NAIFA-Arkansas hosted its annual Legislative Dinner with state legislators on February 12th.

NAIFA- Arkansas is looking for dedicated volunteers to help us grow, engage, and support our members. Whether you have a few hours a year to spare or want to take on a leadership role, your time and skills can make a difference.

We’re excited to announce the first Sip.Share.Succeed event hosted by NAIFA-Arkansas Central Affiliate! Join us for an informal and relaxed gathering where you can connect with fellow members, share insights, and enjoy a cup of coffee while discussing everything from industry trends to sales strategies.

Welcome Our Newest Members to NAIFA-Arkansas!

We are excited to extend a warm welcome to two incredible professionals who have recently joined NAIFA-Arkansas. Each one brings a unique perspective, experience, and passion for serving clients in the financial services industry. Please join us in welcoming:

Join us virtually on January 23rd from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for a 3-hour Continuing Education (CE) course, "Ethical Challenges and Consequences." This course explores actual ethical lapses of insurance professionals. Information from state insurance department shows what went wrong and how the state's insurance regulations, and/or applicable local laws, were enforced.

Scott Dorminy, President of NAIFA-Arkansas, sat down with Arkansas Business to discuss the evolving landscape of the insurance industry and how NAIFA is working to support its members and the clients they serve. In the interview, Scott delves into key topics, including the challenges of rising premiums, the effects of severe weather events on the industry, and how companies are adapting to an ever-changing climate.

Did you know that you automatically receive 2 hours of general Continuing Education just for being a NAIFA-Arkansas member? This is just one of many benefits to being a NAIFA member in Arkansas! You recently received an email from us indicating what we currently have on file as your National Producer Number (NPN).  

Did you know that you automatically receive 2 hours of general Continuing Education just for being a NAIFA-Arkansas member? This is just one of many benefits to being a NAIFA member in Arkansas! You recently received an email from us indicating what we currently have on file as your National Producer Number (NPN).  

NAIFA-Arkansas is pleased to present you with a continuing education opportunity conducted by Career Insurance, Inc. Join us October 11, 2023 virtually from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm for Critical Illness & Disability Planning, a webinar presented by Rick Weston, CLU, ChFC, CPCU, LUTCF, FSS. 3 Hours of CE Credit available!

Bylaws are an important part of any organization, but sometimes having them available for our members isn't easy. If you haven't read the NAIFA-Arkansas Chapter Bylaws recently, here is your chance. As always, please reach out to info@naifa-arkansas.org with any questions or concerns.

The 94^th General Assembly has wrapped up most of their work for the Regular Session. As week 12 ended today, the Legislators cleared both agendas and sent their last piece of legislation to the Governor's desk. Pursuant to HCR1007, the General Assembly may reconvene no later than May 1, 2023 to override any gubernatorial vetoes, correct any oversights or errors, and finalize their recommendations for ballot initiatives.

Week 11 of the 94^th General Assembly has wrapped up, and the Legislators have returned from Spring Break re-energized. It clearly shows based on how fast the pace has been around the Capitol this week.

Week 10 of the 94^th General Assembly has wrapped up, and the Legislators have returned home for Spring Break.

Week 9 of the 94^th General Assembly has ended. This past week was quite lively and saw substantial action from both the Governor and the public.

94^th General Assembly Weekly Report - February 27 - March 3, 2023

94^th General Assembly

The seventh week of the 94^th General Assembly has wrapped up in Little Rock.

Join the NAIFA-Arkansas Northwest Affiliate for a Top Golf Event on March 14th! Come out to Top Golf in Rogers from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for 2 hours of unlimited play, appetizers, and unlimited fountain drinks. We can't wait to see you there!

The third week of the 94th General Assembly has come to a close. Since today was the deadline for Members to file a bill related to retirement or employee benefits, this week saw an uptick in proposed legislation. There have been more than 500 bills filed as of this morning. Many of these bills were technical corrections to Arkansas Code.

This week marked the 50thanniversary of the signing of the Vietnam ceasefire. In a very moving moment on the Senate floor, Senator Dave Wallace—a Vietnam Veteran—shared his story from service in the war. His address to the Senate can be found here at the 10:04 mark.

Governor Sanders’ bills related to education, criminal justice reform, or tax cuts have yet to be filed. Although we expect them to be filed soon.

Below are bills that Cove Street Consulting is tracking for you and your organization:

Review: New Bills that have been filed

NAIFA has the largest grassroots program in the financial services industry.

NAIFA-Arkansas is pleased to present you with a continuing education opportunity conducted by Career Insurance, Inc. Join us for an Ethics CE Webinar Event  - Ethics and Your Insurance Career, presented by Rick Weston! Tune in virtually from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2023 for this great event offering 3 Hours of Ethics CE Credit.

NAIFA-Arkansas is pleased to present you with a continuing education opportunity conducted by Career Insurance, Inc. Join us for an Ethics CE Webinar Event - Ethics and Your Insurance Career, presented by Rick Weston! Join us virtually from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2023 for this great event offering 3 Hours of Ethics CE Credit.

Fundraiser

On Friday, September 9th, NAIFA-Arkansas members and our State Lobbyist met with Congressman Steve Womack and staff. Thank you to all those who came to the meeting!

NAIFA-Arkansas is pleased to present you with a continuing education opportunity conducted by Career Insurance, Inc. Join us Tuesday, October 11 virtually from 2:00 - 5:00 pm for Today's New Insurance Risks presented by Rick Weston, CLU, ChFC, CPCU, LUTCF, FSS.

