Anthem

Register Now to Become a Money Smart Week Partner

January 24, 2012

Credit Unions in Oregon and Washington are eligible to participate in Money Smart Week, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Beginning in 2002 as a coordinated effort of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart Advisory Council, Money Smart Week now includes 13 states nationwide and will take place April 21-28, 2012.

According to the Money Smart Week Partner Kit, “Everyone needs to know how to spend, save, and borrow money wisely to achieve their financial goals. Financial institutions, not-for-profits, schools, libraries and other community partners can join together to support financial education during Money Smart Week.”

The goal of increased financial education is achieved through the collaboration of hundreds of organizations across the country, including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, non-profits, government agencies and the media. These groups come together once a year to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance, from establishing a budget to first-time home buying to estate planning.

Money Smart Week campaigns are heavily concentrated in the Midwest, but continue to expand throughout the country. Outside the Federal Reserve 7th District, which includes, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, campaigns have launched in all corners of the country. Most recently, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia joined the effort in 2011.

Credit unions are encouraged to take part in Money Smart Week by planning or hosting an event and can go to MoneySmartWeek.org to browse, sign-up as a partner and enter events. Multiple individuals from a single organizations can register and must do so in order to continue receiving emails with updates and announcements.

Credit unions should contact the Federal Reserve Bank representative or chairperson in their state. First Tech Credit Union’s Ryan McKernan (503.350.3359) represents all of Oregon, while Amy O’Donnell (425.586.1140) of WSCPA/Washington Jump$tart is the Washington state representative.

How do I sign up to be a Money Smart Partner?

All partners are required to register online to become official Money Smart partners for 2012. In doing so, partners will receive notifications, news and updates from the Fed as they are sent.

To sign up online:

1. Go to www.moneysmartweek.org
2. Click on the Partner portal on the main page
3. On the Partner’s Tools page, click Register to register as a new user or choose Login to sign in and manage your profile.
4. If registering for the first time, you must fill out the new partner profile. After you’ve registered, you can enter events into the online calendar database application by going to the same page and logging in.
5. You will receive an email with a temporary password. You will have to sign in and create a permanent password. If you forget your password, go back to the same page and click on the “forgot password” link. You will be emailed a new temporary password and must sign in and create a new permanent password.

 

Questions or Concerns? Contact Matt Halvorson, Anthem Editor: mhalvorson@nwcua.org.

Posted on 01/24/2012

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