By Tommy Adams, CPCU, Chairperson, IIAA Young Agents Committee
"Young Agents have an intrinsic value to this association, to the independent agency system, and to your agency that extends far beyond the obvious fact of their youth. Few issues will confront you to which the young agent cannot bring a fresh point of view and a burst of new energy, if encouraged to do so."
--Passage from Ronald Vinson's and Jack Payan's book titled Soaring With Eagles, which chronicles the one-hundred year history of the Independent Insurance Agents of America.
The Mission of the Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA) Young Agents Committee is a simple one: To ensure the perpetuation of the independent agency system, the IIAA National Young Agents Committee will provide leadership training giving state committees the skills to enhance their respective young agent programs.
The committee consists of four regional directors and a chairperson who work closely with the 42 existing state young agent committees. Our national committee is working toward many goals in order to achieve our mission. All of our goals tie in to one simple theme: to identify and create opportunities for young agents to become involved in their state association and IIAA. Through this involvement, it is our hope that the young agents will develop the leadership skills necessary to lead our association into the future.
Below, I have outlined the two primary activities that the committee is responsible for conducting.
IIAA Young Agents Leadership Conference
Our committee conducts a leadership conference for state young agent committee leadership. For the past four years, this conference has taken place just prior to IIAA's national convention. This scheduling enables young agents to attend both the IIAA Young Agent Leadership Conference and the IIAA National Convention.
The leadership conference is a two-day event with both social and educational activities. The attendees receive information about the many resources available through IIAA. They also learn a great deal from each other about the activities being conducted by other state young agent committees. It is a great opportunity for young agents to make friendships that will last a lifetime. This event could not take place without the financial support given from our company sponsors.
IIAA Legislative Conference
For the past three years, our committee has conducted another special young agent event in conjunction with the IIAA Legislative Conference. Each year this event starts with a young agent luncheon at the IIAA Capitol Hill office. We have been very fortunate to have several members of the United States House of Representatives and other top ranking government officials as our guest speakers. The luncheon has been followed by a seminar or tour of Washington, D.C.
In 1997, the number of attendees doubled with over 60 young agents in attendance. We have bigger plans for the 1998 Legislative Conference. Thanks to a $5,000 gift from an "anonymous" independent agent, which was matched by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, we plan to have a larger event with even more young agents in attendance. We appreciate the support of both this anonymous agent and Chubb.
Young agent involvement in legislative activities is as important as ever. Many legislative issues in Congress and the state legislatures will have a great impact on the future of the independent agency system. Young agents, who have long futures in our industry, must be informed about and involved in the outcome of these legislative issues. Attending the IIAA Legislative Conference is a great way to become involved with the system and to play a role in the future of the independent agency system.
For young agents to be involved with their state associations, they must have the support of their agency principals. This support will pay off ten-fold for that agency. Young agent participants receive opportunities for leadership training and gain additional knowledge of the state and national associations, and the insurance industry. Perhaps most important, though, are the contacts with other young agents within their state and all over the country.
Those agency principals who have supported young agent involvement can attest to the outstanding returns that come from encouraging their young agents to become involved. It is the same philosophy as preparing a perpetuation plan for our agencies. If our state and national associations are to grow and prosper, we must prepare the leaders of the future--young agents. Involvement with a state young agent committee is a great vehicle for preparing these future leaders. *
The author
Tommy Adams, CPCU, began his career as an independent insurance agent in 1988 with the Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc., in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is currently the vice-president/agency manager of the Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency. He has served on several committees of the Independent Agents of Kentucky. Prior to becoming chairperson of the IIAA Young Agents Committee in September 1997, he served as the southern region director for two years.
Platinum
AMS Services, Inc.
American States Insurance Company
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company
General Accident Insurance
IVANS
The Rough Notes Company, Inc.
Travelers Property Casualty Corporation
Gold
The Hartford
Insurance Information Exchange
Kemper Insurance Company
Silver
Caliper Assessment, Inc.
CNA Insurance Companies
Crum & Forster Insurance
Peerless Insurance
SAFECO Insurance Companies
The St. Paul Companies
Southern Heritage Insurance Company
USF&G
General
Central Mutual Insurance
The Cincinnati Companies
Progressive Insurance
Reliance Insurance
Selective Insurance
State Auto Insurance Companies
Westfield Companies
Chairperson
William T. "Tommy" Adams, CPCU
Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency
P.O. Box 7500
1007 State Street
Bowling Green, KY 42102-7500
Telephone: (502) 843-9054
Fax: (502) 782-7105
E-mail: TAdams2593@aol.com
Southern Region
Jane Marie Borger
Smith-Nadenbousch Insurance, Inc.
P.O. Box 1598
Martinsburg, WV 25401-1598
Telephone: (304) 263-3388
Fax: (304) 267-6935
E-mail: smnae.ix.netcom.com
Eastern Region
Dennis H. Hilton, CISR, GRI
Cheney Insurance Agency
P.O. Box 1060
18 Main Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543
Telephone: (207) 563-3435
Fax: (207) 563-8461
E-mail: cheney@lincoln.midcoast.com
Far West Region
Pam Adams, CIC
ISU Insurance Agency of Colorado
910 15th Street #1000
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone: (303) 534-2133
Fax: (303) 892-5579
E-mail: Pam@isudenver.iix.com
Mid America Region
Carl W. Zeutzius
Chris Schroeder Insurance, Inc.
600 North Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202-5008
Telephone: (414) 276-1951
Fax: (414) 291-9727
E-mail: ChrisSchroeder@worldnet.att.net
Young Agent Liaison
Barbara Miller-Richards
IIAA
127 South Peyton Street
Alexandria, VA 22341
Telephone: (703) 683-4422
Fax: (703) 683-7556
E-mail: barbaramr@iiaa.org
©COPYRIGHT: The Rough Notes Magazine, 1997