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W O M E N I N I N S U R A N C E A N D F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S • S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 3
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BE SURE WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS.
THIS IS THE LAST PRINTED ISSUE.BEGINNING WITH THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE,
WE WILL EMAIL THE NEWSLETTER
WIFS ANNUAL CONFERENCEHELD AT THE DOUBLETREE, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
DIANE WHITE, LUTCF, CSA
Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) heldtheir fourteenth annual conference at the downtownDoubletree Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’stheme was “Let’s Raise the Bar.” The conference washeld September 13-16, 2003 and ran in conjunction withthe National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisorsannual Expo. The WIFS conference encompassed personaland professional development; industry “how to” topics;leadership training; motivation; inspiration; and recognition.Networking is an important element of the conference,and many members attend to rekindle friendships withmembers from around the world.
The coveted Woman of the Year recipient, RobelynnAbadie of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (the member whoembodies the leadership levels that all members wish to
achieve) was honored (see page 4), along with this year’smembers of the Leaders Recognition Society (see page 5).
Formed in 1936, the WIFS’ mission is to support andencourage relationships and activities that enhance thesuccess of women in the insurance and financial servicesindustry. Members extend their activities beyond insurance,to include annuities and equity products and financialplanning services. Members come from the financialservices industry and related fields and are successfulwomen who are active leaders in their communities.
For more information about membership or the Womenin Insurance & Financial Services, call 1-800-753-3973or email: [email protected]. Information is also availablevia the Internet at www.w-wifs.org.
Hard at work ’til the last possible
moment, Conference Chair, Ann Carroll,
prepares to meet and greet our guests.
Annette Stone and Donna Pattontalk about good times together.
“Kicking up their heels with the girls” are
Estella Kierce and Kris Summers...
SEE PAGE 8 FOR MORE PHOTOS
And get to know new friends... our fabulous Chicken Soup speaker,
Jennifer Read Hawthorne visits with Nancy Rash,
Deborah Anderson and Deborah’s sister Lisa Pauly.
...Maria Lipscomb, Sheri Hoble......Sherry Sicking, Ceil Vogler, Nancy Rash
and Deborah Anderson!
President-Elect:
DIANE DIXON, CLUNorthwestern Mutual Financial Network1988 Kirby RoadLebanon, OH [email protected](513) 934-3440Fax (513) 933-9418
President:
DEBORAH ANDERSON, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, RIAAnderson Insurance & Investment Svcs., Inc.27412 Aliso Creek RoadAliso Viejo, CA [email protected](949) 268-5261Fax (949) 362-3227
2001-02 OFFICERS & BOARD2003-04 OFFICERS & BOARD
2 Horizons
Director:
SHERRY L. SICKING, LUTCFPrudential Financial1731 Minion AvenueCincinnati, OH [email protected](513) 612-6400Fax (513) 612-6419
Director:
CORNELIA PHILIPSON, CSA, LUTCFCornelia Philipson Ins. & Fin. Svcs.8355 S.W. 89th StreetMiami, FL [email protected](305) 595-2115Fax (305) 595-0039
Director:
THERA M. ENGLEORBA Financial Management2355 Gold Meadow Way, Suite 100Gold River, CA [email protected](916) 858-1222, x1011Fax (916) 858-1277
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
Treasurer:
SHERI L. HOBLE, CFP, CPAAmerican Express Fin. Advisors, Inc.7761 NW 23rd StreetMargate, FL [email protected](954) 969-1044Fax (954) 974-4656
Immediate Past President:
ROBELYNN H. ABADIE, LUTCF, CSAAbadie Financial Services7742 Office Park Blvd., Suite B-2Baton Rouge, LA [email protected](225) 926-3400Fax (225) 926-6650
Director:
MYRA A. BAHME, CLU, CFP, RHU, CLTCBusiness Financial Group400 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 110San Antonio, TX [email protected](210) 495-8474Fax (210) 495-8499
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEDEBORAH ANDERSON, lutcf, clu, chfc, ria
“TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE”
WOW! What a year we have had... a war in Iraq, fuel pricesskyrocket, worst heat have, we can see Mars for the firsttime and not again in our lifetime, the stock market is inrecovery, our economy is on the upswing, and ArnoldSchwarzenegger is running for Governor of California.
It feels like that with WIFS. We have gone through so manychanges and made great strides with our Association thisyear. With Robelynn Abadie at the helm, now runningfor State Representative of Louisiana, it shows that wewomen can do anything, from President of WIFS to StateRepresentative. You go girl!
With a great board of directors and executive managementteam, we are committed to keeping this association movingforward and keeping the vision and our mission statementalive: “To support, encourage and advance the success of
women in the financial services industry.”
This time last year, I came to our conference in Las Vegasas the new kid on the block not sure what I was gettinginto. I had some anxiety, fear and hope that I could carrythe vision of WIFS during my year as President. Duringthis last year I have met many of you who were encouraging,supportive and patient. Working with the Board and ourexecutive management team, I have seen the dedicationand vision of this organization.
We as a board cannot run this association alone; we needyou, the members, to help us grow as we have for 66 years.We need our members to step forward and take the riskand the willingness to get involved at the board level. Youare our future. We have come a long way, from WLRT,WLUC, and now WIFS. I know many of you have beenmembers for many years; this organization has made adifference in your lives and careers. That is what we arehere for. We have grown together personally, professionallyand have created lifelong friendships.
