Washington Money Smart Week toolkit for participating partners

1. Money Smart Week®® Washington 2010
Partner/Media Toolkit
Includes:
• General release about Money Smart Week® Washington.
• Customizable release for partners’ to tailor to their individual events.
• Money Smart Week® fact sheet/history/talking points.
• Tips sheet for getting media coverage of individual events.
• A Money Smart Week® newsletter/web blurb to assist with calendar placements.
• Two public service announcement radio scripts, 30 and 60 seconds.
• On-line marketing materials.

2. MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy O’Donnell, President
Jump$tart Washington Coalition
Financial Literacy Program Manager
Washington Society of CPAs
425-586-1140
www.wajumpstart.org
wajumpstart@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Washington Money Smart Week®® April 25 - May 1
SEATTLE - March 22, 2010 –- Free classes and events that help consumers learn to manage their personal
finances will be offered April 25 - May 1 throughout the state during Washington’s first-ever Money Smart
Week®®.
The week is coordinated by the Jump$tart Washington Coalition, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Junior Achievement of Washington, Washington Credit Union League,
Washington Bankers Association, Washington Community Alliance for Self Help (CASH), Washington State
Employees Credit Union (WSECU), Seattle Times Newspaper In Education (NIE), Washington Society of
Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA), King County Bar Association Consumer Education and Training
Services (CENTS), Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), the Washington Department of Financial
Institutions (DFI). The week is designed to educate consumers about money management and generate
awareness of financial education available on a wide range of topics such as saving, investing and using credit
wisely.
“Washington is a national leader when it comes to promoting financial education and Money Smart Week® will
be a welcome addition to an already strong network of outreach,” James L. McIntyre, Washington State
Treasurer, said. “I urge all Washington residents to take advantage of this program’s many opportunities to
build financial skills. Our whole state economy benefits from money smart people. I thank the organizations
and individuals who have worked on this first-ever Washington campaign for their excellent efforts.”
Classes, seminars and activities will be carried out by representatives from local community groups, financial
institutions, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, libraries, government agencies and media outlets.
“Jump$tart Washington is excited to be the first state on the West Coast to have a Money Smart Week,”
Jump$tart Washington Coalition President Amy O’Donnell said. “There are many organizations in Washington
providing financial education. This is a way for them to coordinate, partner and share resources with their
community while promoting financial education. We hope Washington residents will take advantage of the
events to learn more about how to build and protect their personal finances -- lessons they can pass onto the
next generation.
For more information about events slated for Money Smart Week® Washington or to take part, please go to
http://www.wajumpstart.org/WaysToParticipate/MoneySmartWeek/tabid/88/Default.aspx.

3. MEDIA CONTACT:
[Your Contact info]
[Date]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Headline About Your Event]
DATELINE- [ March xx, 2010] –-[Name of organization] will host an [Name of event or activity] on [Date] to help
consumers learn to manage money wisely. This event is one of many free classes, seminars and activities
promoting financial education that will take place during Money Smart Week®® Washington, April 25 – May 1.
[Details about the specific event, time place, etc.]
The week is coordinated by the Jump$tart Washington Coalition, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Junior Achievement of Washington, Washington Credit Union League,
Washington Bankers Association, Washington Community Alliance for Self Help (CASH), Washington State
Employees Credit Union (WSECU), Seattle Times Newspaper In Education (NIE), Washington Society of
Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA), King County Bar Association Consumer Education and Training
Services (CENTS), Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), the Washington Department of Financial
Institutions (DFI). The week is designed to educate consumers about money management and generate
awareness of financial education available on a wide range of topics such as saving, investing and using credit
wisely.
“Washington is a national leader when it comes to promoting financial education and Money Smart Week® will
be a welcome addition to an already strong network of outreach,” James L. McIntyre, Washington State
Treasurer, said. “I urge all Washington residents to take advantage of this program’s many opportunities to
build financial skills. Our whole state economy benefits from money smart people. I thank the organizations
and individuals who have worked on this first-ever Washington campaign for their excellent efforts.”
Classes, seminars and activities will be carried out by representatives from local community groups, financial
institutions, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, libraries, government agencies and media outlets.
“Jump$tart Washington is excited to be the first state on the West Coast to have a Money Smart Week,”
Jump$tart Washington Coalition President Amy O’Donnell said. “There are many organizations in Washington
providing financial education. This is a way for them to coordinate, partner and share resources with their
community while promoting financial education. We hope Washington residents will take advantage of the
events to learn more about how to build and protect their personal finances -- lessons they can pass onto the
next generation.
For more information about events slated for Money Smart Week® Washington or to take part, please go to
http://www.wajumpstart.org/WaysToParticipate/MoneySmartWeek/tabid/88/Default.aspx.

