2015 OUTSTANDING YAC of the Year The Young Agents Committee of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents

Florida’s Young Agents Council Florida’s YAC has elevated itself to one of the premier Young Agent Councils in the country in a multitude of ways, as illustrated below, while also becoming a major force amidst a mega State Association. Nine years ago Florida’s YAC was resurrected when forty people played in the YAC golf tournament at FAIA’s Convention. Today, the Convention has been extended to three days to accommodate the widely popular YAC Golf Tournament and YA Reception, which attracts 300+ attendees and raises nearly $20,000 every year for the Folds of Honor Foundation. This year the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, Dan Rooney, was the keynote speaker at the YAC luncheon during Convention. At the end of Dan’s presentation, an agency owner was so moved by the scholarship recipient that he announced his offer to match any donations collected by the group, up to $5000. The crowd of 150, responded emphatically, and donated almost $10,000 additional dollars in the next few minutes.

FAIA has over 2,100 member agencies and 36,000 insurance professionals, and this year YA’s represent 10 of the 13 FAIA board members. This is a 100% increase from seven years ago. Recognizing the gap in association involvement and talent that exists among the YAC, FAIA created Florida’s Future Insurance Leaders (FFIL) in 2006. Every two years, 10 YA’s are selected to participate in FFIL, which allows them to experience FAIA through a full immersion program. Assigned a mentor from the board, the YA will observe an FAIA board meeting, participate in committee meetings, and visit state legislators with their mentor. This remarkable program has become the nucleus for the future governance of the industry, and seven of the current board members are FFIL alumni!

YAC Events Ist Annual Sales & Leadership Conference-Tampa SS4K- SmartStart4Kids Back to School Supply- since 2008-2015 / $140,000 in supplies / 25 non-profits. YAC Political Summit & InsurPac-A-Thon- 2.5 day program with scholarships, speakers and a special program. YAC Events during FAIA’s annual convention in June/ SOLD OUT golf tourney, proceeds to FOH- 7 year relationship. Invite only luncheon and reception.

Zone Events across the state/ speakers, receptions, bowling, breakfasts, luncheons, etc. At least 15-18 events per year. YAC events in conjunction with the 10 local boards across the state.

SmartStart4Kids Media Clips July 8, 2014   Tallahassee Democrat , July 8, 2014 SmartStart4Kids underway SmartStart4Kids, a Florida Association of Insurance Agents back-to-school project, will collect school supplies for students in need through Aug. 1. Insurance agents and agency officers across the state collect and accept donations at various drop-off locations. Last year, the campaign received more than $34,000 worth of school supplies for students. School supplies will be collected at the following locations: Cook Insurance Agency, 2929 Crawfordville Highway in Crawfordville; Marks Insurance Agency Inc., 61 Ave. E. in Apalachicola; Earl Bacon Agency Inc. 3131 Lonnbladh Road; Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance Inc. at 1117 Thomasville Road; and FAIA at 3159 Shamrock S. For more information, call 926-6613. WCTV July 2, 2014 Smart Start 4 Kids Drive By Charlene Cristobal TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A local group wants to help kids across the country get school supplies. The Florida Association of Insurance agents launched their SmartStart4Kids campaign to collect school supplies to deliver to Kids Incorporated. There will be various locations throughout the state that people can drop off supplies like construction paper, crayons, paints and even diapers. "If you want to give back to the community, this is the perfect way to do so," says Melissa Campany of the FAIA. "I think there are many people that love school supplies and, as a mother and as a person in the community, I like to collect and give back to the folks that need it the most." Locations in our area include: Crawfordville - Cook Insurance Agency, Inc. 2932 Crawfordville Hwy.
Apalachicola - Marks Insurance Agency, Inc. 61 Avenue East
Tallahassee - Earl Bacon Agency, Inc. 3131 Lonnbladh Road
Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance, Inc. 1117 Thomasville Road You can donate supplies until August 1.  Herald Tribune July 8, 2014 Insurance agents launch back-to-school drive The Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) recently announced the launch of its annual SmartStart4Kids, a month-long, statewide back-to-school project that will collect school supplies for students in need. Throughout the duration of the drive — July 1 to Aug. 1 — insurance agents and agency offices across the state collect and accept donations at various drop-off locations. Last year, the campaign received more than $34,000 worth of school supplies including pens, pencils, backpacks and clothing to help students who need it the most. SmartStart4Kids is a program of FAIA's Young Agents Council, a community for young agents that provides leadership tools and resources, such as participation in legislative issues and training for sales and management needs. In this region, the following locations are partnering with FAIA as local donation recipients, and all supplies collected will be delivered to HOPE Family Services and Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC). Donations are collected at the following agencies: Atlas Insurance, 7210 Beneva Road, Sarasota, call 552-5040; Gulfstream Property & Casualty Insurance, 6964 Professional Pkwy E., Sarasota, call 388-0905; BB&T Insurance Services, 1111 8th Ave. W., Bradenton, call 748-1431; Ludwig-Walpole Company, Inc., 2350 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, call 487-1250.