My goals this year are to increase our Corporate PartnershipProgram, and to create strategic alliances with insurancecompanies that are dedicated to their female producers. Iwould like to personally thank our Corporate Partners:Union Central, Northwestern Mutual FinancialNetwork, Guardian, Ohio National Financial Services,Principal Financial Group, State Farm Insurance,Transamerica Life Companies and Western ReserveLife. I would also like to thank State Farm for ourconference tote bags and all the other companies that gaveitems for the tote bags, as well as our Conference Sponsors.
I am committed to helping WIFS become a recognizableassociation in the industry and a name you will be proudto be a member.
Some of the programs we have initiated to support ourchapters are our new Chapter Guideline Handbook thatThera Engle took on as a major project. She did anoutstanding job putting this handbook together. We createda position of Chapter liaison, and Myra Bahme steppedup and said she would help us create better communicationswith our Chapters and board members of those Chapters.We set up quarterly chapter conference calls which allowus at National to understand your challenges and concerns.
MasterMinds has had great speakers this year, and it couldnot have been done without Cornelia Philipson. Thank
you for all your hard work and thank you for takingMasterMinds on again for the 2004 year.
Aileen Crass, your diligence in giving a summary reporton Fortune Academy is much appreciated. We can nowoffer our members a personal and professional coachingprogram, led by Mandy Bass.
Membership has increased from 150 to 388, a 250%increase. Marilyn Blosser, you are doing a fabulous job.
We are now financially compliant and accountable. SheriHoble took on a bigger job than she knew this time lastyear, and she has done an awesome job balancing our books.
Sherry Sicking came to our Board retreat in San Antonioand sat in on our board meeting; we invited Sherry to beour parliamentarian and bylaws chairperson. She graciouslyaccepted.
Diane White, thank you for handling Public Relationsand the Nominations committee this year.
Diane Dixon, thank you for coming back on board asPresident-Elect.
Ann Carroll, we cannot thank you and the Kansas CityChapter enough for the hard work and dedication in puttingtogether a wonderful conference this year. Ann and herteam have worked months to make our conference a success.
Karen True, Dorian Austin and Kristin Hiett, we surecould not run our association without you. You are the gluethat helps us keep it all together. Thank you.
Jim Bowman, Senior Vice President & Chief AgencyOfficer of Transamerica, thank you so much for takingthe time out of your busy schedule to be at the conference.We thank you, and we look forward to Transamerica’ssupport next year.
Lastly, Robelynn, thank you for your time, energy,dedication and vision for this organization. You have helpedcreate the next generation of WIFS members. You havespearheaded our branding initiative, WIFS new image,reworked the bylaws, created policies and procedures, andall the behind the scenes work.
This is quite a team of ladies. I am proud to partner withyou this year as president of WIFS. We will have anawesome 2004.
My hope is that I can get to know each of you and that youwill be willing to get involved in YOUR association.
In closing, I am reading a wonderful book by John Eldredge,The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, and I wanted to sharea quote from Nelson Mandela that touched my heart.
Embracing the Glory: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is ourlight, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,“Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?”Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Yourplaying small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightenedabout shrinking so other people won’t feel insecure around you. Wewere born to manifest the glory of God that is within us... As welet our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permissionto do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presenceautomatically liberates others. (Nelson Mandela)
Secretary:
MARILYN M. BLOSSER, LUTCFWestland Financial Services13305 SW 109 CourtMiami, FL [email protected](305) 251-5111Fax (305) 971-0198
Many positive results are to be reported for the 2003 term.It has been a pleasure working with such a wonderfullytalented Board of Directors. Their results are outstanding,and their dedication to excellence was surpassed only by thedesire to make WIFS the best choice for women in financialservices. As I have stated before, I truly understand the valueof a great volunteer, and I appreciate what these womenhave given to me in terms of active support and meaningfulencouragement. The most wonderful accomplishment isknowing that WIFS has a stellar lineup of officers anddirectors coming through the chairs. I can certainly end thisterm knowing that the vision is clear, the foundation isstrong, and the strategy will be implemented. Thanks to allof you, including the many members, officers and boardmembers of the Chapters and our management team formaking this year a shining example of what women canaccomplish working together. A synopsis of projects andresults follows.
AUDIT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING:Sheri Hoble and her committee finalized the audit lateFebruary, and it was approved by the Board and then for voteto the 2002 attendees of the business meeting. All voted infavor. This brings WIFS in compliance. Sheri also conductedan internal audit with the management staff in June. We willcontinue to refine our financial procedures and controls.
OPERATIONS: Our operating procedures are improved.Karen True, Kristin Hiett and Dorian Austin have donean excellent job of transitioning WIFS. Communication anddelegation of duty between the board and management willneed to improve and will be an area that Deborah will focuson during her term. Sheri Hoble conducted the managementreview at the same time as the internal audit. Response time,dues reimbursement, communications and reporting havegreatly improved as a result of the management team.
MARKETING: We set forth a 3-year plan and haveimplemented nearly all of our strategies. Our imagedevelopment has greatly improved our visibility in the industryas a whole. The print materials are more professional; thedisplay already needs some updating, but is much improvedfrom the prior years. I would caution, as we go forth, to keepall of our marketing materials consistent as the language andcopy has been created for a distinct purpose. Branding requiresconsistent delivery. What WIFS looks like out in themarketplace is how we are perceived as a whole. I recommendthat we spend what has already been approved in our strategicplan to keep the image crisp, professional and vivid. As the3-year period is drawing near, we will need to consult withThe Marketing Source for a future planning session.
WEBSITE: This part of our marketing and brandingstrategy must be improved. Kristin Hiett has made substantialchanges that improve the site, and board members have maderecommendations that have helped make it friendlier to use.We now have a member only section; the newsletter is posted;MasterMinds materials are posted, and we had conferenceregistrations online. When funding allows, I am recommendinga complete redesign of the site. As more people use theInternet, the WIFS site becomes an even more valuablemarketing tool as well as a delivery system and support toour members.
