| AALTCI (American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance) |
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Mission This national association serves insurance and financial professionals who provide long term care financing solutions. It serves as a forum for members to meet, exchange information, and support efforts to improve the marketplace for long term care products. Membership Membership is composed of long term care insurance specialists, agents, brokers, and financial professionals who market retirement and financial products, as well as insurance company executives and members of the industry. Benefits of membership Quarterly LTCi magazine, discount on annual National LTCi Producers Summit, Web site agent directory listing, and sales and marketing teleconferences. Contact information Jesse Slome, executive director at 818-597-3227 or info@aaltci.org Web site www.aaltci.org |
| AALU (Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) |
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Mission To stimulate the growth of members' practices through cutting-edge ideas and concepts for advanced markets and breaking news of relevant legislative developments, and to protect the interests of members' clients and practices through political action in Washington. AALU has become the industry's leading advocate for the favorable tax treatment of life insurance policies and their advanced markets. Membership Producers at the very top echelon of the advanced industry professionals (gross revenues or $1 million or more and 20+ years in the business.) Benefits of membership A subscription to the Washington Report newsletter and access to past issues via the Online Washington Report Access Program; a subscription to the AALU Quarterly; invitation to annual meetings that provide firsthand knowledge of what is happening on Capitol Hill and how it will affect your business; regular educational and "hot topic" teleseminars through AALU's Knowledge Center; the IMPACT political involvement seminar; involvement in the Capitol Hill Club during the Annual Meeting. Contact information Marilyn Maticic, director of membership at 703-641-8124 or maticic@aalu.org Web site www.aalu.org |
| AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans) |
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Mission AHIP represents the interests of its members on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal and state levels and with the media, consumers, and employers. Its goal is to provide a unified voice for the health care financing industry, to expand access to high-quality, cost-effective health care for all Americans, and to ensure Americans' financial security through robust insurance markets, product flexibility, innovation, and consumer choice. Membership There are several different categories of membership: member organization, supporting organization, international organization, disease management organization, and individual membership. AHIP member organizations include companies providing health, dental, disability, long term care, and supplemental health, as well as utilization review organizations and third-party administrators. Benefits of membership Advocacy on behalf of the industry's interests at the federal and state capitol levels; up-to-the-minute tracking of state legislation and regulation; access to educational services; a member-only section of the Web site that includes exclusive research documents and survey results; legal services from AHIP's in-house staff; subscriptions to AHIP publications; discounts on membership fees. Contact information 202-778-3200 Web site www.ahip.org |
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ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) |
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Mission ACORD is a global, nonprofit insurance association whose mission is to facilitate the development and use of standards for the insurance, re-insurance, and related financial services industries. ACORD's mission is to facilitate the development of open consensus data standards and standard forms. Hundreds of insurance and re-insurance companies and thousands of agents and brokers, related financial services organizations, software providers, and industry organizations worldwide are affiliated with ACORD. Membership ACORD members represent life, annuity, property and casualty, surety, re-insurance, large commercial, and non-medical health standards in the development and implementation of data standards and forms. In addition, ACORD represents hundreds of solution providers worldwide. The Advantage program represents more than 10,000 agent participants. Benefits of membership Access to the ACORD standards for specific lines of business as well as cross domain standards; access to ACORD's collaboration site; members-only tools and resources; antitrust protection under the ACORD umbrella; discounts for certain events; the ACORD monthly newsletter. Advantage membership offers producers access to standardized ACORD forms, static, fillable, and new eForms+, a monthly newsletter, and monthly forms update service. Contact information Dominic Caccioppoli, director, member operations at 845-620-1700, ext. 424 or dcaccioppoli@acord.org Web site www.acord.org and www.acordadvantage.org |
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FSI (Financial Services Institute) |
