One of CUNA's long-running vehicles to reach Gen Y, theonline-linked education program called Googolplex,is gaining new ground this summer with heightened interest amongyoung people and their credit union mentors in signing up for theYouth Editorial Board, the trade group said.

CUNA managers of the subscription-based Googolplexinteractive game aimed at elementary, middle and high schoolersclaimed this week the numbers of youthful applicants have risenmarkedly to serve on the paid board.

“Every year since the inception of Googolplex in 2001,we've seen the list of applicants grow and this year more than 150people have applied for the 12 positions,” said Rena Crispin, whoserves as managing editor of two CUNA online products: theonlineEDGEpublications, and PlanIt for pre-retirees.

Many of the past members of the Youth Editorial Boards underGoogolplex, said Crispin, are now seeing their youngersiblings joining the boards or becoming classroom teachers.

“Board membership is a fantastic way for kids to learn aboutmoney while also having fun and getting paid for their time andeffort,” Crispin said. “Youth who participate in theGoogolplex editorial board gain numerous benefits,including payment, experience, mentorship in writingconsumer-related articles, and opportunities to play credit-unionfriendly online games.”

Board membership, she said, requires a one-year commitment thatstarts June 1. Payment is based on age level anywhere from $220 forelementary students to $600 for teens. No travel is required,with CUNA welcoming applicants from all over the country. In adeparture this year, one member of the board lives on a militarybase in Japan.

Since youngsters are not seen as likely to be much interested inserving on an industry “board,” CUNA has branded the panels as the“Clubhouse Crew” for elementary students and the “C-note” group forteens.

CUNA staffers including a college intern work with the boardmembers by phone and by e-mail as they write Googolplexcritiques and stories each month.

“At the end of their terms, each of the 12 board members isguided through the process of writing an original story forGoogolplex,” said Crispin. .

“Peer-to-peer sharing is what the youngergeneration is all about,” she said. “We rely on the feedback wereceive every week from our youth editorial board members. We useit to develop financial literacy tools that speak directly tochildren and young adults.”

She concluded, “Our youth board is a vital part of providingfinancial education at a young age.”