2007 YAT Awareness Month Recap
March was YAT Awareness Month and a number of locals held activities to focus on the Young Advisors Team and their mission of providing those 40 and under with the tools they need to succeed in the financial services industry. Below are a sample of events and activities from around the country; feel free to use these ideas for your own group.
If you have any questions about these events or YAT in general, please send them to yat@naifa.org.
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Arizona
NAIFA - East Valley and NAIFA - Scottsdale have been combining forces for their YAT activities. They host quarterly meetings and invite young CPAs and lawyers to their events, along with a guest speaker. After the speaker they have a happy hour for networking time. They have been utilizing their respective local boards as a way to help get their invites and message out to YATs in their area. By forwarding invites and emails to everyone in their association they hope that “veteran” members will encourage the YATs they know to go to events.
California
NAIFA - Long Beach (This meeting was held in conjunction with the NAIFA - Orange County and NAIFA - Los Angeles chapters) flew in Doug Pearson, an Industry Coach, to talk about accountability and self improvement. The session was two hours with refreshments and appetizers served. The most significant development is that a group of 5 are going to start a study group and share in the cost of having Mr. Pearson visit once a quarter and help their group.
NAIFA - Inland Empire held a "4 under 40" theme event for their monthly luncheon. The event was very well attended (40+) with four up and coming YATs discussing the genesis of their practices and what they attributed their success to.
NAIFA - San Fernando Valley held a poker tournament that had 62 participants. The poker tournaments have been so successful that they are going to be used at the California State Convention as the YAT event. 20% of proceeds will go to YATPAC. This will raise awareness for YATPAC and IFAPAC's efforts.
NAIFA - Stockton YATs meet once a month at the Brewery to share sales ideas and help each other grow their businesses.
NAIFA - San Diego met for sushi making lessons.
Delaware
NAIFA Delaware - Monthly Poker nights are held that raise money for a scholarship fund. The poker nights are highly successful and they're making about $500 with each event. Monthly networking events are also held. Although in the beginning stages, a mentoring program is being established - those in the "twilight" of their careers are working with the younger advisors.
Illinois
For YAT month the State Board and State YAT chair approved funds for YAT events. A flier was mailed to all the YAT chairs in the state to request approval for financial help to host an event at their respective local association. This idea was and is very successful in getting locals to host YAT events. So far 4 (soon to be 6) out of the 11 local YAT groups have applied for the funds and are planning events. Illinois will be having a YAT activity at the state convention, as well as not charging any first year members to attend their convention.
NAIFA - Chicago has had great success with their yearly “big” meeting; a “Spring Training” program they have been building and promoting. A panel of industry experts, which includes two YATs this year, will speak on the traits that have made them successful. CE credit is offered and the association is expecting over 200 to attend this year!
NAIFA - DuPage and NAIFA - Will County are partnering for an “Ask the Expert” event in May. A question and answer session with a young CPA will address topics of interest. After the meeting, there will be a happy hour for networking.
NAIFA - East Side has great success with morning meetings where they have a guest speaker and breakfast. In April a presentation with a career coaching professional will be held on breaking bad habits and forming successful ones.
Kansas
The Metro Kansas City YAT committee was in charge of planning the combined monthly NAIFA meeting for the Johnson/Wyandotte Country AIFA (Kansas) local and the Kansas City AIFA (Missouri) local on March 21. Camille Van Ham, National YAT Committee member, was invited to speak to the combined NAIFA breakfast meeting. Remarks were focused on helping their new YAT committee build YAT momentum amongst their older membership. After the remarks, a panel discussion on best practices was held with successful young advisors from the area. Also participating was Colleen Eickmeier, Director of New Rep. Development for the Northwestern Mutual agency in Overland Park, KS.
Massachusetts
NAIFA - Boston - This local YAT group meets 5 times per year and averages 50-85 attendees. Their most successful events are speed networking with other young professionals and social events. They have a state YAT Committee and YAT representation on their local and state boards.
Missouri
Springfield AIFA held their second meeting to plan the vision of what YAT is all about in Springfield and how to proceed. The association’s next function will be a BBQ cookoff contest among the YATs.
NAIFA - St. Louis held a social event around the March Madness basketball theme.
Nebraska
NAIFA - Omaha held their monthly networking/social event with approximately 35 in attendance - consisting of NAIFA members, non-members, young attorneys, CPAs, and bankers. The group alternates months with a speaker one month and a social/networking event the next month. A month long “March Madness” theme contest was launched using an online bracket at espn.com online. Prizes were given to those who were in the lead. Corporate sponsors were enlisted to offset the cost of an appetizer buffet at their contest concluding event.
NAIFA - Lincoln held its monthly YAT networking/social event earlier in March. This group averages 15-20 attendees each month and charges a $5 “cover” to offset the cost of a pizza buffet.
Oregon
NAIFA - Portland meets approximately 4-5 times per year and merges networking with speakers. Events have included a wine tasting and a YAT panel presentation at the state convention last year which was very well received. The state association has set aside $500 for each of the YAT groups in the state to help them get started. A large price break for registration fees for YAT members is given at the state convention. For March, a presentation from the "Survive and Thrive in the First Three Years" Program in a Box was given and then a fund company presented an analysis of the market. The fund company covered the cost of breakfast for all attendees.
Pennsylvania
Erie AIFA hosted a networking event and invited professionals from the CPA society and the Bar association.
Tennessee
16 of the 20 local associations in Tennessee held events for YAT Awareness month even though not all of those locals have YAT chairs. The State YAT co-chairs have been attending state events all year to build support for the YAT program and have been able to get the smaller associations to host joint meetings with guest speakers and refreshments. Each local association received a packet of information about starting a YAT group, how to run a meeting and suggested activities. As a result, the state co-chairs have seen their membership grow from hosting these YAT events and they hope that trend will continue at their state convention where they will be hosting a sock hop for the YATs.
Utah
Utah is launching their state YAT program at their Sales Congress with a special YAT focused workshop. After the workshop, a "meet and greet" will be held at the convention center. The group will then have their guests join them for a dutch treat dinner at the ballpark and baseball game. Utah is also planning a "Networking BBQ" for this summer.
Virginia
NAIFA-Northern Virginia held an event on referrals sponsored by John Hancock. The guest speaker was Bill Cates, published author and referral coach.
Central Virginia AIFA held its first YAT event which was a social followed by a
viewing of the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” which was well received. The group has planned a YAT calendar and schedule for the rest of the 2007.
Washington, DC
NAIFA Greater Washington held a YAT event on networking and referrals. The guest speaker was Warren Negri, a longtime association member, former agent and consultant in the financial services industry. Mr. Negri spoke on the "mind mapping" system which shows new agents how to drill down with a prospect about their interests in order to gain trust and confidence and then to make the sale and finally ask for referrals.
Contact us
We appreciate your input; please send your ideas and comments to yat@naifa.org.
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