MEMBERSHIP: Marilyn Blosser has been steadfastand successful in the membership drive. Our membership
has doubled since the beginning of the year thanks to herefforts and many others. To sustain programs, management,chapter support and the many other initiatives, we must growthe membership much more. Momentum has been gainingthrough interest with insurance companies and chapterdevelopment.
CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT: Thera Engle almostsingle-handedly put the Chapter Development Handbooktogether. She is to be applauded for such a great effort anda fabulous result. Karen Rosenthal is commended fordeveloping the Chapter Survey, collating results anddistribution. Myra Bahme agreed to become a SeniorAdvisor and provide communications between the nationalboard and the chapters. All three of these women formeda team, worked together with a vision and produced thesegreat results. We have four new potential chapters alreadyon the rise and interest from about ten others. We expecta huge rise in new chapters in 2004.
CORPORATE PARTNERS: Significant interest fromprospective new partners has developed recently. In additionto Union Central newly on board, we are in discussionswith MassMutual, Prudential, New England amongothers. Deborah Anderson brought in sponsors early inthe year and refined the process for mailings and solicitations.She has a committee of three working already for 2004support. Corporate support is critical to WIFS.
INDUSTRY MEETINGS & ALLIANCE:
LIMRA: As a guest of Rich Wecker, CEO of LIMRA, Iattended and made a WIFS presentation to the Women’sMarket Study Group which focuses on marketing to womenand female recruiting efforts. WIFS will be working withNilifur Ahmed to advance this alliance. An important study“Ensuring the Success of Female Agents” is being conductedwith results available later this year. WIFS is a partner alongwith six insurers in the study. We are hopeful that this willbe an excellent marketing tool. Deborah Anderson andDiane Dixon will be attending the LIMRA annual meetingin Chicago in October.
GAMA: Deborah Anderson and I attended the 76thAnnual Meeting of the General Agents and ManagersAssociation as industry guests. The meeting, held in SanAntonio, yielded great results in terms of new affiliates andChapter interest from the delegation. GAMA gave uscomplimentary registration and also a booth for WIFS in theexhibition hall. Members of the San Antonio WIFS Chaptervolunteered to help in the booth for this 4-day event.
MDRT: See page 4 for report and photos.
NAIFA: For the first time in WIFS history, we integratedour meeting with the NAIFA platform. The programmingallowed WIFS to be autonomous and gave the membersan opportunity for a grander meeting. NAIFA has workedwith WIFS very well in regard to what NAIFA would beable to offer by way of promotion and support. NAIFA hasa limited budget and must control expenses but wanted tohelp support WIFS and their other partners wheneverpossible.
The things that NAIFA agreed to do in support of the WIFSconference are in keeping with the same offerings they giveto the NAIFA Conferences (organizations that are subsidiaries
of NAIFA). They were as follows:• Included the WIFS conference in the program published
in Advisor Today and on-site• Included WIFS in all marketing materials about the
convention as we do with all the NAIFA Conferences• Included information about the WIFS Conference and
luncheon on the NAIFA website• Included the WIFS luncheon on the registration form
and handled all the ticket sales for the luncheon• Paid for the WIFS speaker’s travel expenses• Gave all WIFS attendees a free one-day pass to the NAIFA
Convention• Shared the NAIFA attendee registration list with WIFS
which allowed us the opportunity to promote WIFS withNAIFA registrants.
The board will assess the conference afterwards to determinehow to go forward.
SFSP: We haven’t entered in to any kind of programmingor planning but will attend the annual conference in October.
CONFERENCE: Ann Carroll and her committee havebeen committed to making our conference one of the bestever. She has been working directly with NAIFA to ensurethe coordination of events as listed above. We were able toget conference materials out earlier this year and also hadthe online registration set up along with Corporate/ConferenceSponsor information. Ann had a great lineup of speakersand programs.
PROGRAMS: The major complaint of our sponsors andmembers is that we do not plan far enough in advance toallow a reasonable distribution of materials and adequateplanning time for our meetings. I agree with this, and WIFShas made a concerted effort this year to plan better and getinformation out to the membership. The management teamhas developed a timeline, and implementation should exceedour current standards for 2004.
FORTUNE ACADEMY: Mandy Bass will developand market another Fortune Academy for 2004 that will bespring boarded from the NAIFA Educational Conference.After costs, profits will be split 50/50.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the Board has made tremen-dous progress this year. Despite several Board personnelchanges and the management transition, we were able to stayon task. We were challenged with slow funding mechanisms,but we seem to have sparked new interest in future sponsorsand from the industry in general. Our financial andmanagement practices are improved and will continue to berefined. Our newsletter and image campaign have beeneffective, and we will work on the delivery of our otherbranding initiatives. Chapter and membership growth isincreasing with much improved communication and direction.Our convention and programs have been well thought outand planned accordingly.
Once again, it has been a pleasure working with each of you,and my heartfelt thanks for all of your contributions and yourtime. The future of WIFS is in the hands of some greatwomen coming through the chairs, and I am proud to havebeen a part of this powerful transformation.
We have truly “Raised the Bar!”
3Horizons
2003 WIFS ANNUAL REPORTROBELYNN ABADIE, LUTCF, CSA
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
4 Horizons
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
2003 WIFSWOMAN OFTHE YEAR
ROBELYNN H. ABADIE,LUTCF, CSA
One of the most anxiously-awaited announcementseach year at the WIFS conference is revealing thename of the winner of the Woman of the Year.
