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Industry News
IIABA NEWS
Big “I” Governance Update
The Big “I” membership adopted new bylaws at its last meeting, held Sept. 29 in San Diego. There were many things from the association’s constitution, its previous governing document, that were retained in the bylaws and a number of changes were made as well.
The basic purpose and objective of the association “to promote and represent the common business interests of independent insurance agents and brokers within industry, and before government and the public” remains essentially the same as it has been for many years.
Some noteworthy changes include:
• The Board of State National Directors was renamed the Board of Directors.
• The state national director term was replaced by the term director.
• The size and composition of the board remains the same as under the constitution, with 53 people (one person from each state association, plus the two top volunteers from the executive committee).
• Title changes on executive committee positions include the chair (formerly president), chair-elect (formerly president-elect), vice chair (formerly vice president) and immediate past chair (formerly immediate past president).
• The election by the board of someone to fill the upcoming open at-large executive committee position will be at the spring board meeting (to take effect in the fall) and the election by the membership of the chair-elect will be at the spring membership meeting.
• Directors are to serve a minimum term of three years and commence on a common start date selected by the board.
• Directors and alternate directors need to be from agency members who are not owned by a state association or its affiliates.
• Dues are still set by the board, but can now be paid by state associations all in advance, in equal monthly installments or as otherwise determine by the board.
• Members are expressly entitled to receive official notices through the association’s national magazine, electronic newsletter, Web site posting and any other way approved by the board and member notices also can be given by mail or e-mail.
• The indemnification of specific volunteers for their actions as such on behalf of the association was updated.
To read the bylaws in their entirety, log on as a member to www.independentagent.com and select Legal Advocacy, IIABA/Industry Information & News, Membership Information and click “bylaws.”
For more information, contact Debra Perkins, Big “I” executive vice president & general counsel, at 800-221-7917; debra.perkins@iiaba.net.
IIABA NEWS
Oklahoma Agent Elected to Big “I" Executive Committee
Bob Bramlett has been elected to the Big “I” executive committee. He was sworn in at the Big “I” Leadership Conference in San Diego.
“It is a great pleasure to announce the election of our newest national executive committee member,” said Big “I” President & CEO Robert Rusbuldt. “Bob is exceptionally committed and dedicated to the Big ‘I’ and independent agents and brokers. We appreciate everything Bob Bramlett has done for this association, and look forward to seeing his leadership and hard work continue on the executive committee.”
Bramlett is president and CEO of the Bramlett Agency in Ardmore, Okla. He has been very active in the Big “I” at the national and state levels since starting his career as an independent agent in 1975. He is past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO), where he also previously served as the chairman of the IIAO Young Agents and chairman of the state’s InsurPac committee. He currently is IIAO’s director on the Big “I” national board. At the national level, he has been chairman of the Trusted Choice® Big “I” Junior Classic, the Agents Advocacy Fund and the State Government Affairs Committee. He has also sat on the InsurPac Board of Trustees and is a member of the Commission to Enhance Agency Value.
Bramlett is also active in his community. He is the director of First National Bank and Trust of Ardmore, chairman of Perry Maxwell Intercollegiate and is a trustee on various boards including St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy and the Glen Foundation. Bramlett was born and raised in Ardmore and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Nanette have a son, Jake, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer.
InVEST
An InVEST Success Story—What’s Yours?
We are in search of your InVEST news. At IIABA, we believe that all InVEST activities are momentous and we want to share that news with the industry. Below is a success story from an independent agent in North Carolina.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with young people, so starting an InVEST class was a way for me to continue my work,” says Bob Betters, a North Carolina independent agent and InVEST teacher. That class took on more meaning for Betters, however, when his students became a source of encouragement during a daunting, but successful battle with lung cancer.
Betters, an agent with Watson Insurance in Gastonia, N.C., was first introduced to InVEST at an Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina meeting. In 2004 he launched his own class at Charlotte Catholic High School, teaching some 40 students about insurance and business each Friday.
“I wish that when I was younger that someone would have told me about the insurance industry and the careers in it,” Betters says. “Most kids don’t consider becoming an independent agent or (entering) one of the other rewarding career opportunities in our industry. InVEST helps to introduce them to these career opportunities and to broaden the kids’ perspective.”
Just 10 months after his InVEST class debuted, Betters was diagnosed with lung cancer. Undeterred, he continued teaching.
