NAILBA Perspectives - November/December 2015 - (Page 14)

nailba charitable foundation Up, Up and Away! D MICHAEL T. SMITH PRESIDENT, NAILBA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Top: Mike Smith enjoys his ride Bottom: John Rippinger with his vintage airplane uring the last weekend of August, I received a call from former NAILBA Charitable Foundation President John Rippinger to schedule a flight in his 1950s warplane. You see, I won a ride as the high bidder last year in the Foundation's Silent Auction. John called to make good on his generous donation of a ride. It worked out well as the plane was in my area and John was willing to pick me up at my local airport. However, never being afraid to at least ask a question, I inquired with John if my 15-year old daughter could tag along. As the plane is a two seater, he simply said "Let's do two rides!" I surprised my daughter and took her along. After introducing her to John, he went through some safety procedures and within minutes the two were lifting off and flying over my town. She sent me texts during the flight exclaiming "This is soooo cool!" 14 perspectives NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 What was also cool was we flew over Lake Geneva and where 2015 Foundation grant recipient Children's Oncology Services holds their One Step at A Time summer camp for kids fighting cancer. John and I spoke about how he has donated a flight on this fine airplane for years to support the Foundation. It is an experience that I encourage you to look for and bid on at this year's Auction. You can learn more about it at www.biddingforgood.com/ nailbaauction. If you'd prefer to stick closer to the ground, for the past several years I've donated front row tickets to a Green Bay Packers home game. This year Mike Smith from NAILBA member agency The Brokerage Inc. will be sitting with me for the November 15 game at "bucket list" destination Lambeau Field. Past attendees have loved the experience. Legal & General's Sharon Jenkins won these previously, and gave them to her son. Christopher is a die-hard Packers fan and all he has been talking about since was his trip to see Green Bay play in Lambeau Field. He has not stopped talking (and thanking his mother for bidding on these tickets during NAILBA 32) about the fantastic seats he and his best friend enjoyed. Christopher told her he could practically reach out and touch the players. You'll have to work hard to outbid Sharon this year! I share these stories to highlight that you too can have experiences similar to these. By paying attention and participating in the NAILBA Charitable Foundation Auction, you can bid on and win rare opportunities to do some amazing things, and your winning bid supports many fantastic causes. http://www.biddingforgood.com/nailbaauction http://www.biddingforgood.com/nailbaauction

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NAILBA Perspectives - November/December 2015

NAILBA Perspectives - November/December 2015
Contents
Chairman’s Corner
CEO Insights
A Conversation with Robert O’Neill
NAILBA Charitable Foundation
Member Profiles
Agency Successor Networking Group
Life Happens
NAILBA 34 Program Preview
Evaluating Your Carrier Relationships
Calendar of Events
Index of Advertisers

NAILBA Perspectives - November/December 2015