NAIFA-Texas' Position Regarding the Recommendations of NAIFA's Presidential Blue Ribbon Task Force
NAIFA-Texas Statement, adopted 2/16/2012, in response to NAIFA Board reaction on 1/29/2012 to the Presidential Blue Ribbon Task Force report
NAIFA Texas recognizes that our federation needs to make dramatic changes in order to succeed in the future. However, we cannot support model 2 which would eliminate state and local associations. We agree that maintaining the status quo is unacceptable and that a more efficient structure is needed. However, with the current information available, it is hard to see how a "top down" NAIFA will be able to find and support local volunteers. Too much of the value and effectiveness of our association comes form the bottom of the NAIFA pyramid. Any new structure needs to take advantage of viable states and locals which are providing value and developing future leaders.
We believe that advocacy is our most valuable asset, our "golden handcuffs," and that substantially all NAIFA resources at the national level should be focused on enhancing this unique strength. We all could get excited about a NAIFA refocused on this core value. It would be nice to know how well received and utilized are the other member benefits vis-à-vis advocacy.
Ultimately, we feel that more study needs to be done to determine the best changes we can make to our strucutre to provide effective advocacy and generate future leaders of our assocation. While we appreciate the efforts of the national board, the work of the President's Blue Ribbon Task Force and the transparency of the process to create a heightened sense of relevancy for our members, NAIFA-Texas stands firm in its support of our state association and those locals within our state which continue to provide support for our primary mission.
Stephen M. Ehlers, LUTCF
NAIFA-Texas President
What is the PBRTF?
NAIFA President Robert Miller has convened a Presidential Blue Ribbon Task Force. The charge given the group is to examine the governance model, structure and bylaws of the NAIFA federation, to ensure that they are best aligned to meet the mission of the association. The Task Force should pursue its charge by asking: If NAIFA were created today, how would it be structured in order to achieve its mission now and in the future?
- From naifa.org: minutes, memos, & materials
- From AdvisorToday blog: Robert Miller blog
