Swansea High School Career Fair: January 22, 2009

We invite you to participate in Swansea High School's Career Fair on January 22, 2009.

A significant number of our students are interested in careers in this field. Our business courses are favorite among many of our students. We would love to have representatives from your field!!

If you're interested, please contact me to request a registration form.

Chandler Atkins, GCDF
Guidance Counselor/Career Specialist
Swansea High School
500 East First Street
Swansea, SC 29160
803-568-1100
803-568-1117 (Fax)

Tool for High School Presentations: Johnny Money Online Game

The Johnny Money Online Game is a new Internet-based small business simulation game designed to enhance high school students' exploration of entrepreneurship.

Visit www.johnnymoney.com to set up your teacher account, download the teacher manual and print off the student worksheets and System Requirements.

Johnny Money Online Game gives you a great experiential learning tool to help young minds learn what it takes to run a business in the real world.

Class time just turned interesting. Homework just turned fun.

--NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation

Lee County Career & Technology Center Requests Speaker

My name is Betty Lowery, Career Counselor Lee County School District. I am requesting a speaker to assist my school during the week of November 17-21. We are located in Bishopville, S.C.

Please call me at (803) 428-4636 x 451.

Thank you kindly,

Betty Lowery
Lee County Career & Technology Center
1804 Wysacky Hwy
Bishopville, S. C.
loweryb@lee.k12.sc.us

Lexington Two District Wide 7th Grade Career Fair

• What: Lexington Two District Wide 7th Grade Career Fair
• When: November 21, 2008, 8:00 am-12:30 pm (breakfast and lunch provided)
• Where: Granby Education Center (1407 Dunbar Road, Cayce, 29033)
• Why: Because our students need the exposure to various careers to help them see their potential!
• Did you know? South Carolina middle school students are now required to select a career cluster prior to high school. 7th and 8th graders participate in these career fairs to determine which cluster they will choose and take relevant classes in high school. The CPA profession cross sects the Business/Management/Administration and Finance Clusters. Outreach to middle school students is now more important than ever to encourage them to consider careers in accounting and as a CPA. LEARN MORE

Please let me know as soon as possible concerning your participation.

Sincerely,
Tracey Hartley
Granby Education Center
Lexington School District Two
traceyott@lex2.org

Keeping You Informed of Speaking Opportunities

Greetings from SCACPA!

Welcome to The Ambassador Update, SCACPA's blog for community and outreach activities. In an effort to keep you informed of upcoming opportunities, we've added the following SCACPA committees and task forces to the distribution list for blog updates:

• CPA Ambassadors
• Accounting Careers/Academic Relations
• Financial Literacy
• Chapter Officers

In the next few days we'll be posting upcoming speaking opportunities. Please contact SCACPA or the school/organization directly if you are available and interested in getting involved. We have access to a lot of resources to get you ready - just let me know what you need.


Opportunities will be sorted within the main blog by date posted, but for your convenience, wil be labels by Chapter and county in the "Requests for Presentations" section in the right column.


If you serve on one or more of these groups you may receive this email more than once and for that I apologize in advance - I'll work on a way to eliminate the duplicates through our list servs.


Thanks as always for your continued involvement and support of SCACPA!


All the best,
Katherine Swartz
kswartz@scacpa.org
803.791.4181

Speaker Requested for Career Convention in Horry County

Greetings,

I am the Career Specialist here at Ocean Bay Middle School in Myrtle Beach, SC. Our career convention is scheduled for November 7, 2008 from 8:30am until 10:30am. If there is anyone in the Horry County area that are apart of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, we would love for them to participate. My contact information is below, feel free to call or email me.

Ms. Jessica Y Greene, MA, CDFI
Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor
Guidance Department
Ocean Bay Middle School
905 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Direct line: 843 903-8426
Fax: 843 903-8495
jgreene@horrycountyschools.net
"The only way to predict the future is to create it!"

Three Opportunities in Lexington County!

