At this point you know that the focus of the OneFPA beta-test is on three areas of centralized functionality – staffing, technology and financial reporting. While we work with our beta-test chapters to implement processes and procedures to make centralization in these areas a reality, we are also working with them on a variety of optional programs exclusively for beta-test chapters that will support their chapters and the value members receive from membership.
The additional program options are being led by members of FPA staff and have been offered up to the beta-test chapters as opportunities for them to opt-in if they believe the programs will be of value. An overview of two of the additional program/resource options are covered in this post with information on additional programs shared in upcoming blog posts.
For this post we wanted to highlight FPA Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. and the ‘Community Impact Report’ program.
Special Advocacy Day Offer for Beta-Test Chapters
Each year, FPA members and volunteer leaders arrive on The Hill to meet with federal lawmakers and their staffs to share the financial planning message and make our views known on those policies that impact the profession and consumers of financial services. This year, FPA is offering an exclusive opportunity to OneFPA beta-test chapters for up to 10 members from each beta-test chapter to attend Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C (June 2-3) with their registration fee waived. While attendees from beta-test chapters will still be responsible for their travel and lodging costs, they will be able to attend without having to pay the registration fee which covers:
- Participation in a half-day Education Symposium on June 2 (with CE!)
- Dinner on June 2 (usually attended by some federal lawmakers!)
- Reception on June 2 provided by the FPA Political Action Committee
- Participation in a full-day of meetings with federal lawmakers and their staffs on June 3
Several beta-test chapters are going to take advantage of this special offer, which will help them join other FPA members to elevate their voice by advocating for financial planning and the profession.
Community Impact Reports
From pro bono financial planning, to financial literacy and education programs, to advocating for financial planning, FPA chapters are doing outstanding work in their communities. To help our beta-test chapters quantify and qualify their efforts in their respective communities, they have been invited to opt-in to a Community Impact Report program which will showcase their efforts among their members, nonmembers, media and centers of influence.
Seven beta-test chapters have opted-in to participate in the program, which will provide a critical test of the program before it is introduced to all FPA chapters later in 2020. The seven chapters are compiling their program details from 2019 right now, which will be used in developing each chapter’s Community Impact Report and a three-month promotional toolkit. The plan is for all participating beta-test chapters to promote their reports and efforts from May through July, at which time we will assess what worked and what needs improvement so we can open the opportunity up to all chapters this Fall.
If you’re interested in seeing what a Community Impact Report looks like, you can check out FPA of Silicon Valley’s report, which was an initial test of the concept before engaging the beta-test chapters.
Lots more to come on these and other programs, so stand by!