4. Money Smart Week®® Media Fact Sheet
What is Money Smart Week®?
• Money Smart Week® is a wide variety of educational activities to help consumers learn how to
better manage their personal finances.
When is Money Smart Week®?
• Many free classes, seminars and activities promoting financial education will take place
throughout Washington April 25-May 1.
Who’s involved?
• The week’s activities are coordinated and put on by a partnership group that includes financial
institutions, community groups, local government agencies, schools and colleges.
• The week is coordinated by the Jump$tart Washington Coalition, Federal Reserve Bank of San
Francisco and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Junior Achievement of Washington,
Washington Credit Union League, Washington Bankers Association, Washington Community
Alliance for Self Help (CASH), Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU), Seattle
Times Newspaper In Education (NIE), Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants
(WSCPA), King County Bar Association Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS),
Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), the Washington Department of Financial
Institutions (DFI).
How can I learn more?
• An online calendar featuring Money Smart Week® events is available at
http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/msw/moneysmartpublic/index.cfm?
maincityid=10.

5. Money Smart Week® History
• 2002 – The first Money Smart Week® (MSW) kicks off in Chicago. It includes six days of
presentations (44 in all) by community groups, financial institutions, government agencies,
educational organizations, and financial experts. All help consumers learn to better manage
their personal finances.
• 2003 – Money Smart Week® (MSW) in Chicago doubles its number of classes.
• 2004 – The program launches in Detroit.
• 2005 – The programs continue to grow in Chicago, and the Detroit program expands its reach
around the state of Michigan.
• 2006 – Successful Money Smart Weeks are launched in Indiana and Washington.
• 2007 – Chicago, Michigan, Indiana and Washington all have Money Smart Weeks, with
inaugural campaigns also taking place in central Illinois and Iowa.
• 2010 – Washington State launches Money Smart Week®.
Money Smart Week® Talking Points
Money Smart Week® consists of a series of educational activities to help consumers learn how to
better manage their personal finances.
• This is the first Money Smart Week® Washington
• The goal is to help consumers learn how to better manage their personal finances. This helps
individuals raise their standards of living and also contributes to the welfare of neighborhoods,
communities and cities.
• Diverse programming is scheduled for people of all ages and all walks of life, from kids to
seniors and budgeting to estate planning.
• Almost all of the activities are free and are being conducted in towns and counties throughout
Washington.
• Members of the local media are active partners in publicizing events and featuring articles and
programming on personal finance topics.
• The week’s activities are coordinated and put on by a partnership group that includes financial
institutions, community groups, local government agencies, schools and colleges.
• A Money Smart Week® calendar can be accessed online at
http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/msw/moneysmartpublic/index.cfm?
maincityid=10

6. Tips for Getting Media Coverage for your Money Smart Week® Event
• Write a press release about your event, and send it out to local media outlets.
o A sample press release is included in this packet and is posted on
www.moneysmartweek.org for your reference. Simply fill in the blanks to “localize” the
release.
o Think about to whom you want to send the press release. We suggest targeting
reporters who may have a specific interest in covering your event. For example, if your
event is held at a school, you may want to send the press release to a local education
reporter.
o E-mail is a great way to send out a release. That’s because you can easily include links
to the calendar of events, your Web site, and more information about Money Smart
Week®. Make sure that you put the press release right in the text of the e-mail. Do not
send it as an attachment.
o Also remove any special formatting. Sometimes styles like bold type or special
characters don’t translate well between e-mail systems.
o Only put useful information in your release. It should be clear and concise.
o Always follow-up. Once you send your release to reporters, call them to see if they’ve
received it. This can lead to conversations about possible coverage of your event and
gives you the opportunity to gauge the reporter’s interest.
• Use Money Smart Week® talking points when promoting your event.
o The talking points included in this packet will help you talk with reporters about how
Money Smart Week® came about, who takes part, and why it’s important.
o Make sure people in your organization who might be talking to the media are familiar
with these details so that your message is consistent.
o Use these talking points to prepare for interviews and “pitching” stories to the media.
o Add information about your specific event as appropriate.