1. Sandhills Middle School is having a Parent University on November 20, 2008 from 6-7:30 p.m. This is a resource night for parents and students in grades 6-8. We would like to have a speaker from each cluster of study that our high school offers. The sessions require a 25 minute presentation with a total of 3 session with 20 attendees in each one. If you are available please e-mail me or call me at 926-1890 ext. 207. Thank you!


Latoya Williams
Lexington District 4
lwilliams@lexington4.net

2. BCHS is hosting the Region II DECA competition. We are in need of 11 judges who would be willing to volunteer their time on Thursday, December 4 somewhere around 4-7. If you would be interested in helping our students out please email dmanos@lex2.org or call me at 739-4132. We have all different categories ranging from accounting to hospitality and tourism.


3. Accounting class at Pelion High School requests a guest speaker. This class meets Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Kate Lang
Career Specialist
Lexington School District One
(803) 821-3062: Mon/Tues
(803) 821-2212: Wed/Thurs/Fri
klang@lexington1.net

Two Opportunities in Richland County

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the Dent Middle School upcoming November Career Fair on November 20th! We are a very diverse, large middle school in Richland District 2.

Our students, 6th grade through 8th grade, look forward to this opportunity every year. They come excited and prepared to interview our vendors in order to learn about their particular field of study and the positions available within that career. We have found in today's competitive, global market, it is important to encourage our youth not only to do well in school but, to join South Carolina's workforce! Breakfast and lunch is provided for our participants.

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 2
Dent Middle School’s Guidance’s Department
Thursday, November 20th
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Dent Middle School Gym (2721 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29206)

Please RSVP to Sylvie Golod, GCDF, CET
Global Career Development Facilitator
Certified Entrepreneur Teacher
699-2750 ext. 72167 or sgolod@dm.richland2.org

Eau Claire High School is planning an extraordinary Career/College Expo, Thursday, February 26, 2009. I would like to invite you to be one of the participants in the Eau Claire High School Career/College Expo.

Please fill out and return the registration form and return to me by December 15th.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Stefanie Harrison
Eau Claire High School
Teacher
National Honor Society Advisor
(803) 735-7600 ext. 2518

From AICPA: CPAs Raise Financial Literacy Awareness

April 2008 - Financial Literacy Campaign's Success Continues: CPAs Raise Americans' Knowledge

The AICPA is again joining forces with Junior Achievement (JA) to celebrate the success of CPAs across the nation who are contributing their time and expertise to help Americans get on a better financial footing. For the second year, JA has selected the AICPA to be a co-sponsor of Financial Literacy Day on the Hill, an event held every Apr. to raise awareness among legislators and regulators of the need for financial education. This presence will help garner exposure for the Institute’s financial literacy campaigns with legislators, regulators, the media and others. “This invitation also speaks highly of the profession’s reputation in the financial literacy arena and the impact its programs are making,” said Carl George, chair of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.

The profession has much to celebrate: State CPA society and AICPA member involvement is at an all-time high and together the profession is making huge strides in improving the saving habits of all Americans. CPAs who wish to volunteer can actively participate in these initiatives in a variety of ways, from organizing brown bags in their offices to volunteering for efforts developed by their state societies. For more ideas, visit the CPA Financial Literacy Resource Center at www.aicpa.org/financialliteracy.

READ MORE

Report from SC Department of Education's Financial Literacy Summit

This past Wednesday (April 23), the South Carolina Department of Education held a Financial Literacy summit in Columbia to introduce K-12 administrators, superintendents and curriculum developers to the wealth of resources available statewide. The summit was sponsored by the SCDOE's Financial Literacy Initiative Board of Trustees, where SCACPA President Sylvia Kitchens, CPA serves as treasurer.

