FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Schwarz
703-506-3265
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
TRAINS MEMBERS TO DELIVER COMMUNITY-BASED FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS
Women Give Back to Community by Conducting Seminars on How to Manage Finances
(McLean, VA, November 2, 2011) – The American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation (The Foundation) successfully conducted the training seminar "Financial Literacy in YOUR Community” during the 2011 Annual Conference for Women in Accounting last week. More than 75 ASWA members received practical instruction on how to conduct community-based financial literacy programs.
The seminar was moderated by the Foundation Chair-Elect Melody King, CPA. King began the presentation by explaining the urgent need for local financial literacy programs, citing that 42% of workers live paycheck to paycheck and 1.4 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2009. King went on to identify the broad range of audiences in need of financial literacy education, including college students, retirees, parents of young children, and business owners.
ASWA members were encouraged to go back to their communities and conduct financial literacy education programs. King reviewed a variety of accessible resources members could use to engage and educate local populations. Key messages from familiar names in finance including Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman were reviewed. King also provided overviews of educational programming from respected sources such as FDIC MoneySmart, AICPA, MassMutual, and Girl Scouts. Many banks and credit unions are developing programs that ASWA members can use for financial literacy education programs.
"It was great introducing the many various options of available programs to the ASWA members,” commented King. "Presenting multiple options gives our members more flexibility and the opportunity to provide financial literacy training that's effective for their specific communities. ASWA members were enthused about taking a look at the programs for different age groups -- especially for kids and young people.”
The American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation will continue to conduct training sessions at regional conferences and in the web-based format this year. The goal is to train 255 ASWA members to go back to their communities and conduct financial literacy education for 1,000 individuals this year.
About the American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation (The Foundation):
Founded in 2004, The Foundation was established by the American Society of Women Accountants to promote and advance financial literacy, scholarship and life skills through programs of recognition, mentoring, research and outreach. Visit www.ASWA.org/Foundation for more information.
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