NFCC Notables - National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Knowing the difference can
make all the difference.
Notables
A Newsletter of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Inc.
Fall-Winter 2009 • Vol. 17, No. 2
IN THIS ISSUE
PACE Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2010 Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . 4
Educational Videos. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Protect Your Identity Week . . . . . . . 6
Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Agency Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Agency News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Social Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
PSAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Housing Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PSA Stats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Personal finance author and journalist Jean Chatzky with NFCC President and CEO Susan C. Keating.
Nation’s Capital Hosts NFCC 44th
Annual Leaders Conference
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s
(NFCC) Annual Leaders Conference has developed
a reputation for both attracting high-profile speakers
and addressing relevant and timely topics. And, this
year’s conference was no different.
2009 National Protect
Your Identity Week
Keating
What is
Identity
Theft?
GAMES
Washington, DC
September 14–16, 2009
Held September 14 to 16 in Washington, DC, the NFCC’s 44th Annual
Leaders Conference began early Monday morning with workshops on
grant writing and innovative Member Agency programs.
October 17-24
For Tips • Tools • Events Visit:
www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
44 TH A NNUAL
Legislative Update . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The conference officially kicked-off a short time later as
NFCC President and CEO Susan C. Keating urged
Members to “keep-on keeping-on,” with her State of
the Credit Counseling Sector address.
In a departure from previous years, Keating shared the stage with the
heads of three NFCC Member Agencies
who offered their own perspectives.
They were: Jim Godfrey, CCCS of
Maryland and Delaware, Ivan Hand,
Money Management International; and;
Godfrey
Hand
Kroening
Jim Kroening, FamilyMeans CCCS.
continued on page 7
PACE Award Winners
PACE Award Winners Announced
at Annual Leaders Conference
(From l to r) NFCC Chair Michele Johnson, CCCS of Central New York
President Mary Ann Stark, PACE Counselor of the Year, Linda Smith of
CCCS of Central New York, and NFCC President Susan C. Keating.
The NFCC presented three Professional Achievement
and Counseling Excellence (PACE) Awards during the
recent 44th Annual Leaders Conference. The muchanticipated ceremony is one of the highlights of the
week’s activities, and this year’s dinner was no
exception.
The PACE Awards are the highest honor bestowed by
the NFCC in the categories of Client of the Year,
Outstanding Individual Counselor, and Outstanding
Individual Educator. Agencies submit nominees, with
the winners selected by an independent panel of
judges including members of the media, nonprofits,
financial services, and government entities. This year’s
judging panel included Bronwyn Belling (AARP), Laura
Levine (Jump$tart), Risa Littman (Bank of America),
Colleen Tressler (Federal Trade Commission), Charles
(Chuck) Wurth (Military One Source), Mellisa (Missy)
Nelson (Target), and Connie Prater (CreditCards.com).
Kandy and Russell
Hildebrandt were the
deserving winners of the
Client of the Year honor.
Counseled by Linda
Humburg, with Family Means
Consumer Credit Counseling
Service in Stillwater, MN, the
Hildebrandts paid off over
$100,000 in less than five
(From l to r) PACE Clients of the years, and even managed
Year Kandy and Russ Hildrebrant, to buy a home while on the
FamilyMeans counselor Linda Debt Management Program.
They are a true testimony
Humburg is behind them
to what combining hard
work, good advice and a commitment to honor
your debt obligations can accomplish.
A passion for helping people. That’s the only way that
Linda R. Smith, 2009 Outstanding Individual Counselor,
can be described. Smith is a counselor with Consumer
Credit Counseling Service of Central New York based
in Syracuse. She typifies the more than 3,000
dedicated, knowledgeable, and hard-working NFCC
Member Agency counselors. Smith has made a
difference in the lives of a countless number of people
in her community, either counseling individuals one-onone or by sharing her financial education expertise
through workshops. Her passions lie in helping victims
of domestic violence regain their financial footing, and
in assisting low-income individuals secure subsidies
which allows them to purchase a car for work.
If our nation’s financial future lies in the hands of the
children, then 2009 PACE Educator of the Year, Debra
Lee, is definitely doing her part to advance their
(From l to r) NFCC President Susan C. Keating, CCCS of Southern West Virginia
CEO Jeff Wise, PACE Educator of the Year Debra Lee of CCCS of Southern WV,
NFCC Chair Michele Johnson.
financial literacy. In addition to her outreach as
Director of Education for Consumer Credit Counseling
Service of Southern West Virginia, Lee is also a
member of the West Virginia Networth Coalition, whose
members are tasked with developing and implementing
a required financial education curriculum for all West
Virginia high school students. Further demonstrating
her dedication to bringing financial literacy to the
children of her state, Lee involves area schools in the
annual NFCC Financial Literacy Poster Contest, and
has even developed age-specific games and activities
to enhance her delivery of financial information through
the school system.
The PACE Awards represent the best of the best, and
are a snapshot of the ongoing work that NFCC
Member Agencies provide on a daily basis.
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 2
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NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 3
2010 Poster Contest
$mart Money Choices are Key for 2010
Financial Literacy Poster Contest
The 2010 NFCC National Financial Literacy Poster
Contest is off and running. $mart Money Choices =
A Brighter Future is the theme for the 2010 contest,
giving students an opportunity to begin thinking about
financial matters and express their knowledge in a
creative manner specific to their grade level. The
contest also offers the opportunity for local and
national recognition of student artwork
and rewards winners with U.S. savings
bonds and other prizes.
We expect the reach of the 2010 contest
to continue to grow, as we enhance our
partnerships with both the National
Education Association (NEA), through its
3.2 million members, and the Jump$tart
Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
to promote the contest and the important
messages it conveys. In 2009, NFCC
Member Agencies received more than
4,000 poster submissions from across
the country.
