The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is confident that its members will vote resoundingly in favour of adopting a new strategic plan to make it a true professional association.

The FPA will speak with over 2000 of its members throughout March as part of its National Roadshow, providing planners an opportunity to hear first-hand on the proposed new three-year strategic plan, which aims to elevate financial planning as a universally respected profession.

Feedback from the initial roadshows has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 85 per cent of attending members stating they would vote in support of the plan, which would see only individual planning professionals with the right to vote going forward.

The new strategic plan was announced at the FPA 2010 National Conference in November following a long-term engagement process with members.

Seventy five per cent of members who vote need to vote “yes” to adopt the strategy, which removes the Principal membership category, at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 7 April 2011. Members can vote in person at the EGM in Melbourne, or lodge a proxy electronically from 14 March until 5 April.

In association with the strategy plan, the FPA has launch a new brand and advertising campaign to position FPA members as trusted professionals.

Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA said:

“Clearly the members are very much in favour of the new FPA and its journey towards building Australians’ respect for financial planners as trusted professionals.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change and we’re calling on all members to vote yes for their professional recognition.”

“We look forward to members continuing to provide us with feedback and communicating their thoughts as we work away around Australia over the coming weeks.”

Peter Roan CFP, Chapter Chair of the FPA said:

“It is time for all members to unite and show their professionalism and support for the FPA as the peak professional body for Financial Planning professionals going forward.”

“We now have the opportunity to do this, it is black and white … and it is time.”

Rodney Lavin CFP, FPA Chapter Chair in Gippsland and the inaugural CFP Professional Ambassador said:

“Financial Planning has come of age and it is logical that the FPA must now concentrate on becoming a professional organisation rather than just an industry group.

“To raise the bar on eligibility of membership is a good thing for our profession and I endorse it whole heartedly. I applaud the FPA board on their strategy and I am confident we are heading in the right direction”

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