It’s a lot of work for our volunteers to run the various groups within in the FAAA community, so this year our two specialist communities have made changes to the way they run.
Both GenNext and Inspire have elected Deputy Chairs to their national committees to help share the load and have also looked at opportunities to work together at Congress to the benefit of both communities.
Inspire has brought in Nicola Beswick CFP®, White Rabbit Advisory, as Deputy Chair to support National Chair (Inspire), Amie Baker. “It’s good to bring in deputies because these are voluntary roles and we all run our own businesses and especially at this time of year we need extra people helping,” said Amie Baker, Rekab Advice.
“It’s great that Nicola’s agreed to do it. Nicola’s someone who makes sure things get done.”
And for the second time at Congress, Inspire and GenNext will be co-hosting a joint breakfast session with an inspirational speaker talking about their career journey.
GenNext and Inspire will each be running workshops at Congress.
Inspire focusing on networking smarter
Inspire’s workshop will focus on Digital with Heart – Expanding your Impact and Influence in Advice.
For many women, long lunches and constant networking events aren’t always feasible or appealing. The digital space offers a powerful alternative whether you are a business owner building your brand, an employee wanting to amplify your voice, or a time-poor parent juggling family life.
This session provides a roadmap to making meaningful, strategic digital connections.
Structured in two parts, the session starts with Lisa Greensill, marketing consultant and co-creator of Brandover, who will help delegates map out an authentic digital presence using the Digital with Heart framework.
And the second part of the session will focus on member panellists discussing their experiences in the digital marketing space and demonstrating how women in advice are using the digital space to educate, connect and grow. More information on the session and speakers will be available soon.
The GenNext workshop at Congress, which will run concurrently with the Inspire workshop, is titled ‘Communicating with Confidence’, and is designed to upskill emerging professionals with the skills required to communicate effectively with clients.
Hosted by Charmion Ingram, business consultant and capability expert and featuring a panel of advisers, this workshop will provide proven tips and techniques, real-world scenarios, and actionable strategies to better engage clients. More information on the session and speakers will be available soon.
Gen Next building greater reach
Jayden Adams, Adams Financial Group, has been Deputy Chair of the GenNext Community for the past six months.
“It was great to have help and support and continuity over time,” said GenNext National Chair Daniel Thompson.
“It’s a three-year term for the National Chair, but to be able to pass the baton to a deputy and bring in fresh faces in that time allows continuity.”
The focus for GenNext has been around the Professional Year and helping those within it as well as those supporting it.
In the past 18 months as National Chair, Daniel has been most proud of bringing the community back to a good size and growing the committee to be able to roll out events in each state.
His focus is on younger advisers and making sure they feel part of a community.
“Many practices are small, and younger advisers aren’t getting the exposure to a range of people to help them with people and relationship skills, Daniel said.
“It’s important when many people are now working from home that they get opportunities to network in person and build relationships and connections.”
Brisbane helping community close to home
The Brisbane Metro Community, with co-chairs Pedro Marin CFP® and Mark Stubbings, is one of the FAAA’s most engaged communities, with its latest event being the sold-out State of Origin lunch at the end of May. View event photos here.
“It’s a very collaborative committee, with every one of the 12-person committee taking turns to lead,” Pedro said.
The community’s popular activities have now provided a dilemma for the committee.
Whilst more than $100k raised as part of the events has already been distributed to charities, Pedro says the committee are now looking for ways to support their own community of up-and-coming advisers, sponsor students to attend the 2025 FAAA Congress in Perth.
Pedro said including students at events and building a growing profession is a benefit to all advisers because without more advisers there will be no one for succession planning in practices.
