MEMBER ACCESS
NAFIC is excited to announce that its annual convention has been renamed the Fraternal Financial Leaders Conference, reflecting its focus on fostering leadership, education, and networking among fraternal financial professionals. This rebranding underscores NAFIC’s commitment to empowering its members with the tools and insights needed to excel in the evolving insurance landscape.
The 2025 Fraternal Financial Leaders Conference will take place September 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the iconic River Walk, this three-day event promises a dynamic blend of professional development, industry inspiration, and meaningful connections.
The event is supported by key partners, including the Fraternal Field Managers Association, the American Fraternal Alliance, and the NAFIC Foundation, reinforcing its significance within the fraternal insurance industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a rising star, this conference offers a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and celebrate the strength of the fraternal system.
Registration is now open! Visit the official conference website at [fraternalfinancialleaders.org] for more information, including the full schedule, speaker lineup, and registration details. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure your spot at this reimagined event.
NAFIC invites all fraternal insurance counselors, advisors, and financial leaders to join us in San Antonio for an unforgettable experience that blends professional excellence with the spirit of fraternity. For additional inquiries, contact the NAFIC office at contact@nafic.org or call 763-265-3311.
Mark your calendars for September 24-26, 2025, and be part of the newly named Fraternal Financial Leaders Conference—where leadership meets legacy!
We’re excited to announce updates to the award criteria for our Production and Rising Star awards, while the Quality Service Award remains unchanged. These revisions reflect our commitment to recognizing your dedication and success. Below are the details of the updated levels, along with key eligibility information for all NAFIC awards.
The Production Awards, based on first-year commissions from life insurance and annuity production, now start at the Gold level with updated commission thresholds. The new structure eliminates the Bronze and Silver tiers to focus on higher achievement levels. The revised tiers are as follows:
Previously, the Production Awards began at Bronze ($30,000+), progressed through Silver ($40,000+), Gold ($50,000+), and Platinum ($75,000+), with President’s Award at $100,000+ and Chairman’s Council at $150,000+. You are still required to meet a minimum of $2 million in issued life insurance/annuity production and at least 30 paid applications.
The Rising Star Award has been revamped to celebrate emerging leaders. It is now open to members within their first two full calendar years after their contract date, provided they hold the FIC designation. Eligibility requires meeting any one of the following in a calendar year:
The new criteria focuses on newer agents that have early-career success.
The Quality Service Award criteria remain unchanged. Recognition is granted based on achieving:
This award continues to honor members who demonstrate excellence in both production and client retention.
To be eligible for any NAFIC award, recipients must meet the following criteria:
We’re proud to celebrate your achievements through these updated awards and look forward to recognizing your hard work. For questions about eligibility or the award program, contact us at contact@nafic.org.
Here’s to your continued success!
*NAFIC awards hinge on production totals submitted by member societies. The societies hold the authority to make final determinations regarding eligibility for first-year commissions, and these determinations may not align with actual payments received. Please note that not all societies opt to participate in the NAFIC Award Program.
We are thrilled to announce that the NAFIC Kaplan CE Portal is undergoing a significant update to better serve your continuing education needs. Our team has been working diligently to bring you an improved platform with the following enhancements:
Account Activation Notice: At this time, the NAFIC office is manually activating each account to ensure a seamless transition. To activate your NAFIC Kaplan Total CE package, please reach out to us by emailing contact@nafic.org or giving us a call. We’re committed to activating your account as quickly as possible—typically within hours—so you can get started right away.
We appreciate your patience and are excited to bring you these improvements. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Click here for the form: 2023 FIC Salesbuilder Registration.pdf
Garry Kinder (1933 - 2023)
To view his obituary click here.
Here is the body of the letter NAFIC received back from Roaring Lambs:
We have had the privilege of studying God's Word and serving alongside Garry Kinder at Roaring Lambs Ministries for over 37 years. Garry faithfully taught the Bible weekly, answering questions, leading discussion and praying for the needs of our class members. We witnessed, firsthand, what a great man of God Garry was and an exemplary Roaring Lamb. He is greatly missed, but has left all of us quite a legacy.
Thank you for your gift in honor of his life and impact on you. Roaring lambs Ministries exist because of Garry's vision and the support of so many. We desire to change the culture for Christ by equipping, inspiring, and challenging Christians to "amplify their faith." The weekly Sunday Bible Study continues today and the ministry has expanded to many outreaches that serve the community. Your donation will further the impact this ministry can have.
