January 2012 � Vol.2, No. 2

 
FPPlogo_looking up in a down economy
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Kaye Schmitz
Kaye Schmitz
By Kaye Schmitz

 

Dear FPP Members and Friends,  

 

Happy 2012!!

As you have seen from our newsletters during the past year, a lot of things happened in 2011. Here's just a sample:

 

* We advanced from a single staff member-me-
to becoming a staff of 6 (3 full time and 3 part-time), adding Bill Mills, a former SunTrust banker, as the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Penny Zaphel as the Special Projects Coordinator, Jennifer Cooper as the Graphics Designer, and Lynn Gill as the Bookkeeper

 

* We just added our sixth staffer, Pat Nelms, retired from Bank of America, as the new full-time Community Education/Program Manager for the FPP. Please see the story about Pat below and send her your congratulations when you have a chance.

 

* We strengthened Bank On Florida and populated the Bank On Florida Advisory Council, set up committees, established a relationship with Florida CFO Jeff Atwater, who has agreed to do a formal launch of Bank On Florida, and have engaged more than half of Florida's 67 counties in Bank On programs in one way or another

 

* We have begun work on the Financial Information Network, in conjunction with the University of Florida, the Florida Library System, and the Florida Information and Referral Services System (FLAIRS) so that anyone can find all available services in an online database searchable at the county level; this tool will be especially helpful to the mentors in UF's Florida Master Money Mentor program

 

* We have established Ways to Work Florida in conjunction with national Ways to Work

 

* We became the Lead State Organization for CFED's Assets and Opportunities Network and assisted or encouraged six of our affiliates to become Lead Local Organizations for the same network (please see related story below about the Assets & Opportunities Network Steering Committee)

 

* We were asked to speak at the Florida Association of Community Action Agencies Conference and the Florida WorkForce Development Academy Summit

 

* We held another 14 FPP Regional Meetings, taking our total up to 42, and held another successful FPP Annual Conference--the third one--at the beautiful Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete Beach

 

* We even fulfilled more than 85% of the first year milestones in our Strategic Plan

But mostly, we've solidified relationships, facilitated synergies among stand-alone organizations, expanded programs, and, we hope, helped Floridians to be more aware of the paths available to them to enhance their lives. And we have all of you to thank for that. Please stay with us as we continue to move into uncharted territory. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together in 2012. So...let's get to it!!

Introducing Pat Nelms, the Newest FPP Staff Member

 

Pat Nelms, Kaye Schmitz, and Greg Smith
Pat Nelms, Kaye Schmitz, and
Greg Smith, Bank Of America NE FL Market President

 

It gives me great pleasure to announce a new FPP staff member, Pat Nelms, as the Community Education/Program Manager. Pat will hit the ground running for the FPP this month and will travel the state to conduct Train the Trainer classes in various financial education curricula, beginning with Money Smart. She will also work with the University of Florida to help coordinate the Florida Master Money Mentor program so that newly certified financial trainers will also have access to trained financial coaches. Pat, a Bank of America retiree, has volunteered for the Real$ense Prosperity Campaign since 2005 to both prepare free income taxes (which she will continue to do) and to teach the FDIC's Money Smart financial education program in Northeast Florida. She also volunteered to conduct a Money Smart class at Stetson University for the FPP late last year. 

 

In Pat's own words: 

 

"Through learning, individuals begin to change their attitudes resulting in changes in their behavior. I am convinced we can effect change in the life of one individual each time we complete a financial education class. The key is to use the connections that the Non-Profits provide within the communities and become involved.

I also believe that the current state of the economy gives us the unique opportunity to not just speak about community involvement, but to also become more deeply involved in the lives of our low-to-moderate income families and individuals. We can reach out to these families and individuals through financial education, which gives them the opportunity to make a change in the way they view their financial health.

We have already witnessed what can happen when like-minded people get together to make change happen. By utilizing grass roots outreach into schools, homes, churches and non-profit organizations, we can bring financial empowerment to these communities.

Passion and determination are key components in making this a successful venture. Florida Prosperity Partners believes our strength lies in the commitment to our mission statement and the encouragement that we receive as champions for community involvement. Great things can happen when passionate people get together for the good of the community."

Please join me in welcoming Pat Nelms to the Florida Prosperity Partnership family. Let's keep her busy training more and more people to impart much-needed financial education to Floridians. You may contact Pat at [email protected].

