Check Out NEEBC's Membership Video
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NEEBC now has a YouTube channel and we've posted our new membership video so you can view it. Check it out and find out what your friends and colleagues have to say about their membership and why they value NEEBC. View the video here.
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Thanks to our Annual Partners
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Gold
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Silver
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Benefits in Brief
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Jack Myers is now with DBR Group and Ibrahim Essa has moved to Boston Properties.
Dawn Socha has accepted a new position at Wynn Companies and John Kennedy is now with DTZ in Newton.
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Looking for a provider of benefits-related services or products? NEEBC's web-based "Online Resource Directory for Benefits/HR Professionals" is an easy-to-use guide to regional benefits products and services. The Directory offers listings in numerous categories, including Consultants, Health Care, Outsourcing, Third Party Administrators and Retirement. We hope members will consider directory advertisers when purchasing products or services. If you would like more information on how to sign up, please click here.
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Follow NEEBC Online!
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NEEBC's LinkedIn Group Site is now up and running and all members are invited to register to participate. This is a great way to network! 1. Log into LinkedIn. 2. Select GROUPS on the left navigation bar. 3. Go to the "Groups Directory" tab. 4. In the "Search box" type in NEEBC. 5. Select "Join this group." 6. Once NEEBC accepts your request, you will become a member.
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Congratulations to our 2014 NEEBC Scholarship winners! Since 1990, NEEBC has awarded over $158,000 in scholarships to advance knowledge in the employee benefits field.
This year, we are pleased to award two $3,500 scholarships to Danielle Ring (Champlain College) and Julie Traynor (part time MBA at Southern New Hampshire University). Julie is also an employee of CIGNA.
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The Rise of Private Exchanges
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by Jake Biscoglio, Cigna Private Exchange Business Lead
The rise of private health insurance exchanges is attracting some employers looking for new tools to engage their employees and manage health care benefits. Let's take a look at these exchanges and their unique characteristics.
Private Exchanges: How They Work
For employers who are trying to introduce more choice for the employees, manage cost through using a defined contribution approach or benefit buy-downs and simplify their administration, private exchanges offer an interesting solution that combines technology and guided choice to make it easier for employees and retirees to shop for employer sponsored benefits. Read the
complete article here.
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IFEBP Programs
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Broaden your knowledge with three upcoming educational programs from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The Global Benefits Management Program, the Annual Conference and the Certificate Series are being offered to NEEBC members and are designed to provide you with the information and skills needed to strengthen your career. For more information and a full listing of all IFEBP educational offerings, please visit www.ifebp.org. |
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Karen Hunter,
Director of Global Compensation, Benefits & HRIS,
A. W. Chesterton
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Dear fellow NEEBC members,
Summer is in full swing and I hope that each of you will find an opportunity to have some 'down time' to relax, reflect and recharge!
As I begin my term as NEEBC's President, I find myself reflecting on the path that led me here. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that's been such an important part of my professional development. I look forward to working with the NEEBC staff, Board and Membership to continue NEEBC's mission to advance knowledge and education about issues in the employee benefits field.
My involvement with NEEBC began over 20 years ago when my new manager (who was a NEEBC member) encouraged me to expand my benefits knowledge by attending a NEEBC event. My first NEEBC experience was the all-day Benefits Fair & Trade Show. I learned a lot, picked up brochures and giveaways from every vendor table and got my card stamped to enter the prize raffle. While I didn't win a raffle prize, I did meet some new people during the cocktail hour! On that day, I knew that I'd be attending more NEEBC events, but little did I know how much of an influence NEEBC would have on my future professional development.
As I began to attend more NEEBC meetings, I met more people in the community. I was asked to join a committee that needed volunteers to help develop an upcoming program. My committee participation gave me the opportunity to work with, observe and learn from so many talented, successful professionals in the benefits community - exposure I would not have had otherwise. Over the years, I have tapped into my NEEBC colleagues whenever I needed advice or a sounding board on a benefits topic.
When a committee I was on needed a speaker for a topic I knew something about, I found myself volunteering to speak. Before I knew it, I was speaking more frequently at NEEBC events. At the time of my first event, my public speaking experience had been limited to new employee orientation and annual enrollment meetings. Speaking at NEEBC events helped me to develop and continuously improve my presentation and public speaking skills.
When I found myself between jobs, NEEBC served as a professional "lifeline" for me during my job search, enabling me to network and stay professionally engaged by continuing to serve on committees and attending programs. I got job leads to follow and some references that I could provide to prospective employers. And, sometimes, just a cup of coffee with a NEEBC friend was all I needed.
Upon reflection, I have come to realize that all of us, individually and collectively, are NEEBC. At 35 years, NEEBC is growing strong and continues to evolve. We offer high quality programming that's relevant and educational using multiple delivery channels. We're a community of professionals willing to share our knowledge and offer each other support. We foster the growth of our profession through the NEEBC Scholarship program and the Mentoring program.
