Experience the True Passion of NASBP by Getting Involved

In my July/August Pipeline column, I wrote about many of the NASBP staff activities that were undertaken this summer, and how much our small, dedicated, and passionate NASBP staff accomplishes. For this issue, I would like to highlight the backbone of NASBP, our Committees and the volunteer leaders and Committee members that tirelessly advocate, create, and inform the industry and others on our behalf. Throughout my NASBP career, I have been fortunate to serve on numerous Committees. I would like to echo words I have heard spoken by NASBP leaders, such as Bill Angell, Jack Curtin, John Hoffman and many others…“Get Involved!”

The best way to become involved in NASBP is to join a NASBP Committee. Pick something that interests you, such as finance, risk management, professional development, education, commercial surety, annual meetings, government relations, ethics, leadership, membership, technology, industry relations, or small and emerging contractors. You name it, and NASBP has a Committee that addresses the topic. NASBP Committees embody the true passion of the NASBP membership. They consist of engaged people developing ideas, creating content, and advocating for the interests and positions of our industry. Here are some of your colleagues’ recent, volunteer activities:

Government Relations – This Committee is chaired by Tom Padilla, with Vice Chairs Susan Hecker and Chris Leach. In addition to creating and supporting the 2010 NASBP Government Relations Agenda, this Committee developed and led the 2010 Legislative Fly-in where over 90 surety advocates participated in a one-day briefing session combined with coordinated Capitol Hill visits to more than 50 offices of members of Congress.

Automation and Technology – Affectionately referred to as the “AnT,” this Committee, led by Randy Moon and Nick Newton, with Debbie Burton serving as Vice Chair, has had an extremely busy year, making a huge contribution to our website capabilities. The Committee helped redesign the NASBP website through the social networking power of SuretyConnect by reviewing and testing many pages before NASBP launched the revamped website. Less publicized, but critical to the membership, is the Committee’s development and release of the Version 2 of the NASBP Producer Tool Kit forms. One of Committee’s current projects is redevelopment of the Surety Information Office (SIO) website.

Risk Management and Insurance – This year the Risk Management and Insurance Committee, chaired by Darrin Weber with Charles Royse serving as Vice Chair, and the Industry Relations Committee, chaired by Patrick Pribyl, coordinated a NASBP educational campaign on the proposed Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Revenue Recognition accounting standard that follows a performance-obligation model rather than the accepted percentage-of-completion model. Darrin represented NASBP on a CFMA task group formed to analyze the issue and at a recent FASB/IASB roundtable discussion as an observer. In addition, his efforts helped provide instructions to the membership in how to respond to the FASB proposal. Both Committees worked to assure that NASBP communications educated and provided information on the topic to the membership through a Virtual Seminar, a sample response letter, and a micro site on the NASBP website. NASBP will keep the membership apprised what happens in 2011 on this issue.

Industry Relations – In addition, to coordinating communications on the FASB Revenue Recognition issue, the Committee, chaired by Patrick Pribyl with Howard Cowan serving as Vice Chair, oversaw production of the Association’s newest communications, titled NASBP SmartBrief. The free, weekly online newsletter provides the membership a client education tool and a convenient way to keep abreast of news about the surety industry as well as current Association events and issues.

Finance – Chaired by Howard Cowan, with Chris Saul serving as Vice Chair, the Finance Committee completed the revisions to the investment guidelines of our organization that were approved and adopted at our recent Mid-Year Board Meeting.

Commercial Surety – Admirably led by Kathleen Mitchell and Lynne Cook, this Committee finalized the on-line Commercial Surety Fundamentals Course that will be released in January. Additionally, the Committee has provided valuable courses at our Surety Schools, two NASBP Virtual Seminars, and an educational seminar at the Annual Meeting.

Membership – Chaired by Brad Babcock, the Membership Committee provided a net increase in membership for 2010. The Committee is developing a strategic plan for the growth of our new Associate membership category.

Annual Meeting Program – Chaired by Matt Cashion with Kurt Lundblad serving as Vice Chair, this Committee is actively engaged in developing the meeting content and program structure and social events for the 2011 NASBP Annual Meeting and Expo that will be held May 15-18, 2011 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is a meeting that you will not want to miss!

Ethics – Chaired by John Bustard, this Committee worked to heighten membership awareness of the Association’s Code of Ethics and to elevate ethics of surety bond producers and the overall surety industry. The Committee recently provided an insightful Pipeline article on “Cowboy Ethics.”

5-15 Leadership Circle – Led by Chair Don Appleby and Vice Chair Jennifer Salm, this Committee has formalized its structure by creating eligibility guidelines, developing participation requirements, and enhancing the Committee members’ benefits. This Committee offers young leaders of our industry unique opportunities to interact with leading surety professionals on the agency side and the underwriting side of the industry and to share their experiences with colleagues of similar years of experience.

Nominating – Led by Immediate Past President Todd Loehnert with Bill Maroney serving as Vice Chair, this Committee is charged with replacing Regional Directors and Directors At-Large whose terms are expiring. The Nominating Committee also has the responsibility of choosing the next future leader of NASBP, the NASBP 2011-2012 Third Vice President, who will be announced at the upcoming Annual Meeting in May of 2011. Unless you are ready to serve, those of you with caller ID, be hesitant to answer any calls from the 502 area code until then.

Professional Development and Education – Last, but certainly not least, is a Committee close to my heart, Professional Development and Education, that was led this year by Co-Chairs David Castillo and Tom Durkin and assisted by numerous passionate advocates! In addition to providing two sessions of our NASBP William J. Angell Surety School, the Committee also undertook the revision to the Basic Bond Book, updated the Surety School curriculum, created and offered the first Sales Workshop, and is in the process of developing a Risk Management curriculum (in conjunction with the Risk Management and Insurance Committee).

Committee participation and involvement is vital to the health of NASBP. Joining a Committee is a small, first step in becoming an active member of your Association, NASBP. Committee membership is fun, exciting, challenging, and rewarding. I encourage all who are reading this to find a NASBP Committee that interests you and volunteer today. I am glad that I did!

To sign up for a NASBP Committee, complete the NASBP Committee Interest Form by clicking here.
(Please note that the members of the NASBP Annual Meeting Program Committee and of the NASBP Nominating Committee are appointed by the NASBP Leadership.)

Thank you.

J. Spencer Miller
NASBP President

J. Spencer Miller, President, Schwartz Brothers Insurance Agency, Inc. in Chicago, IL. Spence can be reached at smiller@schwartzbrothers.com.