SCACPA member Allison H. Ford, CPA, CFE (Central Chapter President and Chair of our Financial Literacy task force) presented on How the Business World Can Support Financial Literacy. Her handouts included exclusive SCACPA resources like our CPA Ambassadors and Speaker's Bureau programs, relevant committees and task forces (Accounting Careers/Academic Relations, CPA Ambassadors, Financial Literacy, Young CPAs and the Educational Fund committee), and access to AICPA programs like 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy and Feed the Pig. We also provided a copy of Oregon's Financial Literacy Recommended Reading List (in Tools & Resources under Just for Kids), and an overview of SCACPA's mission and our 2008 theme -- Invest in Your Future: Promoting Financial Literacy in South Carolina.

In his opening remarks, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jim Rex made a thought-provoking statement regarding the urgent need to improve financial literacy for all South Carolina citizens:

"You can do the right thing so slowly that you get the same results as doing the wrong thing."

Well said. May your commitment to serve be active, not passive!

P.S. Be sure to check the Tools & Resources links for lots of new additions presented at the summit!

A Value-Added Tip from State Treasurer Converse Chellis, CPA

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing state treasurer and SCACPA member (since 1975!) Converse A. Chellis, III for an upcoming article in The CPA Report. While you can look forward to the article in our May/June issue, here's a tip you can use right now, especially if you're still preparing tax returns.

Search for unclaimed money for yourself and your clients through the Palmetto Payback Program, which holds millions of dollars reported by companies who cannot locate the owners.

This link will take you to the Palmetto Payback page: http://treasurer.sc.gov/palm_payb_prog_uncla_prop/

I didn't find any for myself, but did locate funds for two family members who had no clue there was money out there with their name on it...so it's worth checking out.

April is ALSO National Car Care Month!

Some words of wisdom from Benjamin Bankes:

In addition to being National Financial Literacy month, April is also National Car Care Month. Simple, at-home maintenance will save you money in the long run. With gas prices at record highs, every little bit counts. Consider these two tips that may improve your gas mileage and save you money!

1) Check your tire pressure. Most recommendations range from 27 to 32 psi. Check your owner's manual to find out what is best for your car.
2) Check your air filters. Replacing a clogged air filter may improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more information and sign up for Benjamin's weekly money-saving tips to share with clients and colleagues!

Financial Literacy Month: Suggestions from Other State Societies

Several great ideas were shared last week during AICPA's monthly Financial Literacy conference call for communications managers of different state societies. Here are some ideas that may inspire you to action in your own outreach efforts:

• Add an AICPA 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy banner or logo to your Web site, email signature, and any promotional materials. AICPA says the more we use that logo nationwide, the stronger case they can build for national awareness and legislative support. Check the AICPA link in our Tools & Resources section (below right) for access to the logo and other materials.
• Download a list of financially-minded books for children (also in Tools & Resources, labeled Just for Kids), purchase one or more of the books and contact your local elementary school to host a reading in the library or a classroom. Afterwards, donate the book(s) to the school library as a lasting gift of financial literacy.
• Write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper in support of financial literacy efforts, and mention tips or resources that the general public can put to immediate use. You could also contact a local business editor or reporter and ask to publish one or more of our Tips columns (customizable and published by AICPA -- and there are plenty more where these came from!).
• Through May 23, the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy is collecting comments on the state of financial literacy in the United States and proposed solutions to improve it. Make an impact by submitting your ideas for consideration (you'll also find this link box below, under Get Inspired!).

Have other ideas? Share them! Let's get creative and make a lasting difference -- not just during Financial Literacy Month, but all year long!

Ambassador Resources: Tips to Help Others

FIVE WAYS TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS

The average American household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, according to the government’s ENERGY STAR program. Whether you’re preparing for the heat of summer or for winter’s frigid temperatures – or looking to lower your gasoline expenses – there are many practical ways to cut down on costs, according to the South Carolina Association of CPAs. And when you reduce your energy use, the environment benefits from lower greenhouse gas emissions. The tips below will help you save money and do the earth a favor.