So, my journey here began with a simple suggestion by my manager. As you take some time off this summer, I would encourage you to also take a moment while relaxing to reflect on how NEEBC has benefited you. Then, when you're back to work, share your NEEBC story with colleagues - those just starting out and those who may not know much about NEEBC.
Who knows, the person you introduce to NEEBC may just become a future NEEBC President!
Best Regards,
Karen As always, please forward your comments or suggestions to executive director Patty Houpt or to me. I look forward to seeing you at future NEEBC events. |
Join us for the 4th Annual NEEBC Golf Outing
 Space is filling up fast!
Date: Monday, August 4
Time: Lunch at 11:45 - Shotgun Start at 1:00 pm, Cocktails and Dinner to Follow
Location: Framingham Country Club
Treat yourself and your colleagues to a great day of golf and camaraderie.
Participation is limited to 128 players, or 32 foursomes, so sign up today! Sign up as an individual, or in a group of two, three or four. We will find a spot for you.
Non-golfers can join the fun at the reception and dinner.
Raffles, contests and prizes throughout the day. Scramble format.
$220 per person; a day with your NEEBC friends - priceless!
$50 dinner option for non-golfers who don't want to miss out on the fun.
Register for the event here.
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Annual Benefits Fair and Trade Show a Big Success!
 Over 200 people joined us for NEEBC's Annual Benefits Fair and Trade Show June 5 in Norwood. Special guest Mary-Frances Winters kicked off the day with Diversity: More than Just the Right thing to Do.
If you missed Mary-Frances' keynote address, you can watch it here. If you were unable to attend the event, recorded sessions of these terrific presentations are now available! Click here for details.
The day of informative, educational programming included:
Robert Kennedy
Fidelity Investments Benefits Consulting
Committed to the Cause -- Health Improvement Efforts Are Here to Stay: Results of the 2014 Fidelity/NBGH Health Improvement Survey
Marion Lunt, Willis
Deb Iaquinto, Covidien
Using Stories to Engage Your Workforce
Erika Illiano, Aon Hewitt
Diversity in Retirement Plans: In Living Color
Kristen Carlucci, Pitney Bowes
Using Social Media to Engage Your Employees
Many thanks to our committee and volunteers for the day. Of course, we couldn't hold this event without the wonderful support of our annual partners, our conference sponsors and our terrific exhibitors. Click here for a list.
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Welcome to Our New Directors
 Dennis J. Charland, Jr.
Dennis is Executive Director of National Accounts at Blue Cross Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) where he is responsible for national account retention, new sales, consultant relations and account implementations. He has more than 13 years of experience in the fields of group insurance sales and retention, benefits consulting, labor negotiations and benefits management. During his career, Dennis has consulted to, directed, and sold to, many of the nation's largest employers.
 Tracey Crowell
Tracey is Vice President of Benefits Strategy at Fidelity Investments and has more than 20 years' experience in health care strategy and employee benefits. In her current role, she is responsible for the strategy, design and analysis of total population health, wellness and work life benefits offerings for Fidelity's over 40,000 domestic employees. Under Tracey's leadership, Fidelity's Well for Life health and wellness program has received national awards from the National Business Group on Health as well as several regional awards. Tracey recently served on the program committee for NEEBC's Annual Trade Show and Benefit Fair.
 David Guadagnoli David is a tax partner in the Boston office of Sullivan & Worcester. He concentrates his practice in the employee benefits area and is experienced in the design, implementation and administration of welfare and fringe benefit arrangements and qualified retirement plans (including 401(k) plans and ESOPs) for large and small employers, retirement distribution planning for individuals and the design and implementation of nonqualified deferred compensation and equity compensation arrangements for public and private employers. A long-time member of NEEBC, David is a
a frequent speaker at NEEBC events on the topic of retirement plan compliance issues.
 Stephen Popper
Stephen is Managing Director at SageView Advisory Group and is a plan sponsor-focused retirement plan specialist with over 20 years of industry experience in retirement plan administration, plan design analysis and risk management. He focuses on education plan sponsors to help them recruit, retain and reward their employees. A long-time NEEBC member, David
is also chairperson of NEEBC's Strategic Connection Series on Retirement Plan Issues and a member of the Best Practices Committee.
We'd also like to thank those Board members who are leaving this year, Alden Bianchi, Dan Cassidy, Deb Iaquinto and Jane Pye. They have all put in countless hours and have made great contributions to NEEBC's success.
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Washington Update 2014
Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, has been invited to speak
Mark Iwry, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury and Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) for Retirement and Health Policy at the U. S. Treasury Department, has been invited to speak
Marc Goldwein, Senior Policy Director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Marc will discuss the latest thinking on Entitlement Reform and proposed solutions offered by Fix the Debt.org.