- February 9, 2011: Several Jump$tart members attended the press conference where Governor Branstad announced the launch of the Iowa Financial Literacy Program, a new online program to teach Iowa students the core concepts of personal finance. The program is free to Iowa high schools thanks to a federal grant and a public-private partnership between the College Student Aid Commission and many other organizations, banks, credit unions and companies. Iowa high schools can access the program at www.IHaveAPlanIowa.gov.
- February 28, 2011: Financial aid awareness day at DMACC Urban Campus. Two members provided financial literacy information and Iowa Jump$tart bags.
- March 28, 2011: Jump$tart President and Vice President were judges for the “Make a Million” Portfolio Challenge contest for high school students (statewide) in FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America). There were about 9 semi-finalist making presentations with a 1st, 2nd, and third place winners chosen.
- April 13, 2011: State Coalition Leaders Meeting. Jump$tart President met with National Jump$tart officials, partners, and other state coalition leaders in Washington, DC. At the evening awards ceremony, he accepted the 2011 State Coalition of the Year Award on behalf of the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition.
- April 2-9, 2011: Money Smart Week Iowa. Iowa Jump$tart coordinated the Chicago Federal Reserve Money Smart Week in Iowa. There were 5 primary locations: Des Moines; Cedar Rapids; Quad Cities, Cedar Falls, and Council Bluffs.
- hosted the Jump$tart Financial Forum
- investing conferences were held at Drake University and CASI in Quad Cities
- coordinated 150 partnering organizations who hosted over 120 events
- produced a 12-page newspaper insert on financial education topics
- awarded a scholarship for the Money Smart Kid essay contest
- awarded a savings bond to a 2nd grader for the poster contest
- extended Money Smart Week’s outreach to about 5,000 students by touring schools with Ben Franklin in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad-Cities, and Iowa Falls
- Shredding
- Cedar Rapids: 7 events, 162 participants shredded 5,660 pounds.
- Des Moines: 4 events, 127 participants shredded 4,551 pounds.
- Quad Cities: 6 events, Unknown participants shred 6,000 pounds
- Attendance:
- Conferences: 500
- Kickoffs: 80
- Other events:2000
- Shredding: 400
- Treynor: 800 Students
- Iowa Falls: 500 students+
- Ben Franklin visits: 3,000
- July 21, 2011: The 11th Annual Personal Financial Literacy Conference was held at DMACC in Ankeny with nearly 100 attendees. Highlights of the 1-day conference included presentations by:
- Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds
- Syble Solomon, creator of Money Habitudes TM
- Adam Carroll of National Financial Educators
- Teacher Samy El-Baroudi, last year’s Iowa Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year
- Teresa Nennig of Independence and Rhonda Schmaltz of Ames who reported on their attendance at the National Jump$tart Financial Literacy Conference in November of 2010 with expenses paid by the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition.
- Several other financial professionals who made workshop presentations about available financial literacy materials.
- November 14, 2011: Midwestern Higher Education Compact Policy Summit. Jump$tart President participated in a panel discussion with about 50 attendees and also exhibited. The summit focused on three core dimensions of college readiness: academic preparation, financial literacy, and cognitive variables such as awareness, motivation, and resilience. Total attendance of over 200 consisted of individuals from the following walks of life:
- School Counselors, Teachers, and Administrators
- Higher Education Researchers, Practitioners, and Administrators
- Legislators and Policy Advisors
- Leaders of Education and Non-Profit Organizations
- Community Relations and Outreach Professionals
- Student Advocates, Mentors, and Supporters.
Iowa Jump$tart Coalition 