T H U R S D A Y ,   J U N E   2 6 ,   2 0 0 8

Industry News

TRUSTED CHOICE^®
Help Agents Affected by Midwest Flooding

If you’re interested in helping provide assistance to those affected by flooding in the Midwest, donate to the Trusted Choice^® Relief Fund. The Fund, established to assist those who have suffered losses due to natural or man-made disasters, is seeking donations to help IIABA members, their agency staffs and others aid victims of the recent floods. 

Assistance is provided through cash grants to pay for: immediate or ongoing financial needs when other funding sources (such as insurance and other grants) are not available; to fill the gap until other funding sources can be accessed and to provide insurance agents with supplies and resources to help in disaster relief efforts for victims. Because the intent of the fund is to provide assistance to deserving applicants, the fund paid out virtually all available money following Hurricane Katrina and is in need of more funding in order to be able to award grants. Please consider making a contribution. To read the guidelines for contributing to the fund, click here or to make a donation, click here.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity and contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and no fees are deducted from contributions to the fund for staff time to manage and facilitate distributions from it.


FUTURE ONE
2008 Future One Agency Universe Study Underway

All Big “I” members were recently invited via e-mail to participate in the 2008 Future One Agency Universe Study. The study, which is conducted every two years, provides a complete demographic profile of the independent agency system and identifies significant trends affecting the industry. It is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive views of agency operations in the U.S., so it’s important for every agency to participate. Members’ opinions are extremely important and will provide critical information for the independent agency system, IIABA and the insurance carriers that members represent. The invitations to participate were e-mailed 10 days ago, so to those who have already provided responses --- thank you! Anyone who hasn’t completed the survey, please take the time to do so today. For questions, contact Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA’s vice president of education and research, at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.


IIABA NEWS
Achieving Grassroots Victory: The Strongest Voice Always Wins

Every day the Big “I” government affairs staff advocates on members’ behalf before Congress and works to develop relationships and strategies to promote the well being of the industry. However, these efforts must be complimented by one-on-one visits and personal support from agents. The voice of the constituent – and his or her efforts to make that voice heard on Capitol Hill and in congressional district offices – is the most compelling force behind our success.

As grassroots activists, the government affairs staff’s goal is to mobilize membership around vital issues in the insurance industry. Members need to voice their concerns with their representatives in Congress, promoting long-term, industry-wide solutions to issues that agents face each day.

The key to IIABA’s grassroots success starts at home. The association has relationships with legislators that enable it to educate them on the importance of the insurance market.  The Big “I” emphasizes the positive impact the industry has on the local, national and global economy. 

Through the click of a button, IIABA also has the ability to inform representative of important legislation affecting the industry’s livelihood. These action alerts inform Congress about where the association stands on the issues and, when used at the appropriate time, can have a tremendous impact on insurance-related legislation. The earlier you become involved in grassroots efforts, the more influence you will have on shaping the future of the profession. Your voice is crucial because you are the most knowledgeable ambassadors in the insurance industry.

For information on how to get involved in the IIABA Grassroots Program, contact Jennifer Dlugasch at Jen.Dlugasch@iiaba.net.


IIABA NEWS
The 2009 Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention

The 2009 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is scheduled for April 29 to May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. This event is the premier place for independent agents to lobby on the Hill, network with industry leaders and learn strategies to develop a more profitable agency in the 2009 and beyond. For a sneak peek at some of the coming exhibits, visit the Events page at www.independentagent.com and go to the Big “I: Legislative Conference & Convention “Save the Date” icon or click here.


VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY
The VU Offers Online Ease

Since 2002, more than 7,000 students have taken at least one online class on the Big “I” Virtual University. The online class environment, developed as a fun, informative online experience that introduces students to e-learning while providing them with quality insurance education, has created an innovative way to learn that fits into anyone’s work schedules and lifestyles.

The agency business is increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation. But in today's world, technology and knowledge quickly become obsolete. To compete in the constantly changing business environment, the insurance agency workforce must update its skills and knowledge.

Part of the challenge in raising the skills of the industry’s workforce is that many people are unable to attend face-to-face classes due to work schedules, family responsibilities and distance. Online courses remove these barriers. E-learning is growing because of the ability to provide quick, up-to-date access to the same high-quality courses with greater flexibility. For working adults, this flexibility is critical.

Although online learning is a great way for working adults to gain new skills and work toward their designations, there are a lot of adults still concerned about signing up for an online course. One reason: they are unfamiliar with the technology. Or, they do not have a good sense of what is involved in an online course. Most have only experienced classroom-based education and training. To solve this problem, and to ease anxieties about online learning, the Big “I” Virtual University offers a free online class to let users get a feel for how the courses work. Students are able to use the program for a 90-day period to gain a better understanding of the online learning user experience. They can also see how their time-management skills can be honed in the self-disciplined environment.

To access the free class or to explore the VU’s complete course catalog, click here and go to the folder marked Free Courses.