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Mark Your Calendar
Free CE
for Members Only
3 PC & 3 Ethics CEUS approval pending D&O/EPL/Fiduciary E&O in the Digital Age
August 14 Grand Island
August 15 Columbus August 16 Ashland/Mahoney
105th Annual
IIAN Convention "Living The American Dream"
Oct 10-12, 2012
New! Younes Conference Center Kearney, NE
Customer Service Day
Technology Day Up to 18 CEUs (approval pending)
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Technology Corner
 This week, nearly 75% of personal insurance consumers will begin their search for new coverage online.
Make sure they find your agency!
Sign up for Project CAP to start or enhance your digital marketing program - Bronze level benefits are FREE for Big "I" members.
projectcapmarketing.com
ACT Article:
Bring your Own Device - Opportunities and Risk
This ACT article discusses the risks involved when employees access the agency's systems with their personal smart phones, tablets and PCs, and provides practical guidance for formulating policies and security strategies employees use their own devices to access company systems. Click here to read full text. |
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Annual Market & Financial Survey -
Do It Today!
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Job Bank/Human Resources
Post your openings and resumes.
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Join Our List
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| IIAN Ready to Fight for Agents in the Wake of Supreme Court ACA Decision | Nebraska Agents Coalition Up & Running
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Since early 2011, IIAN's Health Insurance Exchange Task Force has been working to advocate for the interests of Big "I" members in the formation of a Nebraska Health Insurance Exchange, in the event the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act - which the Court did yesterday in a 5-4 decision. IIABA expressed its disappointment in the decision - read more.
The IIAN Task Force, chaired by Mark Lisko of Omaha, has been instrumental in forming a coalition of Nebraska agent associations including IIAN, NAIFA-Nebraska (Life Underwriters), NAHU (Health Underwriters), and PIA. The coalition released its Key Principles for Creating a Health Insurance Exchange for Nebraska last December. Our key Principle: To protect and best serve consumers, Nebraska's licensed insurance agents and advisers should be the primary source for insurance enrollment and service, and able to advise consumers and sell products through a Nebraska Exchange, and be adequately compensated for the services they provide. |
IIAN Task Force and Coalition members have been in constant communication with the Nebraska Insurance Department, and testified at a number of Unicameral hearings on two Exchange bills introduced earlier this year, which died with the end of the legislative session on April 18.
Governor Heinemann announced yesterday that he will not call a special Unicameral session, even though the USHHS has announced a November 14 deadline for states to submit a blueprint on how they will operate their exchanges. In the meantime, IIAN and other members of the Nebraska Agents Coalition will attend a meeting on July 12 hosted by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist. And on July 19, Nebraska Department of Insurance officials will come before the Unicameral's Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee for a briefing on the insurance exchange program, and then the Committee will develop a bill to be introduced in the 2013 legislative session in January - and IIAN and the Agents Coalition will be pro-actively involved. Read more from Lincoln Journal-Star article.
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IIAN's Board - Planning for Your Success
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IIAN's Board of Directors meets each summer to update the association's strategic plan and determine priorities for the next several years. This year's 2-day retreat was held June 21-22 at the Holling Conference Center near Ashland. Directors focused on strategies to help member agencies succeed in a challenging marketplace, and re-established four "strategic priorities":
- Increase consumer awareness of the value of independent insurance agents through promotion of the Trusted Choice® brand and message
- Increase effectiveness of Big "I" legislative advocacy and grassroots support
- Increase member awareness and use of Big "I" benefits and services
- Increase the number of qualified employees entering the Independent Agency System, in cooperation with the IIAN Foundation
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17th Annual Jacupke Memorial Golf Tournament - August 6, Hastings
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Contest at Lochland Country Club Raises Scholarship Funds
The IIAN Foundation's annual golf outing returns again to beautiful Lochland Country Club! The IIAN Foundation was established in 1990 by the IIAN Young Agents Committee, and the annual golf contest benefits the Foundation's scholarship programs for Nebraska students: the Curtis M. Elliott Scholarship for college sophomores; the Chet Linder and Jay Jacupke scholarships for high school seniors; and the Project InVEST scholarship for the Insurance Services online degree program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Over $60,000 in scholarships has been awarded to date! Click here to register by July 30.
