INSIDE: 2009 Career Conference at Dover Downs was a success. Thank you sponsors, attendees, and exhibitors.

Transcription

1 VOL. XXVII SEPT INSIDE: NAIFA Delaware Membership is TOP 5 across the country. Let s keep growing strong It s smart to belong. Updates News And More Career Conference at Dover Downs was a success. Thank you sponsors, attendees, and exhibitors. national association of insurance and financial advisors delaware 646 Plaza Drive Newark DE

2 September September 11 Central Meeting (Second Friday of each month) 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. Time: Noon 2 p.m. Location: New Hilton Garden Inn, 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. (North) Dover, DE Questions: contact Nancy nancy_feldman@us.aflac.com September 16 New Castle Meeting. Broadcast to follow about new location and time. Speaker: Stephen O. Kroeger, CLU, HIA, MBA, Senior Director of Advanced Sales for Crump Life Insurance Services. This presentation will be educational and motivational. Don t miss it. September 17 Sussex General Membership Meeting. Speaker Stanley Minka from Met Life. Contact Katie Ksteig@williamsagency.com with questions. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Lighthouse Landing Restaurant at the Sussex County Airport. October October 7 New Castle Meeting. (First Wednesday of each month) New location. News to follow on location and time look for broadcast coming soon. Calendar of Events October 9 Central Meeting (Second Friday of each month) 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. Time: Noon 2 p.m. Location: New Hilton Garden Inn, 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. (North) Dover, DE Questions: contact Nancy nancy_feldman@us.aflac.com October 15 Sussex Meeting. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Lighthouse Landing Resaurant at the Sussex County Airport off Rt. 9 in Georgetown, DE. November November 4 New Castle Meeting. This is the Palmer Award Meeting. (First Wednesday of each month) New location. News to follow on location and time look for broadcast coming soon. November 13 Central Meeting (First Wednesday of each month) (Second Friday of each month) 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. Time: Noon 2 p.m. Location: New Hilton Garden Inn, 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. (North) Dover, DE Questions: contact Nancy nancy_feldman@us.aflac.com November 19 Sussex Meeting. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Lighthouse Landing Resaurant at the Sussex County Airport off Rt. 9 in Georgetown, DE. November 19 Ethics Meeting. More information will be coming. December December 3 New Castle Meeting. (First Wednesday of each month) New location. News to follow on location and time look for broadcast coming soon. December 11 Central Meeting (Second Friday of each month) 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. Time: Noon 2 p.m. Location: New Hilton Garden Inn, 1706 N. DuPont Hwy. (North) Dover, DE Questions: contact Nancy nancy_feldman@us.aflac.com December 17 Sussex Meeting. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Lighthouse Landing Resaurant at the Sussex County Airport off Rt. 9 in Georgetown, DE. NAIFA Delaware recognizes our 2009 / 2010 sponsors and thanks them for their continued support of this great organization.

3 It s smart to belong. The State of NAIFA By: Peter L. Wolff, NAIFA Delaware President Peter L. Wolff, FSS, LUTCF It s been a great year for Delaware. The challenges of being the new President for NAIFA Delaware, have been few. We have one of the greatest groups of people I ve ever been associated with. Beginning with our Sales conference this past May, the NLC in June, the ALC in July, and now moving forward, our membership has pulled together. Delaware is one of four states with membership growth. A large part of that is the leadership from our membership chair Stan Minka. Stan will be back with us for one more year as chair, then moving on to the President elect s position for We have earned the Gold Level Bobo award. This in large part from the leadership from our immediate past president, Lee Dotson. Lee and his board faced some terrific challenges within our association, he not only came through, he saw to it that NAIFA Delaware would come through a very difficult economy, with the recognition from NAIFA national that we have become accustomed to. For this years ALC, (Association Leadership Conference) we, the members of your state board, met at Wild Quail Country Club, near Dover. We spent most of the day organizing the calendar, with programs that meet or exceed the CE requirements for our bi-annual licensing renewal. We reviewed the evaluations from our 2009 sales conference, and are pleased to announce that this years conference chair, Ron Simmons, has elected to hold the conference at the University of Delaware. On the legislative front, we have met with Senator Kaufman s people, and senator Carper s people, on issues that affect us daily, and have their ear on our behalf. We have also met with Commissior Weldin-Stewart s people on issues she has promoted in Delaware, such as the captive agency system, health care reform possibilities, and others. In closing know that your state leadership is listening to you, and following the course set forth by our prior successful leadership. We look forward to a great year. CARL HILL MEMORIAL FUND Tax deductible contributions should be made by check to the Carl Hill Memorial Fund and mailed to George Weiner and Associates, C/O Don Fulton, Red Clay Center at Little Falls, 2961 Centerville Road, Suite 300, Wilmington, DE

