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Home > Library > Stable Times > Volume 5, Issue 2
The quarterly publication of the Stable Value Investment Association
Second Quarter 2001 • Volume 5 Issue 2
SVIA 2001 Membership Survey
Growth, Communication is Key to Association's Success
By Jack Jones, Manager, SVIA
The results are in
SVIA, for the first-time, sponsored a survey to provide a baseline understanding
of what the membership thinks of the Association in terms of the services
it offers, the functions it performs and the direction it is headed.
Respondent Demographics
Fifty-seven members responded. That's an 18% rate of return! Passive surveys
(mailed or emailed) typically consider a 2% response rate to be very good.
While the bulk of the respondents were managers (38.2%) and issuers (30.9%),
SVIA received thoughtful feedback from all segments of the stable value
community including wrappers (9.1%), plan sponsors (7.3%), and consultants
(3.6%). The remaining 10.9% of respondents classified themselves as performing
two or more of these functions.
SVIA Surveys
Although only 44% of the membership provides data for the SVIA/LIMRA and
Annual Investment and Policy Survey, 80% to 90% of the respondents reported
that they rely on the results for the most comprehensive stable value
data.
Annual Forum
SVIA, too, is leading the pack with the annual forum. 60% of the respondents
attended the Forum in the last three years, while more than 86% had attended
at least one year. The Forum was very well-received by the survey respondents-many
of whom volunteered the opinion that the Forum is the "best in the industry."
A desire to increase the focus more on investment topics and ways to increase
growth opportunities for stable value during the event was expressed.
This year's Forum promises to do that by delivering discussion of cutting
edge issues in the stable value community. 529 college savings plans,
commercial real estate in stable value portfolios, and ways to expand
stable value in defined contribution plans and the IRA market are just
a few of the Forum's hot topics. Learn more about the Annual Forum in
the Conference Center.
Staff
The SVIA staff is doing a great job of serving its members. More than
65% had called upon the SVIA staff for assistance with an industry issue.
The staff was regarded as "helpful" and "responsive." One respondent applauded
SVIA as a "neutral forum for discussions…without alienating [those] who
have different points of view."
Communication
If there is an area where SVIA needs improvement, it is in communicating
the activities and ongoing projects of the Association. Generally, SVIA
uses its Web site, the Annual Forum, and this publication to share information
and updates with its membership. Yet, the survey revealed that many remain
unaware of the components that comprise the Association and the issues
before each group. Roughly 2/3 of the respondents knew about the committees
and task forces. However, that number fell to less than half when asked
about SVIA's working groups and specific issues. SVIA plans to increase
awareness of committee activities and issues with regular updates in Stable
Times, email correspondence, and using the Web site as a definitive resource
of SVIA information.
Web Site
Those members who visit the Web site are pleased with its content and
often refer others to the site. However, it is underutilized as a source
of information with 4.37 being the average number of hits per survey respondent
over a six-month period. The Association hopes to increase member traffic
on its Web site with electronic links to new and updated information that
warrants the attention of our membership. Be sure to check your inbox!
Stable Times
Stable Times is highly regarded and well read among the members and outside
of the organization as evidenced by winning the Printing and Graphic Communication
Association's 2000 Excellence in Print Award. 80% of the respondents circulate
the publication within their offices and to others. With such high readership,
SVIA proposes to increase the visibility of the committees' activities
and projects through regular updates in Stable Times. We can and will
use our publication to reinforce members' good work by featuring it more
often in Stable Times.
SVIA is committed to delivering the best services possible to its membership.
SVIA will conduct a survey of its membership again next year to follow
up on its progress in addressing your needs and recommendations. In the
interim, get involved! You are encouraged to call us and tell us what
you think and participate in an occasional survey to help us get it right.
Let us know how we can continue to be your association!
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