2009 winner, Leah
Ellyson with her parents
and Susan Keating at
Awards Dinner
Contest Steering Committee Established
2009 National Poster
Contest winning entry
A steering committee of NFCC Member Agency
representatives has been established to guide
the implementation of the 2010 Poster Contest.
Special thanks to: Sara Varela, CCCS of New
Hampshire and Vermont, Chair; Kristen
Garrett, Advantage Credit Counseling Service;
Jackie Goff, CCCS of North Central West
Virginia; Debra Lee, CCCS of Southern West Virginia;
and Linda Pichler CCCS of Central Florida and the
Florida Gulf Coast for their guidance and support of
this national financial literacy initiative.
The 2010 contest features three grade categories:
Elementary – 3rd through 5th Grades; Middle – 6th
though 9th Grades; and High – 10th through 12th
Grades and entries are being judged on expression
of the theme, artistic style,
2010 Be Money-Wise National Poster Contest
and creativity.
Smart Money Choices = A Brighter Future
All National Financial
Literacy Poster Contest
entries should be submitted
to an NFCC Member Agency for judging.
(Submission deadlines vary by agency.) NFCC
agencies will then choose one National Finalist in
each category to submit to the NFCC for national
awards consideration. All National Finalists must be
submitted to the NFCC no later than March 5, 2010.
National finalists will be judged in Washington in
mid-March and placed in contention for three national
awards, one per grade category. An overall national
winner will also be chosen from the three category
winners. The national winner will be presented with the
national award as well as a $500 U.S. savings bond
during Financial Literacy Month. The winner will
receive his/her award in Washington, DC during
Jump$tart’s Annual Awards Dinner in April.
For more information about the 2010 NFCC
National Financial Literacy Poster Contest, visit
www.MoneyWisePosterContest.org or
contact Evie Feliciani at [email protected].
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 4
Educational Videos
Financial Fast Fact Education Videos Developed
The NFCC created a
series of consumer
education videos
called Financial Fast
Facts which are
featured on the NFCC
Web site and available free for Member and partner
use. The videos address relevant topics such as
Identity Theft, Selecting a Legitimate Credit Counseling
Agency, Dealing with Job Loss, and Understanding
Debt Settlement. There are currently about one dozen
videos “in the can,” with more being added as needed.
NFCC Members can download the videos by going to
the Press Room and Outreach area of the Member
section of www.NFCC.org. Next, select Financial Fast
Knowing the difference can
make all the difference.
Facts where you can view and/or download
each video.
NFCC partners should contact Nick Jacobs
([email protected]) to obtain the videos.
The videos are a great complement to your Web site,
providing consumers with useful information in a
contemporary format. They can also be used
during outreach seminars, or put on a loop to
run continuously at a fair or even in the lobby
of your office.
We hope you take advantage of this new tool from the
NFCC. Please feel free to suggest future topics, and
watch for more Financial Fast Facts to appear in the
coming months.
Educational Products and Financial Tools
Better Fortunes:
Control Your Money.
Control Your Life.
Available in Spanish.
Online education course
available only in English.
(72 pages)
Live a Richer Life:
A Roadmap to Personal
Financial Health
Following Bankruptcy
Available in Spanish. Online
education course available
only in English. (78 pages)
Keys to
Homeownership
2nd Edition
More Than One Way Out:
Personal Bankruptcy,
Consequences and
Alternatives
Available in Spanish.
(91 pages)
Available in Spanish. Online
education course available
only in English. (68 pages)
Avoiding Foreclosure:
Working with a
Certified NFCC
Housing Counselor
College Credit For
Life DVD/CD
Available in Spanish, Fall 2009.
Better Fortunes
More Than One Way Out
Live a Richer Life
Keys to Homeownership, 2nd Edition
Member Price
$7.95/book
1-9 boxes: $148.75/box
10+ boxes: $131.75/box
Nonmember Price
$20.95/book
1-9 boxes: $223.75/box
10+ boxes: $198.75/box
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization Price
$20.95/book
1-9 boxes: $173.75/box
10+ boxes: $153.75/box
College Credit for Life DVD/CD
Member Price: $12.95
Nonmember & Nonprofit 501(c)(3)
Organization Price: $24.95
Avoiding Foreclosure DVD
Free of Charge
To order call (301) 589-5600,
email: [email protected] or
visit www.nfcc.org
All pricing includes shipping and handling.
Each box contains 25 books. Please allow
two weeks delivery from order date.
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 5
2009 Protect Your Identity Week
NFCC Teams with CBBB to Launch Second
Annual National Protect Your Identity Week
In an effort
to provide
consumers with
identity theft
education and
protection, the
NFCC will host its
second annual
National Protect
Your Identity
Week (PYIW),
October 17-24,
2009. Joining the NFCC as a full partner this year is
the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB),
combining the strength of two well-respected
community-based nonprofits behind this initiative.
In 2007, 8.4 million Americans reported being a victim of
identity theft. That number increased by 19 percent to
10 million victims in 2008, making identity theft the
crime that won’t go away. For the past 8 years, ID theft
has been the Federal Trade Commission’s top
consumer fraud complaint. A recent NFCC survey
conducted by Harris Interactive® revealed that 45
percent of all U.S. adults, roughly 101 million people,
would feel at most risk for identity theft when making a
purchase with a credit card that requires the card to be
temporarily taken out of their sight, for example, at a
restaurant.
The survey also asked consumers if they were to
become a victim of identity theft, what would be their
greatest concern and revealed that while consumers
were understandably concerned over losing time and
money when trying to recover from ID theft, well over 50
percent listed their greatest concerns to be associated
with the personal side of being victimized. Consider the
following information revealed by the survey:
• The highest percentage of respondents,
75 percent, listed their greatest concern as not
knowing who has their personal information.