4 Sussex Update Katie Steighner, NAIFA Sussex President Sussex County is still celebrating the fact that our very own Chuck Landon received the 2009 Doug Bennetti Award at the Delaware Career Conference in May of His outstanding leadership, dedication and guidance, has always been a bright star to Sussex County NAIFA. Congratulations again Chuck for many years of jobs well done!!! Chuck has not sat on his laurels since winning this prestigious award, he recently attended along with Brian McMahon, our Ahia Chairperson, A day on the Hill is Washington DC last month in July. He is also working on IFAPAC. Sussex starts of the new year with our General Membership meeting September 17, celebrating Life Insurance month. Our speaker is Stanley Minka from Metropolitan Life. Sussex meetings are breakfast meetings and we welcome anyone from Kent or New Castle to join us. We meet at 8 a.m. at the Lighthouse Landing Restaurant at the Sussex County Airport off of Rt 9 in Georgetown, DE Our meeting dates are as follows for 2009: October 15 th, November 19 th and December 17 th. We have changed our membership mixer date from September to January Also congratulations go out to Richard Horgan for holding the winning Raffle ticket for our Fundraising Event. The prize was a trip to Barbados. Peoples Places, an organization to help domestic violence victims, benefited from the Raffle as well. Looking forward to another challenging year as president of Sussex County and going to the convention this September in Orlando. Chuck Landon s daughter spoke at the presentation of the Doug Benetti award. This May Integra s Executive Vice President, Chuck Landon, was presented the 2009 Douglas F. Bennetti Award for Outstanding Leadership and Commitment by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, (NAIFA Delaware). Chuck has been a member of NAIFA for more than 20 years and is currently Delaware s Government Relations Committee Vice Chair. The managerial staff of Integra attended the award ceremony during this year s NAIFA Delaware Career Conference at Dover Downs Hotel and Convention Center. Congratulations Chuck! Chuck is pictured with Integra s President, Dave Smith Doug Bennetti Award