FPP Fourth Annual Conference

 

We are happy to announce that both Everbank and Ways to Work (national) have become the first two sponsors for the FPP Fourth Annual Conference. Both Everbank's and Ways to Work's logos will appear on the conferenceEverBank registration website that will open in late February or early March. Thank you to Ruth Owen from Everbank and Linda Brost from Ways to Work for making these WtoW logosponsorships happen. We have lots of sponsorship interest from other organizations and will keep you posted as they come in. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please either contact me or go to the FPP website, www.floridaprosperitypartnership.org, to fill out a sponsorship form.

Also, make certain you save the date for the  conference to be held at Universal's Portofino Hotel, in Orlando, FL from May 30-June 1, 2012. The room rate is $109 per night, with a reduced self-parking rate of $6 and free in-room Internet. We already have some speakers confirmed and can guarantee that it will be our best conference yet. You won't want to miss it. Stay tuned for registration information so you can reserve your spot early.

CFED National Assets & Opportunities Network Update

 

The votes are in and CFED has announced the twelve members on its SteeringCFED Committee for the national Assets & Opportunities Network. You will be happy to know that as one of 26 Lead State Organizations, the FPP has a seat on this Steering Committee for the next two years. I was fortunate enough to have been on the planning/interim committee for this network and look forward to serving on the permanent committee as well. The twelve members of the Steering Committee are:

 

* Christina Barsky (Rural Dynamics, Inc., Montana)
* Brent Dillabaugh (Hawaii Alliance for Community Based Economic  Development)
* Tamika S. Edwards (Southern Good Faith Fund, Arkansas)
* Lisa Forti (Urban Strategies Council / Alameda County Community Asset Network, California)
* Lucy Gorham (MDC, North Carolina)
* Margaret Miley (The Midas Collaborative, Massachusetts)
* Lucy Mullany (Illinois Asset Building Group)
* Victor Ramirez (Center for Asset Building Opportunities / Citi Community Development, Los Angeles California)
* Kate Richey (Oklahoma Policy Institute)
* David Rothstein (Policy Matters Ohio)
* Kaye Schmitz (Florida Prosperity Partnership)
* Diana Stone (Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaborative, Washington)

Through this network, we will be able to advance Florida causes and engage in national outreach. We will not only have our own microsite on the Assets & Opportunities web page, but we will also have a link to the FPP website as well. There will be opportunities for joint funding and we will work with the Dept. of Health and Human Services Welfare Peer T.A. Network to help determine the organizations that get funded from that group. One of the most beneficial aspects of this organizational affiliation is the opportunity to help shape the messages that go to the entire country about the Assets & Opportunities Scorecard that points out areas where we can make a statewide difference with Florida legislators about policies that would benefit our vulnerable populations. Please stay tuned for more information about this terrific network.

 

FPP Meeting Schedule for 2012

 

We will continue our quarterly webinar calls during 2012, utilizing the information we received from you at the recent Regional Meetings about the webinar topics you would like to see. Please don't miss the following FPP learning and networking opportunities in 2012:

 

* March 12 - Full Membership Webinar, Social Media
* May 30-June 1 - 4th Annual FPP Statewide Conference at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando
* September 10 - Full Membership Webinar, Marketing Tools
* December 10 - Full Membership Webinar, Updates from NCTC, IRS, CFED and Prize Linked Savings

FPP Membership Fees

 

The FPP Board has worked to establish new fees that will include both individual and organizational memberships on a graduated scale. Please keep watching this space as we put the final tweaks on the plan and roll it out to all of you.  

 

 

Kaye's signature  

Kaye D. Schmitz

President /CEO

FPP MEMBER NEWS

 

We would like to bring attention to your organization for all the productive work you do in your area. This section is provided for that purpose. Maybe it is something little that you have done to tweak an ongoing project, or maybe it is something completely new and different. All of these articles tend to help other organizations in their efforts to provide a better lifestyle for their constituents.  Please send information at anytime during the month, but preferably 10 days before the end of the month, to: [email protected]. We will make every effort to include it in our next newsletter.

 

  

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE 

HOMEBUYING PROCESS?