• 56 percent said knowing that
the thief knew where they
lived was their greatest
concern.
National Coalition in Support
A number of national organizations are also putting their
weight behind this initiative, joining the NFCC and
CBBB as Supporting PYIW Coalition Members. This
Coalition includes: the American Bankers Association
Education Foundation, AFSA Education Foundation,
Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America,
Credit Union National Association, Federal Trade
Commission, Identity Theft Assistance Center, Identity
Theft Resource Center, Jump$tart Coalition for Financial
Literacy, Junior Achievement USA, National Association
of Triads, National Council of LaRaza, National Crime
Prevention Council, National Education Association
Member Benefits, National Sheriff’s Association, and
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This Coalition
helped to shape this year’s campaign and is promoting
it through their members and stakeholders.
2009 PYIW National Coalition Members
• ABA Education
Foundation
• Jump$tart Coalition for
Financial Literacy
• AFSA Education
Foundation
• Junior Achievement USA
• Consumer Action
• National Association
of Triads
• Consumer Federation
of America
• National Council of
La Raza
• Credit Union National
Association
• National Crime
Prevention Council
• Federal Trade
Commission
• National Education
Association - Member
Benefits
• Identity Theft Assistance
Center
• Identity Theft Resource
Center
• National Sheriff's
Association
• Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency
• 65 percent said their greatest concern was
becoming a victim of ID theft again.
continued on page 19
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 6
2009 Leaders Conference
Later that morning came one of the highlights
of the conference as humorist and
motivational speaker Tim Gard had
conference attendees falling over laughing
with his insights on everyday life and his
Gard
lessons on how to use humor to cope with otherwise
impossible situations. After his presentation he spent
some time chatting with Members in the Exhibit Hall and
signing copies of his book, Humor Me.
The afternoon began with a presentation from
Jeff Courtney, Senior Operating Director at
Chase Card Services. In his presentation he
provided his perspectives on what financial
Courtney services companies need to do in the current
economic climate to better understand their customers.
By the end of the next presentation, from
Emmy Award-winning former TV reporter
Jeff Crilley, the audience had been treated to
a 70s sit-com-themed version of “Name That
Tune” and there were bubbles in the air. The
Crilley
music and bubbles were props Crilley artfully
used in his presentation to explain the power of effective
branding. By all accounts, he provided a great deal
of advice and direction, and had everyone ready to
promote their Agency through the media in a smarter
and more focused way.
With the chorus to “Who Let the Dogs
Out?” echoing in the hall, McGruff the
Crime Dog made his way down the
aisle signaling that the 2009 National
Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW)
presentation was at-hand. And there
was much to report as the NFCC has
been joined this year by the Council
of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) to
co-present the event. Incoming CBBB President Steve
Cox spoke about the new partnership between NFCC
and CBBB and set the stage for future collaboration.
continued from page 1
Day two of the conference broke early as workshops on
innovative agency programs and the new data security
Membership Quality Standard kick-started the day.
From there the day was filled with a series of
panels full of useful and timely information.
Debbie Bianucci, the president and CEO of
BAI, moderated a research panel that spoke
Bianucci to how consumers are feeling in the current
economy, the value of bankruptcy counseling,
and other topics. Her fellow panelists included Dr.
Michael Staten, from the University of Arizona, Manuel
Quiogue, from Lundquist Consulting, and Steve Bucci,
from the MMI Financial Education Foundation.
Up next was Mark Zandi, Chief Economist
and Co-founder of Moodys.com, with his views
on the current economic climate as well as
what we can expect in the months to come. To
have one of the country’s premier economists
Zandi
front and center, and for attendees to be able to listen to
him and ask him questions, was a real treat.
DigitalThinking CEO Janey Place, followed
Zandi, offering a very different point of view
on the state of consumer trust and financial
institutions. With NFCC Member Agencies
on the front lines of the economic crisis and
Place
with so many, anecdotally, reporting that they have
had difficulties interacting and working with their
banks and/or lenders, this presentation was of
particularly high value.
After a brief lunch, the afternoon was taken up with
panel discussions on the Concessions Call to Action,
creditor breakout sessions, and the Advisory Council
meeting.
The final presentation of the day was from
Jason Sabo, from the Center for Lobbying in
the Public Interest. Sabo delivered an
impassioned presentation, crammed full of
useful information and executable tips for
Sabo
Agencies to greatly expand their impact in
their state legislatures as well as on Capitol Hill.
A real highlight of the day, and perhaps the conference
came that evening, with the Annual
NFCC Recognition Dinner, and an
opportunity to honor the achievements
of NFCC Members and their clients.
The evening was kicked-off, however,
by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice
Johnson
Johnson (D-TX), who delivered some
remarks on financial literacy and education and was
also the recipient of the NFCC’s Making the Difference
Legislator Award.
After a long day, it was finally time to relax. The
welcoming reception, sponsored by Mutual of America,
and held in the Exhibit Hall gave attendees an
opportunity to chat, network, catch up with old friends,
and also to view the offerings of the exhibitors.
Following dinner, the NFCC/MSN Money Counselor of
the Year Award was presented to Tom Urbaniak, from
GreenPath, who had more than 800 message board
posts while helping thousands of MSN Money readers
this past year. The Professional Achievement and
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 7
2009 Leaders Conference
Counseling Excellence
(PACE) Educator of the Year
Award was presented to
Debra Lee, of CCCS of
Southern West Virginia. The
PACE Counselor of the Year
Award was given to Linda
Smith, of CCCS of Central
New York. (See related article
on page 2.).
continued from page 7
Making the Difference Awards
(From l to r) NFCC Chair Michele
Johnson, NFCC/MSN Money Counselor
of the Year Tom Urbaniak of GreenPath,
GreenPath CEO Jane McNamara.
