By Lucretia DiSanto Jones

Angela Mann wanted to be a nurse. But it’s tough to be a great nurse when you can’t handle the sight of blood or the thought of needles. So she found her way into sales and has sold, as she puts it, “everything there is out there to sell”—mortgages, cars, real estate. Then a little over three years ago, she answered a newspaper ad and landed in the insurance industry. Today she is with New England Financial in Indianapolis.

Mann, now a board member of the Indianapolis AIFA, will attend the 2003 NAIFA Annual Convention & Career Conference in Kansas City this month. It will be her first convention. AdvisorToday.com spoke with Mann about NAIFA and her thoughts on attending the convention as a first-timer.

AdvisorToday.com: When and why did you become a NAIFA member?
Mann: I became a NAIFA member fairly quickly after getting into the business. I joined because NAIFA is the organization that stands up for the rights of the people in this industry—to make sure legislation doesn’t get passed that will inhibit what we do or, what is more important, eliminate the benefits our clients receive through insurance and financial products. To me, that’s important: NAIFA looks after our livelihood.

AdvisorToday.com: What made you decide to attend the convention?
Mann: I joined the Indianapolis board last year because the association was looking to get more young people involved. There are many older people who understand what NAIFA does for the industry; however, we have to get the younger generation to understand the value the association offers. The president and other senior board members decided that some of the newer, younger board members should have their chance to go to the convention. So I’m attending the convention, along with two gentlemen from the board.

“When it comes down to stopping negative legislative actions, it’s NAIFA that takes the ball and runs with it.” —Angela Mann

AdvisorToday.com: In addition to legislative advocacy, what value does NAIFA offer members?
Mann: First, you get the Advisor Today magazine, which has numerous articles for all areas of our industry. Also, you get to network with people who’ve been in the industry for years and have seen it all and have made it what it is today. This, in itself, is a huge value. The younger generation doesn’t necessarily know the value that the veterans bring to the table.

And there’s more. Look at the speakers at the meetings, the continuing education and the study classes for those preparing for their licenses and designations. There are also discounts available that we need to spread the word about. NAIFA offers a lot of value that a lot of people don’t necessarily attribute to NAIFA.

AdvisorToday.com: What do you hope to take home with you from the convention?
Mann: When I attend events like this, I’m looking to gain knowledge of the industry, knowledge of the people in the industry and the roads they’ve taken. By listening to the speakers, you can avoid making some of the mistakes they’ve made and can benefit from their success stories.

AdvisorToday.com: What types of messages about NAIFA's future do you hope to hear from the leadership during the convention?
Mann: I would hope that we are working on finding a way to help members better understand what we bring to the table for them. There are a lot of people who join other associations, but the bottom line is that when it comes down to stopping negative legislative actions, it’s NAIFA that takes the ball and runs with it. We don’t allow things to happen that will hurt the industry—at the local, state or national levels.

During the convention, visit AdvisorToday.com daily, Monday, Sept. 15 through Thursday, Sept 18, for website coverage of convention news and events. We will also tell you what Mann is experiencing and learning in Kansas City—and what she’ll take back to Indy with her when the convention is over.

Web Columns

Media Watch

Top     LEGAL NOTICES     Contact Webmaster    Netscape 7 Download

Change/Renew NAIFA Membership     Get Advisor Today: Join NAIFA

© Advisor Today 2003. All Rights Reserved.