February 2010 NAIFA's Local Connections

February 2010

LIFELINE

CHESAPEAKE IT’S SMART TO BELONG PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

So is everyone ready for Spring or is it just me?

Here is an update on some upcoming dates.

We have a new topic for our February CE class titled “End of Life Expenses”. Ryan Helfenbein of Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home will present this. This is the first time that Ryan has presented to our group so come join us on February 25th and prepare to learn some interesting and helpful information. As always, be sure to look at the attached flyers for our upcoming CE classes. Janie has done a great job scheduling some interesting and beneficial topics.

Regarding the scholarship program… I have forwarded the 2010 applications to all of the local schools and hopefully we will get a great response from this year’s senior class. Keep in mind that we still looking for ways to help fund these scholarships. Like last year, there will be a Greene Turtle fundraiser so I am asking everyone to make an effort to eat at the Greene Turtle on April 13th. This was a very successful event so mark your calendars now.

Another fundraising opportunity I am looking at is a raffle. If anyone has something that they would be willing to donate, please let me know. Some item ideas would be sporting event tickets, merchandise or even vacation opportunities; anything that would generate significant ticket sales would be great.

That’s all for now. I hope to see everyone at our February CE class on the 25th.

Andie Harrison NAIFA Chesapeake President MARK YOUR CALENDARS February 25th “End of Life Expenses” 2 MD Health & Life CE (Pending) March 25th “Creative Ownership of Life Insurance” 1 MD Health & Life CE “Business Succession :planning” 1 MD Health & Life CE April 22nd “COBRA & ARRA of 2009 2 MD Health & Life CE “Get Compliant, Be Informed” Note: Change of time – 9:30 AM – 12 PM for this April meeting May19th/20th Maryland Expo

Officers & Committee Chairs Andrea Miles-Harrison President [email protected] 410-758-1310 Annette Mitchell Treasurer [email protected] 410-822-0506 Janie Cortina-Demorest Program. AHIA [email protected] 410-604-1097 Laurie Clark Secretary, Public Service [email protected] 410-819-0663 Ann H. Howard Newsletter [email protected] 410-745-9559

Editor’s Notes Ann H. Howard, Editor

After spending many years in the insurance business, it has become obvious that the agents and brokers that are involved are also extremely active in their communities. Recently, on February 5, 2010, the Star Democrat published an article commending one of our own. “Frank Adams of Nationwide Insurance was inducted into the Caroline County Chamber Roll of Fame. He is a founder of Federalsburg Economic Development and has been working with the organization for more than 30 years.” Anyone who knows Frank will tell you that he is very personable and concerned for the welfare of others. Congratulations to him for a job well done!

Support Our Industry, Support the NAIFA War Chest

The NAIFA War Chest is a fund developed to provide much-needed financial support to various legislative and regulatory initiatives relevant to the NAIFA membership. Contributions to the NAIFA War Chest build a fund that is used to protect and support the insurance advisor/agent and financial services professional in many ways, including but not limited to:  Informing and educating your clients and colleagues, including other association members, about the current legislative environment  Enhancing public relations efforts  Promoting to Congress and the public the benefit of value-added services provided by the private sector, including agent-advisors  Communicating with the Administration and with members of Congress about the service agent-advisors provide  Supporting grassroots participation in Day on the Hill  Enhancing lobbying efforts to influence lawmakers, especially members of Congress (Senators and Representatives) Everyone and anyone can help! Both NAIFA members and non-members are encouraged to contribute. If you are a life or health agent, financial service professional, or if you are simply looking to show your support for issues affecting these industries, contributions will help fund vital legislative and regulatory initiatives. Donations from individuals and companies are accepted.

2 The War Chest differs from the Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee (IFAPAC). IFAPAC raises money to support candidates running for Congress and helps get the right people elected. The War Chest helps deliver the right message. For more information, see www.naifa.org/advocacy/warchest.