Thank you, again, for your gift. And now, do what Garry would want and make an impact for Christ on others.
In His service and yours, Donna Skell, Executive Director, Roaring Lambs Ministries. and Anton Skell, Comptroller & Bible Teacher, Roaring Lambs Ministries
On June 6, the Kansas Chapter held their annual meeting at the Acorns Resort in Milford. A special thank you goes out to the chapter board of directors for putting on a great meeting.
Barbara Coats with Modern Woodmen of America has been named the 2021 International FIC of the Year
WATERLOO, Wisc. -- The National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC) revealed at it's National Convention in Kansas City, MO its decision to select Barbara Coats with the Modern Woodmen of America, as the International Fraternal Insurance Counselor of the Year.
Barbara has been with Modern Woodmen for 9 years and is from Starkville Mississippi. In 2021, she received NAFIC's highest level award, Chairman's Council and the Quality Service Award. In 2020, Barbara led 3 Chapters that participated in 12 Social activities, 9 Service Projects, 3 Matching Fund Project, 3 Hometown Hero Projects and 3 Educational events. Barbara has served as a past president and board member with the local Habitat for Humanity, a Board of Director for the JL King Center, a board of director for Volunteer Starkville, Past President of Business Network International (BNI), and she is a founding member of her Community Policing Auxiliary. Barbara also volunteers for Starkville Strong, St. Joseph Catholic Church Food Pantry, the Starkville Community Theater and Habitat for Humanity.
On behalf of NAFIC and our membership, we would like to congratulate Barbara Coats on her well-deserved success and we look forward to her continued achievements.
About NAFIC and the International FIC of the Year Award:
The National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC) is an organization of mutual aid insurance professionals, comprised of over 40 Fraternal Benefit Societies in the U.S. and Canada. The Fraternal Field Managers Association (FFMA) awards the Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC) designation to agents who have completed roughly one year of coursework and tests which emphasize the ethical responsibilities of life insurance sales and prioritize participation in fraternal events and activities. Each organization is eligible to award one top representative their association’s FIC of the Year award. These winners then become the field of potential International FIC of the Year winners, selected by a committee from the NAFIC and the FFMA.
Each FIC-designated agent promises to take responsibility for: Maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, fairness, and competence; knowing and adhering to all applicable insurance regulations; continuing their education about the financial and fraternal elements of the field; empowering and educating their members; and serving their own society by putting others first.
Denise Degerstrom, FIC, with Catholic United Financial has been named the 2020 International FIC of the Year!
SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- The National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC) revealed July 31 its decision to select Denise Degerstrom, of Hinckley, Minn., and a sales representative for Catholic United Financial, as the International Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC) of the Year.
To become the International FIC of the Year, Degerstrom was selected from the submissions of 47 member-societies, whose own representatives, like Degerstrom, won their association’s Fraternal Insurance Counselor of the Year award earlier in 2020. The awards recognize the agent who best exhibits the ethical and professional standards that being an “FIC” designates.
“I am so humbled winning this award because there are so many people who are so good at what they do in this company, and so many important people in the Home Office who support us,” Degerstrom said. “I would have never guessed 18 years ago that I could work in a way that was involved with my faith. It’s amazing how God provides in ways you’d never expect. Just like how we have to ask to know what our members need, you have to ask or you’ll never know.”
FIC is a designation earned by education and testing through the Fraternal Field Managers Association (FFMA), which emphasizes the ethical and community building aspects of life insurance sales in a fraternal society. The nominee for FIC of the Year from each member society is that organization's best at both aspects of their career – fraternal engagement and life insurance and financial product sales.
Degerstrom set herself apart in 2019 with strong new membership and sales production, along with exceptional fraternalism. In her nomination, Member Engagement Director Nate Lamusga said she had championed bringing a Gather4Good® event to her region, which drew hundreds of volunteers to pack more than 2,000 care kits for people experiencing homelessness. And for helping to organize a legacy scholarship fundraiser for one of her high school-aged members who tragically died in 2018. That event raised more than $28,000 to fund an annual scholarship and brought out the entire community in support of the family. Catholic United President Mike Ahles said, “Denise Degerstrom is simply the nicest person you will ever know. Her passion for our Catholic faith, our members, and our entire Association is unparalleled. It is amazing to me that she is able to build a personal connection with everyone she meets and we all feel blessed to know her. This award is well deserved, and we hope that she will continue to work with us and our members for many years to come.”
