Success in Challenging Times

NAIFA’s accomplishments in these uncertain times demonstrate the power of pursuing shared interests and working toward a common goal.

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

This has been a year unlike any other in recent history as we struggled to deal with the numerous challenges and disruptions caused by COVID-19. But with your dedication and support, NAIFA was able to move past the challenges and executed many programs that moved us to a higher level of success.

Among our numerous accomplishments:

• We hosted several innovative programs designed to bring the industry together, bolster the power of belonging and inspire you to keep on moving toward the practice of your dreams. One of the programs worth mentioning is our NAIFA Nation Impact Week, which helped attendees break through the isolation and social distancing imposed by COVID-19 and provided a platform for them to come together as a community.

• We held a state-of-the-art Virtual Performance + Purpose conference, a three-day event that empowered you to reach for new heights of professional success.

• We positively influenced several regulations and pieces of legislation in our efforts to create a favorable business environment for you and the clients you serve. Our victories are largely due to the considerable influence we wield on the advocacy front—no organization is better suited than NAIFA to represent the financial services industry at the state, interstate and federal levels.

• We created the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Planning Committee, which has been charged with developing a five-year plan for the association. The 2025 plan will build on the success of the NAIFA 20/20 Strategic Plan, which was implemented in 2015. The 2025 strategic plan will continue NAIFA’s evolution into a nimble, fully modernized, professional association, laser-focused on providing a consistent, highquality membership experience to everyone who joins the association.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your NAIFA President. It is an honor I will treasure forever.

• We announced a Future Leaders Program for students who are interested in careers in the financial services industry.

• We launched several professional-development programs to help you sharpen your skills and give you the expertise you need to succeed in today’s challenging business environment. Our legacy and credibility in the marketplace make us a valuable source of high-quality professionaldevelopment programs.

• We printed a special edition of Advisor Today magazine to celebrate our 130 th anniversary and to thank you—our leaders, volunteers, members, sponsors and partners—for your support of NAIFA throughout the years and for your commitment to ensuring that the association is around for another 130 years.

And on November 17, we will host our highly anticipated “Belong Event,” which is our way of thanking all of you, honoring our past presidents, recognizing our volunteer leaders and honoring our award recipients.

Looking Ahead

As we look back at what we have managed to accomplish this year, we cannot help but feel a sense of pride. But even as we bask in NAIFA’s glory, we know we can’t afford to be complacent. After all, NAIFA has thrived for 130 years not because it has rested on its laurels, but because it has been able to call on all its members to work collaboratively to build a better NAIFA.

So, as we come to the end of 2020 and create plans for a new year, I am confident that we will continue on our journey of working together to build a strong and vibrant NAIFA whose future will be as glorious as its past.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your NAIFA President. It is an honor I will treasure forever.

Cammie Scott, MSIE, ChHC, CLTC, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, SHRMSCP, SPHR, is president of NAIFA and president of CK Harp and Associates in Springdale, Arkansas. Contact her at cammiescott@ckharp.com.