CONDUCT AN ENERGY AUDIT
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can conduct your own home energy audit to identify problems that could be costing you money, such as drafts that let in cold air; insufficient insulation; poorly maintained heating and cooling equipment; or inefficient lighting. The department’s Web site (www.energy.gov) has instructions for conducting an audit. If you’d like to bring in an expert, many electric or gas utilities offer these audits for free or at a reasonable charge, so find out if one is available in your area.

ADOPT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY IDEAS
If you conduct a home energy audit, you may find that you can cut costs by taking money-wise steps that will also help the environment. For example, simply unplugging appliances when not in use will lower energy usage. Many appliances draw energy even when not in use. Another good idea is to close the blinds in the summer time to keep out the sun’s heat and to open them in the winter to let in natural warmth. Easy-to-implement ideas allow you to painlessly lower energy use.

PICK THE RIGHT APPLIANCES
If you look for the ENERGY STAR label when selecting any number of products, you’re likely to use less energy, save money and help the environment. These products are not made by any one manufacturer, but they have all met energy-efficiency specifications set by federal government agencies. There are ENERGY STAR-qualified products in a wide range of categories, including household appliances, heating and cooling equipment, home electronics and office equipment. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when you shop or find more information online at www.energystar.gov.

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
This is an easy step to take, but one that will make a difference every day to your bills and to the environment. Many people remember to turn off lights in unused rooms in their homes, but this smart step is sometimes forgotten in an office. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, most of the energy used in the average commercial building is for lighting. Get in the habit of turning out lights at lunch or in empty offices or conference rooms.

PERFORM REGULAR CAR MAINTENANCE
Your home and office aren’t the only places where smart steps will cut down on energy or fuel costs. It’s possible to save $100 a year on gasoline by keeping your car engine tuned up and your tires properly inflated.

CONSULT YOUR CPA
As you can see, there are many simple ways to cut expenses by lowering your energy use. If you interested in learning more about the best steps to reduce costs in any aspect of your financial life, consult your CPA. Your CPA can provide money-savvy ideas that you can apply to your every day life.

Copyright 2008, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

April is Financial Literacy Month!

SCACPA President Sylvia Kitchens has issued a charge for all members to become more involved in Financial Literacy outreach efforts in 2008.

During Financial Literacy month, we're asking SCACPA Ambassadors (and ALL members) to share your favorite financial literacy tips, resources or ideas. We'll compile a members-only resource and use your ideas in our community outreach and marketing efforts.

To share ideas or resources with others, post a comment here (click the COMMENTS link below) or email Allison at acaldwell@scacpa.org. As always, thank you for helping us promote Financial Literacy in South Carolina!

Kudos Report: Jan-Mar 2008

Thanks to the following SCACPA members who have recently helped or expressed interest in advancing our cause:

Richard T. Livingston, CPA, CFE, CVA
Volunteered for service per SCACPA President Sylvia Kitchens' request in the Jan/Feb CPA Report

Pam Turner, CPA and Katherine Swartz, SCACPA Membership & Chapter Relations Manager
Presented February 22 at SC Business Educators Conference in Myrtle Beach

Mark T. Hobbs, CPA
Presented February 26 at a financial seminar for the SC Association of Nonprofit Associations in Columbia

Lesley H. Kelly, CPA
Volunteered to present April 11 at Dent Middle School's Career Fair in Columbia -- needs a partner!

Penny A. Lewis, CPA
Actively seeking media opportunities with the Post & Courier in Charleston

Rebecca Lee-Duke, CPA
Expressed interest in presenting at Heritage Community Bank in Hartsville

Allison H. Ford, CPA, CFE
Volunteered to present on April 23 at SC Department of Education Financial Literacy Summit in Columbia

Bob Baldwin, CPA
Received media coverage as an AICPA expert in USA Today online
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2008-03-06-nonresident-state-taxes_N.htm

To the following Ambassadors, for a positive response to Chairman Bob Baldwin's letter re: 2008 commitments:
William R. Barefoot, CPA
Mark T. Hobbs, CPA
Catherine Stoddard, CPA/ABV, CVA
Michael J. Targia, CPA
Walda Wildman, CPA

Send news of your Ambassador activities to SCACPA Communications Manager Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org -- we want to give credit where credit is due! Thanks for your service, and keep up the good work!

