Dan Miller (Hon. B.A. 75, B.Ed 87) Q: How long have you been an advisor in this area?
A: Eleven years during which time I have developed a successful financial planning practice serving clients throughout Southern Ontario as well as in New Brunswick and British Columbia.
Q: Do you have experience advising clients who have arranged planned gifts? For how many years?
A: Yes, extensively. As a Certified Financial Planner, I introduce the concept of “Gift Planning” to my clients and then pursue the discussion further with those who are interested.
Q: Do you have specialized training in gift planning?
A: Yes. Through the Investors Group Institute we are provided with regular ongoing training in gift planning from our Estate Planning, Advanced Financial Planning and Insurance Services departments.
Q. What ethical/professional code(s) do you follow in your work?
A: Financial Planners Standards Council, Mutual Fund Dealers Association, and licensing regulators in Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia. (I am licensed in these three provinces.)
Q: Have you made arrangements for a personal planned gift?
A: Yes.
Q: What is your personal philosophy of philanthropy, and gift planning, specifically?
A:Thank goodness for the people who value the concept of sharing their assets and ideas for the benefit of future generations in perpetuity. Philanthropy is a necessary factor in the continuing evolution of our global society, helping us to prepare for the future by studying the past. Since the beginning of time philanthropy has been a crucial thread woven as a connecting element through the fabric of all peoples by passing gifts from one generation to the next. Whether it was in the form of early oral traditions or contemporary gifts of collections, cash or posthumous life insurance bequests, the inter-generational transfer of wealth will continue to enrich our descendants and help them to know themselves by experiencing their past through the generosity of our gifts.
Just as we plan other parts of our lives, so we should plan while alive how the fruits of our efforts will be dealt with according to our wishes after our death. The best way to accomplish such an end is to arrange our affairs while alive, and to do so with the assistance of a professional who can guide us through the various paths available for planned giving. Philanthropic gifts continue to provide ongoing support for the study and enlightenment of all disciplines.
Q: How are you involved in your community?
A: Through our office with local and corporate initiatives as well as guest speaking engagements for service clubs such as Kiwanis. I also sponsor several art exhibits each year between the Thames Art Gallery, Chatham and the McIntosh Art Gallery at Western.
Q: Are you a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners locally and/or nationally? If so, for how long?
A: Not a member currently.
