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2007 Annual Conference

The NAGDCA 2007 Annual Conference Committee developed a very successful conference this year. The conference held September 15-19 in Indian Wells, California, focused on the theme "Saving for a Brighter Future: An Oasis of Possibilities". Session topics centered on helping plan participants successfully reach their retirement goals.

More than 48 NAGDCA members served as speakers and over 89 guests joined us for the week. Overall, the conference was a great success with delegate comments including "The sessions were extremely helpful." and " Fantastic conference".

Registration for the Annual Conference kicks-off!!!

The General Session Panel on the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

NAGDCA members at the President's Reception with Rat Pack impersonators.

Members taking advantage of the Cyber Café sponsored by Fidelity Investments.

General Session on IRS Audits of Defined Contribution Plans. (Speakers: Bob Architect, IRS; Ed Salyers, IRS; Thomas Mueller, Sanitation District of LA County, CA, Moderator.)

One of NAGDCA's eight educational breakout sessions: The Evolution of Investment Vehicle Types - Emerging Investment Choices and Evaluating Them For Your Fund Line-up.

"What's going on in Washington?" Conference attendees found out at the Washington Report General Session.

NAGDCA members enjoying the final night event.

NAGDCA Arthur N. Caple Scholarship and the Student Mentoring Program at the 2007 NAGDCA Annual Conference

The Arthur N. Caple Foundation (ANC Foundation) presented Sharla Taylor, a graduate student majoring in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, with a check for $1,000 at the 2007 NAGDCA Annual Conference. Taylor is the recipient of this year's full scholarship which is awarded annually.

Taylor was selected by the ANC Foundation Board based on her demonstrated knowledge on retirement planning and commitment to the industry. Taylor received tuition to pursue her designation as a Certified Retirement Counselor CRC®, $1,000 to be used toward educational expenses for the upcoming school year, and all-expense paid travel to the 2007 NAGDCA Annual Conference.

The ANC Foundation also awarded scholarships to thirteen other students from a total of 5 different universities across the United States. All scholarship winners were recognized at NAGDCA's Annual Conference in Indian Wells, CA.

The ANC Foundation in partnership with the International Foundation for Retirement Education (InFRE), developed the criteria for the scholarship. To be considered, applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at a university or college, be a junior or senior, be enrolled to continue university studies for the following semester, and be a U.S. citizen.

The scholarships commemorate the lifework of Arthur N. Caple, former Executive Director of the State of Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans and NAGDCA Past President, who passed away three years ago.

"Art was an advocate for retirement programs that provided financial stability for state and local government employees - his life was about serving others," said Ralph Marsh, ANC Foundation President. "He gave much of his time and talent to this industry and he would be pleased that the Foundation is investing in the future by providing this scholarship."

For additional information about the scholarship program please visit the ANC Foundation website at www.caplefoundation.org.

The ANC Foundation's mission is to advance knowledge in the field of public sector retirement security. The Foundation supports both individual educational opportunities and research to expand knowledge related to the importance of retirement readiness.

NAGDCA President, Ralph Marsh, presents Sharla Taylor, a graduate student at Texas Tech University, with a check for the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship

Student Mentoring Program
Along with the presentation of the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship, students from four different universities participated in the 2007 NAGDCA Student Mentoring Program. With the surge of financial planning programs found in universities throughout the United States, it has been an increasing goal for NAGDCA to reach out to these individuals and introduce them, early on, to the benefits of NAGDCA and its membership. For the third year, NAGDCA has provided the Student Mentoring Program at the Annual Conference, and it was another great success. With the help of the International Foundation for Retirement Education (InFRE), NAGDCA paired 19 students, representing three universities (Texas Tech University, the University of Georgia, Utah State University, and Elizabeth City State University), with two mentors from both the industry and government sector of the defined contribution community.

Students were encouraged to attend session with their mentors during the Annual Conference.

The students and their mentors attended a specially planned session that introduced the students to NAGDCA and its many benefits, while opening a channel of communication between the students and their mentors. Mentors were also encouraged to take some time out of their busy conference schedules and help the students network with fellow attendees, offer themselves as future resources, and provide onsite support for the students while at the conference.

Mentors provided clarification to students following their sessions.

The students and mentors were both polled on their experience, and from the responses that were received, this program will continue to expand and develop in years and conferences to come.

NAGDCA Partners with Financial Literacy and Education Commission on Financial Literacy Website

The website, hosted by NAGDCA, serves as a database where Network members post information on the large variety of programs and services offered to help individuals better manage their personal finances. Through its search engine and browsing links, the website helps all individuals looking for personal financial information. Stay tuned for more information on accessing the website and how to add information to the database!!

National Save for Retirement Week

NAGDCA would also like to hear what your plan has done to promote this very important week. Please send your information and sample materials to Robert T. Hansel (rhansel@amrms.com).

A NAGDCA task force has been hard at work, creating promotional materials for plan sponsors to utilize during National Save for Retirement Week. The materials are downloadable and can be personalized. Please visit www.nagdca.org/retirementweek/ for information on the National Save for Retirement Week.