Workshops

Click on the title of the workshop to expand and collapse the description.



Workshop 1 (Choose one to attend on Monday @ 10:00)

Community Based Financial Education for Students Presented by: Bob Larson, Director, Midwest Credit & Budget Counseling Service, Inc.
How to utilize members of your own community to provide the "starter kit" for High School students. This is a program that can be used in any community large or small. The target grades are 10 through 12. The teacher/moderator invites a Banker, Accountant, Insurance Agent etc. each month to provide a program. Test and grant opportunities may also be available.

Iowa Finance Authority and the Changing Demographics Presented by: Francisco Hernandez and Karen Rasmussen, Iowa Finance Authority
As Hispanics, the fastest growing minority in the nation, continue to grow at a rapid pace, the need to adjust our approach and services in every sector of our society is a must. I will briefly discuss national and local trends emphasizing key and related issues of housing, employment, jobs, education, etc, and how there is a need for a comprehensive response to a systemic problem.

Family Economics & Financial Education Curriculum Presented by: Mary Mauer, Family & Consumer Science Instructor, Wilton Jr/Sr High School
This presentation's mission is to provide low cost professional development and training opportunities and no-cost curriculum materials to educators. A ready-to-teach semester curriculum "Take Charge of Your Finances" and "Life In..." a family finance spending plan simulation were developed, tested and edited by educators for educators. The presentation will explain how the curriculum can be used, downloaded free of cost or purchased and will present a sample lesson with hands on activities. More information is available at www.familyfinance.montana.edu

Workshop 2 (Choose one to attend on Monday @ 11:00)

A Place to Call Home: Know Your Rights When Renting an Apartment Presented by: Ben Bellus, Assistant Attorney General, also President of Home, Inc. (a private not for profit certified housing counseling agency in Polk County)
Learn the how to's of renting an apartment. To help avoid broblems or unexpected surprises, young people need to know their rights and responsibilities when budgeting for an apartment, signing a contract or lease, putting down a deposit and working with the landlord. Discover community resources for housing information. Participants will receive a copy of the "Rental Handbook for Landlords and Tenants."

IPERS - A Benefit You Can Count On Presented by: Ronda Onken, Senior Retirement Benefit Officer, IPERS
This presentation provides a brief overview of a defined benefit plan vs a defined contribution plan. An explanation of how benefits are calculated, why a service purchase may let you retire early, and a description of the six retirement benefit options.

Financial Education Made Easy Presented by: Dianne Taylor, Management Consultant, Iowa Credit Union League
The NEFE High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP) is a six-unit program that provides teens with a greater understanding of and ability to manage their personal finances in the areas of goal setting, budgeting, saving, and credit. The program uses unique games, simulations, case studies, and interactive exercises to provide hands-on experience for students to test and apply the financial principles and concepts being taught. Participants will become acquainted with the student workbooks and instructor's guide in this hands-on session.

Workshop 3 (Choose one to attend on Monday @ 2:00)

Easy Credit, The Real Cost Presented by: Jessica Dvorak, Assistant Attorney General
This session will focus on the true cost of credit of payday lenders, title loan companies, and check cashing facilities. Learn about the pitfalls of these "convenient" services and the impact interest and fees can have on college students and low-income Iowans.

Paycheck Deductions & Getting the Most from Company Benefits Presented by: Jan Towne, CPA, CFP, Director of Operations for TD&T Financial Services
This presentation will illustrate how to teach students the importance of knowing what's on their check stubs. We will discuss th power of tax deferral when saving for retirement, as well as how new hires can get the most out of company sponsored (but often misunderstood) programs such as Cafeteria plans and Flexible Spending Accounts.

Identity Theft Presented by: Sergeant Barry Arnold, Des Moines Police Department
This presentation will be discussing what identity theft is; how identity thieves work; how to protect yourself from identity theft; and what you need to do to minimize the impact if you become a victim.

Workshop 4 (Choose one to attend on Monday @ 3:00)

If I Only Knew Then, What I Know Now! Presented by: Debbie Scholz will moderate a group of young people
The group of young people will describe "If I only knew then, what I know now!" regarding their experiences in the financial world.

Financing a College Education Presented by: Heather Andersen, College Planning Center
Discover resources available to help families pay for college. This presentation includes the methods of saving for college, a basic review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and ways to search for private scholarships.

MoneySkill Teacher Training Presented by: Susie Irvine, President and CEO, AFSA Education Foundation
MoneySKILL, a free online curriculum, teaches personal finance concepts on income, expenses, assets, liablities, and risk management. This workshop will familiarize teachers with the curriculum, the registration process for teachers, classes and students, and the electronic grade book that continuously keeps track of the students' progress.

Workshop 5 (Choose one to attend on Tuesday @ 9:30)

Preparing Your Kids for the Real World of Finances Presented by: Tom Coates, Director, Consumer Credit of Des Moines
Mr. Average American buys what he has access to buy, spends more than he makes, borrows to pay off credit debt, saves no money, and thinks he is doing ok financially! Since perception determines practice, we must provide our youth with a reality check concerning finances so they view the process differently than the average American.

The Power of Plastic Presented by: Chris Bowser, College Planning Center
This presentation is designed to inform high school students of the potenteal dangers of credit card use. It includes information regarding the use of credit cares, the associated costs, tips on handling credit wisely, and includes a video utilized on "60 minutes II." Thie intent of the presentation is to prepare students to better utilize credit and warn them of possible consequences of misuse.

Personal Finance: Connecting with Reading & Mathematics Presented by: Lois A. McElroy Lindell, Assistant Director, Center for Economic Education, University of Northern Iowa
This presentation will explore new classroom material in personal finance with emphasis on cross curriculum connections to reading and mathematics. The session will focus on appropriate materials for the secondary classroom (grades 7-12) with sample lessons and activities. Participants will receive a packet of materials with resources and strategies for classroom use.

Workshop 6 (Choose one to attend on Tuesday @ 10:30)

Buying a Vehicle Presented by: Bill Cheeks, President, ABBA Associates Inc.
This presentation will cover information about smart vehicle financing. With easy to understand tips, helpful advice and demos, you can learn all about financing your first or next car. Materials can be found on www.SmartEdgebyGMAC.com

Understanding Your Credit Report Presented by: Susan Engelbart, Area Manager, CSC Credit Services
This presentation will review the basics of the Fair Credit Reporting Act as it applies to consumers. It will also review a credit file, focusing on where the information comes from, the basics of credit scores, and consumer rights and responsibilities.

Money Craze, Ideas and Activities to Teach Youth Money Skills Presented by: Mary Beth Kaufman, Family Resource Management Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
A short and snazzy publication will be shared with money management ideas to use with youth including discussion starters, community service projects, educational programs, and websites. Participants will get involved with several of the activities using a cooperative learning model. Some statistics on why youth need to learn money management will also be shared.