ROBELYNN H. ABADIE, LUTCF, CSA,is CEO and Owner of Abadie Financial Services (AFS),Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an insurance brokerageagency specializing in corporate benefit plans. Shehas been in the insurance business for 25 years.She is a qualifying member of the Million DollarRound Table and is a member of the prestigious2002 Top of the Table and 2003 Court of the Table.
In 1980, Robelynn was the General Agents andManagers Association “Rookie of the Year”. TheBaton Rouge Association of Life Underwriters namedher “Young Agent of the Year” in 1984, and “LifeUnderwriter of the Year” in 1990. She served on theBoard of Directors of the Louisiana Association ofLife Underwriters from 1998-2000. Robelynn wasthe charter president in 1982 of the Louisiana chapterof the Women’s Life Underwriters Conference. In1997 she was presented with the “Entrepreneur ofthe Year” award at the YWCA Women of AchievementAnnual Gala.
In 2002, Ms. Abadie was the recipient of the BatonRouge Business Report’s “Most Influential Womenin Business Award”.
She has won numerous industry awards throughouther career.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR2003 WOMAN OF THE YEAR,
ROBELYNN H. ABADIE.
MDRT REPORTROBELYNN ABADIE, LUTCF, CSA
I was privileged to join around 30 others in Indianapolis for the spring Telethon for the MDRTFoundation. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table and wasformed in 1959. It is one of the very few foundations that give 100% of its contributions out in theform of grants and donations.
Deborah Anderson and I attended MDRT in Las Vegas. We had volunteers to help man the boothand gathered lots of contact names that were distributed to Marilyn Blosser and Thera Engle
to contact. At this meeting, Yuka Nakahara-Govenarranged a meeting with the past MDRT Presidentof Japan, Mitsuko Takahashi. Yuka went to Taiwanand Japan in September to meet with womeninterested in rebuilding the Japan WIFS organization.
Yuka Nakahara-Goven, Mitsuko Takahashi, past presidentof MDRT Japan, Robelynn Abadie and Deborah Anderson.
David Behring, Executive Director of the Wheelchair Foundation, Robelynn Abadie andKenneth Behring, owner of the Seattle Seahawks and CEO of the Wheelchair Foundation.
Donna Patton, Robelynn Abadie
and Deborah Anderson.
WANTED: CREATIVE PERSONTO COORDINATE WIFS’ WEBSITE
Contact: Marilyn Blosser • Email: [email protected] • (305) 251-5111We are looking for a WIFS member that has creative talents to assume the Chair under me andcoordinate our website. Currently all changes and corrections to the website flow through me. If anyof you are interested, PLEASE send me an email or call me. [email protected] • (305) 251-5111
5Horizons
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
2003 LEADERSRECOGNITION SOCIETY
Robelynn H. Abadie, LUTCF, CSAMyra A. Bahme, CLU, RHU, CFP, CLTC
Leona “Noni” Baldwin, CLU, ChFC, LUTCFCarri Berger
Debra Blevins, CLTC, LUTCFMarilyn M. Blosser, LUTCF
Victoria J. BradenStephanie Brandon, CFP, ChFC
Lara Carlson, LUTCFConstance Cohrt, CLU, ChFC
Patricia M. Conte, CLU, ChFC, CFPLuana Mobley Corral, CFP, CFS
Lynne S. Crow, CLU, ChFCSusan M. Ellis, CFP
Peggy L. Fortson, LTCPSusan H. Herman
Gail R. Hill, CLU, ChFC, LUTCFSheri L. Hoble, CFP, CPA
Helen O. KhoJenny Kho, CLU, ChFC
Estella Reyna Kierce, LUTCFCheri L. Koester
Laura J. LaTourette, LUTCFIvy L. Leach, LUTCF
Susan E. Manrodt, FIC, LUTCF, CFPMarilyn Montague, FLMI, CLU, ChFC
Yuka Nakahara-Goven, MBA, CLUDonna A. Patton, CLU, ChFC
Karen Piccini, CLUHeather RobertsLora Kay Roberts
Andrea Roth-GellertLisa A. Samuels
Lyda Shehadeh, LUTCFSherry L. Sicking, LUTCFMelissa C. Starks, LUTCF
Denise Stephens, CFP, CFS, LUTCFAnnette Stone
Kris Summers, LUTCFKerri Tellier
Ann Travis, CFS, ChLAP, LUTCFJean van der Sommen
Cecile Maritt Vogler, CLU, ChFCBeverly White, CLU
THEIR QUALIFYING INCOMETOTALED $8,041,102.60!
WINNERS... WE’VE GOT WINNERS!
Annette Stone is presented with the LRSDiamond Award and congratulated by
Estella Kierce.
LARGE CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:ATLANTA, GEORGIA CHAPTER
Accepting the award from President Abadie is (left to right)Kelly Burroughs, Sheri Goss, Peggy Fortson and Irene Gottlieb.
MEDIUM CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:CINCINNATI, OHIO CHAPTER
Award winners from Cincinnati are (left to right) Diane Dixon,Ceil Vogler, Marilyn Hospodar and Sherry Sicking.
Awards Chair Irene Gottliebhad the honor of presenting the LRSand Chapter Achievement Awards.
LRS “DIAMOND”QUALIFIER:
ANNETTE STONE,DALLAS, TEXAS
6 Horizons
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
I AM THRILLED TO REPORT OURLATEST MEMBERSHIP NUMBERSAS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 AREAS FOLLOWS:
TOTAL PAID MEMBERSHIPTO DATE: 388
TOTAL LOCAL CHAPTERSTO DATE: 13
It was announced at the Chapter-to-Chapterconference call that our paid numbers last yearwere around 150; this being the case,membership has increased over 250%. In orderto, at the very least, duplicate that increase inthe coming year, we need to increase our LocalChapters numbers.
