NAILBA Perspectives - October 2016 - 11

ceo insights Perspectives is published for the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies 11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 110 Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 383-3081 www.nailba.org Introducing Myself NAILBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS George C. Van Dusen IV Chairman James Sorebo Chair-Elect Jeffrey D. Mooers Secretary/Treasurer David Long Immediate Past Chairman Joseph Bosnack Brittany Cross Jason E. Lea, CFP Seixas Milner III Ben Nevejans Myra Palmer NAILBA EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Scott Blumberg Michael Cohen, CLU Christi M. Daughenbaugh Sheri Leaders John McWilliams Melinda S. Meyer Jeffrey D. Mooers Lori Payne Laurie B. Prevette Thomas Riekse, Jr., ChFC, CEBS Michael Tessler NAILBA STAFF Jack Chiasson, CAE Chief Executive Officer Kathy Allison Director, Membership and the Foundation Susan D. Haning, CEM, CMP Director, Business Development Susan Klemmer Deputy Chief Executive Officer Meredith Maslich Administrative Coordinator Sarah O'Hanley, CEM Manager, Exhibits, Sponsorships and Advertising Annette M. Suriani, CMP Manager, Meetings and Education John Tong Director, Administration and Operations Editor: Susan Klemmer sklemmer@nailba.org Advertising: Susan Haning, CEM, CMP shaning@nailba.org Design and Production: Blue House www.bluehouse.us Creative Director: Elinor van Dyck elinor@bluehouse.us Designer: Jessica Feirtag BUSTER THE DOG GUEST COLUMNIST H i, my name is Buster, and I'm four and a half years old, and I am your guest columnist for this issue of Perspectives. I got really lucky in May, and I wanted to tell you my story. Earlier this year, I somehow found myself in an animal shelter in Southern Virginia-one that's considered a "high-kill" shelter. I'm not sure whether my old family didn't want me anymore, or they didn't feel like they could take care of me properly, or there was some other reason. But that's not really important now, I guess. In February, the good people at Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA, a "no-kill" shelter) rescued me from down south and gave me another chance to live (my days at the other shelter were numbered, as they say). So I moved to Northern Virginia (where FOHA is located) hoping to eventually find a new home. Shortly after I got there, I met this really cool guy who would come visit me on Sundays-and sometimes Saturdays-and take me for walks. He always brought treats, too-and like most dogs, I love treats! He reminded me about all the things I had learned in my old home-how to walk properly on a leash, how to sit and stay, and more. A couple of times he took me to adoption events, where lots of people looked at me and said that I was a sweet boy, and very well-behaved, but nobody wanted to take me home. I guess they thought I was too old, or too big, or something else. I was sad, but I really liked Jack (the guy who visited me), so it was OK. Somehow I knew that if I was really good with him, he'd eventually decide to take me home to his house forever. Well, I visited Jack and Chris a few times, and showed them what a good dog I was, and how much I liked being with them. We had lunch together once, and had a couple of sleepovers, and they finally decided that I was the right dog for them. Hooray! Jack and Chris both work a lot. Jack is the CEO of a small trade association in the financial services industry, and Chris is an aerospace engineer, so they are busy people like all of you NAILBA folks are. But they made sure that I would have everything I needed during the day when I was home alone. I have my own room, my own bed, and toys to keep me busy (they give me the ones that you put treats in-yay! Did I mention that I love treats?). They also made sure that someone could come and take me out for a walk during the day. My favorite thing to do is sit on one of their laps when they get home from a long day at work. It seems to make them happy . . . and I've never been happier! I've even gotten to meet the NAILBA Board of Directors, when they came to our house before a Board meeting last summer-I got lots of pats and did my best to behave. It was fun! Well, I hope that you liked my story, and that you tell your friends that there are lots of dogs like me- dogs that need a second-or sometimes even a THIRD-chance to be in a new, loving home. I think everyone should have a dog or two. Sometimes people only want a young dog, so we doggy teen-agers are often overlooked. I wish I could remind everybody that we already know how to do a lot of stuff that a puppy doesn't know-sometimes we just need a new dad or mom to remind us of those things. We older guys will also really love you a lot-I follow Jack everywhere, just so he knows how much I appreciate being rescued. If you want a dog like me, I'd say get one! Find a shelter that has dogs for adoption-there are lots of them (FOHA is just one of them), and find your new furry friend. You won't regret it, and your new dog will love you forever. Very soon, you'll both be wondering WHO rescued WHOM? And this from Jack: I know this doesn't really have anything to do with the industry in which you all operate, or with the Sales and Marketing theme of this issue of Perspectives. Sometimes, though, I think it's important to take a step away from what we do all day, every day, and think about something else completely. I've written about my dogs before, and I've found that there are a LOT of dog-lovers in the wide world of NAILBA, so when Buster said that he'd like to take a paw at writing this month's column, I thought that the timing of it was perfect. There's a lot going on in our world these days, so I hope you enjoyed the little break. Now, go rescue a dog or two, and I'll see you at NAILBA 35 in Dallas in November! Bring pictures of YOUR dog, and we can share. See you next time. P.S. From Buster: I'm not sure if Jack would want me to tell you this, but I'm too excited to keep quiet. Jack is celebrating a milestone birthday this month and I hope you'll join me in wishing him the happiest of birthdays! You can email him at jchiasson@nailba.org or call him at 703.383.3081. Woof! www.nailba.org 11 http://www.nailba.org http://www.bluehouse.us http://www.nailba.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NAILBA Perspectives - October 2016