The emotional center point of the dinner, however, was
the presentation of the PACE Client of the Year Award.
This year’s award was presented to Kandy and Russ
Hildebrandt, who were clients of Linda Humburg at
FamilyMeans CCCS.
At each Annual Leaders Conference, the NFCC
takes the opportunity to recognize friends, allies,
and partners of the organization who have, in
the words of the award, “…made a significant
contribution to assisting consumers with
financial literacy, awareness, and education.”
The Making the Difference Awards are
presented in the following categories: Legislator,
Advocate, Partner, and “Board” Chair.
This year’s list of Making the Difference
Award honorees are:
Legislator:
Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson
(Texas)
(From l to r) Back row: FamilyMeans CCCS Director Jim Kroening, FamilyMeans
counselor Linda Humburg; front row, l to r: NFCC Chair Michele Johnson,
FamilyMeans President Arba-Della Beck, PACE Clients of the Year Kandy
and Russ Hildebrant, NFCC President Susan C. Keating.
In thanking everyone, the Hildebrants told a little bit of
their story. They were a little more than $100,000 in debt
when they sought counseling. And despite the fact that
they had been told that they ought to consider bankruptcy,
the Hildebrants were determined to pay back every penny
they owed. More than anything, they were determined to
get through all of this. As an example, Russ picked up a
second job and would sometimes spend the night in his
car, even during the cold Midwest winters, because gas
prices had risen beyond what they had budgeted. And
not only did they complete their Debt Management
Program several months early,
they were also able to qualify
for a mortgage and buy a new
house. Theirs is truly a story of
determination and inspiration.
(See related story on page 12.).
Closing the awards portion of
Dawn Lockhart receiving the Member
the evening was the Member
Making the Difference Award
Making the Difference Award.
The Award is given to someone who demonstrates,
“…outstanding leadership for agency, community, and the
Advocate:
Illinois Attorney
General Lisa Madigan
Advocate:
Financial Author
Jean Chatzky
Partner:
Alice Sweeney,
Director, Collections
Management and
Strategy, American
Express
Chair:
Cathy Allen,
Chair and CEO,
The Santa Fe Group
continued on page 9
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 8
2009 Leaders Conference
continued from page 8
NFCC.” The 2009 recipient of the Member Making the
Difference Award was Dawn Lockhart of Family Foundations.
A Story Worth Telling:
Hard Work and Solid Advice
Result in Financial Responsibility
Russell and Kandy Hildebrandt, honored by the
NFCC as the 2009 PACE Clients of the Year
Award winners, have received significant media
attention. In addition to the local coverage, the
Hildebrants are participating in a number of
national interviews. Of note are the following:
• An interview on National Public Radio that
aired Saturday, October 3rd. To listen to the
piece, go to:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/
web/2009/10/02/mm-hildebrandt/.
• Gerri Willis, host of CNN’s Your Bottom Line,
took a crew to interview the Hildebrandts at
their home, as well as to FamilyMeans
Consumer Credit Counseling Service, to
speak with the Hildebrandt’s counselor,
Linda Humburg. The segment is scheduled
to air on CNN during Gerri’s show on
Saturday, October 17 at 9:30 a.m. ET,
and on HLN Saturday the 17th and Sunday
the 18th at 3:30 p.m. ET. To learn more about
Gerri Willis, go to
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/
open.house/.
• The Today Show has booked the Hildebrandts
for an interview on Thursday, October 15.
Currently, they are scheduled to be on at
10:30 a.m. ET.
• Fox and Friends invited Russell and Kandy to
be on their morning show Friday, October 16.
The show begins weekdays at 6:00 a.m. ET.
The Hildebrandts will also be a part of the Fox
Weekend show on Saturday.
Their story of financial responsibility in the face of
extreme debt has obviously captured the attention
of the media. Their hard work coupled with the
solid advice from their counselor at FamilyMeans
is reflective of what NFCC counselors do each
day. It’s definitely a story worth telling.
The third day of the
conference has
traditionally been known
as Member Day, and this
year was no different.
There was a panel
presentation from the
NFCC staff and others,
NFCC Special Advisor and Counsel Bill Binzel
providing an update from
introduces Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. the Debt Settlement
Working Group. The presentation lead with the viewing
of several ads from some of the less scrupulous debt
settlement firms.
With debt settlement on everyone’s mind, it was perfectly
appropriate that the next speaker was Illinois Attorney General
Lisa Madigan, who has been a leader in the fight against
some of the ‘bad actors’ in debt settlement. She gave a
spirited and inspiring speech, directly asking for the help of all
NFCC Member Agencies to serve as her eyes and ears in
weeding out bad actors of all kinds in both the debt settlement
and credit counseling sectors. Before she left, Madigan was
also presented with the NFCC Making the Difference Award
for all of her work on consumer protection issues.
Before moving on, there was one item still to be taken care of
as Michele Johnson presented the Chair’s Award to NFCC
Senior Vice President for Brand Development and
Communications Bob Ensinger.
Much of the rest of the afternoon focused on internal
membership matters, included a panel discussion on the state
of the NFCC membership. The presentation was led by
Charles DeVille, Family Service Agency CCCS; Jane
McNamara, GreenPath; Mike Robards, Credit Counseling
of Arkansas; and Jay Seaton, CCCS of Central Ohio. All
four offered fascinating insights on the mood and temperament
of the Membership. Later, there was a presentation on
the NFCC’s 2010 budget and voting for the 2010 Board
of Trustees. (See page 10.).
The serious business of the afternoon
took a break, as the NFCC and those
attending the conference were the
beneficiaries of another high-profile
visitor and friend to the NFCC, financial
author and journalist, Jean Chatzky.