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Mission To provide insight, information, influence, and involvement, all in support of their mission to provide visibility, credibility, and an improved regulatory environment for the independent channel. Their strategy is to help members get involved in the FINRA governance structure and process, engage in the rulemaking process constructively and selectively, and build political strength through the grassroots power and resources of members. Membership FSI membership is open to retail FINRA-registered firms that provide business processing, clearing, compliance, technology, product research, marketing, and business development services to independent financial advisors. Membership is also open to independent financial advisors. Benefits of membership Advocacy on members' behalf; free compliance and regulatory Web conferences, including one hour of CE credit; subscription to the FSIVoice quarterly newsletter; attendance at FSI's Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. Contact 888-373-1840 or membership@financialservices.org Web site www.financialservices.org |
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FPA (Financial Planning Association) |
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Mission The Financial Planning Association is the leadership and advocacy organization connecting those who provide, support, and benefit from professional financial planning. FPA demonstrates and supports a professional commitment to education and a client-centered financial planning process. FPA strives to facilitate the success of its members, cultivate the body of knowledge of personal financial planning, and define and effectively communicate a common understanding of the discipline of personal financial planning and the benefits of its use. Membership More than 25,000 financial planners, associated professionals, academics, students, large firms, and independent practitioners. Membership categories are available for financial planners, CFP certification candidates, first-year CFP certificants, second-year CFP certificants, retired financial planners, associated professionals, support staff, educators, students enrolled in a CFP Board-registered degree program or related finance/business degree program, and students enrolled in CFP Board certificate program. Benefits of membership Subscriptions to the Journal of Financial Planning, Solutions Magazine, Research Spotlight, the Capitol Update newsletter, the FPA News Brief newsletter, Money magazine, and BusinessWeek magazine; FPA conference discounts; access to the Virtual Learning Center; member directory listing; access to FPA's online discussions area, local chapter affiliation, 12 Journal of Financial Planning CE credits, access to Journal of Financial Planning's searchable archives and archived webinars; FPA product discounts. (Member benefits vary by member category.) Contact Member Services at 800-322-4237 Web site www.fpanet.org |
| GAMA International |
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Mission GAMA International's mission is to advocate the value-added role of field leadership in the ethical distribution of financial products and services, to serve the professional development needs of individuals and companies engaged in building the distribution of financial products and services, and to act as a catalyst to connect companies and distribution management in the insurance and financial services industry. Membership GAMA International serves over 5,000 individuals worldwide whose businesses provide products and services in life insurance, property and casualty insurance, investments and financial planning. GAMA has affiliate relationships with field leadership associations in Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore, significantly expanding the professional development and recognition opportunities of their members. GAMA 's 44 Partners in Management Growth (PMG) companies control over $7 trillion in assets and include companies based in Greece and Korea as well as 11 companies on the 2005 Fortune 500 list. Benefits of membership Access to resources that cover the critical components of building an exceptional agency or firm, including recruiting and selection, advisor retention, teambuilding, and leadership; subscription to the GAMA International Journal; access to GAMA Foundation research and tools online assessment tools, teleconferences, books, workshops, and DVDs; the annual Leadership and Management Program (LAMP). Contact 888-275-0091 Web site www.gamaweb.com |
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IARFC (International Association of Registered Financial Consultants) |
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Mission The IARFC is a rapidly growing nonprofit organization that serves professionals with education, marketing, practice management, operational support, and continuing education. The public may also review comprehensive advisor profiles at the IARFC Web site. Membership Applicants with four years of experience must either already possess a designation, completed an accredited program, take the RFC distance learning course, or have completed the five-part process-based curriculum introduced in 2006 by the association. This curriculum covers client engagement, gathering information, problem identification, developing recommendations, and implementation and monitoring, which requires the submission of a comprehensive plan. The IARFC has seven stringent requirements for admission: experience, education, examination, integrity, licensing, ethics, and annual continuing education. Benefits of membership Subscription to the monthly practice management magazine the Register and the quarterly Journal of Personal Finance; a seven-day Cruise Conference with CE; member pricing on a variety of operational tools such as compliance services, advisor Web sites, media services, sample plans, and financial software. Contact information Amy Primeau, domestic member service at amy@iarfc.org or 800-532-9060 Web site www.iarfc.org |
| IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America) |
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Mission Its independent insurance agents and brokers are politically astute and are involved both locally and nationally. They monitor and affect consumer, insurance agent, broker, and small-business issues in Washington, D.C. through IIABA's active, professional staff. Membership Independent insurance agencies throughout the U.S. Benefits of membership IIABA offers continuing education and assistance with sales, marketing, and branding. Contact information 703-683-4422 Web site www.iiaba.net |
| LIFA (Life Insurance Finance Association) |
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Mission The Life Insurance Finance Association (LIFA) represents the life insurance premium finance industry and other life insurance, financial planning, and loan professionals who support that industry. Membership Premium finance lenders and producers. Benefits of membership Representation before NAIC, NCOIL, and in the states and Congress; instant electronic legislative and regulatory updates; discounts on meeting attendance and more to come. Contact information Scott J. Cipinko, executive director at 678-858-4001, fax 770-973-7301, or email scipinko@lifaorg.org Web site www.lifaorg.org |
| LISA (Life Insurance Settlement Association) |
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Mission To promote the development, integrity, and reputation of the life settlement industry and a competitive market for the people it serves. Membership Members include brokers, providers, financing entities, and companies that provide services to the life settlement industry. In order to qualify for membership, members must agree to follow the LISA business-operating standards and undergo a background check. Benefits of membership The association maintains a Web site with an extensive members-only area and an array of timely information pertinent to the life settlement industry. Members also receive a significant discount on registration fees for specific industry conferences and can participate in weekly conference calls to develop policy. Contact information Doug Head, executive director at 407-894-3797 or doug@lisassociation.org Web site www.lisassociation.org |
| MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) |
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Mission To be a valued, member-driven, international network of leading insurance and investment financial services professionals and advisors who serve their clients through exemplary performance and the highest standards of ethics, knowledge, service, and productivity. Membership To qualify, prospective members must adhere to the highest ethical standards and meet specific production requirements that are adjusted annually. Members and prospective members must submit a membership application each year. Members must belong to at least one recognized financial or insurance association, provided one exists in the member's country. Benefits of membership Forums for sharing ideas and best practices, as well as networking with top professionals from around the world, meetings, educational products and services focused on enhancing productivity, client service, and ethics, and volunteer opportunities and charitable involvement through the MDRT foundation. Contact information Member services at 847-692-6378 or membership@mdrt.org Web site www.mdrt.org |
| NAFA (The National Association for Fixed Annuities) |
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Mission NAFA was created to foster a better understanding of all fixed annuities (traditional, payout, and index). It is the only independent, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the issues and opportunities for these unique products. NAFA's mission is to promote and preserve fixed annuities. Membership NAFA's membership is open to insurance carriers, marketing organizations, producers, brokers, consultants, and consumers who promote, distribute, or purchase fixed annuities. NAFA does not endorse, sponsor, or promote any particular insurance product, analytical tool, person, or entity, and any representation that it does is false. Benefits of membership Access to industry resources to help you distribute, advise, or sell fixed annuities; training and education opportunities; discounts to NAFA's conferences as well as other affiliated association conferences; fixed annuity communications and information from partnering media publications; and unlimited access and copyright authority to all NAFA-produced materials, publications, and communications. Contact information Kim O'Brien, executive director at 888-884-NAFA or info@nafa.us Web site www.nafa.us |
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NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters) |
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Mission NAHU will improve its members' ability to meet the health, financial, and retirement security needs of all Americans through education, advocacy, and professional development. Membership An individual NAHU member may be any individual licensed by their state licensing authority for the sale of health, disability, and related insurance products and services. Individual members may also include non-licensed individuals engaged in the distribution of health, disability, and related insurance products and services such as, but not limited to, home office personnel and others engaged in the management and distribution of such products. Benefits of membership Discounts on wellness programs, affinity programs, business resources, practice specialties, practice resources, and education and training. Contact membership@nahu.org or 703-276-0220 Web site www.nahu.org |
