The format of the annual Town Hall meeting transformed from the traditional to the virtual, with members having the option to text or email their questions in addition to posing them in-person via a stationary floor mic.
When NAIFA President Tom Currey provided the text and email addresses in which members could send in their questions, dozens of questions immediately flowed into the que, ranging from how NAIFA is working to improve membership growth, to how the association is reaching out to like-minded organizations to further advance the industry in a collaborative way.
Tom Currey and the NAIFA Trustees took on every question the 75 minute-session would allow. In addition, members also were polled on a range of issues, with a question posted on the large screen and members texting in their responses of agreement or disagreement. Among the queries:
Most members “strongly disagreed” with this sentence: “Registered reps operating under a fiduciary standard will be able to serve their clients.” The results: 57% strongly disagreed; 28% disagreed, 10% agreed and 5% strongly agreed.
Another statement posed to the membership: “In light of trends toward disclosure, NAIFA should engage in a discussion of what form of compliance disclosure would be appropriate/reasonable.” The results: 77% strongly agreed; 17% agreed; 2% disagreed and 4% strong disagreed.
Most members (more than half) agreed that NAIFA’s advocacy efforts toward healthcare reform benefited the industry. And the last question: Should NAIFA have a PAC? A resounding 92% wholeheartedly agreed.