NAIFA-CHESAPEAKE ASSOCIATION Presents:

“End of Life Expenses” Pending for 2 Maryland L&H, CE Credits GUEST SPEAKERS: Ryan Helfenbein Fellows, Helfenbein, & Newnam Funeral Home, PA FHN Insurance Co., Inc. DATE: February 25, 2010

TIME: 8:30 – 9:00 Sign-in Registration and Coffee 9:00 – 11:00 Seminar

PLACE: Chesapeake College * Wye Mills, MD Center For Business & The Arts Building, Room EDC-27 Cost: NAIFA-Chesapeake Members – Free Non-Members - $40 (payable to NAIFA-Chesapeake at registration) Guests - $15 (non-licensed or no CE credits)

Name: ______

NAIFA-Chesapeake Member: ______Non-Member: ______Guest: ______

Company:______

Phone #: ______Fax #: ______

E-Mail Address: ______3 RSVP: E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 410 604-3912

NAIFA-CHESAPEAKE ASSOCIATION Presents: “Creative Ownership of Life Insurance" "Business Succession Planning”

Approved for 2 Maryland L&H, CE Credits

GUEST SPEAKERS: Ron Smith, CLU, ChFC Capitol Metro Financial Services, Inc.

DATE: March 25, 2010 TIME: 8:30 – 9:00 Sign-in Registration and Coffee 9:00 – 11:00 Seminar PLACE: Chesapeake College * Wye Mills, MD Center For Business & The Arts Building, Room EDC-27 Cost: NAIFA-Chesapeake Members – Free Non-Members - $40 (payable to NAIFA-Chesapeake at registration) Guests - $15 (non-licensed or no CE credits) Name: ______

Company:______

Phone #: ______Fax #: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

4 RSVP: E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 410 604-3912 NAIFA-CHESAPEAKE ASSOCIATION Presents:

“COBRA and ARRA of 2009, Get Compliant, Be Informed" Approved for 2 Maryland L&H, CE Credits

GUEST SPEAKERS: Tom Jacobs EFLEX DATE: April 22, 2010 TIME: 9:30 – 10:00 Sign-in Registration and Coffee 10:00 – Noon Seminar PLACE: Chesapeake College * Wye Mills, MD Center For Business & The Arts Building, Room EDC-27 Cost: NAIFA-Chesapeake Members – Free Non-Members - $40 (payable to NAIFA-Chesapeake at registration) Guests - $15 (non-licensed or no CE credits)

Name: ______

Company:______

Phone #: ______Fax #: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

RSVP: E-mail: [email protected] 5 Fax: 410 604-3912

The Seventh Annual Maryland State Expo

For Life, Health and Long Term Care Producers Sponsored by NAIFA-Maryland And the Maryland Association of Health Underwriters

SAVE THE DATE!! May 19-20, 2010

Mark your calendars and watch your email for further registration information!

Open to members and non-members

Held at the Turf Valley Hotel and Conference Center in Ellicott City, MD

The Maryland Association of Health Underwriters (MAHU) and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA - Maryland) announce a BIGGER and

6 BETTER Maryland State Life and Health EXPO for 2010! The two-day event will feature a golf tournament, cocktail reception, awards dinner and an education symposium where you will earn CE credits.

Featuring:  May 19th – Golf tournament followed by a cocktail reception and industry awards dinner

 May 20th – Exceptional speakers and an Educational symposium where you can earn CE credits in subjects that are of interest to the industry

For attendee questions please call: MAHU – Monica Moree (410) 453-0866 For sponsor/vendor questions please call: NAIFA-Maryland – Nanci Richards 877-304-9934

Looking for Coaching Support? Visit the New NAIFA Coach Page

NAIFA has partnered with a select group of experienced, industry-focused coaches to provide NAIFA members access to products and programs created by this coach community to further enhance your growth and success, as well as opportunities for individual and group coaching at special member rates.