Catholic United Financial recognizes the benefits of the FIC training, which places a strong emphasis on sales ethics, and encourages the Rep’s involvement in the volunteer and mission-building activities of their association. Any Sales Representative to join Catholic United is required to pass their FIC exams within their first year of employment.
Degerstrom is the third representative of Catholic United Financial to earn this honor in the past four years. Peter Ryan, of Delano, Minn., won in 2016, and Brian Zitzmann of Worthington, Minn., was recognized in 2018. The award is usually announced with all nominees present at the awards banquet of NAFIC’s International Conference each May, but was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Degerstrom and her husband Doug live in Hinckley with a new Golden Retriever, and are parishioners of St. Patrick’s church. They have four children, 11 grandchildren, and are members of Catholic United’s Immaculate Conception Parish Volunteer Team in Pine City.
The National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC) is an organization of mutual aid insurance professionals, comprised of 47 associations in the U.S. and Canada. The Fraternal Field Managers Association (FFMA) awards the Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC) designation to agents who have completed roughly one year of coursework and tests which emphasize the ethical responsibilities of life insurance sales and prioritize participation in fraternal events and activities. Each organization is eligible to award one top representative their association’s FIC of the Year award. These winners then become the field of potential International FIC of the Year winners, selected by a committee from the NAFIC and the FFMA.
About Catholic United Financial
Founded in 1878 in St. Paul, Minn., Catholic United Financial is one of the oldest fraternal life insurance associations in the nation, and the oldest domiciled in Minnesota. It serves more than 70,000 members in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. Providing financial security for Catholic families through life insurance, retirement products and Medicare Supplement insurance, it reinvests its profits in its members’ local Catholic communities through scholarships, service projects, grants and other unique programs. Its Annual Catholic Schools Raffle has raised almost $10 million for Catholic schools since 2009.
Save on goods and services you buy every week with your NAFIC Membership!
NAFIC has partnered with National Purchasing Partners(NPP) to bring you discounts and savings on many national brands. Get discounts from suppliers like Office Depot, 1-800-Flowers.com, Priceline Travel, H-P Computers and Printers, Skechers Shoes, Adobe Pro DC PDF and many more.
Just log into the NAFIC.org website with your Username and Password. Select "National Purchasing Partners" under the Member Access menu. You will need to create a separate log-in when you register for the NPP Program. Once you are signed in, you can take advantage of discounts from any of the suppliers in the NPP Program. Each supplier link will tell you how to receive your discount (coupon code, registration, etc.) Then, simply place your online order as normal.
There is NO COST for the program. It is part of your NAFIC membership. There is also no limit - you can use it as often as you want!
Enjoy and Start Saving!
NAFIC will be holding our Annual Meeting during the webinar which will include the election of the new officers and directors.
Date: May 5th 2020
Time: 1pm EST (12pm CST, 10am PST)
Location: Zoom Meeting via zoom.us
Below is the nomination report:
President John Mahon, FICF, LUTCF | Knights of Columbus | Elected May 2014
Vice President Gregory Gall, FIC, LUTCF | Catholic United Financial | Elected May 2015
Secretary/Treasurer Don Kulyk, FIC, EPC, AFA | FaithLife Financial | Elected May 2016
Immediate Past Jimmy Tirres, FIC, CLU, LUTCF | Catholic Life Insurance | Elected May 2013
Director Greg Mallett, FICF, CLU, ChFC | Modern Woodmen of America | Elected May 2017
Director Kevin Simpson FIC, CLU, CRPC, CLTC | Western Fraternal Life Association | Elected May 2018
Director Desi Doise, CLU, FICF, LLIF | WoodmenLife | Elected May 2018
Director Gail Kroll, FIC | CLC Life Insurance | Elected May 2019
Director Dan Lloyd, FIC, CLU, ChFC, CPA | Catholic Financial Life | Elected May 2020
Director Jennifer Tix, FIC, RICP | Thrivent Financial | Elected May 2020
Director Dave Zerhusen, FIC, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CSA | Catholic Order of Foresters | Elected May 2012
PO Box 608, Buffalo, MN 55313 | 763-265-3311 | Contact NAFIC