5 It s smart to belong. NAIFA Central Update Nancy M. B. Feldman, NAIFA Central President As the new President representing NAIFA Central Delaware with pleasure and pride, I would like to take a moment to introduce Nancy Feldman the Board Members. Starting with Clarice Kwasnieski, President-Elect; Michael Mike Redmond, Immediate Past President & Treasurer; Ms. Dallas Bokop, Secretary & YAT (Young Advisors Team) Chair; Michael Mike Bennetti, National Committeeperson & Government Relations Chair; Donald Don Talerico, Professional Development-Programs Chair & IFAPAC Chair; Wendy Sutton, Membership Chair; Louis Lou Memmolo, AHIA Chair and last but not least, Josie Mullin, Multi-Lines Chair. Thanks to each of you for accepting your positions. I am truly grateful, because as a TEAM (together everyone achieves more) we can get a lot accomplished! Together, we are bringing new ideas to the table for the benefit and growth of NAIFA- Central. I am hoping this message gets the current and potential members as excited as we all are as a team of board members representing NAIFA; an outstanding organization, which goes above & beyond for the insurance and financial professionals. Take a moment to block out Noon to 2:00 PM on your schedules the second Friday of each month starting with September 9, 2009 (9-11) Life Insurance Awareness Month. We are relocating the meeting to the NEW Hilton Garden Inn 1706 N. DuPont Highway, (North) Dover, DE (behind the Exxon and Wendy s) just south on Rt. 13 from the Rt. 1 (104- Scarborough Road exit). Yes, we will have name badges Wendy is working on pulling this together for each of us. The badges will be collected after each meeting and will be available at each meeting. We want to double our membership this year and with this goal in mind, we will need name badges to keep up with all of the new facesmembers. Our new ideas will be adding more excitement and fun to the meetings. We will be doing a 50/50 (one ticket for $1 or 10 tickets for $5) and we will have a winner for a $25.00 Sports Zone Restaurant gift certificate at each meeting. We will have a speaker with at least 1-CE credit and (donation-fee) to speak; and a sponsor with a product or service to share will all of us (donationfee) for this opportunity as well. Please feel free to bring a brochure and/or your business cards to display in a special area for exposure regarding the products and services you represent as a member or potential member of NAIFA-Central. This is especially helpful when you have a new item, introduced by your company and is a great way to network and share ideas and information with the other members. Each board member will be prepared with brief updates at the monthly meetings as well. We are looking forward to seeing each of you in September. Our speaker will be Shawn Shotzberger with National Life Group and our Sponsor will be Deborah Deb Davis with A Gift Because & Send Out Cards. Just a reminder: October is Health Awareness Month. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer. We will keep you all posted through blasts and faxes as we move forward. In keeping up with the 2009 NAIFA National Convention Theme: Brilliant Shine in 2009-Where Integrity & Vision Meet. We are so excited we just cannot hide it! Looking For a Way to Springboard Your Career? By: Dallas Bokop, NAIFA Delaware YAT Chair Join the YAT (Young Advisors Team) of NAIFA Central Delaware. Our purpose is to assist young insurance and financial advisors in building their careers with the 4 C s OF YAT SUCCESS! 1. Connections 2. Career Building 3. Capital Hill Advocacy 4. Continuing Education NAIFA created the Young Advisors Team (YAT) for members who are 40 years of age and under, or within their first five years in the industry. The purpose is to ensure that young and new advisors receive the vital tools, resources, and networks necessary to succeed in the insurance or financial services industry. The NAIFA mission of the Young Advisors Team (YAT) is to SOW the value of membership with new and young advisors, so they are empowered to SURVIVE their first years in the business, to GROW into involved NAIFA members and become successful advisors who THRIVE in the industry and our association. Join the NAIFA Central Delaware YAT Group today, together we can achieve success!

6 What is IFAPAC? C. Anthony McDonald, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, NAIFA Delaware IFAPAC Chair C. Anthony McDonald, CLU, ChFC, MSFS The Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee (IFAPAC) is a term used to describe collectively the PAC sponsored by NAIFA at the federal level and the PACs sponsored by each state association. Each PAC is a fund that supports the campaigns of candidates for public office who understand issues important to insurance agents and financial advisors. IFAPAC s goal is to help the associations advance the legislative and regulatory interests of the members of NAIFA. While any U.S. citizen can contribute to IFAPAC, only members of local NAIFA associations may be solicited to do so. Contributions must be voluntary. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Of approximately 3,700 political action committees registered with the Federal Election Commission, IFAPAC ranks in the top 1 percent. IFAPAC is the largest insurance PAC in the country. In the last election cycle, the national IFAPAC and the 50 state IFAPACs contributed approximately $2.5 million to federal and state candidates and committees. On the national level, a panel of ten NAIFA members, appointed by the Executive Committee of NAIFA, determines which candidates for federal office will receive PAC contributions. This group is called the Candidate Selection Group. On the state level, contributions to candidates are made via a similar volunteer committee process. Input from state and local association officers and current contributors is vital to the ability of state and national selection committees to make informed decisions regarding which candidates to support. If you have an interest in participating on a local level, please contact me at tmcdonald2@metlife.com. Get Involved or Become a Government Worker By: Ron Simmons, NAIFA Delaware President-Elect Ron Simmons What a difference a year has made in this country! Recently we have had countless town hall meetings about healthcare, not just discussions, people are down right angry about the government s attempt to control healthcare. The If we don t get involved we will be put out of business or maybe they will have us become government employees, is it possible? Many people that know me are surprised how involved I have become with NAIFA Delaware. This is no accident, I am passionate about fighting for our business, and we need all of you to help whatever way you can. Now is the time. What can we do to help our industry? Call your congress people don t get it, we elected these people, and they are supposed to work for us not the other way around. The federal government is spending four times the money as they did the previous year and H.R is suppose to add 1 to 2 trillion over the next 10 years. Who pays for all of this? We the tax payers! legislators and thank them for voting no to H.R We need change but not this type of change. We can donate money to I.F.A.P.A.C and we could bring one of our fellow insurance agents to a NAIFA Delaware luncheon or maybe become a board member. Talk to anyone on the board if you have any interest. Anything you do helps all of us! Stay involved.