Thera Engle has done an outstanding job puttingtogether our Chapter development books, andwith the addition of Myra Bahme as NationalLiaison working with both current ChapterPresidents/Liaisons and potential new Chapterdevelopers, our goal to increase Chapters willautomatically increase overall membership. Andif Yuka Nakahara-Goven from our DallasChapter can get the Japanese Chapter up andrunning, that will be another big boost. I realizethat an increase of 250% is a big nut to crack;however I believe that the upcoming partnershipteleconference coaching program with MandyBass along with the discounted “early bird”membership fee will assist us in jump startingrenewal income as well as attracting badly needednew members. Adding the Fortune AcademyRegional Conference in Miami in March shouldalso assist us in adding new members as well asaiding retention. Aside from the addedmembership dues, the additional non duesrevenue from both these programs will also bea big boost to our treasury.
I have committed to the National Board toincrease membership to 750 in the coming year,which is less than 250% but very doable if weall work towards this goal. I have gottencommitments from several of our CorporatePartners to assist us with this project. JimBowman, CEO of Transamerica has alreadypromised me we will have 10 new membersimmediately from his company and has thrown
in an extra 10% commission payable to all WIFSmembers! How’s that for incentive. Ceil Vogler,Cincinnati Chapter; Patricia Murray, ColoradoChapter and Anne Reed, Dallas Chapter haveoffered to assist me with membership. Now, allI need is your help to make our goal a reality.Please contact us to volunteer, or to give ussome membership tips, or ask us for somemembership tips.
With the help of volunteers that “womaned”our booth at the NAIFA exhibition hall, wecollected a bunch of business cards, and theyare being input into our Prospective MemberDatabase. As soon as that’s done, I will be advisingall Chapter Presidents of the names of prospectivemembers who live in their area for them tocontact and invite to their next function.
I am very excited about the coming year andwhat we have in store for all our current membersand new members... jump on the bandwagon,make some noise and spread the WIFS word.We are the very best and most unique industryorganization out there.
Marilyn Blosser, LUTCF,
National Secretary & Membership Chair
[email protected] • Office (305) 251-5111Fax (305) 971-0198 • Cell (305) 934-7705
Please send all database address, phonenumber or email address changes toDorian Austin at our National office at:[email protected].
Please send all website information orchanges to Kristin Hiett at our Nationaloffice at: [email protected].
MEMBERSHIP UPDATEMARILYN BLOSSER, LUTCF
EACH ONE REACH ONE!Our members continue to give of themselves
and of their talents unconditionally!
WOMEN mentoring Women
Women supporting and encouraging the
professional success of other Women
“WIFS” Helping Women Succeed
DUES NEWSDON’T MISS THE DISCOUNT – PAY EARLY AND SAVE $$
Any renewals or new memberships postmarked by October 31 will receive the $125 discounted national price. Those memberships will gothrough 12/31/04.
As you have read in your newsletter, the board made the difficult decision to raise national dues to $150 for the next membership year. As an incentive to encourageearly renewals, they have also decided that anyone who joins or renews by October 31, 2003 will receive a discounted price of $125 for national dues (plus,of course, any local chapter dues).
Renewal notices have gone out in the mail. Encourage anyone you know who may wish to become a new member to go online to www.w-wifs.org.MORE MEMBERS, MORE POWER!
7Horizons
EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO YOU AS A WIFS MEMBER.FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
VALUE-ADDED MEMBER SERVICES
CERTIFIED SENIOR ADVISORSContact: Steve Scalet, BSW, CSA
1-888-819-3950www.society-csa.com
The Society of Certified Senior Advisors grantsthe respected designation “Certified SeniorAdvisor” (CSA)®. The CSA training is offeredas a live class in major cities across the countryor by correspondence or through accreditedcolleges. WIFS also benefits by receiving aroyalty on all members attending.
HEALTH INSURANCEASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Contact: Greg Dean1-800-509-4422 • www.hiaa.org
HIAA’s Insurance Education Program is thepremier provider of self-study courses in healthinsurance and managed care. For more than 40years, HIAA has offered current, comprehensive,and economically priced self-study courses forprofessionals seeking to advance their under-standing of the health insurance industry.
Insurance AchievementContact: Amanda C. Parker
1-800-258-2432 • Email: [email protected]
Insurance Achievement (IA) now offers thematerials to help your agents pass their Series7 exams! Your agents will be prepared to passNASD 7 with six weeks of study... only 60 hours!Materials cost: $325. Money Back Guarantee:IA will refund 100% of the NASD 7 materials costif a candidate does not pass the exam.. or candidatescan receive updated materials at any time in thefuture for only the $8.50 shipping fee!
LIFE INSURANCE SELLING (LIS)1-888-706-2745
Email: [email protected]
WIFS will participate in the Life Insurance Selling’s2nd Annual Annuities Forum in Schaumburg,Illinois on 10/3/03 and in San Francisco, Californiaon 10/24/03. You’ll gain knowledge and experiencefrom the industry’s top producers on a numberof hot issues! For information or registration,call 1-800-706-2745, ext 5546, [email protected]. Mention priority codeDEMT513 to receive an extra 10% discount.
