Wanted: Agent Advocates

Agents’ grassroots activism is the source of power for the Big “I.” We’ve all heard the story many times: Independent agents are in every community. They are leaders in their communities, their churches, the local Chamber of Commerce, Little League, the Boy Scouts and numerous charities. All true. This community activism is what has made the independent agency system strong, both from a marketplace and political perspective.

But in the legislative context, what exactly does “grassroots activism” mean? It is a frame of mind—a world view of the independent agency system, your business, your livelihood and how it all interrelates with the legislative and regulatory world. Grassroots activists understand that the government has the power to put them out of business, to radically change their livelihood or to create better opportunities for growth and prosperity. It is this worldview that drives grassroots activists on a consistent basis.

Grassroots activists build relationships with decision makers. They get to know their state legislators, county councilmen, insurance regulator, U.S. congressman, and maybe even their governor and U.S. senators. Grassroots activists attend town hall meetings held by legislators, set up meetings with legislators when they are in their district offices, attend political fund-raisers and contribute to InsurPac and their state PAC. They may attend the Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington, D.C., to educate their members of Congress. And of course, they always respond to Action Alerts and fax, e-mail or send letters to their legislators when needed.

Grassroots activism is not easy work. Agents need to follow and understand the issues and what they mean for their agencies and careers. Ask yourself: What does the terrorism risk insurance bill mean for my commercial lines clients? What kind of impact would the natural disaster reform bills have on my agency and my customers? Would they result in more markets for my agency and my customers? What do the voluntary settlement agreements mean for me and my agency? Will the contingency/incentive compensation in my agency go down, go up or stay about the same as a result of the Spitzer investigations and the settlement agreements? What will happen on disclosure issues? Will they create inefficiencies in my agency and for my customers? What does federal regulation of insurance really mean for my agency? Do I want to be regulated by Washington bureaucrats? What do the tax increase proposals mean for my agency, for my employees or for me as a producer? What will the changes to the National Flood Insurance Program mean for my customers and for my agency? What would happen if Congress mandated an “all perils” homeowners policy? What is the future of the crop insurance program? What does the McCarran Ferguson Act mean for my agency, my markets and my customers? What will be the effects of the new bills to significantly amend or repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act? These are the kinds of issues and questions that grassroots activists address. Grassroots activists are constantly learning, seeking information and then imparting that knowledge on decision makers who can control the destiny of their business and their industry.

Every day, I am impressed with the passion and dedication of independent agents and brokers who work to protect and promote the independent agency system. Advocacy never stops. It never takes a vacation. It is not seasonal. It must march on in every venue, in every forum, with every decision maker and at every opportunity.

All organizations have their workhorses, and those who thrive in their industry because of the workhorses. But every organization, including the Big “I,” needs more committed workhorses. The legislative advocacy and work of Big “I” agents like Leon Weekes in Florida, Rick Dinger in California, Jeanne Heisler in New Jersey or Norm Nielson in Iowa go largely unheralded, but it is people like this who ensure that decision makers do the right thing for the independent agency system and your customers. Big “I” presidents like Alex Soto cannot do this alone. As effective as the Big “I” Capitol Hill lobbyists are, and they are crucial, they must have the grassroots foundation and advocacy of our members in order to put the legislative pieces together and truly be effective for agents.

Critical and defining issues for independent insurance agents and brokers are on the table in this Congress. The fundamental shift in Congress from Republican to Democratic control means that agents will have new challenges—and some new opportunities. It is essential that agents be involved in order to ensure that the independent agency system remains strong not just in the immediate future, but on the Big “I” 200th anniversary in 2096. Join us for the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington, D.C. next month to take the first step toward that goal.

If you want to be a grassroots activist, but you’re not sure how to start or what to do, contact Elizabeth Furey, director of the Big “I” grassroots program, at 202-863-7000; elizabeth.furey@iiaba.net.

Bob Rusbuldt (bob.rusbuldt@iiaba.net) is CEO of the Big “I.”