While she was with us, she was also
Chatzky
presented with a Making the Difference Award.
continued on page 10
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 9
NFCC
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With the announcement of the
2009-10 NFCC Board of
Trustees election results,
the 2009 Annual Leaders
Conference came to a
close and all of the
attendees headed for
home.
Oc
While at the conference, Chatzky also had the
opportunity to visit with the close to 100 housing
counselors who were attending the conference and
participating in NeighborWorks America advanced
foreclosure and reverse mortgage training. Indeed for
both parties it was a highly fruitful meeting with
Chatzky able to learn more about what NFCC
counselors are seeing on the ground every day and
the counselors were able to ask questions and
provide critical insights to Chatzky, to say nothing of
rub shoulders with a television celebrity.
continued from page 9
01
2009 Leaders Conference
er 4 - 6, 2
NFCC 2009 Board of Trustees
Dawn Lockhart, Chair
President
Family Foundations
Tom Jacobson
President & CEO
Rural Dynamics, dba CCCS of Montana
Mike Cherry, Vice Chair
President & CEO
CCCS of Springfield
Michele Johnson
President & CEO
CCCS of Southern Nevada & Utah
Jane McNamara, Treasurer
President & CEO
GreenPath, Inc.
James P. Kroening
CCCS Director
FamilyMeans Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Margo Mitchell, Secretary
President & CEO
CCCS of Oklahoma, Inc.
Stephen J. Piotrowski
President
Advantage Credit Counseling Service, Inc.
Susan Keating, ex officio
President & CEO
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Mike Robards
President & Executive Director
Credit Counseling of Arkansas, Inc.
W. Patrick Boisclair
Chief Executive Officer
CCCS of Middle Georgia, Inc.
Jay Seaton
Northeast Ohio Area President
CCCS of Central Ohio
Charles Deville, Jr.
Executive Director
Family Service Agency – CCCS
Larry Snider
CEO
CCCS of Alaska
Sara Allen Gilbert
Executive Director
CCCS of Northern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming
Jeff Wise
President & CEO
CCCS of Southern West Virginia
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 10
2009 Leaders Conference
The Speaker Line-Up
Attendees blowing bubbles during Jeff Crilley’s presentation
Former TV reporter Jeff Crilley
Janey Place, DigitalThinking
Mark Zandi, Moodys.com
Jason Sabo, Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest
Humorist Tim Gard
Jay Seaton, during Member Meeting
Jeff Courtney, Chase Card Services
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 11
2009 Leaders Conference Photos
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 12
Member Agency Spotlight
CCCS of McHenry County Mental Health
and Financial Problems
By Virgina Peschke
counseling in 15-minute increments. The Board also
funds DMP set-up and DMP maintenance counseling.
CCCS of McHenry County
Several decades ago, the Mental Health Board of
McHenry County (CCCSMC) recognized that financial
problems are at the root of many disruptive mental and
behavioral difficulties, such as divorce, depression,
drinking, drug use, and gambling.
CCCSMC, along with several other interested parties,
requested that the Board (also known as the 708 Board
after the number of the enabling legislation) take a more
proactive role in combating this.
As a result, the Mental Health Board, with a matching
grant from Alfred Bersted Foundation, has provided
generous funding to CCCS over the years. Counseling
for any client who resides in the County (this is a must,
because the 708 Board levies taxes in the County) and
has had or is having any type of mental health services
is eligible for reimbursement. The mental health
services may include mental illness treatment, marriage
counseling, child and adolescent counseling and drug,
alcohol or gambling counseling. The services may
be rendered to any family member to qualify
for reimbursement.
The Board also gives CCCS a grant annually to cover
the cost of education and counseling at other social
service agencies. CCCSMC currently provides services
to: Home of the Sparrow, a transitional housing agency
for homeless women and children; Pioneer Center, an
agency that provides services for developmentally
disabled persons of all ages; and Family Services,
which provides a wide array of mental health and
drug addiction services.
This support provides more than 6 percent of our total
budget and provides us the opportunity to serve many
clients who would otherwise not avail themselves
of budget and credit education and counseling.
The delivery of on-site services has forged strong
partnerships with other agencies and resulted in
an increasing number of referrals and support for
grant requests.
The McHenry County Mental Health Board Director
would be happy to speak with mental health
professionals in any state, county or city, which may be
approached by a NFCC Member Agency for funding, to
lend encouragement and guidance to promote the idea
of support for credit counseling.
For more information about developing a program
similar to this to work with state mental health boards,
contact Virginia Peschke at [email protected].
In addition to reimbursing CCCS for the initial
counseling, the Board also funds any follow-up
Did You Know...?
Only 42% of U.S. Adults have a budget
and keep close track of their expenses.
(Source: 2009 NFCC Consumer Financial Literacy Survey)
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 13
Member Agency Spotlight
Credit Counseling of Arkansas
Training the Trainer
By Mark Foster
Credit Counseling of Arkansas (CCOA) offers free
seminars to businesses. However, sometimes
businesses are too far away for CCOA to provide
seminars to their staff. When the drive is literally hours
away and multiple seminars are desired, CCOA
recommends its “Train-the-Trainer” six-part education
series, “Successful Financial Living: Mastering your
money, credit, and debt.”
CCOA’s “Train-the-Trainer” program involves training a
company’s trainers to present personal financial
information to their employees. It is a two-day training
event conducted on-site at the company’s location (or
their chosen location). CCOA’s Education Director Mark
Foster, conducts the training. The program began in
2005, when Tyson Foods contacted CCOA about doing
training for its trainers, who would in turn educate all
employees at the company’s new plant in Sherman,
Texas. Tyson had received some funding for personal
finance education and desired to increase employee
stability through the education.
