On July 30, 2005, the AFSA Independents Section Advisory Board met in San Diego to review its goals and develop a Plan of Work for the coming year. The thirteen member Board was welcomed by Section Chairman, Nathan Benson, Chief Executive Officer, Tidewater Finance Company, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. Nathan not only thanked everyone for attending but also welcomed new board members Andrew Bohy, Executive Vice President, Omni Financial Corporation, New Rochelle, NY; Mark Holling, Executive Vice President, United Finance Co., Portland, Oregon; and David Harwood, ABC Financial Services, Arp, Texas.

AFSA Thanks Associate Member Sponsors
To help offset meeting expenses, the companies shown below provided generous financial support. Several Associate members also participated in the Planning Task Force Meeting on July 29 to develop the program for the 23rd annual AFSA Independents Conference & Exposition, March 29 - April 1, 2006, at the Westin La Cantera in San Antonio. They included: Jeff Collingsworth, National Sales Director, FPS Gold; Terry Keating, Las Salle Bank; Morris Marshburn, RSM McGladrey, Inc.; Bill Nass, TCI; and David Perry, First Tennessee Bank.

Some of the successful initiatives—both continuations from last year and new ones—include:

Membership Growth
Continue the VIP (Very Important Prospect) program at the Independents Conference to recruit new Independent Members. A special VIP Reception will be added for these prospects to meet with the Independents Advisory Board prior to the Welcoming Party.

Membership Expansion Through State Association Affiliates
In October 2004, the AFSA Board of Directors approved a Strategic Plan that included a program to expand the number of AFSA Active member companies that are independently owned and operated (single state) through their affiliation with AFSA State Association members that represent a large number of Independents. The membership application process will be streamlined and tailored to the individual state association dues process. This was successfully launched in Texas through the Texas Consumer Finance Association and in California through the California Financial Services Association.

AFSAPAC Fundraising
The AFSA Independents Section will also continue its work to raise money for the AFSAPAC. Robert Rawl, president & CEO, Regency Finance Company, Warren, OH, has been elected to serve as the 2005-2006 AFSAPAC Chairman. He will work with Matt Gannon, the AFSA Director of Federal Government Affairs.

2006 Conference Success
Now in its twenty-third year, the success of the Independents Conference & Exposition will continue to be a major focus of the Independents Advisory Board. It believes the conference is a very strong benefit of membership in AFSA for independent operators and industry suppliers.

AFSA Education Foundation Fundraising
The Section will continue to work with Susie Irvine, president and CEO, AFSA Education Foundation, to raise money for the MoneySKILL^® Personal Finance Course. The online course is offered at no cost to students. More than $19,000 was raised at the 2005 conference from the Exposition's Silent Auction and Education Foundation Golf Tournament.

Under Benson's leadership, the Independents Section Advisory Board members are committed to develop a stronger Independents membership and Section over the coming year.