President’s Message: NASBP’s Pedal to the Metal Providing Surety Professionals New Resources

NASBP is undertaking so many new initiatives these days that it is difficult to determine which ones to write about in this issue of Pipeline. Let me start out by commending our staff in Washington, DC. As you read the rest of this edition, keep reminding yourself that much of this is accomplished by eleven people. The amount of work generated, the tireless effort, the positive, “Yes, we can” attitude, never ceases to amaze me. It is easy to take for granted that articles are written, that beneficial industry relationships develop, that technology improves, and that member services expand. I could go on. I am here to tell you that our staff is second to none, and their passion for our Association is second to none. NASBP is fortunate to have them.

Here is a brief snapshot of what your NASBP staff have been doing since the last issue of Pipeline:

• NASBP SmartBrief Launched on July 8, 2010. To date this targeted news for the surety professional has nearly 1,700 subscribers. If you are not receiving this free, weekly news brief, you are missing the only communication dedicated to the surety industry. I encourage you to sign up your clients and colleagues by clicking here http://smartbrief.com/nasbp to insert their e-mail address.
• NASBP Web Site Revamped and Delivered on August 16, 2010. The new power of SuretyConnect has been very well received. Thanks to Dave Golden and our staff for bringing this redevelopment on line in only four months. SuretyConnect has been embraced by our committees and groups as a great way to communicate. Add someone to your contact list today, post your comments to your fellow Committee members, and engage the membership in a discussion by posting your query to an e-Group Discussion. For details to do any of these, read the article included in this issue by clicking here.
• William J. Angell Summer Surety School Offered August 1-4, 2010. Over 115 students completed the Level I and II Surety Schools in San Diego during the first week in August.
• NASBP Regional Meeting Programs Finalized. The Region 8 & 9 Meeting kicked off our summer and fall regional meetings. Charleston, SC was an excellent venue for that meeting. We enjoyed two days of presentations and networking. Mark McCallum and Larry LeClair expanded their “State of the Surety Industry” and “NASBP Legislation and Regulations” presentations to educate us on what NASBP is doing for its membership. These were huge hits. Both the Regions 10 & 11 and Regions 4, 5, 6 & 7 NASBP Regional meetings, held in Mashantucket, CT and St. Louis, MO respectively will take place in September. The October Meeting for Regions 1, 2, & 3 also has a great offering of programs scheduled. If you have not registered for your Regional meeting, I encourage you to do so.
• U.S. DOT/SFAA Bond Educational Program Supported. Staff assisted in member coordination, recruitment, and participation in the two most recent U.S. Department of Transportation Bond Education Programs in Chicago and Atlanta. These programs assist small, emerging contractors that are seeking surety credit for the first time.
• A Licensing Agreement with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Being Negotiated. Staff is working with AIA on a licensing agreement for member use of the latest editions of the AIA A310 and AIA A312 bond forms. An announcement will be forthcoming. In the meantime, staff has created an area on the new web site to provide information about the new AIA bond forms. Click here to access.
• New Lease for NASBP Headquarters Location Negotiated. Staff recently completed negotiations on new office space, with an anticipated move-in date of November 1, 2010. The new location, within one block of the existing location, provides more space at a less expensive lease rate.
• Online Commercial Surety Course Outlined. The staff continues to work with the Commercial Surety Committee members to develop an online NASBP Commercial Surety fundamentals course that will include four two-hour modules that are self-paced.
• Planning Meeting with AGC and SFAA Scheduled. NASBP staff will soon be meeting with both the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and SFAA to assist in planning the 2011 meeting of the AGC Surety Bonding and Risk Management Committees that will take place in February in Florida.
• Two FASB Issues Monitored. Staff is preparing responses to two pending positions of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), a proposed new standard for revenue recognition and one for multi-employer pension plans for union employees.
• Non-stop Presence on Capitol Hill. Staff continues to meet weekly with Congressional offices to advance the NASBP Government Relations Agenda.
• 2011 NASBP Annual Meeting Planning Commenced. Initial preparations for the 2011 Annual Meeting at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado are underway. Two weeks ago, Bethany Jones, Matt and Susan Cashion, and Wendy and I met with the Broadmoor staff to review the facility and plan the NASBP Annual Meeting agenda. The Broadmoor is an incredible place, and I am confident that the program will be well received. Save the dates of May 15-18, you won’t want to miss my final NASBP speech as President!

Overall, just a typical two months at NASBP headquarters. If I picked a different issue of Pipeline to write about the staff, you would find them just as busy on different undertakings. I hope you have had an enjoyable summer.

J. Spencer Miller
NASBP President

J. Spencer Miller, President, Schwartz Brothers Insurance Agency, Inc. in Chicago, IL. Spence can be reached at smiller@schwartzbrothers.com.