YAC News: Yak vs. YAC
Matter of YAC...what is a YAK?

Yak/yaek/yak:
A wild, shaggy haired ox of the mountains of central Asia. In addition to a large domestic population, there is a small vulnerable wild yak population.

Yac/yaec/yac:
A tamed (at times) non-shaggy, independent insurance agent under the age of 40. Species can be found across the United Stated and are members of an increasingly popular Young Agents Committee – hence the born term, “YAC.”

YAC Chat is for state Young Agent Committees and Young Agent members. Each season look forward to a variety of news and tidbits to help you and your YAC grow. Please use any of this information in your state publications and feel free to pass along to your Young Agent members. If you have feedback or questions, please don’t hesitate to send a note. Katie.Cosgrove@iiaba.net.

 
YAC News: Meet the National YAC
The National YAC is here for you

Based on the definitions above you now know the difference between a YAK and YAC. But what is the National YAC? The National YAC consists of committee chair, Joey O’Connor and four representatives from geographic regions of the country. Members of the National YAC are available to all states providing hands on expertise in building vibrant and valuable Young Agents programs.  Introducing your 2008-2009 National YAC (please hold your applause until the end):

Joey O’Connor, CIC, Chairman
Southern Region (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
Daniel & Eustis, LLC
New Orleans, LA
(504) 586-3186
joconnorjr@eustis.com 

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Joey started his insurance career in September 1991. When he’s not cheering on the New Orleans Saints he is serving as Vice President of Daniels & Eustis, LLC where he is responsible for sales and account management in the Greater New Orleans area.  You might hear Joey quote Al Pacino from “Scarface,” “Say hello to my little friend” but have no fear – Joey is a joker and happy to lend a helping hand. Joey and his wife Tricia live in Metairie, LA with their daughter, Alayna and their son Ryan.

Andy Beauchamp
Great Lakes Region (IA, IL, IN, MI, ND, OH, SD, WI)
Beauchamp & McSpadden
Warsaw, IN
(574) 267-3148
abeauchamp@mgins.com 

Andy is a fourth generation in his family-owned agency specializing in commercial insurance sales with a focus on the equine industry. After graduating from Ball State University in 1994, Andy had a brief stint in Hollywood as a stuntman but returned back to Indiana to become involved in the Indiana Young Agents Committee. Known as the colorful member of the National YAC for his love of plaid, Andy and his wife Alisa breed and raise sport-horses, with the pride of their herd being their miniature donkey, Gus – hee haw!

John Braut, CIC
Far West Region (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY)
Wolfe-Daniels Agency, Inc.
Scobey, MT
(406) 487-2252
wolfedan@nemont.net 

John hails from Scobey, Montana or “Scoberia” as he calls it due to the long and cold winters. He began his insurance career with accepting the 1997 Montana Insurance Education Foundation intern scholarship program and eventually landed his agent gig at Wolfe-Daniels agency. When he’s not singing Stevie Nick’s tunes and traveling to Las Vegas to play his lucky number 9 he is hanging with his wife Jodi (Miss Fargo, ND 2001), son J.P and daughter Payton.

Jeff Karll, CLCS
Mid-America Region (AR, CO, KS, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX)
Trissel, Graham, Toole, Inc.
Eagan, MN
(651) 379-4641
jkarll@tgt-insurance.com 

Jeff likes to smile! He began his career in the insurance industry in 2003 working part-time for Trissel Graham & Toole (TG&T). Due to his hard work and dedication Jeff quickly became a full-time producer for TG&T. Known for entering karaoke contests and belting out “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey, Jeff carries his talents over to the Minnesota Young Insurance Professionals where he has been an active member since moving to the state in 2006.

Meghan McGarry, ACSR
North Eastern Region (CT, DC, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT)
Marshall & Sterling Update, Inc.
Leeds, NY
(518) 943-3900 x28
mmcgarry@marshallsterling.com 

Meghan began her career in insurance in 1998 initially working on health insurance before she found enthusiasm for the property and casualty world. Meghan joined Marshall & Sterling in February 2007, servicing accounts in small commercial business. Meghan’s favorite pastime includes hanging out with her husband Peter and their daughter (and soon to be “big sister”) Ashlyn. Don’t let Meghan’s sweet side fool you – this gal’s got edge told by her music preferences of Metallica and Pearl Jam. Rock on Meghan!

Legislative Conference & Convention: Want to be a Superhero?
Save the Date for the Big “I” LC&C

Which one of these things is not like the other?

A. Snow
B. Cold temperatures
C. The 2009 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention (LC&C)

If you guessed answer, “C” then you have won the big prize – learning how to become a superhero in the insurance industry! The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held April 29 – May 1, 2009 at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel, Washington, D.C. This is your chance to help educate legislators on what independent insurance agents do and why they should support legislation that protects the independent agency system and your clients. The Big “I” makes talking to legislators easy by providing an issues briefing as well as talking points. With the change in Congress, the stumble of insurance giants and the threat of federal regulation, we need Young Agents to take on Capitol Hill. This event is also an excellent opportunity to network at a first-timers reception, Young Agents and InsurPac luncheon, two hospitality events, Presidents’ Panel Breakfast with Big “I” Leadership and a tour of a Washington, D.C. landmark. Check out what other’s are saying about the Big “I” LC&C and  stay tuned for registration details.

