Financial Literacy
Improving the Financial Literacy of Californians
Contributed by CalCPA
Given the current economic crisis, it’s no surprise that California legislators are interested in providing Dollars & Sense workshops for their constituents. Over the next few months, we are scheduled to hold several Dollars & Sense workshops and participate in various financial literacy fairs for legislators.
For example, in May, we collaborated with Sen. Leland Yee on a Dollars & Sense workshop for more than 100 high school students.
CalCPA regularly provides legislators with information on how they can hold a financial literacy workshop for their constituents via legislative visits, direct mailings and e-mails. The more frequently we provide legislators with this information, the more likely they will be to coordinate a workshop. If you are in contact with any local or statewide government official, or are interested in making contact, please provide them with information. Downloadable PDFs that provide information on how to host a workshop, as well as participant fact sheets, are available on CalCPA’s website.
To schedule a visit in Northern California, contact Crystil Turner via e-mail or (650) 802-2494. For Southern California, contact Bill Spaniel, CalCPA’s public relations manager, via e-mail or (818) 546-3552.
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Contributed by CalCPA
The Napa County Office of Education has mandated personal finance education for all its students before graduating from high school, and Junior Achievement and CalCPA are partnering to help deliver it.
A first round of volunteers visited classrooms in March and now we are looking for more to help bring JA Presents the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program to Napa County high school students.
Volunteers have two options for scheduling their presentations:
- One day (8 a.m.–3 p.m.): During a single day you would deliver one of the five topics, having a different volunteer return during consecutive weeks to deliver the rest of the program; each member teaches one lesson five times.
- Once a week for five weeks: Teach a different one-hour lesson once a week for five weeks.
Napa High Schools: Napa Valley and Vintage
Start Date: April/May
Training: 45-minute teleconference training
Lessons include:
- Lesson One: A Month in the Life
- Lesson Two: From Dreams to Reality
- Lesson Three: Your Credit, Your Future
- Lesson Four: The Case of the Missing Identity
- Lesson Five: Protect Yourself
Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes, and volunteers can set up a flexible schedule by contacting Crystil Turner. Volunteers are trained before they enter the classroom to teach students.
For more information, contact Community Outreach Manager Crystil Turner at crystil.turner@calcpa.org or (650) 802-2492. Please specify which volunteering option works best for you.
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Contributed by CalCPA
On behalf of CalCPA, congratulations to Martin Santiago for winning the California Jump$tart Coalition’s Educator Award.
Santiago, a former CPA, is an economics teacher at Pittsburg High School. He was among the first educators in the state to request a financial literacy presentation for his senior classes when CalCPA’s financial literacy program began in 2003.
He is involved with several school organizations, including Varsity Economics, Computers Skills, Oasis Christian Club Advisor, Freshmen Boy’s Basketball Coach, OWE Coordinator, Cahsee Instructor and Adult Ed High School Diploma Instructor. He is well liked by students, and is dedicated to bringing financial literacy to Pittsburg High students year after year,
In recognition of his achievements, Santiago will be honored with an award at the California Jump$tart Coalition’s members meeting April 23, and his school will receive a donation of $2,500 to be used for financial education related efforts.
Martin Santiago was nominated by East Bay Chapter member Michelle Matlin, who happily returns to Pittsburg High School multiple times a year, to deliver financial literacy presentations to Santiago’s classes.
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Contributed by CalCPA
CalCPA Financial Literacy Committee member Sue Jacobson, a member of the Ventura County-based Financial Literacy Council, is working on that group’s California Saves campaign to promote savings in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The Financial Literacy Council is a coalition of government, corporate and nonprofit organizations who have come together to promote education in savings, investment and money management with a goal toward building wealth not debt.
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Contributed by CalCPA
During the chaos of tax season, a number of volunteers donated their time and expertise to participate in various tax call-ins. We would like to thank the following members for giving so generously of their time:
Jack Hong
Lynda Boman
Robert Brownstein
Kathy Liu
Jim McHale
Laura Ross
Jim Tombor
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Contributed by CalCPA
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on a Sageworks study that shows Accounting and Tax Preparation as the second most profitable private industry in the United States right now by a 15.6 % profit margin. Not Bad!
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Contributed by CalCPA
CalCPA Financial Literacy Program Featured on NBC Bay Area Vista
Watch as Crystil Turner, CalCPA Institute community outreach manager, overviews CalCPA members’ volunteer efforts in high schools using the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program. The interview can be viewed here.
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Contributed by CalCPA
In the fall 2008, San Diego Unified School District mandated financial literacy a part of the required curriculum for high school seniors. Former CalCPA chair and San Diego Chapter member Steve Wimmers is working with SDUSD to discuss how CalCPA can be involved. Larry Kaplan, as well as several others in the San Diego Chapter have offered their services to help support this initiative. We will keep you posted as CalCPA’s role becomes more clearly defined.
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Contributed by CalCPA
The San Francisco Unified School District is working on an initiative that would integrate financial literacy into its high schools. CalCPA has offered its resources—volunteers and training—to help get the ball rolling. The district anticipates piloting curriculum in Spring 2009, in selected classrooms. Although this initiative is only beginning, it is a very exciting, and we will keep you posted on its evolution, and how CalCPA will be involved.
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Contributed by CalCPA
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2008 Women to Watch Awards!
Experienced Leader
Kristine Caratan, CPA
Geralyne Mahoney, CPA
Kristine Stromeyer, CPA
Emerging Leader
Marie Ebersbacher, CPA/CFE, CFF
Natalie Quan, CPA
Read more about the winners of the 2008 Women to Watch Awards.
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