Minnesota CUN Teams Up To Offer NEFE Workshops

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota credit unions wrapped up a Senate-designated Financial Literacy Month with financial education workshops hosted by the Minnesota Credit Union Network, University of Minnesota Extension Service and the Minnesota Family Involvement Council. The three groups formed an alliance with the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) in mid-2003 and hosted a series of 10 workshops throughout the state to promote the NEFE’s High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP). All public high schools in Minnesota were invited to participate in the workshops, which included information about the HSFPP and covered several other topics, including: * new credit cards; * credit card debt levels; * student credit card practices; * credit reports and scoring; and * legislative updates (FACT Act, bankruptcy reform, proposed Minnesota legislation). Some 150 teachers and credit union representatives received a CD full of supplemental information, aimed at helping implement the curriculum and assisting teachers with lesson planning. A list of credit unions interested in getting involved with the HSFPP was included on the CD, as well as sample quizzes, narrated PowerPoint presentations, helpful Web sites, and fact sheets detailing the different segments of the workshops.