“I didn’t hide the cancer from my students,” Betters recalls. “In fact I told the kids about my condition, talked about the disease and kept them informed of my treatment progress. Each week I would put a number on the white board. That number, which was the size of my tumor, was getting smaller and smaller each passing week. The kids were a part of my recovery.”
Betters beat lung cancer and is still teaching InVEST at Charlotte Catholic every Friday.
“I get excited each time a student injects a well-thought answer to a question,” he says. “It’s like a light bulb turns on in their head. It gives me a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to be shaping these future leaders of our country and our industry.”
When asked what his goal of teaching InVEST is, Betters does not hesitate.
“My goal is to be at an industry meeting and a former InVEST student introduces himself or herself to me and tells me he or she is working at an agency or in another insurance career. That would be tremendous,” he says.
Betters may not have to wait long for that to happen. One of his students—Matthew Radding—received an InVEST scholarship earlier this year and currently is studying business at the University of Miami in South Florida.
What is your InVEST success story? Your stories can include, but are not limited to: classroom experiences, internship opportunities, event information or even testimonials. Feel free to submit photos, too. Gain exposure—we’ll post your story in Insurance News & Views or on the InVEST Web site.
Upon submitting your stories, please include your name, your role with InVEST and permission for InVEST to publish your news. News can be sent to Amber Williamson at amber.williamson@iiaba.net or faxed to 703-683-7556. Direct questions to Williamson at 800-221-7917.
A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry giving students a new outlook on the future. The program offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.
BEST PRACTICES
2007 Best Practices Study Now Available
Since 1993, the annual Best Practices Study has served as a tool to help agency owners and managers understand how their business operations perform and measure up to the top performing firms across the country. Use of the Best Practices series of tools and resources can help open the door to success and profitability and is a “must have” for agencies that want to become the best they can be.
The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting recently announced the selection of the 2007 Best Practices Agencies and released the comprehensive study.
The 2007 Best Practices Study provides critical performance benchmarks in six agency revenue categories ranging from less than $1,250,000 to more than $25,000,000. Agencies can measure, evaluate and compare results for agency operations including: income and expense distribution, revenue and profitability growth, production and service staff, compensation/productivity, technology expenses, p-c and l-h carrier representation and much more.
This year’s study offers a more comprehensive look at the 195 agencies selected as the 2007 Best Practices Agencies. In addition to their financial and operational results, the study also takes a look at a variety of management issues including:
• Factors most critical to success;
• Top challenges;
• Keys for maximizing productivity; and
• Keys for gaining a competitive advantage.
To bring additional value to the study, new elements have been added and included in the analysis. These include revenue and expense breakouts (including source of revenues, compensation expense, selling and operating expense) and the “Rule of 20” score.
Update your library to include the most current industry information from the respected Best Practices program. Click here for an order form. For additional information, please e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net.
TRUSTED CHOICE®
Displaying Pledge of Performance Plaques
Trusted Choice® recently distributed the new “Live the Brand Guide” to all Trusted Choice® agencies.
One of the recommended steps in the guide is to order a Pledge of Performance plaque for your agency’s reception/lobby area. The pledge is a very effective marketing tool and it’s one of the first things consumers should see when walking through the door of your agency. It reminds customers of the commitment you make to them.
Trusted Choice® has received many inquiries as to where agents can order a plaque. We recommend that you should order the plaque through your preferred local vendor. If you don’t have one, you can order the plaque from API by contacting Mike Brown at mike.brown@apisource.com.
If you have any feedback on the new guide or would like to request more copies for agency staff, contact Jenner Gohr at jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.
BIG “I” MARKETSSM
A Reality TV Seminar, Cello Course and a Growing Tree Film
What do a seven-day violin and cello course, a training seminar on how to be chosen to be on reality TV and the 20-day filming of a tree growing have in common? They are all real special events that have been insured by Big “I” Markets agents through the special event liability program. From fundraisers and parades to barbecues and sporting events, opportunities to write event liability insurance abound in just about every community. Once an agency has its foot in the door for an annual event, it can expect repeat business year after year and word-of-mouth referrals. And selling special event policies provides an excellent opening with event planners for other lines of business. Network with schools, churches and civic leaders to jump start your special event sales. Learn more and view eligibility and commission information by logging into www.bigimarkets.com.
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