7 It s smart to belong. Current Legislative and Regulatory Issues By: Beverly Sisson, Lobbyist for NAIFA Delaware The Governor has signed most of the insurance-related legislation that passed during the recently concluded legislative session. All pending legislation may be acted on during the 2010 session. Highlights of enacted legislation include: Beverly Sisson SENATE BILL 65 allows parents with private dental insurance to secure dental care for a child with a severe disability outside of network. Unless otherwise negotiated with the dentist in advance, payment shall be in the amount of at least equal to the insurer s reasonable and customary compensation for the same providers in the same area. A nonnetwork provider may not balance bill. EFFECTIVE JULY 1, SENATE SUBSTITUTE #1 FOR SENATE BILL 35 allows the Insurance Commissioner to review health insurance rates and provides that filings shall be deemed approved if filing requirements are met. No filing shall be effective unless filed with the Commissioner no less than 30 days of the proposed effective date and such filing shall be deemed to have met statutory requirements unless disapproved by the Commissioner within thirty days of the filing. The legislation was signed by the Governor July 6, 2009 and effective ninety days thereafter(october). A regulation is being developed to assist with process and compliance. SENATE BILL 121 prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, public works and insurance. This law became effective on July 2, HOUSE BILL 139 extends the Delaware Healthy Children s Program (CHIP) to include reduced cost health insurance for children in families with personal incomes of 200% poverty level. A cost-sharing program is be implemented with no fiscal impact to the State. Delaware Health & Social Services will develop premium and assure that the State will bear no cost. This legislation has not yet been signed. HOUSE BILL 199 requires private insurers to cover developmental screenings for infants and toddlers that are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This legislation has not yet been signed. Other legislation signed by the Governor affects workers compensation classification and provider reporting and private passenger auto violations. Significant pending legislation includes a proposal to increase the life and health guaranty association benefits, prohibiting texting while driving and reform of the small employer health insurance statute that includes compressing rate variations. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene January 12, Laura Day was presented the Carl Hill Award at the 2009 Career Conference which was held at Dover Downs. Congratulations Laura. Carl Hill Award

8 Robert J. Porter. Jr., LUTCF Another fiscal year for NAIFA is underway. It is going to be extremely important for everyone to pay attention to the bulletins coming out of National each week. Between national health insurance issues and underfunded state governments, our industry is under a microscope as politicians grope in the dark to find funds to stabilize their own budgets. If NAIFA s lobby efforts or PAC efforts fail in any one of these state or national programs, it could begin knocking down the dominoes throughout our industry. Our strength is in our numbers, so if you are not a member, or know of someone in your office who continues to sit on the sidelines, you are not doing yourself, them or your industry any favors. More than ever, if we don t show solidarity at this moment in history, our future may prove to be a tougher struggle. Now is the time to step up and become a NAIFA member. I want to say a special thank you to Jason Hagerman for his excellent leadership as New Castle s president. He and his board did an outstanding job in guiding us through the waters of last years dramatic events. When you see him, stop him and say thanks for all he did on our behalf. New Castle Update By: Robert J. Porter, Jr. LUTCF, NAIFA New Castle President Craig Lytle, educational chairman, has begun to put together a great year of speakers for our monthly lunch meetings. Our first meeting will be on September 16th. Be alert for our broadcast as to the location and time, as Cavaliers was not available to us on that date. Craig has lined up Stephen O. Kroeger, CLU, HIA, MBA, Senior Director of Advanced Sales for Crump Life Insurance Services. Being that September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, Steve s presentation is expected to be, not only educational, but motivational on how to help our clients better understand our importance to them. Starting in October we will return to the first Wednesday of the month at a location to be determined as quickly as possible. Remember, too, that the November meeting is the Palmer Award meeting. You should mark you calendars now for the first Wednesday, and how about submitting some nominations to those you feel have served your county association over the years. I look forward to being your advocate over the next year, and hope you will let me know what issues you feel I need to address. My biggest issue with you will be membership during this historic time. And, we will face our continuing education credits deadline during this fiscal year as well, so we are putting together ethics, flood, and Long Term Care classes to assist you with reaching your CEU goals. Financial Solutions Group, Inc Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, MD Sales Idea Do your health insurance groups or medical insurance clients have a waiver of premium benefit if employees become disabled? No? Offer them Guaranteed Issue STD and LTD so their employees can pay their medical/health insurance premiums and other living expenses if they become disabled. Do you enjoy medical underwriting? Can you carve your groups out down to 2 employees? Do you love gathering income documentation? We Didn t Think So!!! Spend more time doing what you want to do and less time dealing with underwriters and paper. Here is a SIMPLE solution: With as few as 2 employees you can offer Guaranteed Issue Life, Guaranteed Issue STD and/or Guaranteed Issue LTD on a single employer app, no medical questions, no tax documents, with a 3 year Own Occupation, partial, pre-x conditions covered, premium waiver, survivor benefit, no individual coverage offset, jet issue same day group number with a major carrier. Oh, by the way: Excellent vested commissions & renewals Call Us For Information

