Be Part of the Solution

I am stunned that I have only a month to go as President of your association. The year seems to have flown by. I was once told that as you get older, each year becomes a smaller fraction of your total life; thus, as you get older, the year just feels shorter. I wish I remembered who that was. If you are out there, let me know.

This month I want to take the opportunity to talk about your membership and ask you for your support and to be involved. Another wise person (again, who I cannot remember) said if you are not part of the solution, there is only one other option (part of the problem for those of you playing at home).

So become part of the solution. There are many ways to get involved and support the IIA and the advocacy efforts made on behalf of our membership.

Attend CONVO - I hear from multiple carriers that our state’s convention is tops in the country. Every year the IIA staff brings forth a relevant and worthwhile agenda that should not be missed. See page 20 of this issue for details on this year’s event.

Support Advocacy Efforts – Our industry is facing legislation from lawmakers at the state level and federally that can change how we do business and adversely affect the customers we have vowed to protect. There are different ways to support these efforts:

Contribute

Support for our PACs is a crucial part in helping the IIA of IL reach our legislators and help them understand why they should support our views and our industry.

• Individually, you can contribute to InsurPAC – the national insurance Political Action Committee.

• Individually or through your corporation (agency), contributions can be made to IIAPAC, the Independent Insurance Agents Political Action Committee.

TIME

• Attend the Illinois legislative conference in March –participate in advocacy efforts made in Springfield by seeing our local representatives face-to-face and sharing stories and information about our industry.

• Attend the Federal legislative conference in April –participate in advocacy efforts made in Washington DC by going to Capitol Hill and speaking directly to our senators and representatives.

Finally, I ask that we begin to participate again.

• Attend local IIA functions. Interact with other agents and attend functions that help you understand what is happening in our industry and contribute to a common voice.

• Participate in local IIA boards – become part of the solution!

• Send your staff to IIA functions – their livelihood is just as much affected as the agency owners and principals.

I am not asking that you do everything. Take one piece. If you can’t attend the legislative day, send $50 to the PAC. If you can’t attend the CONVO, send an account manager. Remember, be part of the solution.

Book of the month, “The 4 Disciplines of Execution” by Chris McChesney. Would definitely be a good read for all of us.