VIRTUAL SALESASSISTANT (VSA)
Contact: Bill O’Quinnhttp://vsa.fsonline.com
Virtual Sales Assistant (VSA) will provideWIFS members with the most comprehensivesales tools in the industry! The VSA is anInternet-based publisher with hundreds of salespresentations, concept pages, calculators andmore, all designed to assist you in the marketingof your products and services.WIFS members receive a 20% discount. Go tohttp://vsa-fsonline.com. Use “WIFS” in thecompany code to receive your discount.
Contact: Rick Wilson1-800-895-4100, ext. 108
www.spardata.comSPARDATA is an expert appraiser of almost all typesof privately-owned businesses. Since 1990 SPARDATAhas prepared over 25,000 appraisals for business owners,attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and majorinstitutions including Morgan Stanley, New York Life,MassMutual, J.P. Morgan Chase and PNC Bank. Eventhe IRS uses SPARDATA! All SPARDATA appraisalsare written to meet standards set forth in RevenueRuling 59-60 (used by the IRS to value closely-heldbusinesses for estate and gift tax purposes). Offeringbusiness valuations from SPARDATA is a great way togenerate new business with your business owner clients.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESEIMPORTANT BENEFITS THAT
COULD MAKE A REALDIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE:• Skill-building, leadership training and
personal development through ourannual conference and regional meetingsand seminars – From business know-how toindustry expertise to personal growth, you’llfind what you need through Women inInsurance & Financial Services’ educationalprogramming.
• One-on-one support through ourmentoring program – Team up with someof the industry’s most successful veterans toimprove your success, get over a rough spot orjump-start your business.
• Ongoing education and support throughvarious local chapters – Get a regular doseof motivation, education and inspiration fromlocal chapter activities.
• News, motivation and more throughemail, web page and newsletter – Get thelatest information, find out about industryhappenings, learn about Women in Insurance& Financial Services’ activities and get motivatedwith our communication services.
• MasterMinds teleconferences with industryleaders – Ongoing education was never so easy.Teleconferences bring you outstanding presen-tations from dynamic experts without the hassleor expense of travel. (See page 9)
• Networking, personal growth andcooperative business exchanges – Discovera network of women you can count on forbusiness connections, networking, support andfriendship.
• Awards and recognition through theLeaders Recognition Society –Acknowledgment for success and achievementis important in realizing your dreams. Everyyear we honor dozens of members through ourLeadership Recognition Society for topproducers.
• Annual retreats – Seize the opportunity toget away for a long weekend to rest, rejuvenate,and reconnect with fellow members.
• Affiliation with industry groups – Gain thebenefits of alliances with National Associationof Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA),Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP)and other leading industry organizations.
• Chapter information – Participate in localstudy groups, work toward chapter achievementawards, earn continuing education credits andmore. See our web site at www.w-wifs.org forinformation on local chapters.
• Value-added member services – See page 7
LONG TERM CARE INSTITUTE (LTCI)Contact: Lori Evans • Email: [email protected] • (425) 827-4704
The LTCI conference will take place February 8-11, 2004 in Houston, Texas. WIFS is co-sponsoringthis event, and WIFS members will receive $100 off the conference fee. The conference offersvaluable learning and networking in both healthcare and financial services markets. It is truly a learningenvironment filled with individuals with a passion to add value to healthcare.
Membership Applications are available on our website – WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
8 Horizons
WIFS ANNUAL CONFERENCEHELD AT THE DOUBLETREE, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Friendly smiles abound from pals Cornelia Philipson,Ann Carroll and Ann Travis!
This conference is a wonderful opportunity to network with
other women! Elaine Saner, LUTCF and Patricia Murray
are from different parts of the country but face the samechallenges as women in the financial services industry!
Deborah’s new board is ready to work for you! (left to right) Deborah Anderson,LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, RIA; Diane Dixon, CLU; Marilyn Blosser, LUTCF;Sheri Hoble, CFP, CPA; Robelynn Abadie, LUTCF, CSA; Sherry Sicking,LUTCF; Thera Engle; Myra Bahme, CLU, CFP, RHU, CLTC; Cornelia
Philipson, CSA, LUTCF; and going off the board, Diane White, LUTCF, CSA.
Mathew Pucker, representing one of
our corporate partners, Northwestern
Mutual Financial Network, discusses
ways to work with WIFS, with
President-Elect Diane Dixon.President Deborah Anderson is congratulatedby Jim Bowman, Senior Vice President &Chief Agency Officer of Transamerica.
“Womaning” the WIFS booth in the NAIFA Expo are Diane
Dixon, Dorian Austin, Deborah Anderson, Kristin
Hiett, Karen True and Sherry Sicking. Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul co-author JenniferRead Hawthorne inspires the audience. Showing the effects
of positive self talk is Melissa Starks, LUTCF.
One of our special guests at the WIFS luncheon wasNAIFA Trustee, Juli McNeely, who is warmly greeted by
2000-01 WIFS President, Estella Reyna Kierce, LUTCF.
Immediate Past President Robelynn Abadie isescorted by her husband, Wayne Brackin.
Joining Deborah Anderson at the John Newton-Russell
special guests table are Alan Ziegler, CLU, ChFC, CEBS,
2002-03President of SFSP and Joe Frack, CPA,
Chief Executive Officer of SFSP.
“Come and jointhe fun next yearin Atlanta,” says1997-98 WIFSPresident, BarbaraFisearel, CLU,ChFC, RHU,LUTCF.
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
Donna Patton and Marilyn Montague
from the Kansas City chapter
welcome WIFS attendees....
9Horizons
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
CORNELIA’S CORNER:OUR SIXTH GREAT SEASON KICKS OFF OCTOBER 21, 2003!
