GP-SFSP Teams Up With Cystic Fibrosis!  Volunteers Needed!
Greg Marquardt, CLU,ChFC, CLTC, President, GP-SFSP

We are extremely pleased to announce the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals has teamed up with the local chapters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to provide pro bono services for needy families.  GP-SFSP Board Member Bill Widing spearheaded the effort and after several months of collaboration with CF chapter leadership a framework of service has been created and is ready to launch.  

CF presents daily quality of life challenges for approximately 30,000 Americans and their families, with nearly 15,000 presently over the age of 18.  There are several hundred people in the greater Philadelphia region.  Many of these families need estate, legal, accounting, tax and, most assuredly, insurance and benefits planning assistance. 

Those seeking help will come to us through CF Foundation social workers.  A committee will review the application, assign it to a volunteer GP-SFSP member, and monitor the progress.  After consultation with the family and providing the necessary advice a report will be provided with appropriate recommendations completing the pro bono engagement. Additional services or the purchase of products, as necessary, can be contracted separately.

We are currently seeking members who would be willing to volunteer their services.  Particularly valuable will be those experienced assisting families with special needs.  We are asking for volunteers to contribute up to a maximum of 5 hours of time per engagement.  It is possible multiple disciplines may need to consult to a CF family.   Formal notification to GP-SFSP members will be forthcoming.   If you also know of any members of the accounting or legal community that would be willing to join the GP-SFSP and participate in this program they are most welcome!  Should you have any questions, please contact me, Bill Widing or other members of the GP-SFSP Executive Committee. 

Pro-Bono Opportunities Available Now!

SFSP members can get involved today and make a difference for families dealing with the impact of cystic fibrosis. The total commitment is for maximum of five volunteer hours per family, as the family requests, to advise them in the areas of:

·       Insurance planning and coverage (health, life or disability),

·       Financial planning,

·       Special-needs estate planning, or

·       Investment planning.

The SFSP Public Service Committee will match SFSP volunteers with a family who has applied for specific pro bono services. Each volunteer will review the situation and then advise the family on the types of services they should seek, with a recommendation of the professional services or products they may need. Ideally, each consultation will crystallize a given family’s needs and chart out the best course of action.

Get Involved!

email: Alanna Barry McCloskey or Nicole Dorsey at gpsfsp@gmail.com for an application

Questions?
email:  J. William Widing, III, Esquire at jwwiding@kozloffstoudt.com

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Get the most out of your membership by joining a committee.
Email Alanna Barry McCloskey, and tell us how you would like to be involved.

A new addition to Connections the Chapter Committee Update will attempt to keep you connected to the Chapter Board and its activities.  The Board feels very strongly that its mission is in providing high quality, current and practical continuing education opportunities, promote ethical service to our clients, and create opportunities for members to network with each other build collaborative relationships necessary to do the best work for our clients.  Everything the Board and the respective committees do is with an eye to how it will enhance your practice and the service you provide to your clients.  We feel we’ve done a good job, but know we can improve.  We believe membership is made stronger by your involvement in events, on committees or just sharing your opinion.  Together with the National office, we want to provide valuable programing and activities not only to meet your needs and expectations, but also to attract other professional advisors to us.  We are not a strong organization without a strong membership, but to continue that strength we have to deliver meaningful value and we rely on the volunteer support and participation of the members to deliver that value for the benefit of all.  In other words, we are all in this together.

Membership - Dave Bernaus and Glen Coral, Co-Chairs 

Our goal short term is to maintain a stable membership, and to grow it over the next several years.  Our chapter has been in the forefront of attracting members from the different financial services professions.  In addition to attracting members among life and health insurance professionals, the original foundation of our Society, we continue to target CPAs, Attorneys, CPCUs and other professionals to further diversify the membership.  We’ve done everything we can to hold the line on chapter dues and have been successful in seeking other revenue sources to support our chapter programs.

We are off to a good start in our 2012-2013 recruiting and the committee will bring our past Presidents together again this year to help with member retention.  The Member Get A Member program offers the benefit of reduced dues for referrals to membership.  Lastly, we have instituted a mentoring program with the goal of encouraging more members to attend our educational events and to get involved with the various committees and activities going on within the chapter.  There are plenty of opportunities!  To get involved contact our committee chairs or other board members and we’ll welcome your participation!

Meets after Educational meetings, on the third Thursday of each month.

Financial Professionals Dinner - Derek Lemke, Chair
Plan and execute our Chapter’s largest event, the Annual Financial Professionals Dinner. Responsibilities include choosing a speaker, soliciting sponsors and advertisers, and advising on the event itself. 

Our keynote speaker this year, nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Michael Smerconish, has been secured.  The event will be held at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.  It is anticipated this will be a sold out event, so the membership is encouraged to purchase seats/tables early.  The committee is actively seeking sponsorships at all levels, including advertising in the membership directory. We have several sponsors in place and are looking for a couple of others.  In addition, we will be producing a 2012 membership directory and encourage members to fill up the advertising spots.

Meets on the 3rd Friday of each month, from August through late March.

Society Connections E-Newsletter - Glen Coral, Chair

The purpose of our eNewsletter, Connections, is to provide summary information to the membership about members, events and activities, current financial services related issues, and products, services or strategies that could benefit our clients.  We are always looking for content from Society members.  It is a great way to gain exposure to your expertise among peers within your field and with advisors in complementary professions.

Meets as needed during development of each issue.

Education - Curt Cyliax, Chair

Since changing the venue of our monthly educational/networking events to the Villanova Conference Center in Radnor and offering free educational events to members (many offering CE, CLE and/or CPE credit) we have enjoyed growing attendance, averaging 30 attendees at each of the sessions.  The calendar of events is full through December 2013 with the committee actively working to fill the 2014 educational calendar.  Keep the third Thursday of the month reserved on your calendars for these events.  Come out, enjoy breakfast and visit with your professional colleagues and pick up some good information to help you in your practices!  Please consult the calendar on the website, www.financialpro.org/gp, for future events.

Meets as needed, via conference call.

University Partners Program - Michael Fellmeth, Chair

University Partners is a program designed to create awareness within our local colleges and universities of the opportunities available with the financial services industry.  We have had ongoing relationships with the graduate programs at Widener and Drexel, participating in the classroom and in job fairs.  The committee is looking to expand the reach and have met with or had contact with representatives from several other institutions.

Meets as needed.

Study Groups - Scott Ridge, Chair
Members may participate in disciplined and geographic formed meetings of financial professionals in order to gain knowledge and business.

Community Service and Public Relations - Bill Widing, Chair

Recently Bill completed negotiations with local chapters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to allow members of the GP-SFSP provide pro bono financial services for needy families affected by the disease.  Protocols are being developed and the committee is looking for volunteers willing to participate.  We believe this is an excellent way for Society members to give back to the community by providing these valuable services.

Meets as needed.