FPA members came together in 2013.
There is an African proverb, popularised by US politician Hilary Clinton, which says it takes a whole village to raise a child.
Which is an appropriate way to think about how the influence of many can contribute to making a positive impact on the life of one.
In the context of professional financial planning and its journey to adulthood, a similar dynamic is at play.
In other words, a whole village of supporters – a community – has emerged during 2013 to make a positive and enduring impact to a single cause: professionalism.
We’ve had a fair share of setbacks and challenges. And it is true that 2013 was a year for enormous legislative and technical change. We’ve seen reams of legislative paperwork come at us – the commencement of FoFA; a new Coalition government and the TASA initiatives to name a few.
But out of this challenging environment has emerged a renewal of one of the core ingredients that has marked the Financial Planning Association since its inception over two decades ago. And that is the power of collegiate community.
What does this mean? In reality it means volunteers giving up their time to support a worthwhile endeavour. Activating their support, reaching out, offering guidance, time, intellectual property and a duty of care.
In broader terms it means members of our community adhering to a higher-level purpose for the benefit of others. This can manifest in various ways: committee and chapter participation, pro bono efforts, or simply just ‘turning up’ to contribute to the overall carriage of a common goal.
Want proof of this remarkable grass roots movement? The following small list is a reminder (and a note of congratulations) to those who ‘formed a village’ in 2013 to help raise and nurture the fledgling child of professional financial planning in Australia and which has led by example for the rest of the world.
Financial Planning Week
The 13th annual Financial Planning Week was run during the last week of August 2013 and helped to fundamentally drive home the access and need for quality financial advice amongst Australian consumers.
A major part of this consumer awareness campaign was the ever- popular ‘Ask an Expert’ online service. This enabled members of the public to post questions regarding their finances, on any topic from debt to investments, superannuation to tax.
A volunteer panel of over 70 FPA practitioner members fielded the questions, posted online for the public to view.
Each and every FPA member who volunteered their time to provide free advice to the public should be congratulated for this outstanding effort. There was zero business or commercial incentive involved – simply a shared desire to help make a difference to the lives of others!
Professionals Congress
October 2013 will be remembered as a turning point for the profession. Sydney played host to over 1000 members of a professional community joining together to inaugurate something very different. It was called ‘Your Inaugural Professionals Congress’. Delegates expressed a genuine feeling of ‘togetherness’ and a tremendous sense of pride in our profession. There was a real willingness to share ideas and best practice thinking. And it was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a shared future, aligned under the common goal to change client’s lives for the better.
The Congress also encouraged a new confidence that financial planning is kicking goals, pulling together and looking to a bright future. A truly professional community.
Best Practice Awards
Want evidence that what financial planners do changes clients’ lives for the better? Look no further than the outstanding submissions to the 2013 FPA Best Practice Awards.
It was quite evident that FPA members embody a higher purpose ideal and, through their professionalism and expert advice, really do make a difference.
Whether through helping a client suffering illness battle their way through a health insurance claim, or enabling a client who wants financial freedom to leave their well-paying, steady job to pursue their passion, the result is the same – an improvement in wellbeing and increased ‘comfort factor’ and happiness.
This is what is important here and a monetary value cannot be placed on it.
Anyone who visits the Sydney office of the FPA will see on the reception wall a piece of artwork. On it are printed (in very fine print as there are 10,000) the names of every member of the FPA ‘village’. Alongside this are the words: “Helping our members change client’s lives for the better.” It takes a village to raise a child. Congratulations to all who stepped forward in 2013 to offer their contribution.
