|
|
 |
 |
T H U R S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 0 7
Industry News
IIABA NEWS
Contribute to the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund
While 2007 has turned out to be a relatively mild year for both natural and man-made disasters, there is no way to predict what the New Year will bring. To better prepare to meet disaster assistance needs in 2008 and beyond, the charitable foundation for Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. has created the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund. The Big “I” will make the first contribution to the fund.
The Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund was established by the IIAA Educational Foundation of the Big “I” to assist others who have suffered losses due to natural or man-made disasters. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity and all contributions are tax deductible.
“By establishing a permanent relief fund, we will be ready to financially assist victims when and where a disaster strikes, rather than raising the funds after the fact, as we did for 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina,” says Bob Rusbuldt, president & CEO of the Big “I.” “This fund is a great way to show our ongoing support as an industry for victims of disasters.”
The fund will make cash grants to those in the insurance industry, including Big “I” members and their agency staffs, and others 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 assist with disaster relief efforts to aid victims and surviving family members in their communities.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check payable to the “Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund” to:
Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund
Attn: Lillian Carter
127 S. Peyton St
Alexandria, VA 22314
To make a contribution via credit card, call Carter at 800-221-7917, extension 5372. For more information, go to www.independentagent.com and click on “About Us”.
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION
Register Today For Chance to Win an iPhone
There is so much to be grateful for this holiday season and many will soon leave their offices behind to celebrate successes with family and friends over the next week. In an industry full of opportunity, it’s important to be grateful for the freedom we have to do business. But maintaining a positive business climate in 2008 and beyond takes work.
One opportunity for members to be part of the action is the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, April 2-4, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This is the premier industry event for independent agents and offers an opportunity to network with industry leaders and let the voice of our industry be heard through the halls of Capitol Hill. For those who have not attended a conference, we encourage you to look in your mailbox for materials about the event, read IA magazine’s February edition for the complete schedule and go to the Web site, www.independentagent.com for up-to-the-minute information.
“Last year was my first time attending the National Legislative Conference and it was a real eye opener,” says Meghan McGarry, an independent agent in New York. “There are not many times in a person’s life when they can say they’ve had the chance to make a difference. The Legislative Conference was an amazing opportunity to be part of something important and feel like a true contributor to a better future.”
The Big “I” is also offering early registrants the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of three iPhones. Three names will be drawn from the registration system at 12 p.m. EST on Feb. 1, 2008. The three recipients of the items will be listed on the Big “I” Web site and will be contacted to coordinate delivery. Those who have already registered don’t need to do anything else. Those registering at 12:01 p.m. EST or later on Feb. 1 will not be eligible for this opportunity. All attendees registered through Feb. 14 will receive a 20% discount (exclusive of company representatives). Click here to find details about the event or to register online.
InVEST
Contribute to 2008 InVEST Silent Auction
Don’t miss your chance to support the next generation of industry professionals. Contribute an item to the InVEST Silent Auction and support the program’s annual scholarships for InVEST graduates pursuing higher education. The InVEST Board of Directors will host the 2008 InVEST Silent Auction during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. This highly regarded insurance industry event will take place April 3-4 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
All proceeds generated from the silent auction are used to fund the scholarships given each year to InVEST students who plan on majoring in insurance, risk management, actuarial science or business. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to bid on sporting event tickets, golf clubs, Broadway shows, wine tours, spa days, gadgets, trips and more. Items are donated by insurance carriers, agents and brokers, the Big “I” and its state affiliates, other professional organizations and individuals.
The InVEST Silent Auction will open April 3 at 6 p.m. and will close April 4 at 1 p.m. Be sure to keep an eye on bids --- this is a popular event! The deadline for donations is Feb. 15. Thank you in advance for your contribution and support of InVEST. For more information, please contact Sandra Skipper at 703- 706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.
In addition, InVEST will be holding the 2nd Annual InVEST Live Auction as part of the Large Agent and CEO Dinner. Last year the donated item, courtesy of Allstate/Encompass, featured tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations to the 2008 College Football Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Title Game in New Orleans. The winning bid was $12,000, which, when added to the silent auction proceeds, raised a grand total of $43,000 for InVEST scholarships. InVEST is looking for one spectacular item for the 2008 live auction. If you are interested in donating this special item, contact Bill Pierson or Sandra Skipper at 800-221-7917.
BIG “I” MARKETSSM
Banks Marketing Tip
Did you know you can access a wealth of information about banks at the FDIC’s Web site? By typing in the name of a bank, you can learn the date it was established, see the number of branches it has and view a historical profile and current financial information about the bank. You can access this information and more by clicking here and following the instructions. Registered Big “I” Markets agents have access to the excellent Travelers SelectOne product for community banks. Use the FDIC tool to type in the name of a local community bank or credit union to learn more about it and help you prepare for your initial marketing presentation. Learn more about this and other available products at www.bigimarkets.com.
IA MAGAZINE
Unwrap the December Issue
IA’s holiday gift to you is here—the December issue! Here’s a peak at what’s inside: “Winds of Change,” a look at four trends that could affect your bottom line in '08; “Outside the Lines: Carriers Enter New Roles,” which details how carriers' forays into non-insurance programs can help agents; “Clearing a Path,” a primer on utilizing existing clients via retirement services; and more. And it doesn't stop there—check out www.iamagazine.com for the issue’s Online Extras.
|
|
