2019 will be an exciting year for NAIFA as our state chapters take on their new role of providing consistent and quality programming and networking opportunities directly to members. To help states deliver a quality experience for members, NAIFA has expanded the State Experience Team (SET) to provide more dedicated resources to assist state leaders. To see who will be working with your state, view the updated SET Assignments.

In January, all chapters will submit a 2019 Action Plan outlining their program calendar, marketing plans and operating budget. We also will be unveiling our new Chapter Achievement Program to establish minimum standards for success, share best practices and recognize the outstanding achievements of our chapters. 

Add Us to Your Mailing List!
We want to see what your members and prospects see!  Please add leadership@naifa.org to your email distribution list so we get event notices, electronic newsletters and other communications you send to members, prospects and sponsors! If you have a blog, please subscribe the leadership@naifa.org email address to your blog so we get those posts, as well. If you send a printed newsletter, direct mailing or other "snail" mailing to your members, prospects or sponsors, please include our Midwest office on the mailing list, too:

Communicate Your Plans for 2019
NAIFA has been communicating regularly with members about the benefits of our new structure, unified dues and the many new programs and services that have launched since the bylaws were adopted in May, yet many members still have questions. A common question our Member Service Team is receiving from members whose chapters have dissolved is "what is my state chapter planning?"

If you have communicated your 2019 plans to members, please send us a copy of the communications. If you haven't communicated your plans for 2019...PLEASE DO! If you need help drafting the message, let your SET rep know!

Online Service Center Reprogramming
On January 1, we will be reprogramming the Online Service Center (OSC) to move to a calendar year reporting system. The last update to the OSC will occur just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 30. You will still be able to download rosters during the reprogramming, but data will not be updated to reflect new members or renewals for approximately two weeks. If you require an updated lapsed list or new member list during this time, please reach out to our Member Service Team for assistance at info@naifa.org. 

January 1 will officially mark the start of our newly structured NAIFA! We hope everyone will ring in 2019 with a spirit of optimism and energy as we move forward as One NAIFA. 

Member Retention

December has been spent in working to renew our members. In doing so, we have realized how many members are still unaware of NAIFA's changes and why dues may be changing. To help explain, we have routinely pointed members to two locations (feel free to pass on): 

• "Elect to Be a Member" Webinar now available on-demand to hear where NAIFA is going, new products & programs and updates on our 2018 advocacy wins.
• NAIFA 20/20 Implementation website that includes links to slide decks, PDFs and webinars.

The top response has been, "You've taken my local away!" Please be prepared to explain the restructuring and folding of locals into state chapters.

We have had so many changes that we are putting together a "Member Benefit Refresher" webinar for January 10 at 1 p.m. EST focused on members that have been within NAIFA for more than two years. The webinar will review all of the benefits available in your membership fees and allow each member to ensure that they are aware of all the opportunities that exist to get involved. A similar path for onboarding has been developed and will be presented on the January Leadership Debrief Webinar.

Acquisition

• Prospect Lists: The prospect list is undergoing data clean-up. The first slice will be provided in early January to jump start the process and obtain feedback. 

• October 26, 2018: Leader Debrief: Corporate Partner Program
• Partner Special Rate Pages for Joining NAIFA:
  • Ameritas
  • State Farm
  • Guardian
  • Ohio National
  • Advisor Group
  • Kansas City Life
  • Mass Mutual
  • Gateway Insurance & Financial Advisors
  • Principal Financial Group
  • Northwestern Mutual

Webinars were conducted in November and December to help chapters plan for 2019. Both are available on demand at http://solutions.naifa.org/leadership. Topics include:

• Volunteer Engagement and Leadership Recruitment
• Programming and Budget
• Communication and Membership
• Final Steps

Shout Out!

Congratulations to the following states that have completed the  governance tasks, including chapter agreements for the state and remaining chapters and paperwork dissolving for locals!

2019 Chapter Leadership & Contact Report Due December 31

Many chapters will be transitioning to new officers on January 1, so it is time to submit updated leadership rosters. We also need to know which affiliate leaders your state wants to receive leadership communications in 2019! Even if you are not transitioning to new officers, every chapter MUST submit a 2019 Chapter Leadership & Contact Report by Monday, December 31, 2018. Click here to submit your report! Special thanks to those chapters listed below for submitting early!

National Membership Day 2019

Our fall National Membership Day focused on telling our #NAIFAproud story in social media. We want to go even bigger for our next one, so we have moved the event to coincide with our 2019 Congressional Conference. We are aiming to have ConCon be our best one yet, so please mark your calendars for May 14-15 and encourage your volunteers to come to Washington to advocate for our industry and for our annual member photo shoot on the steps of the Capitol. More information to come, but keep using #NAIFAproud as you post stories that showcase the power of One NAIFA.

 December Leadership Debrief Webinar

Did you miss December's Leadership Debrief Webinar featuring NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux? Not to worry! You can view the webinar by clicking here. Topics covered include:

• CEO Comments from Kevin Mayeux
• Key Areas to Address in 2019
• Product & Program Updates
• Chapter Updates

As a reminder, these webinars take place the first Wednesday of everything month at Noon!