Foster presents the “Successful Financial Living” series
to company trainers. The trainers then each present
part of the seminar to Foster and the other trainers as
part of the experiential training. The topics focus on
budgeting/money management, credit issues, smart
spending/debt busting, identity theft, buying a home,
and insurance/retirement issues. Foster also video
tapes each trainer and provides constructive feedback.
Trainers are given their presentation on DVD for selfanalysis of their vocal projection, delivery pace,
gestures, etc. This can greatly aid in improving a
trainer’s presentation skills.
CCOA’s Mark Foster running a Train the Trainer session.
for the two-day training, plus expenses related to the
training visit. Additionally, the company pays CCOA a
small fee for each student/employee their company
trainers train. Company trainers can also contact CCOA
for additional information whenever needed.
Materials provided to the company trainers on each
seminar are: a master copy of the student handout, an
instructor’s guide, and PowerPoint presentations on CD.
And since the company trainers have been trained by
CCOA and use CCOA class handouts and PowerPoint
presentations, CCOA includes those education numbers
as part of its educational outreach.
Tyson’s trainers educated more than 1,400 employees
with the Successful Financial Living series. Tyson’s lead
trainer reported back to CCOA that the turnover rate in
the Sherman, Texas plant was about one-third less than
their previous plant startup which didn't provide any
personal finance education to employees.
For more information about CCOA’s Train the Trainer
program, contact Mark Foster at
[email protected].
CCOA’s purpose of the “Train-the-Trainer” program is
two-fold: it educates a company’s employees who may
not have otherwise been educated by CCOA, and is a
revenue-generator. CCOA charges the company a fee
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 14
Agency News
FamilyMeans CCCS recently celebrated their 20th
anniversary. There was an invitation-only
event to mark the occasion, and NFCC CEO
and President Susan C. Keating was on
hand to deliver the
event’s keynote.
Keating
SiIva
There have been some new hires and anniversaries at
CCCS of Puerto Rico. Carlos Ponce and Carlos
Reyes have each been hired as Customer Service
Reps. William Luna is celebrating his 12th anniversary
with CCCSPR, and Dafne Cruz is celebrating her third
anniversary. In addition, Hilaida Ortiz, Verónica
Rodriguez, and Mayra Fontán, are each celebrating
their first anniversary with CCCSPR.
After counseling for a little more than a year,
Dilani Silva has been promoted to
Counseling Supervisor at CCCS
of Orange County.
Dorris Shelton Gulley has been
named Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer for CCCS of
Greater Atlanta. Also at CCCS
of Atlanta, Michelle Jones has
Gulley
Jones
been promoted to Senior Vice President of Counseling.
Wayne Knutson has recently joined the
staff of FISC-CCCS of Northeast Wisconsin
returning to his home state, Wayne formerly
worked with CCCS of Nebraska for 11 years.
Knutson
CCCS of New Hampshire & Vermont was awarded
the 2009 Third Quarter Champions in Action Award
(including a $25,000 check) from Citizen Bank and our
local TV Station WMUR-TV Channel 9. The award has
been a great honor because it brought: recognition and
public relations help for the months of July, August, and
September; volunteer
help from staff at both
companies; free
public services
announcements; and
free brochures and
posters put at all New
Hampshire Citizens
Bank branches.
In the photo from left to right: The Honorable Governor
John Lynch, Jeff Bartlett, General Manager for WMUR,
Kerry York, Executive Director for CCCS of NH & VT
and Cathleen Schmitt, President for Citizens Bank New
Hampshire and Vermont.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of North
Central West Virginia celebrated 25 years of service
on July 24, 2009. The celebration was held at the main
office in Clarksburg, WV. Among those attending were
various financial institutions, Board members, CRISSCROSS, Inc. present and past employees, as well as
various other community members.
CCCS of the Tri-Cities is celebrating 40 years of
history. They’ll be holding an open house in late
October to mark the event.
Newly elected NFCC Board Chair and CEO
of Family Foundations, Dawn Lockhart is
celebrating 25 years at the agency.
Lockhart
After 11 years of working for CCCS of West Florida in
the Fort Walton Beach Office, Linda Smith left to join
her husband while he was working in the Cayman
Islands. They are happy to report she had a great two
years, survived the
hurricanes, and has
once again joined
the CCCSWF staff
as a counselor in
Rogers
Ball
Smith
the Pensacola
Office. Congratulations to Libby Rogers, Senior Vice
President and Chief Operation Officer. On June 1, 2009
Libby celebrated her 20th anniversary with CCCS of
West Florida. And finally, CCCSWF wants to welcome
Denise Ball, who joined the staff in February of this
year as our Customer Service Representative.
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 15
Agency News
Josh Dunning is the new Development
Coordinator. He has held positions at
MBNA and most recently in the Fraud,
Recovery, Collection, and Wealth
Management divisions at MBNA/Bank
Dunning
of America. At the NFCC he will be
supporting National Partnerships, Creditor Relations,
and the Development Team.
New Faces at the NFCC
To better meet the three priorities stemming from the
Leadership Summit in Baltimore, there are some new
faces at the NFCC.
Evelyn Fortier will be overseeing legislative
affairs at the NFCC. Before joining the
NFCC this month, Evelyn served as Vice
President of Policy at RAINN, the nation's
largest anti-sexual assault organization,
Fortier
where she spent the last four years
advocating for legislation to advance crime victims’
rights. A lawyer by training, Evelyn also practiced law in
private firms for several years, and she worked for a
decade on Capitol Hill, serving in a variety of positions.
Drew Kessler recently joined the NFCC as
Product Marketing Manager and will be
responsible for developing marketing
programs and strategies to promote the
NFCC’s line of publications and financial
Kessler
tools. He comes to the NFCC having
worked in both the financial services and nonprofit
sectors, at JPMorgan Chase and the International
City/County Management Association.
