As the Holidays come to an end, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past year and setting resolutions/goals for the year-to-come. I have found myself doing the same thinking about NAGDCA in 2007 and 2008. Our organization experienced many milestones for 2007. The Annual Conference was the largest that NAGDCA has ever seen with 811 attendees. NAGDCA established the Arthur N. Caple Foundation which is now a free standing organization, accepting tax deductible contributions. NAGDCA continues to offer high quality educational resources through its brochures and webcasts. A National Save for Retirement Week resolution was passed in the House and Senate. Also, for 2007 NAGDCA was called to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee regarding administrative fees in defined contribution plans. Being invited to testify was a high compliment to the organization, the dedication of our members, and NAGDCA’s growing influence on Capitol Hill.
For 2008, NAGDCA has more exciting things to look forward to. The Executive Board has established the committees for 2008 and we anticipate great things from the group of volunteers that will lead these committees. NAGDCA is very fortunate to have so many members who are willing to volunteer their time to serve on a committee or task force and support the Association's mission and goals. If you expressed an interest in participating on a committee but have not yet been selected, please don't be discouraged. We have other task forces and committees ahead of us this year and will look to our untapped volunteer talent as these groups evolve. In other developments for the coming year, we have decided to increase from 3 to 4 webcasts, and the annual conference committee is looking at adding sessions for 403(b) and 401(a) conference attendees for our annual conference next September. The Publications Committee will develop educational brochures, highlighting important topics of the defined contribution community. The Survey Committee is working to develop multiple, smaller surveys to ease the demands of responding and obtain a wider cross section of response data so we can provide the fullest and most thorough information to legislators and other interested partners. Another goal that NAGDCA has set forth for 2008 is to broaden its membership by reaching out to the 403(b) community. This will be an extremely daunting task and any assistance that our current members can provide will be greatly appreciated.
The first NAGDCAST for 2008 will be on the Final 403(b) regulations and is coming up soon. It will be held on January 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm EST. More information about this educational opportunity can be found on the website.
I want to remind members to visit the NAGDCA web site for brochures and information about legislative issues, as well as the clearinghouse for RFPs, forms and DC information.
This is going to be an exciting year for those of us in the defined contribution industry, as well as NAGDCA as an association. I look forward to working with all of you as we move forward to create a stronger association that is better able to support and serve its members. As always, it is an honor to serve you and the association, and, on behalf of the Executive Board, all the best for a productive and prosperous 2008.
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