National FPA Benefits of Membership

Publications
Business Solutions
Meetings and Learning
Career Development
Government Relations
Public Relations
FPA Connections
Service to Members

Publications

• Journal of Financial Planning - FPA's official, peer-reviewed monthly publication offers readers the best current thinking from prominent writers and financial planning experts. An annual subscription is included with membership plus 12 continuing education credits.
• Solutions - The bimonthly practice management publication delivers information to help you, your business and your profession.
• FPA This Week - This weekly e-newsletter brings you updates on FPA happenings industry events.

Business Solutions

• Online Practice Services Center - Visit this section of the national FPA website for a compilation of resources, business ideas, practice management techniques, products, services and partnerships to support members in creating the kind of practice they desire. FPA also offers substantial members-only discounts on practice management tools, client marketing tools, continuing education exams and more.
• FPA's Marketplace - This upcoming area of the national FPA website will provide you with a special opportunity to market your services and products to over 29,000 financial planning professionals. Describe in detail your consulting services or products, gain brand recognition and post updates and press releases on the most widely viewed financial services-related directory.

Meetings and Learning

• Local Chapters - A nationwide network of over 100 chapters forms the backbone of FPA and attracts the best in the financial planning community.
• Virtual Learning Center - Access unmatched educational programs including national meetings, self-study courses and virtual sessions at discounted rates.
• Conferences - Annual National Conference - FPA's annual convention and exposition is considered the gathering place of the worldwide financial planning community.
• Retreat - This conference for advanced planners is unlike any other for coming together to learn, share, build your knowledge and immerse yourself in your craft.
• Residency Programs - A highly acclaimed program for new planners that offers a client-centered training experience using comprehensive and detailed case studies.
• NexGen - A communities of interest conference for the next generation of the financial planning profession with a strong focus on networking, as well as programming that supports technical and career development.
• Major Firms Conference - Ceates a focus for corporate level executives, directors and VPs. Includes facilitator-led dialogue around key strategic issues, regulatory and compliance issues an opportunity to learn from peers who have passion for financial planning and how best to manage, train, develop and deliver financial planning in a large enterprise setting.
• Business Solutions - Advanced business management consisting of specialized content intended for financial planning professionals focusing on business management, technology and compliance issues.

Career Development

Career development initiatives and programs have been and are currently being developed to help FPA members advance their careers.

• Career Center - This online benefit is designed to provide a variety of information on career opportunities and resources.
• Employment - An online job/resume board exists for members to post job listings and resume listings.
• Coach Match - Search our database and find the coach, or coaches, that best fit your needs. Our tool facilitates connections, but coachee and coach must make the actual connection and determine the desired course of action.
• CFP® certification - Information and resources on how to obtain the CFP certification.

Government Relations

FPA has a tremendous impact on legislative and regulatory issues affecting you and your clients. Visit this portion of the national website to see current government relations activities. As a member of FPA, you will benefit from our legislative involvement in four ways.

1. Stay informed of regulatory initiatives and legislation that could affect the way you do business.
2. Have an advocate, since FPA is the only major organization representing your concerns as a financial planning professional.
3. Help shape policy in Washington and your state capitol by becoming actively involved.
4. Participate in FPA's Political Action Committee to help FPA build relationships with federal legislators whose decisions affect FPA members.

Public Relations

A key mission of FPA is to promote the value of financial planning to the public and to serve as the voice of the financial planning profession. Below are key highlights of FPA's Public Relations department activities.

• Financial Planning Week - Occurring the first full week in October each year, this week is dedicated to helping the public understand the value of financial planning. Throughout the week, media, legislative and public events are held across the country. Chapters play a major role in the events.
• The National Financial Planning Support Center was created as a direct response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001. While FPA continues to offer pro-bono financial planning assistance to those directly impacted by September 11th, national FPA's efforts have now extended. Visit the consumer portion of their web site for more detailed information on how FPA educates and offers assistance to the public.

FPA Connections

Where Participation Becomes Knowledge

Imagine what your practice would be like if you had an army of peers you could turn to for advice, ideas and support. FPA provides numerous opportunities to get connected, informed and involved. FPA is committed to providing ways for members to make connections, engage in conversation and exchange knowledge.

• FPA Dialogue Series is an ongoing, live event series about the future of financial planning. Develop relationships, knowledge with other professionals.
• FPA Cafe is an online space where conversations can occur amoung financial planning professionals. FPA Cafe uses technology that allows participants to interact within the discussions via e-mail or their Web browser.
• Self-organized communities provide you with the opportunity to join an ongoing community and meet with your colleagues online or at national meetings.

Service to Members

The Financial Planning Association (FPA™) exists because of our members and for our members. Our member services specialists are available from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm EST/EDT, Monday thru Friday, to assist you with questions, concerns and needs.

To join FPA, register for an event, place an order, or get more information about FPA resources, please call a member services specialist at 800.322.4237 or e-mail us at membership@fpanet.org.

To register for a local event or to get more information about Minnesota FPA, call Bonnie Stanley, Executive Director at 763-781-1212 or email her at office@fpamn.org. Also feel free to call or email any of the board members.