Scholarships: The National YAC Offers Scholarships to Attend LC&C
Apply for Maurice Herndon and Young Agents Scholarships

The Big "I" National YAC is offering each state association two $500 scholarships to assist Young Agents who have not previously attended a Legislative Conference in attending the 2009 Big "I" LC&C. Interested Young Agents should return a completed application form to their state association by March 2, 2009 to be considered for a scholarship. It is up to the discretion of the state association to determine the recipients of these scholarships. Click here to dowload the $500 First Time Young Agent Attendee Scholarship.

The $1,000 Maurice Herndon Scholarship will be presented to one Young Agent who has not attended a Legislative Conference in the past to help defray the costs of attending the Big "I" LC&C. To be eligible for the Herndon scholarship, you must be a Young Agent member of the Big "I" who has not previously attended a Big "I" Legislative Conference, compose a 250-to-500-word essay describing why you should be considered for the scholarship, and submit your essay and completed application form by March 2, 2009.  Click here to download the Maurice Herndon Scholarship application.

State Spotlight: YACs Shine Bright All Over the Nation 
Learn How Other Committees are Making a Difference

Remember, “Star Search”, the wonderfully produced show that aired from 1983 – 1995 and hosted by Ed McMahon? (Let us not forget the reluanch from 2002-2004…or maybe we should). Anywho – if you do remember the show you might also remember the six categories of competition:

- Male vocalist
- Female  vocalist
- Junior vocalist
- Vocal group
- Spokesmodel
- Comedy

Well, here at YAC headquarters we’d like to give Ed a call, reinstate the show and add a category…drum roll…you guessed it…YAC! We’ll leave out naming someone “champion” or “challenger” and simply applaud and cheer the following states for some recent accomplishments .

North Carolina
Congratulations to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina for completing their Habitat for Humanity project! After raising $70,000 in less than a year and completing construction in five months, the YAC handed the keys over to the happy homeowners on Aug. 23, 2008. An ice cream truck was part of the celebration which enabled the family to meet their new neighbors. Associate member Tammy Little from CRC Services in High Point, N.C. also donated furniture and decorated the living room and dining room. Great work North Carolina Young Agents! Click here to view photos of the Habitat for Humanity project.

Indiana 
Let’s hear it for the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Inc for unveiling their new and improved Young Agents Web site! The new site, which is receiving outstanding feedback for its easy-to-use design, is a product of the Indiana YAC’s communications sub-committee and steering committee. Creative help and constructing of the site came from recent Young Agent, Jennifer Kostello of Secura Insurance Companies and Young Agents staff liaison, Steve Duff. Click here to check it out!

Virginia
A big, “Hurray!” goes to Shannon Harding Dooley of Hubbard Insurance Agency, Inc., for being recognized as the 2008 Young Agent of the Year at the Virginia Young Agents conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. She enjoys working at Hubbard because it is a small agency that focuses on personal service above all. The Young Agents Program is very important to Shannon because of the opportunities it provides for career growth. By taking part in the program she has a say in what the future of the insurance industry will be.

ACT:Technology Blog, Not Blah 
Read and Share this Article with Other Young Agents

A blog or “web log” is a Web site that is written by someone wanting to share opinions and commentary on just about anything really – the “blogger” can rant and rave as much as they like. But, how would a blog help an agent tor agency you might ask? Click here to read up on a recent article by our friends at Agents Council for Technology (ACT).  You may also use this article as a drop-in story for your Young Agents.

 

Dynamic Young Agent: Parker Beauchamp
Young Agents Are Inheriting the Industry

After recently being featured in Bests’ Review we thought we would give Parker Beauchamp our own “shout out” for being a dynamic Young Agent.  Known as a self-starter and top performing Indiana Young Agent for bringing in the most new revenue for the year, Parker remains humble, “I still have hard days as it does not come easy and there are a lot of battles.” Fighting those battles is worth it in the end Parker explains, “It all comes down to what you want to do with your life so that you can look back and see that you overcame obstacles.” Parker finds the National Young Agents program beneficial to his career and attends events to partake in networking and relationship building. Knowing the importance of the Young Agents program has also helped Parker throughout his career. “Being a Young Agent is a responsibility. Due to the state of the industry, Young Agents are inheriting the industry and if we can accept that we can succeed.” Great work Parker!

Tips: Keep Your Events Front of Mind
Create a Young Agents Event Calendar

Looking for a way to share your schedule with Young Agents in a format that’s sure to stick around? What about an annual calendar? Distribute a custom wall calendar with photos of YAC events from the past, your logo and web address.  Include your schedule of events, tradeshows and seminars as well as other deadlines. It’s a great way to keep your brand and important dates in front of your members all year long. Not sure a calendar works for you? Send a snazzy poster or flyer every quarter highlighting your offerings. Looking for something savvier? Take advantage of your Outlook invite feature. Create an event on your Outlook calendar, click invite attendees and insert the e-mail addresses of your VIPs. Your potential attendee can accept or decline and you’ll receive an update via e-mail. Should they choose to accept, voila, your meeting is now on their Outlook calendar!