P.S. Got a great idea? Encourage others to join the cause by posting comments on what you're doing to increase financial literacy with clients, coworkers or in your community. We want to hear from you!

Ambassador Resources: Tips to Help Others

BEST WAYS TO SPEND YOUR TAX REFUND

As the April 15 tax filing deadline nears, many people will be in the enviable position of receiving a tax refund. It’s a nice surprise to get back some of the money you paid in taxes during the year. It’s also a great opportunity to make some sound financial decisions that will reap benefits now and in the future, according to the South Carolina Association of CPAs. So before you splurge all of your newfound funds, consider some of these money-wise alternatives.

PAY OFF YOUR BILLS
If you have high-interest credit cards, hefty student loans or any other debts looming over your financial landscape, CPAs recommend that you use some if not all of your refund to pay them down as much as possible. If you pay off a credit card with a 16 percent interest rate, you’ve just gotten yourself a 16 percent return on your money—an added bonus that compares very well with most investments. Once you’ve wiped the slate clean of outstanding debt, you can use your hard-earned money to save up for dream purchases. But if you don’t lower your debts, you will instead end up wasting money on interest charges.

SAVE FOR THE FUTURE
Would you like to further your own education or send a child to college? Or are you planning to buy a home during the next year or two? Perhaps you have been hoping to take a truly memorable vacation sometime down the road? No matter what your dreams, the best way to make them come true is to save regularly so that you have the cash ready when you need it. Use your tax refund to open a savings account or deposit it into an existing account. Then let the money grow until you’re ready to follow your dream.

GET A HEAD START ON RETIREMENT SAVINGS
Do you have a retirement account where you build up cash for the future? Use at least some of your refund dollars to start one or add to an existing account if you do have one. That way, your refund can grow tax free and provide a firm foundation for your retirement.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY ACCOUNT
We all know it’s a good idea to set aside some money to cover unexpected emergencies, such as loss of a job, an injury or hospitalization or another unforeseen crisis. However, after paying your regular monthly bills, it can be difficult to earmark funds for an emergency. That’s why it’s a great idea to use your windfall from Uncle Sam to do it.

SPLURGE, BUT DO IT WISELY
If you don’t have any high-interest debts and you do follow a regular savings plan and set aside money for retirement, then go ahead and splurge your refund. When you’re deciding how to spend the money, though, CPAs recommend that you consider indulgences that might be a good investment, such as updating your kitchen or bath or taking other steps that will improve your home’s resale value. They are fun choices but they will also pay you dividends in the future.

CHECK YOUR WITHHOLDING
Finally, remember that while it’s great to get an unexpected cash windfall, if you regularly receive large refunds every year you may be having too much money withheld for taxes from your paycheck. And that’s a bad idea, because you could be using that cash all year as part of your regular budget. If you think this may be the case, speak to your CPA about whether you need to adjust your withholding amount.

Copyright 2008, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

LEXINGTON - March 2008: Middle School Students

When: 8:30-10:30 am Thursday, March 6, 2008

Where: Carolina Springs Middle School, Lexington
6180 Platt Springs Road, 29073

Who: Middle school students

What: Career Fair

Career Fair organizers seek industry-specific business professionals to participate. Set-up is 7:50-8:20am, and the fair runs from 8:30-10:30am. Present benefits and options of the profession to 6-8 grade students.

How: Contact Andrea Kelson, 803.358.7409
Please confirm participation with Allison at acaldwell@scacpa.org

Message from Chair Robert M. Baldwin, CPA

Dear South Carolina Ambassador,

I trust you are off to a great 2008! Please take a few moments to read this letter and reply with a comment.

