convention and Career Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Dangling from Mann's NAIFA convention name badge was a foot long, three-inch wide red ribbon. On that ribbon were literally dozens of pins that Mann had collected during her first convention.

Meeting Mann was just what our AT.com writer needed on the second to the last day of the convention, when the late nights, early mornings and carbohydrate-filled meals had begun to take their toll. Mann was so jazzed to be in Kansas City that it was easy to draw energy from the excitement in her voice.

"I'm proud of my pin collection. I don't have Hawaii, yet, but I have most of the others," she says.

Mann didn't know what to expect of her first experience at a NAIFA convention. For sure she will go home with ideas and suggestions that she can put to use at once. "It's been very educational. The information is great. I've met people from all over who've offered us a lot of knowledge."

"The convention pumps you up, gets you excited about what you're doing for a living." —Angela Mann

The power of people
Mann also used the meeting to take specific steps to advance her career, and she staged quite a coup in the process. Mann, who very confidently says, "There's no reason why I shouldn't make MDRT this year," lined up a mentor to make sure she does what she needs to earn her own seat at the Table. Van Mueller, LUTCF, a Top of the Table producer for the past 12 years, has agreed to help Mann's career move along. "Van will be my mentor and will hold me accountable," she says.

She believes that the people you meet at the convention is the best reason for making the trip. "You meet people from all walks of life, all ages, some phenomenal people. The convention pumps you up, gets you excited about what you're doing for a living."

According to Mann, the convention is also one of the best places to really get a handle on what NAIFA is all about—and what life in the insurance business would be like if NAIFA didn't exist.

"We need to better educate members about the organization—an education like you receive here at the convention." Mann believes that she learned more about the bylaws amendments that were presented to the National Council—and their possible positive and negative effects—while at the convention than she did by studying them back home. "The Town Hall meeting was very good. The open communication is wonderful. It helps you sort it all out."

All for One
The theme for this year's convention, All for One, was an uplifting follow-up to the events of the past year. The transformation of NAIFA since last year's convention has been wide and deep. Upon taking the reins as CEO in January 2003, David Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, wasted no time in kicking the reorganization into high gear. As a result, the financial health of NAIFA is significantly improved, and the outlook for membership is bright.

The show of solidarity at the convention was not lost on Mann, who heard one message loud and clear: "We all need to pull together." If we don't, she recognizes, membership will decrease and the organization could stumble again. "We have to fight for what this organization was founded for."

By attending the convention each year, Mann plans to be part of the troops fighting for NAIFA, its members and the consumers who both serve. There's a lot in it for her, too.

"There's great camaraderie here. It's very motivational. If a person can make it, they should come every year—to meet their peers, get ideas, hear phenomenal speakers, and see other parts of the U.S. I'll be in Vegas!"

Note: The National Council passed seven bylaws amendments and one resolution on the final day of the convention. For more news on the convention and career conference and the bylaws amendments, be sure to read the November issue of Advisor Today.

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