NATIONAL MASTERMINDS SCHEDULE
Back by OVERWHELMING DEMAND... with agreat deal of excitement and fanfare... with greatpride, pleasure, and excitement... WIFS-WomenIn Insurance & Financial Services invite ourmembers and prospective members to join us forthe wonderful Sixth Annual National MastermindsTeleconference Season.
All teleconferences take place from 12:00noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time(EST) on the third Tuesday of the month(do double check your emails and the websitefor exact dates).
Please calendar and schedule immediately by callingour National office at 1-800-753-3973 to get thephone number and conference code. (If you havetrouble accessing the conference number becauseof circuits busy, call 10-10-987 and then theconference number.) Spaces will fill up very fast.There is no cost for members. If you are a non-member “guest” there is a $25 cost. Have yourcredit card information available. We are so luckyto make available our wonderfully talented speakers,and we promise you will find your life and businessenhanced with your participation.
Three to four weeks before each MasterMindsTeleconference, we will email to each Chapterpresident and to all members on our email list(be sure we have your current email address),an announcement of the upcoming speaker,their topic and bio for publication in your newsletter,faxes, etc. Also, our national website atwww.w-wifs.org is a good source for theprogramming updates especially for “membersat large”. As always we welcome feedback andsuggestions for speakers and topics. We want tomake this YOUR resource to enhance yourselvesprofessionally and personally. You can always reachCornelia Philipson, the chair at (305) 595-2115;fax (305) 595-0039 or email [email protected].
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2003
PRESENTER: Arleen J. Llewellyn,CLU, ChFC, CFP
TOPIC: “The Investment Piece of OurBusiness is the Insurance to Our Long TermSuccess” – Arleen will share how she has built astrong practice with equal emphasis on investments.
INTRODUCING ARLEENLLEWELLYN... For over 20 years Arleen hasspecialized in working with her clients to achievefinancial security and peace of mind. She works withbusinesses and individuals advising them with strategiesto implement in order to achieve their financial goals.
Arleen is a Certified Financial Planner associatedwith the Northwestern Mutual Financial Networkand its affiliates. Her many areas of expertise includeBusiness and Employee Benefits, Retirement, Estateand Insurance Planning, Education Funding, andInvestment Products and Services.
Her professional designations include CharteredLife Underwriter (CLU), Chartered FinancialConsultant (ChFC), and Certified Financial Planner(CFP). Arleen is a Qualifying and Life member ofMDRT, and in 2002 qualified for Court of theTable. In 2002/2003 her production qualified herin the top 4% of financial representatives for theNorthwestern Mutual Life Insurance Companyand was second for all female representatives.
“My mission is to establish relationships of trustwith quality individuals, families, and businesses,by assisting them in achieving financial security andpeace of mind through realization of their goals,objectives and dreams.”
Arleen J. Llewellyn, CLU, ChFC, CFPArleen.llewellyn @nmfn.com1300 Summit Ave., #200, Fort Worth, TX 76102Phone: (817) 347-9152
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2003
PRESENTER: Kelli McCauley
TOPIC: “Are you earning what you’re worth?Learn how to unleash your potential andincrease your income using self promotion!”
INTRODUCING KELLI MCCAULEY...An industry well-known coach and “talent scout”who specializes in helping sales leaders unleash andachieve their potential. In this session you will learnhow to:• Discover the biggest obstacles that women face
with respect to self promotion• Confidently promote yourself, products and
solutions based on your personal style• Identify your unique talents and learn specific
ways to showcase them to clients and potentialclients on a regular basis.
Kelli McCauley is an executive coach, speaker andfacilitator who specializes in improving leadershipand sales performance in the financial servicesindustry. By introducing proven blueprints forsuccess, she helps clients identify, retain andmaximize employee talent for increased salesperformance, leadership and profitability. Kelliworks closely with her clients to generate fast trackperformance, while avoiding burnout andmaintaining balance.
Using a collaborative approach, Kelli’s clients realizeoutstanding performance in short periods of time.They continue to report breakthrough results in theirbusiness objectives, combined with increased levelsof Emotional Intelligence, success and satisfaction.
With over 20 years of sales, marketing and coachingexperience in the financial services industry, she ispassionate about sales integrity and leadershipethics. She is founding Principal of MK PerformanceGroup, an executive coaching company thatspecializes in leadership effectiveness within salesorganizations.