Michele O’Donnell has joined the NFCC as
Controller. She is a CPA and has worked in
public accounting firms for the past 26 years
performing a variety of public accounting
services for the clients of those firms, with
O’Donnell
her primary function being as auditor for
many not-for-profit entities.
Morgan
And Faith Morgan has signed on as
Executive Assistant to the President and
CEO. Prior to joining the NFCC, she
worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as an Executive Assistant for 5 ½ years,
supporting two Partners, Managing
Directors, and Directors.
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NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 16
Social Media
NFCC Expands Social Media Efforts
In the last issue of Notables (Spring/Summer 2009), we
reported on the NFCC’s first forays into the social media
world. At the time, these efforts were in the form of the
Financial Fast Fact videos, and blog placements of
information related to the NFCC’s MortgageHelpNow.org
Web site.
Since that time, the NFCC has made significant
progress and vastly expanded its social media efforts.
You can now follow the NFCC and its efforts to assist
financial distressed Americans on Facebook, Twitter,
and YouTube.
As the volume of video products produced over the
past couple of years by the NFCC has grown by
leaps and bounds, it simply made sense to set up an
NFCC channel on YouTube. The YouTube channel
(www.YouTube.com/NFCC09) includes everything
from our English and Spanish PSAs to the Financial
Fast Facts.
The NFCC had initially used Facebook as a part of
its foreclosure prevention outreach, but has greatly
expanded its efforts. Many of the NFCC’s PSAs are
posted there (Because
of file size limitations,
we could not post all of
them.), as well as links
to media and blog articles about the NFCC, topical
stories in the news, and other features. You can visit
the NFCC’s Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Foundationfor-Credit-Counseling-NFCC/69791289272.
But it has been establishing a presence on Twitter
where the NFCC has begun to really make some
progress in social media. The NFCC began ‘tweeting’
at the Annual Leaders Conference (ALC), providing
highlights from Susan Keating’s State of the Credit
Counseling Sector address. We also posted other
updates throughout the ALC. Since that time, we have
posted consumer tips, information about identity theft (in
preparation for National Protect Your Identity Week),
and other information. Already, people have found the
NFCC on Twitter and writers in the blogosphere have
taken notice as well. You can follow the NFCC’s tweets
at: www.twitter.com/NFCCDebtAdvice.
PSAs
NFCC Public Service Announcements
The NFCC’s English and Spanish
public service announcement
campaigns (TV, radio, and Internet)
have been moving at a fast and
furious pace all year, and the last
quarter of 2009 looks to be no different.
The second round of NFCC PSAs went out to more
than 3,000 TV and radio stations and Web sites across
the country. These PSAs finish telling the stories that
began earlier this year. The “Knowing the Difference”
PSA builds on the groundwork that began with “Times
are Tough,” PSA encouraging financially troubled
consumers to not just get the help they need, but to be
sure they are getting it from a trustworthy source such
as an NFCC Member Agency. In the second housing
PSA, “Should Not Be Shopping,” we see that the couple
that initially needed help, “Friends in Need,” follows
up on this storyline with them seeking counseling
assistance; allowing them to keep their home
and in a position to “pay it forward.”
In addition to these spots, there are other
new PSAs and videos on the way. The
NFCC has just completed production on
Spanish television and radio “Knowing the
Difference” PSAs. Recognizing that the
Hispanic community is often preyed upon with bad
actors taking advantage of the language barrier and
other challenges, these NFCC PSAs strive to introduce
people to the NFCC and showing them what the NFCC
difference is all about. The NFCC is also producing a
Spanish-language version of the “Avoiding Foreclosure”
DVD produced last year as a part of the foreclosure
prevention marketing efforts. Both will be completed
and available to Members and consumers by late Fall.
To view or listen to NFCC PSAs go to the newsroom at
www.NFCC.org.
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 17
Protect Your Identity Week
continued from page 9
The New www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
Outreach Campaign
The PYIW Web site at www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
has been updated and upgraded to meet the needs of
this year’s more comprehensive campaign. Through
this Web site,
consumers can find
PYIW educational
events in their area
hosted by a local
member of the NFCC,
BBB, or other
Coalition Member, consumers can take advantage of
identity theft workshops, onsite shredding and credit
report reviews. Through October 1, nearly 150
events in 39 states had
been scheduled. The Web
site also includes identity
theft prevention tips,
videos, an interactive quiz
to assess your risk of
identity theft, and resources
for victims. A new feature
this year is a blog hosted
by nationally known identity
theft expert Robert Siciliano
who will be providing insight, information and advice
for consumers each day during PYIW. After PYIW,
Siciliano will post weekly on the blog throughout the
year on topics relevant to identity theft.
A national public awareness campaign in both English
and Spanish is underway to support PYIW. MSN
Money is once again the national media sponsor for
this year’s initiative and will feature articles and
information on ID theft protection throughout PYIW.
In addition, a series of news releases (print, radio,
and multimedia/ Internet), radio public service
announcements, and a social media campaign are
promoting National Protect Your Identity Week and
its Web site and community-based events.
For more information about National Protect Your
Identity Week or to get involved, contact Bob
Ensinger at [email protected].
www.ProtectYourIDNow.org
Find identity theft prevention tips,
videos, an interactive quiz
and resources for victims...
In order to educate as many consumers as possible,
the Web site is also available in Spanish at
www.CuideSuIdentidad.org.
Re-Accredited Agencies
NFCC Steering Committee
A special thanks to members of the 2009 National
Protect Your Identity Week Steering Committee for
their work and guidance on this year’s initiative:
Mark Foster, Credit Counseling of Arkansas (Chair);
Julie McAdory, MMI; Melinda Opperman,
Springboard; and Sara Varela, CCCS of New
Hampshire & Vermont.