 

InCharge Debt Solutions, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency offers the 8 hour homebuyer education workshop where participants learn about creditincharge report review, developing a budget, debt-to-income ratios and which down payment assistance programs are available in their community. An overview of predatory lending and closing documents required are also taught in this comprehensive course. Additionally, subject matter experts (realtors, brokers, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, etc.) are present to provide valuable insight on the home buying process. Lunch is provided and participants receive The InCharge Guide to Homeownership book. The workshop is offered in English and Spanish.  

 

All class participants receive a HUD Approved Certificate of Completion which is a requirement for most First Time Homebuyer and Down Payment Assistance programs.

 CALL 1-877-267-9007 TO REGISTER  

ENTER A DRAWING FOR A $50.00 GIFT CARD


When: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: 5750 Major Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819 (near Universal City Walk)
Cost: FREE 

 

 

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2012 FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT 

 

The Central Florida Urban League presents the 2012 Financial Empowerment Fifth Third LogoSummit powered by Fifth Third Bank. Learn the essentials for planning and protecting your financial success. Attend customized empowerment sessions for Families, Women, Millennials, and Small Business for keys to your financial future.

 

CALL 407-602-8673 TO REGISTER

OR REGISTER ONLINE AT CFUL.ORG

 

When: Saturday, February 4, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Doubletree by Hilton Orlando Downtown, 60 South Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32804  

 

  

Newsletter Highlights
FPP Member News

 

SAVE THE DATE FOR FPP EVENTS

(Click on date for more information) 

 

  • March 12 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. - Join Us For The Full FPP Membership Webinar - Social Media

 

  • May 30-June 1 - Fourth Annual FPP Statewide Conference
    Universal's Portofino Hotel, Orlando Florida 

 

SAVE THE DATE FOR MEMBER AGENCY EVENTS 
  • February 4 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - 2012 Financial Empowerment Summit
  • Members, we would like to advertise all of your events in this section.  Please e-mail the information to:  
  • [email protected]

 

THE FLORIDA PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP (FPP)

 

The Florida Prosperity Partnership (FPP), was formally established in March 2009, evolving from a number of parallel and earlier efforts to create a statewide coalition dedicated to improving the financial stability and capability for low-to-moderate income Floridians.

FPP PURPOSE:  To convene individuals and organizations with the desire to leverage their talent, resources, and passion to improve the prosperity of Florida's families.


FPP VISION:  All Floridians have equal opportunities to attain financial stability.


FPP MISSION: Establish a statewide collaboration holistically focused on providing life-enhancing services to Floridians.


FPP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

 

Janet Hamer, Chair  

Sr. Community Development Manager

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

 

Daniella Levine, Vice-Chair  

President and CEO

Catalyst Miami

(Formerly Human Services Coalition)

 

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, Secretary  

Dir. Of Public Affairs/Org. Dev.

Children's Services Council of Broward

 

Ted Granger, Treasurer  

President

United Way of Florida

 

Evan Goldman
CSC of Broward County

 

George Owen
Regions Bank

 

Maureen Quinlan
United Way of Marion County

 

Mike Smith
TD Bank

 

 

FPP BOARD MEMBERS

 

Amanda Clements
United Way of the Big Bend

Anika Coney
Hillsborough County Dept. of HSS

Dr. Michael Gutter
University of Florida

Dorothy Inman-Johnson
Capital Area Community Action Agency

 

Valerie Hendriex Jenkins
Wells Fargo

Iris Jones
BB&T Bank

Roger Mercado
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Co.

Katie Metz

National Disability Institute

  

Rosa Morgan
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Retired)

Joan Nelson

Heart of Florida United Way

 

Kasha Owers
United Way of Palm Beach County

Felipe Pinzon
Hispanic Unity of Florida

Ron Sharpe
United Way of Northwest Florida

Ellen Stoffer
United Way of Tampa Bay

Barbara Travis

Internal Revenue Service (Retired)

 

Amber Tynan

League of Southeastern Credit Unions

 

Jeff Winkler

Real$ense Prosperity Campaign

 

  

FPP STAFF 

 

Kaye Schmitz
President and CEO


Bill Mills
Director of Strategic Initiatives


Pat Nelms

Community Education/Program Manager

 

Penny Zaphel
Coordinator of Special Projects

 

Jennifer Cooper

Graphics Designer

 

Lynn Gill

Bookkeeper

FPP FUNDERSFunders as of 0811



To become a member of the FPP or submit articles for this newsletter, please contact Penny Zaphel at

[email protected]