The SuperConnection Event for Fraternal Executives
Three tracks of workshops provide valuable takeaways, and formal and informal networking activities allow attendees to further customize their educational experience!
To access the presentations click on the session titles.
2022 Spring Symposium Slideshow
2022 Spring Symposium Tracks
Workshops as of 2/21/2022
Club Convention: Communicating with Delegates – The Secret to Getting “Aye” at Conventions
Club Convention is not a sandy beach filled with delegates, it’s a way for society leaders to share what works and what doesn’t when setting goals and achieving success at your most important governance-focused event. Our trio of panelists have seen it all – governance victories and failures – and are willing to tell all (or most.)
Frank J. Spula, President, Polish National Alliance of the U.S. of N.A.
Craig Van Dyke, President, BetterLife
Todd W. Martin, Partner, Stinson LLP
Fraternal Branding: Looking Through the COVID Lens
A few years ago, Alliance societies funded a joint marketing project to align messaging and define the fraternal benefit society movement. Insurance branding powerhouse Maria Ferrante- Schepis will revisit this project and its relevance as it relates to consumer opinion towards life insurance during and after the pandemic.
Maria Ferrante-Schepis, President, Maddock Douglas
Growing Your Personal Brand as a Fraternal Leader
Whether you are a CEO or a department head, your personal brand and your employer’s are intertwined. During this session, attendees will learn how to protect both and use a variety of tools to advance individual careers and enhance organizational profiles. Your brand will be scrutinized whether it’s out there or not – so be part of the conversation.
Tom Meier, Senior Consultant, Equis Marketing
Randa Zalman, CEO, Insurance Marketing Institute and Assistant Professor, Bellevue University
Creative Digital & Communication Strategies
After two years of the pandemic, fraternal communications, meetings, and events have an evolving look and feel. Temporary virtual connections have become permanent, and technology has allowed fraternal to reach new member audiences. Learn how fraternal comms leaders pivoted quickly and creatively to keep members connected.
Michael Cesario, Member and Agent Project Specialist, Catholic Order
of ForestersKaty Hyklema, Director of Member Experience, BetterLife
Vicki Vlach, Manager of Corporate Communications and Events, Catholic Financial Life
Randa Zalman, CEO, Insurance Marketing Institute and Assistant Professor, Bellevue University
A Fraternal What? The Rewards & Risks of Communicating the Fraternal Model to External Audiences
You want to be bold when telling your society’s fraternal story, but even the savviest storytellers face challenges when sharing about this unique system. Join fraternal experts to learn how they have tailored their communications based on evolving statistics, societal differences, and stakeholders – and the ups and downs that informed their decisions.
Maria Gaulin, Advocacy and Policy Research Lead, Government Affairs, Thrivent
Tim Saccoccia, Vice President of Public Policy, Knights of Columbus
Sharon Snawerdt, Corporate Communications Manager, Modern Woodmen of America
DATA: Small Budgets, Big Impact
Data is for everyone! Learn how you can use data to explore the goals behind your fraternal work and use external data to gauge impact. Learn about resources available to everyone and new ways to think about the impact of your society’s fraternal work – and communicate it through effective charts and graphs. Bring your questions for this interactive session!
John Marron, Principal, City Strategies
Rebecca Nannery, Senior Analyst, Polis Center at Indiana University
Office Culture #1: It's Not Just Being Polite: Finding Common Ground and Civility in Polarizing Times
Between COVID, changing social landscapes, and political polarization it can be tougher than ever to communicate. Is civility a quaint relic of the past? Alexandra Hudson has spent years exploring how civility can help bridge divides and bring people from diverse backgrounds together around our shared humanity. Learn how to navigate tough subjects while adhering to your values and respecting those of others.
