In his address to open the NAIFA 2010 Career Conference and Annual Meeting, NAIFA President Tom Currey set out to “frame” the NAIFA experience in three core areas so that members could better understand the essential role NAIFA plays in this “brave new world of financial services.”
Currey’s first point: NAIFA has reestablished its position as the dominant player as a producer advocate in four areas:
- NAIFA’s input and influence in healthcare and regulatory reform,
- NAIFA’s increasing media presence in local and national news outlets,
- NAIFA’s strategic decision to become more involved in both the securities business and the regulation of our members in that business, and
- NAIFA’s decision to fully recommit to aggressively build up its professional development offerings.
Currey’s second point of framing: NAIFA’s challenge to grow the political savvy of our membership. Said Currey: “Politics, by any measure, is practical. … We are not a Republican organization, nor a Democratic organization. We are a political advocacy organization. What that means for NAIFA is we support those who support us – regardless of their party affiliation. … You must show leadership and walk the walk and talk the talk in your local or state association. … We must take our partisan hats off.”
The third framing point: NAIFA’s ability to meet the challenges of membership growth in more than 100 local and state associations on the heels of a dues adjustment and in the midst of a difficult economic climate. “New members are up over last year, an event that last happened 15 years ago,” Currey said.
Currey also applauded NAIFA CEO Susan Waters for her leadership and ability to manage a staff and volunteers with high-performance results.
Summing up his remarks, Currey said: “To best frame your NAIFA experience, to understand deeply and appreciate to the fullest -- stretch your strategic muscles as the NAIFA board has done this year. Become a political pro, and temper your passion with a little practicality.”
In noting the bumblebee’s ability to fly against all aerodynamic odds, Currey suggested NAIFA members take on that “can-do” attitude. “This is the attitude that will take NAIFA to greater heights and far into an ever brighter future.”