In the past you were trained by the AIPCA to be an Ambassador for our profession. SCACPA President Sylvia Kitchens has set a goal of promoting Financial Literacy to South Carolinians in 2008.

I would ask at this time that you reaffirm your commitment to the Ambassador program by advising us of your agreement to volunteer as an Ambassador, communicating about Financial Literacy or other financial matters. Your service as an Ambassador may take the form of a television or radio interview, an article for your local newspaper (including letters to the Editor), or addressing a school, business or civic club. We do not ask you to volunteer more than two hours of your time this year.

Please respond as to your availability for 2008 and any specific topics you feel strongly about presenting. You can let us know by posting a comment to this message, emailing Ambassador staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org or calling (888) 557-4814.

Thank you for your time and willingness to serve. I look forward to a great year for our SCACPA Ambassador program!

Very truly yours,

Robert M. Baldwin, Chair
CPA Ambassadors Task Force

HILTON HEAD - Spring 2008: Construction employees

When: Ongoing educational sessions to start Spring 2008

Where: Malphrus Construction Company, Inc.
http://www.malphrus.com/

Who: Construction crew employees

What: From Controller and SCACPA member Bruce Kenner, CPA:
I work for a construction company headquartered near Bluffton/Beaufort. We have about 1,000 employees and would love our employees to learn more about financial literacy. Another area you may want to consider when “searching for opportunities” is the public library. I know that my Beaufort County branch library periodically provides seminars of interest to patrons.

From Allison Caldwell after calling Bruce for more information:
They’ve never offered anything like this before, so it’s no immediate rush, but he'd like to explore setting up a program of a dozen or more generic topics to gauge interest, then schedule sessions preferably on a Saturday so that it’s a non-paid event. The company is willing to rent a local facility and provide refreshments. With further support he's willing to eventually present himself. Very nice guy – seems genuinely concerned and wants to do something positive to educate and benefit his employees long-term.

How: Confirm interest and availability with staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org. I’ll put you in touch with Bruce for more details and provide additional resources as available.

Suggested topics: Good credit habits, reducing/eliminating debt, balancing a checkbook, preparing a home budget, saving for the future, etc.

HARTSVILLE - Spring 2008: Bank employees

When: Ongoing educational sessions to start Spring 2008

Where: Heritage Community Bank, Hartsville

Who: Bank employees (50-60% participation expected among approximately 40 employees)

What: The bank hopes to start an ongoing Financial Literacy program for their employees with topics to include proper use of credit, retirement plan savings, household budgeting, funds needed for retirement, etc. They are asking for SCACPA’s help with planning suggestions, speakers/presenters and reference materials.

VP of Operations Shannon Morrison was referred to us by SCACPA member Marvin Odom, CPA.

How: Confirm interest and availability with staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org. I’ll put you in touch with Shannon for more details and provide additional resources as available.

CATAWBA CHAPTER CPE - May 2008

When: Friday, May 16, 2008

Where: TBA

Who: CPE attendants at a special session presented by SCACPA’s Catawba Chapter

What: Chapter officers seek an area Ambassador to provide a 20-30 minute Financial Literacy presentation during lunch. Jared Cottrell from AICPA will be the CPE leader that day.

How: Confirm interest and availability with staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org. I'll put you in touch with Catawba Chapter officers for more information.

COLUMBIA - April 2008: Middle School students

When: 7am-2pm Friday, April 11, 2008

Where: Dent Middle School Gymnasium,
2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia 29206

Who: Middle school students

What: Richland District 2 Annual Career Fair
Globalization of Careers: Personal Pathways to Success

Career Fair organizers seek industry-specific business professionals to participate. This might be a good team effort for two or more Ambassadors to join together, or split the time between morning and afternoon.