NAIFA-Arkansas members met with Representative Rick Crawford on August 26th at Rep. Crawford's office in Jonesboro, AR. Pictured left to right - Howard Woodall - Board Member & Advocacy Chair, Katie M. Burns - State Lobbyist, Representative Rick Crawford, and Bobby Bowen - Board Member & IFAPAC Chair. 

Northwest Affiliate Area Members:

On June 28th, Speaker Matthew Shepherd hosted a fundraiser in Rogers, AR benefiting the House Leadership PAC. Cove Street Consulting was asked along with a few other firms to sponsor the well attended event. This was a good opportunity to meet candidates from the northwest part of the state.

Central Affiliate Area Members:

2022 Arkansas Primary Election

While the 2022 Primary Election was mostly predictable, there were definitely
some major upsets.

Federal Races
Senator John Boozman-R, was successful Tuesday night winning 58 percent of the
vote. Boozman had three primary opponents with Jake Bequette being his biggest
threat. Boozman pulled away the last three weeks leading up to the election with
strategically placed ads against Bequette and also a solid focus on his own voting
record and the resources he’s brought to Arkansas.

All congressional seats were easily held by the incumbent. They will all face an
opponent in the fall but all are expected to remain victorious.

A special shout out and thank you to the NAIFA-Arkansas members that attended this year's Congressional Conference! It was a huge success filled with members coming back together, legislative meetings, and a huge impact made on Capitol Hill. Thank you all for your leadership and service to NAIFA. Check out some great photos from the event below!

Speaker's Race
Speaker Matthew Shepherd secured another session in his leadership role despite some very interesting antics from his opposition. In the end, Shepherd's opponent, Representative Austin McCollum withdrew from the race prior to the vote.

Fiscal Session

The fiscal session officially began Monday February 14th. Governor Hutchinson's last state of the state address was interrupted by protesters regarding his prison expansion announcement. Multiple individuals were arrested for unruly behavior inside the gallery.

Only budget bills have been filed thus far, keeping in line with fiscal intent. The weather this week forced session to close Thursday and Friday -- members will be back Monday, February 28th.

Welcome new members who joined NAIFA-Arkansas this February!

NAIFA-Arkansas is forming a LILI class in 2022. Scholarships are being offered to the first TEN members that apply! Applicants must be a member in good standing and scholarships will be paid upon graduation from the course.

Are you signed up for February's NAIFA Live? Next month's NAIFA Live will feature Ross Bernstein, inspirational business keynote speaking and best-selling author with
"The Champions Code: Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability From The Sports World to The Business World." 

Arkansas Legislature convenes fiscal session February 14, 2022

Overview:

The Arkansas legislature will convene their fiscal session February 14, 2022. In Arkansas, the constitution requires the state to accomplish a balanced budget every year. Budget hearings are currently underway.

The NAIFA Quality Award provides advisors at any career stage the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to excellence. This includes:

Join fellow NAIFA members May 23-24 in Washington D.C. for this year's NAIFA Congressional Conference!

Governor Hutchinson announced today at his weekly press conference that he will be calling the General Assembly into session, to convene Tuesday, December 7, at 10:00 a.m.  The primary issue will be proposed tax cuts. The Governor said he has had assurances from leadership in the House and the Senate that there is a solid majority of support for the measure in both chambers. 

Join NAIFA-Arkansas for our 2021 Annual Business Meeting! We will also hear from NAIFA-Arkansas Lobbyist, Katie Burns with a legislative update. This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom on Thursday, October 14th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Click the button below to register.

Welcome new members who joined NAIFA-Arkansas this June!

Belonging to your professional association sets you apart from the competition by ascribing to a Code of Ethics, voluntarily investing & participating in a performance-driven networking group, and serving your industry through advocacy and community service.

New SNAP Eligibility System: Q&A With Community Partners
June 17, 2021 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Dear Community Partner,

Access Arkansas is a website for Arkansans to apply for DHS benefits. We’re updating Access Arkansas to make it easier to use and give our clients more options to apply for and manage their benefits online.

We know that you serve people in your community by helping them to get connected to Health Care (Medicaid), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) benefits they may be eligible to get. You may even help them apply for benefits. That’s why it’s important that you also know about the updated Access Arkansas.

Bobby Bowen, one of the Arkansas Farm Bureau agents and a long-time NAIFA AR member, had a situation develop as a result of a 1930s state court case allowing a change to a beneficiary designation by a will instead of using the normal contract change documents.  He knew that one of his deceased clients, who was a personal friend, did not intend for the will to change the original beneficiary designation on his annuity contract.  So he went about getting a bill written for introduction in the 2021 Arkansas Legislative Session.  His State Representative, Reginald Murdock, saw the merit of the proposal and introduced it in the House with quick passage by a 93-0 vote.  Then Senator Joyce Elliott guided it through the Senate chamber with a 32-0 vote for quick passage also, and then Governor Hutchinson signed it into law as Act 925.  Now Arkansas is in step with the majority of the states requiring beneficiaries to be changed within the affected life and/or annuity contract.  All the credit goes to Bobby Bowen for recognizing a situation that needed to be corrected, and working tirelessly to get it done.

How to Build a Location Independent Practice that Attracts Dream Clients Like Clockwork with More Free Time

Will Corporon has been in the insurance and financial industry since 2002. He started his career calling on farmers and ranchers and helping them with life and health insurance.   Today, Corporon is owner of his own agency and  specializes in life insurance, Medicare, and Long Term Care Insurance. He is passionate about helping seniors, and their families, plan for retirement and beyond.   For the past 12 years he has proudly affiliated with New York Life as his broker-dealer.  He has been a NAIFA Member since 2010 and has been a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.

Mission

CPA Partnering Perspective

Phil Raymond, MBA, CLU, ChFC, CLF, CFEd