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In NAIFA Massachusetts’ latest effort to advocate on behalf of our organization, over 75 members of the Massachusetts chapter convened on Beacon Hill February 9th in order to meet with legislators and discuss pending legislation that impacts our industry. The event was referred to as our “Day on the Hill” (DOH) and it turned out to be an overwhelming success with over 30 meetings scheduled with local legislators and their staff. In addition to meeting with local legislators, there was a luncheon to honor the efforts of Senator Harriette Chandler for her work on the Long Term Care Standards bill.
The day began at 8:30 am with a breakfast to review the current pending legislation that members would be discussing in meetings with legislators later in the day. Government Relations Chairman, Adam Sachs, reviewed 5 pieces of legislation, including a bill to give CE credits for participation in NAIFA, the Long Term Care Standards Bill, and a bill to have State run 401(k) plans offered for non-profits. Each piece of legislation will have a significant impact on our industry and it highlighted the importance of the event.
New York Life was a strong supporter of the event with more than 30 of their agents attending the DOH. After Sachs finished addressing the legislative bullet points, Managing Partner of the Boston Office, Peter McAvinn, took the podium to address the crowd. Mr. McAvinn pointed out how important our industry is to the community, and in turn he emphasized the importance of an organization like NAIFA for promoting our interests.
After the morning breakfast session concluded at 10 am, the NAIFA members embarked on scheduled appointments with their legislators. Whether it was a group meeting with legislative aides or a one on one meeting with an individual legislator, there was tremendous positive feedback from both our NAIFA members as well from those with whom they met. Time and again the legislators stressed how important it is to hear directly from their constituents. The DOH went a long way toward helping promote NAIFA members as a valuable source of information and advice for our legislators when it comes to financial services legislation.
At noon, as a successful morning of meetings was coming to a close, the capstone event of the day was a luncheon that was held in honor of Senator Harriette Chandler. Senator Chandler was honored as NAIFA’s “Legislator of the Year” for her support of our industry and particularly the LTC Standards bill. Additionally, former NAIFA Trustee Jules Gaudreau, NAIFA Mass President Alan Stearley and PIC Chairman Mike Corrigan, addressed the crowd of NAIFA members and more than 20 Massachusetts state legislators who attended the luncheon.
Overall NAIFA’s “Day on the Hill” turned out to be a resounding success according to all involved. NAIFA Massachusetts is striving to become a more vocal and well recognized organization on Beacon Hill and this event went a long way to help in our advocacy efforts. The next event is currently in the planning stage so please stay tuned for updates on our next “Day on the Hill” event. If you have questions about participating in the event, please 
contact the Membership Committee or our Government Relations team.
This report was prepared by Josh O'Gara of First American Insurance Underwriters and a Committee Member of the NAIFA Massachusetts Public Relations Committee
.