How: For more information or to register as an exhibitor, contact:
Joyce Simons, 803.699.2750 x.72198 or jsimons@dm.richland2.org
Sylvie Golod, 803.699.2750 x.72167 or sgolod@dm.richland2.org
Please confirm participation with Allison at acaldwell@scacpa.org

Suggested topics: Varied career choices and salary potential within the profession, financial literacy basics no matter what career they choose

Directions:
From Charleston: Take I-26 West to I-77 North to Charlotte. Take exit 12 to Decker Blvd. Continue down Decker Blvd. through 6 traffic lights. School is on the left at the intersection of North Trenholm Rd. and Decker Blvd.

From Greenville-Spartanburg: Take I-26 East to I-20 East to Florence. Take Exit 74, Two-Notch Rd. Turn right onto Two-Notch Rd. Go to second light and turn left onto O’Neil Court Rd. At the next light turn right on to North Trenholm Rd. Extension. Dent is on the left at the intersection of North Trenholm Rd. and Decker Blvd.

From Florence: Take I-20 West to Exit 74, Two-Notch Rd. Turn right onto Two-Notch Rd. Go to second light and turn left onto O’Neil Court Rd. At the next light turn right on to North Trenholm Rd. Extension. Dent is on the left at the intersection of North Trenholm Rd. and Decker Blvd.

MYRTLE BEACH - February 2008: Business Educators

When: Thu-Sat, February 21-23, 2008

Where: Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach

Who: Members of South Carolina Business Education Association (SCBEA)

What: SCBEA Annual Convention, http://www.scbea.org/

Approximately 200 business educators representing a cross section of educational levels from middle to post-secondary will gather for a weekend of fact-finding, gathering information and having fun. These are the persons who influence the purchasing decisions for equipment, software, textbooks and fund-raising activities for the business education departments in their respective schools and districts. These SCBEA members are eager to meet and to review the materials you have to offer. SCBEA has specifically asked if any SCACPA members would be available to present an “interest session” during this conference.

How: Confirm interest and availability with staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org. I’ll put you in touch with Exhibitor Coordinator Peggy Bozard for more details.

Suggested topics: Financial Lit resources for students of all ages (to include AICPA resources, potential classroom presentations, school-wide financial lit efforts like partnering with PTAs for parent training, etc.), specific SCACPA resources for Accounting educators (to include scholarships, student and educator memberships, etc.)

CHARLESTON - February 2008: College students

When: Any Monday evening in February (except 2/4)

Where: Strayer University

Who: College Accounting students

What: SCACPA On Campus Champion Damon Hilton seeks a CPA to speak to his class on a Monday evening in February. Class period runs 6-10pm, and he’s willing to block off an hour or so during that time for an informal presentation.

How: Confirm interest and availability with staff liaison Allison Caldwell at acaldwell@scacpa.org. I’ll put you in touch with Damon for more details and provide additional resources as available.

Suggested topics: Potential careers within the profession, suggested courses of study, landing an internship, benefits of SCACPA and AICPA student membership

Welcome, SCACPA Ambassadors!

SCACPA Ambassadors are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise to make a positive difference in the lives of others. With a mission to increase financial literacy for all South Carolina citizens, SCACPA Ambassadors are active in seeking teachable moments for children and teens, young adults, singles, families, seniors -- anyone who might benefit from better financial habits.

Whether speaking to business or civic groups, attending a high school career fair, contributing as an expert to local media or presenting an object lesson to children, hundreds of opportunities surround us every day.

Here on The Ambassador Update blog you'll find public presentation requests, suggestions for making connections in your own community, tips for making timely media pitches and resources for creating a persuasive message for any audience.

By posting comments and questions, you can brainstorm and share with other Ambassadors what works, what doesn't, and creative inspiration for making a positive impact.

We also want to recognize a job well done, so please let us know as connections are made and we'll post your accomplishments here for all to see. Not only will this help us track the success of this program and provide appropriate press coverage, but hopefully also inspire and encourage others to get involved as well.

Thank you for being a SCACPA Ambassador -- we appreciate your commitment to the profession, your association and the cause of financial literacy. Now go forth and prosper!