You may have noticed that the tag line on the 2008 Brochure is “Smart By Association…Informed through Education.” We all know that success comes from a variety of sources and we at the International Foundation believe that your success will come, in part, from your association with the International Foundation. Staying informed through education, connecting with our expansive network of industry experts and sharing your experiences with peers will no doubt make you smarter. If you are not a member of the International Foundation, now is the time to join!
We are mindful that selecting your next learning experience, among our ever expanding list of programs, can be a challenge. To assist you in navigating the many outstanding learning opportunities offered by the International Foundation, we have developed some sector specific recommendations for you to consider:Suggested Path for Corporate Training[PDF]Suggested Path for Multiemployer Sector Training[PDF]Suggested Path for Public Sector Training[PDF]
In 2008, the Certificate Series is expanding globally. We have always offered the Certificate in Global Benefits Management for those who work with international benefits. However, this year we are taking two of our most popular courses on U.S. Benefits, Health Benefit Plan Basics and Retirement Plan Basics, and offering them in Toronto. This is being done for a number of reasons. First, many of our friends north of the border have operations in the U.S. and need to understand how benefits function in the states. Second, for some of our U.S. participants, travel to the beautiful city of Toronto may be easy, quick and desirable. Having a mixed audience from Canada and the United States will provide a rich and robust learning experience. I hope you’ll consider joining us in June...and remember to renew your passport if you live outside of Canada as you will need a valid passport to enter Canada.
For those who work in the Public Sector, our newest course Public Sector Defined Contribution Plans, continues to get rave reviews. This course is scheduled to be offered in July at our Headquarters in Brookfield. But stay tuned. We are in the process of developing a whole new Certificate in Public Sector Benefits. Our hope is to roll this out late in 2008 or early 2009.
We continue to see interest from organizations who wish to host Certificate Series courses at their location for their staff. This, I believe, is a testament to the quality of the program…from a solid and complete curriculum to effective and entertaining instructors. Please feel free to contact me if you have an interest in exploring this cost effective way to provide quality training, team building, and professional development to your staff and/or clients. All of the Certificate Series courses with the exception of the Certificate in Global Benefits Management are available on a contract basis to be offered at your location.
The success of the Certificate Series is due in large part to our phenomenal network of instructors…they are truly the backbone of the Certificate Series. Their knowledge, experience, and desire to give back to the industry truly sets them apart. They care a great deal about facilitating a valuable, engaging, and thought provoking learning experience. The other major contributor to our success is the people who attend. I have been truly fortunate to travel the country over the past few years and witness thousands of people demonstrate their commitment to professional development by participating in the Certificate Series. It is comforting to see so many caring people engaged in this dynamic industry and tackling the very real issues that affect our personal and professional lives.
The International Foundation continues to be the leader in providing impartial and unbiased information, education, and resources to those who work in and around the employee benefits and compensation industries. So register today to join us in 2008 in Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), New York, Chicago, Toronto, Brookfield (Milwaukee) or San Jose and accomplish more for your organization and more for your career. Now that’s Smart by Association!Warmest regards, Thomas P. DeRocheDirector of Educational ProgramsInternational Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans18700 West Bluemound RoadBrookfield, WI 53045(262) 373-7648 | (262) 786-6647 Faxtomd@ifebp.org | www.certificateseries.org