COPA - Who/why are they?

[Effen]

I received an invitation to join the College of Pension Actuaries (COPA) which is "a newly formed organization devoted exclusively to pension actuaries in good standing with the JBEA". Their objective is to "serve the professional needs of our members".

I notice several significant names associated with this new organization so I refrained from immediately "filing" it.

Since Mike Preston is listed as a director (as well as Kevin Donovan, Ed Burrows, Larry Deutsch and others) I wondered if Mike could share a few more details about its purpose. Since most of the names appear to be "ASPPA People" is this new organization somewhat in response to ASPPA's drifting away from pension actuaries?

What is the mission? How can you "serve" your members better/differently than all the other organizations (Society, Academy, CCA, ASPPA, etc)?

The mailing was fairly generic and I wondered what the real drive of the new organization will be. I think this could be a good thing, but I wanted to know more about its goals.

[WDIK]

I would also be interested in learning more about this organization.

(I thought perhaps I could locate a pertinent website, but instead ended up learning about The Coalition Opposed to PCB Ash in Monroe County, Indiana. [www.copa.org] Did you know that you should eat no fish from Clear Creek, Pleasant Run, Salt or Richland Creeks?)

[AndyH]

COPA CABANA

Can't anybody ever be serious? It's the steering committee of the fan club, obviously.

http://www.barrynet.com/

[Mike Preston]

COPA CABANA

Can't anybody ever be serious? It's the steering committee of the fan club, obviously.

http://www.barrynet.com/

LOL.

Rather than the above website, you might want to try: www.CollegeOfPensionActuaries.org

We hope to see the website expand over time (sooner rather than later), but even now you can find a bit more information there than I could/should lay out in a message here.

The history of precisely why it was decided that "yet another actuarial organization" would be beneficial isn't as important as what the organization can do, in the future, for those who join. See the website for more insight.

As indicated there (on the website), we believe that the time is right for an organization which exclusively represents the views, goals and needs of enrolled actuaries. This in no way means that any of the other organizations you mentioned aren't effectively and powerfully carrying out their own mission statements. Ours is just a bit different, that's all.

I would be fibbing if I didn't say that I hope a significant percentage of the enrolled actuaries in the country eventually decide to join.

mike

[Effen]

Thanks Mike. That was very helpful.

[SoCalActuary]

In our first year of existence, the College of Pension Actuaries has already:

1. conducted an interesting and extensive message system for our members to pursue actuarial discussions

2. developed important links to information and tools for practicing actuaries

3. presented thoughtful comment on significant regulations

4. educated members on new legislative and FASB developments

5. started planning for our first educational program strictly for enrolled actuaries

Our intent is to be inclusive and open-minded to members of this profession, using the talents of our volunteers to help each other and the pension community.

[Guest paul polapink]

Hi:

Did you ever get a chance to visit the COPA website? (collegeofpensionactuaries.org). I think that you will have a better idea of what the organization is all about and what we are trying to accomplish.

We have actually commented on several pieces of proposed legislation and our first conference is scheduled to take place in Chicago in August.

We are looking for Enrolled Actuaries who want to help build and grow the organization. We also have had our bulletin board going for over a year now with some pretty lively discussions. Well at least lively as far as actuaries go.

Take a shot at it if you get a chance...Paul Polapink

[Effen]

We also have had our bulletin board going for over a year now with some pretty lively discussions.

How do you access your board? I didn't see anything obvious on your web site.

[Guest paul polapink]

We also have had our bulletin board going for over a year now with some pretty lively discussions.

How do you access your board? I didn't see anything obvious on your web site.

It was open to everyone in the past but we have now limited access to members of COPA. Send an email to Ric Block rick@bcapension.com and ask him if he might let you take a test run.......pp

[SoCalActuary]

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Coll...uaries/messages

This is the reference from the www.collegeofpensionactuaries.com web site,

under the heading of "List-Serve"

The board is fuly accessible to registered members.

As a non-member. you will not be eligible to post.

[Effen]

The board is fuly accessible to registered members.

As a non-member. you will not be eligible to post.

As a non-member it appears that you can not post, read or do much of anything.

I will continue to consider membership, I just got the impression from Paul P. that the board was open. No problem that it's not.... membership should have its privileges.