Independent Financial Brokers (IFB), a national not-for-profit professional association representing independent life insurance and mutual fund advisors held its Annual General Meeting last Tuesday in Toronto.

In an election for positions open on the board, Alex Beelich (Nepean, Ont.), Merlin Chouinard (Saskatoon, Sask.), John Dargie (Oakville, Ont.), Allan Donald (Winnipeg), Scott Findlay (Abbotsford, BC), Johanne Ouellette (Toronto), and Sharon Piper (Whitby, Ont.) were re-elected to three year terms of office. New to the board this year is Bruce Bell of Toronto. Bell will serve a one year term of office.

At a meeting of the board of directors held immediately following the annual meeting, Merlin Chouinard was unanimously re-elected to his second term as president of IFB. Completing the executive of the association are John Dargie (VP, insurance), Wayne Harbin (VP, member relations), Allan Donald (treasurer), David Barber (past-president), and Neil MacLean (board representative).

In his speech to members at the AGM, Chouinard emphasized the role that IFB plays as a service organization focused on the needs and concerns of the independent broker. Said Chouinard, “One of our greatest strengths is that we do not try to be all things to all people, but rather, we have chosen to remain true to our original mandate: to serve the independent broker.”

Chouinard noted, that, in an era of steady decline in club, group, and association membership, IFB has enjoyed steady growth and an increase in membership of 200% in just five years. He attributed this growth to the “sound value proposition” the association provided its members in the areas of professional liability insurance, continuing education through the IFB Summit program, and pro-active regulatory affairs initiatives.

IFB fall summits are scheduled for November 1 & 2 in Toronto, November 21 in Calgary, and November 27 in Vancouver.