9 SM It s smart to belong. Summer Breeze By: Stan Minka, Jr., CLU, ChFC, MSFS, NAIFA Delaware Membership Chair Summer Breeze, makes me fell fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind Stan Minka, Jr., CLU, ChFC, MSFS Oh yes, I m showing my age but this Seals & Crofts classic from 1972 has been my summer mood since the end of our very busy NAIFA membership year back on June 30 th. Don t you just love these summer months of July and August? Get a little reading done, play some golf or take the family to Dutch Wonderland. Our business really lends well to planning your week and then working your plan, even if you ve got some fitness or vacation time built into your schedule. It s your week and this great business of Financial Services can give you much flexibility in building your career and spending time with your family. Our membership numbers for last year here in Delaware were just fantastic landing us in the top 5 across the country among our fellow NAIFA associations. The efforts of our membership team and all our Delaware NAIFA volunteers across our great state had us ending the year with 66 new members and close to a retention rate of 85%. Going forward for all our new members this past year and anyone joining this coming year, we re adding some value to your membership benefits. You ll be invited to the following three educational and advocacy days this coming year at no cost: November 19, 2009 Ethics Meeting February 2010 Long Term Care Seminar March 2010 Day in the Hall Our hope is that you ll consider these programs in your schedule which should bring some value in your day to day activities with clients and prospects. Plus, the Day in the Hall in Dover, meeting with your fellow Legislators and learning and discussing important issues facing our industry may be the most important benefit which NAIFA offers to us and to families across the country. More details will follow in the weeks to come. Anyhow, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable remainder summer season. Sweet days of summer, the jasmine s in bloom. July is dressed up and playing her tune. We Did Shine in 2009! By: Phyllis Fantazier, NAIFA Delaware State Executive Our Career Conference this year was a great success with 25 exhibitors who supported the conference and 152 attendees. Sponsors this year included AFLAC, Brokerage Concepts, Phyllis Fantazier MetLife, Health Insurance Associates and Blue Cross Blue Shield of DE Thank you for your support again this year Speakers this year included: Maury Scarboroughwho spoke on tax strategies, Charlene Whitsel, FSS spoke on Long Term Care, John Nichols, CLU spoke on NAIFA Advocacy and PAC issues, Edward A. Zabielski, Jr., RFC, LUTCF spoke on Taking your business to the next level. Also speaking was State Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin-Stewart. Finishing off our day was Keynote speaker Tom Lagana who gave an inspirational talk on Bringing out the best in everyone. We promise to have another exciting event planned for next year which is already in the works. Thanks to all our members for your continued support of NAIFA Delaware It s Smart to Belong!

10 SM Career Conference Snapshots Ed Zabielski, Jr., RFC, LUTCF, spoke about Taking your business to the next level. John Nichols spoke on NAIFA Advocacy and PAC. Maury Scarborough spoke on tax strategies. Keynote speaker Tom Lagana gave an motivational talk on Bringing out the best in everyone. Karen Weldin-Stewart, the Delaware Insurance Commissioner spoke at the 2009 Career Conference. Thank you Pete Wolff and Phyllis Fantazier for putting the Career Conference together.