As I prepare to write my final President's Corner message, I sit here and wonder which is the best direction to take. There is so much going on in the world today and in our own special retirement 'community', that it's very easy to drift from topic to topic. As always, legislation is a special area, but we at NAGDCA are very fortunate to have our very own expert, Susan White, to fill you in on those details. So I decided to let the expert give you that information, and I will report on the Association and where we are today.
This year was a very rewarding year for the Association. We have made several strides in achieving some of the goals we have set out to do. Major among them are:
We have continued our relationship with InFRE and IFEBP, as well as established new ones with The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission. NAGDCA is currently working in a cooperative effort with the newly formed National Financial Literacy Network to develop a clearinghouse dedicated to financial literacy programs offered by state and local governments. This clearinghouse will be available to the general public and offer a multitude of resources that will assist in all spectrums of financial understanding.
To continue on with NAGDCA's stance on the importance of industry education, the Arthur N. Caple Foundation has been established. This year, through the wonderful support of NAGDCA and its members, 14 scholarships have been awarded to student across the country. These scholarships will assist students ranging from help with tuition to travel expenses to the annual conference. The foundation will not only allow for these scholarships to be awarded on an annual basis, but for continued research in retirement issues surrounding the defined contribution community.
NAGDCA has also continued its educational program through webcasts, information brochures, and the planning of the annual conference. Yes, it's hard to believe that the 2007 Annual Conference in Indian Wells, California, is just around the corner. Information on the conference and sessions were distributed to members in May, and we anticipate this year's conference could lead to record attendance.
Also, we are working with several universities throughout the country to continue our highly successful Student Mentoring Program, which has led to many internships and job opportunities for past participants. I would also be remised not to mention the wonderful support that NAGDCA members have brought to this program by acting as mentors for these promising students.
In closing, I would like to thank the Executive Board and all the members for the opportunity to allowing me to serve you. As I wind down in what has been a very fast six years of service, I have seen many changes in the Association. In that span, I have seen federal legislation that has brought our plans up to speed with the private plans, the quarterly Newsletter has been given a face lift, and web casts have been provided to our members, allowing for frequent industry updates and educational opportunities. I believe NAGDCA now has tremendous exposure and recognition in the industry. These accomplishments came not from one person, but from a group of people committed to the Association and its Vision. Again, thank you for an exciting year, and I look forward to meeting you in Indian Wells.
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