NCAHU Members,
With the new NCAHU year (July 2019 to June 2020) beginning I wanted to reflect on the initiatives we started this past year and the successes that they produced. I also wanted to highlight some initiatives that are planned for the coming year. Before I do, thank you for your support as this past year’s NCAHU President and it is my honor to continue as President for another year. I’ve always said that by the time you learn your current board role, it’s time to move on to the next one. I intend to take what was learned this past year and use the opportunity of an additional year as president to its fullest potential. I also want to thank all the great leaders we have in our ranks for their investment of time and talents in making NCAHU so successful this past year.
This past NCAHU year has been full of motivating change for our Association and has translated into many success. We hired a lobbyist, Joe Stewart who is VP of Governmental Affairs for the IndependentInsurance Agents of NC(IIANC). We also moved Symposium to Raleigh for the long session of the NC General Assembly, holding the first NCAHU Symposium and Capitol Conference. The Symposium portion offered the traditional CE offerings, time with vendors and opportunities to network with colleagues. Capitol Conference provided, legislative education, a NCPAC event with NC Treasure Dale Folwell, a Legislative Breakfast, and 30+ hill visits with legislators. We were also influential in NC Legislation, most recently with Senate Bill 86, which is the Association Healthcare Plan Bill. The words “NC Association of Health Underwriters” were read on the NC House floor as part of a coalition in support of the AHP Bill. While unconfirmed, I think this was the first time that has happened.
Our Board and Members served on many advisory committees including Department of Insurance, Insurance Carrier and Non-Profit/ Governmental Organizations. We have a strong balance sheet and a profitable budget in spite of the financial investments we made this past year. Finally to cap it all off we were awarded a Landmark Award at this year’s Annual Convention in San Diego, Ca. This was a nice recognition of the collective efforts of our board and association members.
In looking forward and building on the success of our relationship with Joe Stewart and IIANC, NCAHU has signed an agreement with IIANC to provide administrative services for NCAHU for this next year. Services include developing a sponsorship program, event planning, professional development offerings, and member communications. Look for more information on a redesigned Symposium which is tentatively back in Winston Salem this spring, development of a Medicare summit or summit series, more professional development offerings, and better communication with membership. This strategic alliance enables NCAHU to leverage IIANC's administrative resources to gain momentum in bring more value to the Health Underwriters Membership as well as attracting new members and sponsors. The administrative services agreement between NCAHU and IIANC is for one year but we anticipate a long relationship. For more information on the administrative services alliance, we have developed a FAQ.
The Executive Committee also welcomes Carol Matznick to the committee as 2019/2020 Secretary to run the chairs of the executive ranks. We look forward to her bringing her many years of experience as NCAHU’s Executive director, NAHU Committee Chair and Current Region 5 Membership Retention Chair to the roles on the Executive Committee and one day serving as NCAHU President.
I am so proud of our association and look forward to this next year and the successes that it will hold. Again, I thank the members of the NCAHU Board and membership for their collective efforts in making NCAHU a standout chapter among its NAHU peers.