ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 15, 2014 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Young Agents Committee (YAC) raised more than $48,000 this year for InVEST, a one-of-a-kind financial literacy program that educates high school and college students about insurance, risk management and financial services. This contribution brings the InVEST scholarship fund to a program record of more than $111,000.
YAC’s primary fundraising vehicle was a successful casino night fundraiser titled “YAC Gives Back: A Benefit for InVEST Scholarships” in conjunction with the Big “I” Legislative Conference and the annual InVEST Silent and Live auction. This is the fifth year YAC has hosted this successful event with the support of industry leaders.
“We, as young agents, want to make a difference in the insurance industry that has treated us so well and we want to be part of the perpetuation solution,” says Quincy Branch, national Young Agents Committee chairman and president & CEO of Branch Benefits Consultants in Las Vegas. “Young agents understand first-hand the importance of financial literacy and the InVEST Scholarship fund. By hosting this fundraiser we are able to help future independent agents, the next generation of CSRs, producers and principals find a rewarding career in insurance.”
Collectively, “YAC G
ives Back,” the auction and direct contributions raised more than $111,000 this year. Auction items were donated by insurance carriers, agents and brokers, the Big “I” and its state affiliates, and other industry organizations. The money goes directly to scholarships.
“The Big ‘I’ is proud of our young agents and their commitment to helping the InVEST program,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Continuing success of the InVEST program is critical to the future of the independent agency system and the insurance industry as a whole. We are grateful that our young leaders are so committed and generous.”
As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, InVEST benefits from the support of numerous insurance organizations, hundreds of agencies, brokers and volunteers. The program provides the insurance industry with motivated, talented and intelligent professionals through a support structure of state associations, board members, national staff, teachers and the many industry professionals who work in the field as classroom liaisons.
Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Va., InVEST promotes insurance education in order to attract individuals to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Each year, the program prepares thousands of students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools, adult education centers and community colleges. The high school curriculum is a business-education program that utilizes a hands-on approach which simulates an insurance agency and company operations to prepare students for various business careers and create more knowledgeable insurance consumers. At the college level, InVEST is an information-intensive curriculum of risk management and financial services. These courses provide students with a working knowledge of the basics needed to pursue careers in the insurance industry. For more information, go to www.investprogram.org.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of approximately a quarter of a million agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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