7. Newsletter/Web Blurb
Length: 138 words
Placement: Through May 1, 2010
Washington State Launches Money Smart Week® Campaign
The first Money Smart Week® Washington will be April 25-May 1, 2010. Banks, financial institutions,
schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies are joining together to provide a week of
classes and events aimed at helping consumers make informed choices when managing their
personal finances. Free educational classes will take place throughout the state and focus on
financial topics for people of all ages and walks of life.
This unique and cohesive statewide effort receives support from the Jump$tart Washington Coalition
members, the Washington State Treasurer James L. McIntire and the Federal Reserve Banks of San
Francisco and Chicago.
Although events will be conducted throughout the state, local efforts will feature specific activities
targeted for the community.
For more information or to view a complete listing of calendar events around the state, visit
http://www.wajumpstart.org/WaysToParticipate/MoneySmartWeek/tabid/88/Default.aspx

8. .
Public Service Announcement
Radio Script
Length: 30 seconds
Placement: Through May 1, 2010
Announcer:
It’s too bad money doesn’t come with instructions. Because we all need to know how to
spend it, save it and borrow it wisely. That’s why banks, businesses, schools, libraries
and lots of others are joining together to help support financial education during
Washington’s first Money Smart Week® – April 25th through May 1st.
Be a part of it. Learn to be Money Smart. For information and activity listings visit
www.wajumpstart.org.
###

9. Public Service Announcement
Radio Script
Length: 60 seconds
Placement: Through May 1, 2010
Announcer:
Are you Money Smart? Fact is we all could use a little help when it comes to managing
our finances. Money doesn’t come with instructions, and that’s why banks, businesses,
schools, libraries and lots of others are joining together to help support financial
education during Washington’s first Money Smart Week® – April 25th through May 1st.
During the week free classes will be offered throughout the state for all ages and walks
of life. Learn about credit, the home-buying process, estate planning, how to avoid
being a victim of identity theft and more! Most presentations are free and open to the
public, educational and involve no sales pitches. Be a part of it. Learn to be Money
Smart. For more information and activity listings visit www.wajumpstart.org.
Sponsored by the Jump$tart Washington Coalition, and the Federal Reserve Banks of
San Francisco and Chicago.
###

10. Online Marketing Materials
Partners can download Money Smart Week®® Washington promotional items at moneysmartweekwi.org. Click
the Partner Tools link in left navigation bar. These materials can help create awareness for the week and/or
publicize individual events. To request alternate file formats, or for assistance, please contact Bob Dlotkowski,
Chicago Fed at 312-322-5648.
Logos
Logos can be placed on a wide of array of materials to promote Money Smart Week® activities.
Posters
Posters are another marketing tool. Available sizes are either 8 1/2” x 11” or 11” x 17” and come in two
versions: “able to be customized” (left) and "ready to go" (print-ready).
Bookmarks
Bookmarks are usually distributed through schools and libraries. Below are three available options. The front
(left) is standard, but any of the three graphics can be used on the back.

11. Events
Creative Events/Topics:
• Advanced Funeral Planning
• How to Find a Great Job and Increase Your Earnings
• Health Savings Through Exercise
• Supermarket Smarts
• Surviving Divorce Financially
• Charitable Giving
• Gambling: Deal or No Deal
• How to Find the Best Deal on Your Apartment
• Buying or Leasing – What’s the Best Auto Deal for You
• Protect Yourself Against Fraud & Scams
• Community Shred Day
• Free Financial Counseling for a Day
Activity Hubs: Using one or more facilities that host the majority of events multiple times a day to increase the
likelihood of participants attending more than one class. Schools or community centers have been the most
successful venues.
Participation
Extra Credit: Teachers and professors give extra credit for attending classes and submitting a report.
Money, Gifts & Food: Door Prizes; food and refreshments; registration to win cash or savings bonds when
you attend a class and fill out a survey.
Not-for-Profit Clients: Special meeting inviting Executive Directors from local agencies to hear Money Smart
Week message and link clients with MSW partners/presenters
Workplace: Special meeting inviting local Human Resources Managers and/or CEOs to hear Money Smart
Week message and link employees with MSW partners/presenters
Media & Promotion:
• $100 bill inserts with pizza deliveries, grocery bags
• Newspaper partner to print and distribute calendars
• Statement stuffers
• Special meeting inviting local media to hear Money Smart Week® message and cover event