Member at a Glance
Total Members: ..............................................103
Total Physical Locations: ..............................845
CCCS of Elgin,
Elgin, IL
CCCS of San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA
CCCS of Rochester,
Rochester, NY
Agency Type
Freestanding Agencies ..................................67
Multi-Services Agencies ..................................36
Counselor Certification
Certified Credit Counselors ........................2993
Certified Housing Counselors......................2013
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 18
Legislative Update
When the U.S. Congress
debated a comprehensive bill to
overhaul college student aid
programs, members of the U.S.
House of Representatives, at
NFCC’s urging, voted to add
language to the bill that would
promote financial literacy
education. The NFCC-backed
language was included as an
amendment to the Student Aid
and Fiscal Responsibility Act of
2009 (H.R. 3221).
The amendment, offered by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT)
with two cosponsors (Reps. Allyson Schwartz, PA, and
Carolyn McCarthy, NY), amends the section of H.R.
3221 that would authorize grants to states for the
purpose of creating innovative new programs to boost
college graduation rates. The Himes amendment would
ensure that provision of financial literacy, education, and
counseling to college students is a permitted use of the
federal “innovation grants” to states that are authorized
under H.R. 3221. The Himes amendment also would
encourage states to offer “programs to provide financial
literacy education and counseling to elementary,
secondary, and postsecondary students that include an
examination of how financial planning may impact a
student's ability to pursue postsecondary education.”
The NFCC’s support for this financial literacy
amendment was noted by the amendment sponsor
during House floor consideration of H.R. 3221 in
September. As noted by Rep. Himes in his floor
statement, the amendment would help “ensure that
States, nonprofits and private loan servicers. . . [will] do
their utmost to include high-quality financial literacy
training in their efforts to help keep more of our kids in
school and in the postsecondary degree of their choice.”
The U.S. House voted to pass the Himes amendment
by a vote of 428-2 before passing the underlying bill on
September 17.
The next step is for the House-passed version of the
Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act to be
considered and passed by a U.S. Senate committee.
The bill then must pass the full U.S. Senate before it
can be signed into law by President Obama.
Housing Update
As the nation struggles with climbing unemployment
and high foreclosure rates, housing counseling
continues to grow. In 2008, NFCC Member Agencies
provided 616,786 housing counseling sessions, a
number which has already been surpassed in 2009,
with more than 676,424 housing sessions provided to
date. Both the NFCC HUD and National Foreclosure
Mitigation Counseling Program (NFMCP) Intermediaries
are exceeding their goals. Under Round 3 of the
NFMCP, the NFCC was recently awarded the highest
grant of $3,500,000. These funds will continue to help
support the foreclosure mitigation services provided by
the 71 NFCC NFMCP Intermediary Member Agencies.
Both national and local marketing efforts are in full
swing, promoting the services provided by Member
Agencies. The NFCC continues to focus marketing
efforts in areas of greatest need which are defined by
the percent of delinquent non-prime loans, percent of
non-prime loans in foreclosure process, and percent of
subprime loans. To further that mission, the NFCC has
launched a social media campaign utilizing outlets such
as YouTube, Face Book, and Twitter to reach even
more consumers in need.
A Client’s Story
To showcase the accomplishments of
NFCC Member Agencies in the housing
arena, we offer a client success story.
Fabian Nino fell behind on his
mortgage due mounting bills after his
son suffered two horrible calamities in a row. These
tragic events resulted in two very costly surgeries, which
caused Fabian’s mortgage to become 13 months
delinquent. After months of mounting fear of loosing his
home, Fabian saw a television ad and turned to CCCS
of South Texas for help. It was there that Fabian worked
with a counselor, who assisted him in completing a loan
modification packet and hardship letter. With the
assistance and support of the team at CCCS of South
Texas, Fabian was able to secure a new mortgage with
a 2% interest rate as opposed to the original rate of
8.9% and his payments went from $1,503 down to
$699. He was also able to have the past due amount
put into the new loan, but most importantly, Fabian and
his family were able to stay in their home.
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 19
Fall-Winter 2009 Notables
2009 Communications Stats
Susan C. Keating
January through September
President and CEO
Bob Ensinger
Senior Vice President, Director
Brand Development and
MEDIA OUTREACH
News Releases Distributed
67
Media calls to NFCC
633
Director of Communications
Known Media Placements
5099
National Foundation
Known Audience Impressions
Communications
Nick Jacobs
for Credit Counseling
801 Roeder Road, Suite 900
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Known Ad Value
788,868,112
$11,344,126.62
NATIONAL LOCATOR LINE
(301) 589-5600
(301) 495-5623 (fax)
Number of Calls
364,084
National Locator Line: (800) 388-2227
En Español: (800) 682-9832
WEB SITES
www.nfcc.org
Number of Visitor Sessions
National Foundation for Credit
Counseling, Inc. (NFCC) is a
registered trademark.
© Copyright 2009.
2,141,315
Public Service Announcements
(TV and radio campaigns)
NFCC
Airings
138,484
NOTABLES is produced twice
annually by the National Foundation
Audience Impressions
504,627,521
®
for Credit Counseling, Inc. (NFCC)
for its membership and stakeholders.
The newsletter provides information
and resources to advance the
Airings
53,393
Audience Impressions
283,821,051
organization’s mission. Editorial
contributions and comments
are always welcomed.
2010 Notables Calendar
Issue
Release
Materials
Due
Spring-Summer
mid-May
April 15
late-October
Oct. 15
Fall-Winter
NFCC Notables • Fall-Winter 2009 • page 20