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PIA National (National Association of Professional Insurance Agents) |
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Mission To educate agency owners and staff about insurance concepts, keep agents informed about changing company offerings, allow agents to assist one another in proper underwriting of their business, increase cooperation between carriers and agents, encourage uniform policy writing and assist in proper form completion, advocate for agents in legislative matters, foster acquaintanceship among agents so they can support one another, and protect the American agency system. Membership Independent professional insurance agents in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Benefits of membership Personalized branding through ads provided by the PIA Branding Program; free use of the PIA logo; a subscription to the PIA Connection monthly print newsletter (also available via email); consumer brochures; password access to Web site information and resources; online education program; and a personalized PIANET Web page. Contact information 703-836-9340 Web site www.pianet.com |
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Society of Certified Senior Advisors |
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Mission Educates professionals to make them more effective in their dealings with senior clients and to make their functional specialty more beneficial to seniors. Membership Members come from a broad range of professional specialties including financial planning, insurance, elder law, real estate, home health care, and accounting. Benefits of membership Benefits include use of the CSA (Certified Senior Advisor) designation, regular updates on information about aging and working with seniors, networking opportunities, and communication and marketing support. Contact information Dan Danbom, communication director at dand@csa.us or 800-653-1785 Web site www.society-csa.com |
| Society of Financial Service Professionals |
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Mission To advance the professionalism of credentialed members in diverse disciplines so that they may better serve their clients' financial needs. Membership FSP members have earned recognized professional credentials in the financial services profession or are working toward attaining one of a specific list of professional credentials. Membership benefits Bimonthly issues of the award-winning Journal of Financial Service Professionals; a one-year subscription to Barron's magazine; access to archived audio conferences; free member referral service and listing for consumers; free Professional Interest Section with Section newsletters and email discussion groups that give you the opportunity to interact with professionals around the country in your practice area; the Electronic Sections Package (ESP); professional development and networking opportunities; continuing education credits for almost all FSP programs; search and research capabilities via an electronic information retrieval service for all Society publications; a subscription to the monthly online Society e-Bulletin with links to more detailed material; a subscription to the quarterly membership magazine, Society Page; client education and support tools; online career center; and vendor discounts. Contact information 800-392-6900 or custserv@financialpro.org Web site www.financialpro.org |
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WIFS (Women in Financial Services) |
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Mission To support, encourage and advance the success of women in the insurance and financial services industry. WIFS provides skill building, leadership training, and professional and personal development through education, motivation, and networking. Membership Anyone in the insurance and/or financial services industry and ancillary industries, CPAs, attorneys, and mortgage brokers may join. Benefits of membership WIFS offers its members the ability to learn from some of the most successful and influential women in the industry, other women who have experienced the "school of hard knocks," graduated with honors and understand the challenge of balancing both their personal lives and their career. Other benefits include free teleclasses, networking with colleagues both locally and nationally, mentoring opportunities, annual national conference, membership discounts, and corporate partnerships. WIFS is also approved as a professional association membership requirement for MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) certification. Contact information 6748 Wauconda Drive, Larkspur, CO 80118; 866-264-WIFS (9437); or www.w-wifs.org Web site www.w-wifs.org |
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Workplace Benefits Association (formerly The Benefits Marketing) |
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Mission The Workplace Benefits Association is a coalition dedicated to helping employers and employees with a total solution to financial planning and security. Membership Membership is composed of agents, benefit consultants, and insurance company home office personnel. Also included are vendors with products and services related to the benefits industry. Benefits of membership Members receive announcements about organizations looking for enrollment assistance, online continuing education, discounted registration fees for annual events, downloadable forms, proposals, booklets, and networking opportunities. Contact information Walt Podgurski, CLU, CES, chairman, and CEO at wpodgurski@aol.com Web site www.workplacebenefits.org |
From the April 01, 2007 issue of Agent’s Sales Journal • Subscribe!