Alexandra Hudson, Curator, Civic Renaissance
Relatively recent changes in the reinsurance business have allowed fraternals to mitigate risk and expand product offerings like never before. Learn from a respected fraternal executive how reinsurance has become a new strategy to manage risk, raise capital, broaden your product base, and manage regulatory changes. This strategic approach requires the education of your staff, board members, general counsel, regulators, auditors and business partners. Gain reinsurance fundamentals at this session which includes plenty of time for Q&A.
Harald Borrmann, Director and Consultant to Fraternal Benefit Societies
Benjamin Keslowitz, US Life Leader, Guy Carpenter
Terrence Weiser, Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Optimum Re
Office Culture #2: Managing Transition to Hybrid/Remote
Hybrid, remote, in-office – employee work expectations combined with a robust job market have changed the work game. Learn how fraternal leaders can exercise flexibility, creativity, and patience to attract and retain great employees – no matter their location. The transition to working offsite can work in your favor.
Tom Meier, Senior Consultant, Equis Marketing
Leadership & Development: Providing & Receiving Feedback (REPEAT)
No matter your title, everyone gives and receives feedback – and it can be painful. Two expert executive coaches will share tools to make these critical conversations easier and result in better performance, less anxiety, and positive interactions. (Repeated in The Fraternal Future)
Tom Meier, Senior Consultant, Equis Marketing
Fraternal Innovation: Fresh Ideas, New Approaches
Learn how fraternals are using innovative approaches to growing membership through new products, creative member benefits, and fresh ways to interact designed with today’s consumer in mind.
Matt Barr, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, LCBA
Baltej Gill, AVP of Member Experience, Foresters Financial
Terrence Weiser, Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Optimum Re
Leadership & Development: Providing & Receiving Feedback
No matter your title, everyone gives and receives feedback – and it can be painful. Two expert executive coaches will share tools to make these critical conversations easier and result in better performance, less anxiety, and positive interactions. (Repeated in The Fraternal Future)
Tom Meier, Senior Consultant, Equis Marketing
Talent Pipelines: Setting Your Society up for Success
What’s on the minds of the next generation of insurance professionals? And how can your society attract top young professional talent? Hear from Lacey School of Business faculty on their insurance curriculum. Former fraternal executive and current professor Randa Zalman will add an insider’s take on fraternal recruiting.
Tom Faulconer, JD, CFP®, Lecturer in Risk Management and Insurance, Lacey School of Business, Butler University
Randa Zalman, CEO, Insurance Marketing Institute and Assistant Professor, Bellevue University
Steve Rakowski, Portfolio Analytics and Support Manager, New England Asset Management, Inc
U.S. Economic Outlook
While we don’t have a crystal ball, our economist will give leaders a glimpse of the future, including how changes in interest rates and inflation may affect fraternals. From the latest news in Europe to climate change, this session will offer a well-rounded view of our economic reality and what may be next.
Augustine Faucher, Chief Economist, The PNC Financial Services Group
Fees
(Fees will increase 20% after online registration closes on April 18.)
Fraternal Benefit Society Staff/Board - $455
Associate Member Sponsor (does not have to be a specific sponsor of the Spring Symposium) - $455
Associate Member Non-Sponsor - $625
Non-Member - $1,200
Important Dates
After April 1, there are no refunds.
After April 4, rooms in the hotel block may be unavailable.
After April 18, online registration closes, and only onsite registration will be available.
Cancellations & Transfers:
All registration cancellations and transfers MUST be made in writing and received on or before April 11, 2022. All cancellations incur a $25 processing fee. Any refund due will be issued within 14 business days after receipt of the cancellation notice. No refunds are available after April 11, 2022, so please plan accordingly. Emailed refund requests must be sent no later than end of business on April 11, 2022 for consideration. You may substitute a participant at no additional charge. Please forward all requests to info@fraternalalliance.org. Cancelling a Spring Symposium registration with the Alliance does not cancel a hotel reservation.
Covid Policy
All attendees will be required to abide by hotel COVID policies at the time of the event. Click here to learn what to expect.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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