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IIAN President Ritch Nelson - Working for You | |
Company visits, Legislative Advocacy
IIAN President Ritch Nelson, CIC, LUTCF of Fort Calhoun has been busy this spring and summer, representing IIAN members to the industry and attending numerous IIAN committee meetings. In March and April, Ritch led visits with the top managers of eight major independent agency companies in Lincoln and Omaha - Allied Group, Columbia Insurance, Continental Western, EMC Insurance, Farmers Mutual, FirstComp, QBE-General Casualty, and North Star. The discussion agenda included company marketing plans, IIAN's strategic priorities, (including increasing consumer awareness of the value of independent agents and bringing new employees into the industry), legislative and regulatory issues, and use of technology. He also represented IIAN at the joint NAIFA-NAHU state convention for life and health agents on May 10 in Omaha.
 | | IIAN President Nelson at the Washington County Republican Party senate candidate debate |
Ritch's focus as president has been on legislative advocacy and development of the Big "I" state and national political action committees. He was the driving force behind IIAN's new Circle of Eagles fundraising campaign for IIANPAC and InsurPac. As IIAN President, Ritch has continued to be actively involved on IIAN's Legislative committee, and as officer liaison to the Public Relations/Branding committee. Ritch is also actively involved in the Washington County Republican Party, including serving as president.
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Call for Nominees for IIAN Board
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Each July IIAN's Nominating committee meets to review and recommend candidates for election to the IIAN Board of Directors - the election happens during the Annual Member Meeting at IIAN's Annual Convention each year (this year it's on October 11 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. If you would like to be considered, or recommend an IIAN member you know, please contact IIAN Past President and Nominating committee chairman Ed Mark, AFIS, LUTCF - esmfnia@yahoo.com, or Carol McClelland, CAE, at the IIAN office (carol.mcclelland@biginebraska.org). Also serving on the Nominating committee are Ritch Nelson, Lisa Davis, Mark Lisko, Deb Schilz, and Curtis Smith.
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$1500 Scholarship Deadline Extended to August 1 for Online Insurance Degree Program
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 The IIAN Foundation has extended the application deadline to August 1, to apply for a $1,500 scholarship for the online Insurance Services Certificate program starting August 20, for agency and company employees. This accelerated online program is part of the Insurance Services Associate business degree offered through Northeast Community College, in conjunction with IIAN and Project INVEST. The entire degree program is available online, including the seven core insurance courses which make up the accelerated Certificate option. See detailed program information. Insurance courses are approved for up to 24 CEU's, and are transferrable to other Nebraska colleges. Registration is now open for the fall term beginning August 20. Download scholarship application.
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| Call for IIAN 2012 Award Nominations | |
Nominations Open Until September 10
Each year IIAN recognizes the contributions of outstanding individuals who have given service and support to the Independent Agency System in Nebraska. This year's awards will be presented during the 105th Annual Convention October 10-12, at the Younes Convention Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Please take a few minutes to nominate your choices in the following categories: Five Star Company of the Year, Company Representative of the Year, Young Agent of the Year, Spirit of Nebraska Award. Download and submit your completed nomination form by September 10.
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Are You the Trusted Choice® Agency of the Year?
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In 2010 IIAN started a new tradition by recognizing the member agency that uses Trusted Choice® to best advantage to brand and market their agency. The 2010 winner, Peterson Bros. Insurance in Omaha, included Trusted Choice® on their building and "monument" sign in front of the parking lot. The agency also uses Trusted Choice® on a sandwich board at events they sponsor, and on shirts agency employees wear at events. The 2011 winner, Western Insurors based in Ogallala, features the Trusted Choice® logo on their web site - www.westerninsurors.com. If your agency would like to be considered for the 2012 trophy, e-mail photos and an explanation of how you use Trusted Choice® by September 10, 2012 to office@biginebraska.org. |
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Thanks to the Big "I" Industry Partner for June
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Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.
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