Kelli McCauley can be reached at 1-800-422-8318Email: [email protected]
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2003
PRESENTER: David GustafsonTOPIC: “Power Point & Beyond In theFinancial Services – Secret Strategies forBuilding and Delivering Powerful, PersuasivePresentations”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2004
PRESENTER: Dr. Hank WeisingerTOPIC: “The Emotionally IntelligentFinancial Advisor” – A preview of Dr.Weisinger’s forthcoming book, The
Emotionally Intelligent Financial Advisor
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2004
PRESENTER: Panel of successful WIFSmembers
MARCH 2004 (date tba)
PRESENTER: Carol BrinkTOPIC: “Life Insurance Trusts”
APRIL 2004 (date tba)PRESENTER & TOPIC: TBA
MAY 2004 (date tba)PRESENTER: TBATOPIC: “Planning for Persons withDisabilities & Medicaid Planning”
JUNE 2004 (date tba)PRESENTER & TOPIC: TBA
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2004PRESENTER & TOPIC: TBA
AUGUST 2004 (date tba)
PRESENTER & TOPIC: TBA
10 Horizons
WWW.W-WIFS.ORG
2003-2004CALENDAR
OCTOBER 21, 2003MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)OCTOBER 23, 2003WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTOCTOBER 26-28, 2003LIMRA – Chicago, IllinoisOCTOBER 26-29, 2003SFSP Forum – Honolulu, HawaiiOCTOBER 27, 2003Chapter-to-Chapter Conference Call – 1:00 CST(see page 10)NOVEMBER 11, 2003WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTNOVEMBER 13-16, 2003CSA Course – Dallas, TexasNOVEMBER 18, 2003MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)DECEMBER 1, 2003WIFS Jan/Feb 2004 newsletter deadlineDECEMBER 9, 2003WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTDECEMBER 11-14, 2003CSA Course – Tampa, FloridaDECEMBER 16, 2003MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)JANUARY 13, 2004WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTJANUARY 20, 2004MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)JANUARY 27, 2004Chapter-to-Chapter Conference Call – 1:00 CST(see page 10)FEBRUARY 1, 2004WIFS March/April 2004 newsletter deadlineFEBRUARY 8-11, 2004Long Term Care Institute (LTCI) (see page 7)Houston, TexasFEBRUARY 10, 2004WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTFEBRUARY 17, 2004MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)MARCH 2004 (date tba)Fortune Academy Program – Mandy BassMiami, FloridaMARCH 2004 (date tba)MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)MARCH 9, 2004WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTAPRIL 2004 (date tba)MasterMinds Teleconference (see page 9)APRIL 1, 2004WIFS May/June 2004 newsletter deadlineAPRIL 13, 2004WIFS Board Conference Call – 1:00 CSTAPRIL 23-25, 2004Mid-Year Board Meeting – Canyon Lake, TXAPRIL 25-28, 2004AALU – Washington, DCAPRIL 27, 2004Chapter-to-Chapter Conference Call – 1:00 CST(see page 10)
CHAPTER-TO-CHAPTER REPORTTHERA M. ENGLE
Chapter Presidents and/or Assigned ChapterLiaisons: Please Mark Your Calendars!
OUR QUARTERLY CHAPTER-TO-CHAPTER CONFERENCE CALLSSCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:OCTOBER 27, 2003JANUARY 27, 2004APRIL 27, 2004JULY 27, 2004
All conference calls are scheduled at 1 pm CST.The phone number remains the same (918) 222-7102; however the participant code changes monthlyand therefore will be distributed via email.
Our conference is tentatively scheduled to be held inAtlanta, Georgia and those dates are October 22-26,2004.
CHAPTER-TO-CHAPTER MEETING ATTHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
We had “Official” chapter time on the agenda atconference and it was awesome. I got the opportunityto say a big fat thank you to my committee membersincluding Myra Bahme, our unbelievably wonderfulSenior Advisor new addition to the team, as well asKaren Rosenthal from Cincinnati, Aline Brandau,JD from Colorado and Beverly White, CLU fromGold Coast.
We also had the opportunity to listen first-hand tosome of the chapter members letting us know “whatis working” and “what is not”.
What we came up with is:
1) Definitely solicit your primary carriers to see ifthey could assist with membership in your area.For example: If you have 20 members, many ofwhom work with several carriers, and each membergained support from 2 or 3 of them, you couldhave an influx of membership that could doublethe size of your chapter.
2) Keep getting chapter support from your productlines providers, but don’t dedicate an entiremeeting to their product. They should either givea flat fee or pick up lunch and get about 10 minuteson the podium to solicit. The rest of the meetingshould deal with other aspects of our business.
3) Pick a month to be your “Pamper Yourself”meeting including and securing either on-site orgift certificates to a number of places. We received$25.00 gift certificates from Saks at conference.That in itself should be inspiring. Peggy Fortsonand Sheri Goss took the stage to tell us abouttheir October Expo with some wonderfully creative
marketing ideas from one of their new membersKelly Burroughs. She said go out and get hairstylists, a department store to put on a businessand evening fashion show, a manicurist and/orpedicurists, graphic artists, representatives fromcell phone companies, Costco and/or Sams, OfficeDepot or Staples. The list is endless, and youwould be surprised at the gifts they will furnishto get the attention of successful women in ourindustry. Marilyn Hospodar took the mike todiscuss some challenges in the Cincinnati chapter.Bottom line, ask the members what they wantand attempt to accommodate their wishes, i. e.meeting frequency, time and or dates.
4) I want to start a compendium of successfulmembership initiatives, meeting ideas, fund-raisingactivities, sponsor benefits that you haveexperienced to give out to potential new chaptersor just to share with long-standing existing chapters.
5) Use our executive management team and websiteto filter information to your members. There isno reason we can’t post your meeting times, dates,speaker information, fund-raisers, special eventson the website. Please send anything you wouldlike posted through Marilyn Blosser, ourNational Secretary. P.S. She is looking for somecreative members to help her enhance our existingwebsite (see page 5). Give her a shout [email protected]. She would love to hearfrom you.
6) Send out press releases! It seems to be the numberone way to get the message out on a local level.Diane White, National Past President, will behappy to help with pointers. She may even havethe names of some additional places to send yourreleases. Email her at [email protected].
7) I am looking for speakers! I want each and everyone of you to come forward and share yourbrilliance. I was asked three times at the conferenceby NAIFA members and agencies looking for goodfemale speakers in our industry. I would love tohand them a list. Please email me [email protected] if you would likeyour name added to the list. Please include yourdesignation, years in the industry, your forte andthe length and title of your presentation. Don’tforget to include pricing information. We allshould be able to share our intellectual capital;however it does come at a price.
Well, that is about it for now! Be sure to plan toattend next year’s conference. Every member, makeit a point to bring a new member to conference. TheRule of 72 tells me, what a way to double. Be sure totune in on the Chapter call on October 27th. Talk toyou soon!
11Horizons
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