NAIFA now offers Sales Coach, Marketing Coach and Practice Development programs.

As an insurance agent and/or financial advisor, two critical aspects of your business are often top of mind: managing your client and prospect relationships and effectively acquiring and retaining clients. To do so, you need to apply efficient use of resources to achieve success and results. The new NAIFA Coach program will help you with these goals.

For more information, see www.naifa.org/benefits/networks/naifacoach.cfm

Mark Your Calendar 2010 Career Conference and Annual Meeting

NAIFA's 2010 NAIFA Conference and Annual Meeting will be held September 11-14 in Seattle. The event will focus on the professional development, networking and political action that are at the core of everything NAIFA does.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey will be a main stage speaker, and other events include an array of educational workshops focused on all practice specialties, CE-eligible workshop sessions and great networking opportunities.

7 The 2010 Conference once again features the one-day registration option first introduced at NAIFA 2009. Whether attendees come for the full conference or just attend one jam-packed day, there is something for everyone at NAIFA 2010.

Registration and housing reservations for NAIFA 2010 will open online March 8.

Attendees who register early can save as much as $90 off the regular advance registration. And attendees who make their hotel reservations early can take advantage of a special early reservation discount at the Sheraton Seattle, the NAIFA 2010 headquarters hotel.

Watch for the NAIFA 2010 Conference brochure in the March issue of NAIFA’s Advisor Today, and be ready to register when the online registration opens in mid-March at www.naifa.org/conference.

You can follow all the events and preparations for NAIFA 2010 by signing up to follow the conference at www.Twitter.com/NAIFA2010. Sign up now and make your plans to attend NAIFA 2010 in Seattle, September 11-14.

New HIPPA Rules Go Into Effect This Month

Starting February 17, 2010, health insurance agents and brokers must comply with a new version of HIPAA privacy and security, one that has real teeth. The genesis for these new regulations is the electronic medical records provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or stimulus act. These new provisions have raised the expectation of compliance (and punishment for non-compliance) for all Covered Entities. Agents, brokers, consultants and for the first time business associates are classified as Covered Entities.

NAIFA has partnered with Simplified Training Solutions to offer its “HIPAA Privacy/Security and HITECH Tool Kit for Agents, Brokers and Consultants” to NAIFA members for 10% off the retail price of $299.

“NAIFA members who work in the health insurance and employee benefits arenas understand HIPAA regulations are an important component of the adoption of Electronic Health Records, the next major change in administering healthcare,” states NAIFA’s Acting CEO, Susan B. Waters, DM, CAE. “The Simplified Training Solutions tool kit will help our members become compliant with HIPAA privacy and security as well as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley privacy requirements.”

To learn more about “HIPAA Privacy/Security and HITECH Tool Kit for Agents, Brokers and Consultants” and to take advantage of the exclusive discount to NAIFA members, see the Simplified Training Solutions website at www.simplifiedtraining.com.

Do You Know An Outstanding YAT Leader?

8 The online application for the inaugural YAT Leader of the Year award is now available at www.naifa.org/yat. The new award recognizes outstanding young advisors for leadership, business success and community involvement.

If you know of a YAT who has shown leadership at the local, state or national level; is successful in his or her career; and is involved in his or her community, please nominate that person for this award. Also please encourage your members to consider nominating worthy candidates.

An outline of the qualifications needed for this award can be found at www.naifa.org/benefits/yat/award.cfm. For any questions relating to the award, please email [email protected].

For more information, contact Sarah Sears, Director – Membership Programs, (703) 770-8214.

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NAIFA informs our members of many tools and resources through email updates, and you may miss out on this information if NAIFA-National doesn't have a working email address from you or if NAIFA email gets lost in your spam filter. In addition, we want to be sure that all NAIFA members receive our e-newsletters, including GovTalk and NAIFA Connections, as well as GovAlerts that inform you of urgent legislation that could have an impact on your business and our industry.