Let's Avoid Factions In College-Society Rift

August 24, 2003 at 08:00 PM
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Lets Avoid Factions In College-Society Rift

To The Editor:

In the current difficulties between the American College and the Society of Financial Service Professionals, no good can come from dividing ourselves into factions for or against either side. As the former general counsel for the Society and as the author of textbooks used by the College, I have a deep affection for both organizations and a corresponding desire to see that both flourish.

In my view, it is not helpful to the healing of the current rift if we withhold contributions to the College as some have suggested. I am a member of both SFSP and the Golden Key Society. I do not intend to sever either relationship.

For almost 40 years, there has been both friction and cooperation between the two Bryn Mawr institutions as they have competed for financial support and continuing education revenue from the insurance community. Both organizations have looked at each other across the duck pond on the campus and envied some portion of the others carefully guarded resources.

During those years, Paul Mills and John Driskill for the Society in cooperation with Dave Gregg and Sam Weese for the College, along with other wise leaders on both sides, have heretofore managed to keep the parties pulling more or less in the same direction. That level of statesmanship needs to continue.

A joint task force has been appointed. I hope its mission is to seek reconciliation. I urge the supporters of both organizations to suspend judgment until the task force completes its work.

Burke A. Christensen, JD, CLU
Executive Vice President & COO
Concert Health Plan Ins. Co.
Oak Brook, Ill.


Reproduced from National Underwriter Life & Health/Financial Services Edition, August 25, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.


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