NetVU Is Advocating On Your Behalf… 

NetVU proactively leverages its industry leadership position to advocate for positive changes to enhance the competitiveness of independent insurance agencies. Dedicated, committed volunteers working with NetVU Industry Workgroups and with other organizations in the industry, as well as meeting face-to-face with carriers on your behalf is a large part of the effort.

 

NetVU Chapters play an equally important role in advocacy. The unique local perspectives Chapters bring can provide a targeted message that can focus effective change in the specific areas needed. 

 

Review the current open work groups and let Melissa Bond (Melissa@NetVU.org) know where you would like to participate.   Review: Volunteers Needed for Industry Work Groups  

 

These members’ efforts yield a win-win: They help their own organization’s competitive position while also helping their peer members on a broader scale. NetVU members are encouraged to volunteer for industry work groups to represent their agency and NetVU.  Future Industry leaders come from these work groups; it’s the best experience a volunteer can receive.  Get involved today! 

 

Remember, Advocacy only works when the message is repeated and understood, so pass along what NetVU is doing and how your Chapter is involved. Share with your local members the information that matters, and it will make a difference in your agency’s success.

 

Finally, if you are already volunteering on a Work Group or other committee, tell your peers about it; let them know the value you’ve gotten from the experience and get them involved, too.

 

  

Get Together With Your Chapter Members At Conference 

Why not take advantage of the NetVU Conference to socialize with your own Chapter members? It’s a great location; lots of opportunities to meet and the NetVU staff can help make it possible. Just fill out the Meeting Room Request Form and turn it in no later than December 15, 2011.

 

Sure you might meet back home every month or once a quarter, but in Anaheim with more than 1,500 attendees, think of the people you could invite to your meeting? Don’t miss out, sign up now, and then encourage your members to “Meet in Anaheim at NetVU.”

 

  

Education Plans 

The year is almost over. It’s time to start thinking about what your Chapter plans to do for 2012. If you can believe it, NetVU has already received some plans. Having them now helps us help you stay on track. Please let us know how often and when your Chapter plans to meet in 2012 by the end of this year.

 

NetVU encourages you to include carrier marketing reps, and carrier contacts in your meeting or event invitations.  It is important they realize your pain points and challenges; this is a great opportunity for them to hear from you.  You can identify the role you would like them to play at your meeting whether it’s an organized Q&A session or to sit in the audience and take in the knowledge and/or network during the breaks.  Carriers can provide wonderful resources for your Chapter; they may have education topics, available meeting space near you, as well as funding to be able to provide more resources for your members.  Contact your representative today or get in touch with Melissa Bond at Melissa@netvu.org or 469.417.8109.

 

 

  

Certification Programs Expanded - Promote to Your Members 

 

In 2011, NetVU began offering a certification for Sagitta System Administrators.  The success of this certification program has led to two other certification programs, one in Sagitta Accounting and one for Account Managers using AMS360.  Over the next few years NetVU will design certifications based on job titles of agency employees such as IT, Accounting, Customer Service and Benefits, these will also include multi tiers, such as Expert and Master in addition to the administrator that is currently available. Each program is designed with a team of Volunteer Subject Matter Experts (SME's), NetVU staff and Vertafore. 

 

Sagitta System Admin (SSA) Certification 

 

In 2011 NetVU rolled out an immersion course aimed to help users gain the NetVU Sagitta System Administrator (SSA) Certification.  This certification is designed for the Sagitta system administrators in the agency. Upon completing it, the SSA will be able to support the various users of the Sagitta system, and the SSA will be recognized as such when contacting Vertafore Support and given special consideration.

 

The next SSA certification immersion will be held at NetVU National Training Center in Irving,, TX., Monday, February 20 at 8:00 a.m. and end Friday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Sagitta Accounting 

NetVU is excited to launch the Sagitta Accounting certification program at the NetVU Conference in April, 2012.  It will be comprised of 20 hours of training including required and specialized elective courses, followed by a test on each course.  This certification program will launch at the NetVU Conference, April 26-28, 2012.  Other required and elective courses will be made available via webinar throughout the year. 

Account Manager Certification Program – AMS360   

 

NetVU is launching the highly anticipated AMS360 Certification Program.  Account Managers using AMS360 will not want to miss out on this training and the prestigious distinction of this certification.  This is your opportunity to become an expert in your field, including the latest technology of version 6.0.  

 

You will also be able to use AMS360 to its full potential and teach others to do the same.    We expect a 20% greater utilization of your agency management system investment which isn’t being used today – this will save you time and money. 

 

Certified Account Managers will be recognized at NetVU Conference, be part of a private NetVU Community (NCOM) forum available to certified members and will be given special consideration when contacting Vertafore Support.   

 

The AMS360 Certification immersion course will be March 5-7, 2012 at the NetVU National Headquarters in Irving, TX.  

 

In the next few weeks, NetVU will launch a series webinars, six webinars must be successfully completed in order to attend the four-day course.  For the certification, participants must pass tests on each of the webinars and immersion.  Participants in the immersion course will be assumed to have a full understanding of the areas discussed in the nine prerequisite courses which are offered via webinar.

 

Click here for more information about these certifications – check back often more information will be added soon.

 

 

 

  

 

Networking and NCOM…Perfect Together 

The importance of networking is nothing new; the value of networking through NCOM is beginning to sink in as its usage goes up. More and more people are posting in the NetVU Communities. Our numbers are breaking records thanks to you.

 

With that said, make sure your posts are read when they are received by email.  How you ask? Have your Chapter’s name in the subject line - so when the notifications arrive in their Outlook inbox your members will know it's from the Chapter.

 

  

Did you know about the Vertafore® Free Training Fridays

 

Vertafore is offering free training every Friday, on the topics that are most requested by users. Each Friday Vertafore will host five one-hour training sessions on a wide variety of popular subjects. The sessions are free, so bring your questions!

 

Space is limited. Don’t miss this opportunity to register today at Vertafore FREE Training Fridays. New classes are being added weekly.

 

Have a suggestion for a new topic? Send it to FTFtopics@vertafore.com.

 

 

Chapter MVP 

Each year, Chapters select a Most Valuable Performer (MVP) to be recognized at the NetVU Conference.  The MVP designation is awarded to select groups of members who have gone above and beyond to advance their Chapters, promote industry automation, and make a difference in the lives of their fellow users.

Chapters are the grass roots of our association. NetVU is proud to honor the Chapter’s MVPs at NetVU Conference for they are inspirations to us all. Hopefully all those who are nominated will be able to attend.

You should have received your nomination notice. Please turn in your Chapter MVP nomination by November 23. 

 

 

Website needs your picture

NetVU is adding a personal touch to members looking for Chapters. We have added the ability to show what our Chapter officers look like. We need your help to finish the process. Please turn in a head shot of yourself we can add to the website.

 

 

One Voice Calls

Join these conference calls, when local leaders and Chapter Committee members discuss important information affecting Chapters:

 

January 18 / 2:00 p.m. CST

May 16 / 2:00 p.m. CST

August 15 / 2:00 p.m. CST

 

Let Us Know What’s Happening In Your Chapter! 

 

Local Leader wants to brag about you and your Chapter achievements and activities. Send us Chapter meeting and other success stories. We welcome meeting photos. Let us know about a special meeting or good meeting turnout, or tell us about a Chapter contest that worked for you. Send information to Sara Krueger at sara@amsug.org or 972.409.6205.