Ensuring Your Professional Success

NAIFA is working hard to create positive outcomes for you and your clients, even as we help you navigate the impact of COVID-19.

By Cammie Scott, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, CLTC, MSIE, ChHC, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

During the past few weeks, all of us have focused our attention on helping families, communities and clients deal with the challenges created by COVID-19. NAIFA’s resources on managing the impact of this unprecedented pandemic have proven invaluable to everyone going through these troubling times.

But even as we work hard to help you weather the storm, we are still moving full steam ahead with the execution of one of our most important initiatives — completing the final year on our 20/20 Strategic Plan.

Our laser-like focus on implementing this plan has helped us score major victories. Among the most recent are:

1. Membership Growth — NAIFA is recruiting significant numbers of new members, and former members are re-joining the association. For the first time in many years, we have also had true total paid membership growth during the month of February, a historically slow month. And so far this year, 21 state and local chapters have increased their membership numbers. With COVID-19, we are positioning ourselves as an even more critical community to which to belong and have held town hall meetings to provide support and great content to the industry.

2. State Advocacy Wins — NAIFA and the American Council of Life Insurers are producing major key wins in state capitals nationwide. In Massachusetts, for example, we dramatically changed the state’s fiduciary proposal, and we fought back state-run private retirement plans. We also helped pass critical elder financial protections.

3. NAIFA Nation Impact Week — This year’s Congressional Conference cannot be held as the hotel has closed its doors until June. We quickly re-imagined the event and have turned May 19-21 into “Nation: Impact Week.” We will hold our Diversity Symposium on May 19, our Advocacy in Action Day on May 20 and a Leadership Day on May 21 to provide you with a platform for developing the skills you need to manage your practice through challenging times. All events are free and are open to any agent or advisor as a way of showing that NAIFA is giving back to the industry. Learn more about this exciting event at https://belong. naifa.org/impact

4. New Brand for NAIFA — We have officially launched our new look and feel for NAIFA. Our new public, members and leaders sites are now live, along with online communities and improved profile and directory functionality. If you haven’t visited NAIFA, we encourage you to do so. You will also note that you will receive emails with a fresh, new look!

5. FinancialSecurity.org — We launched a consumer-facing site that addresses the need for everyday Americans to be financially prepared for the future. The site tells our story from Main Streets in America, with perspectives from individual NAIFA members and advisors. Contact Suzanne Carawan at scarawan@naifa.org if you’d like to share your story.

6. New Alliance Formed — NAIFA and Life Happens have joined forces to form the Financial Security Alliance. This group will be a resource for the general public, teaching them about the good work that the industry, the profession, our products and our services do for the society. We will also provide educational tools and videos that emphasize the importance of insurance in a sound financial plan.

7. FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center — NAIFA is part of this group, whose focus is on helping American businesses continue to operate in the face of mounting pressures from the coronavirus pandemic. NAIFA is monitoring the situation and actively working with the White House and various federal agencies to best protect our members. Visit media.naifa.org and social media outlets for the latest updates.

8. Performance + Purpose Conference. The schedule is set for this premier educational event for agents and advisors. NAIFA was formed in Boston, and we are returning there this year to celebrate our 130th anniversary. Join us from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4 for this time of learning, networking and celebration. For more information, visit conference.naifa.org.

In spite of the challenges created by COVID-19, great things are happening at NAIFA. By working together and exhibiting the traits of endurance and strength, we will continue to build a culture of success that positions you and your clients for a bright and promising future.