Building Future Leaders a Fair at a Time!

Here at Synergent, we’re looking forward to the spring season not only for the increased daylight hours and warmer weather, but for the busy season of Financial Fitness Fairs that will begin in March!

Founded in 2004, Maine credit unions introduced a new concept in youth financial education through Financial Fitness – A Money Management Experience. This award-winning, half-day event targets high school juniors and seniors and is similar to the game of “LIFE,” where participating students are given a career and monthly income and then have to visit booths associated with various expenses that the average adult is faced with each month. Costs, such as transportation, housing, clothing, food, student loans, insurance and several other everyday expenses, are filled in on a monthly budget form by each student. At the end of the event, the goal is for students to have monthly budget that does not exceed monthly income.

Giving students a stronger financial footing is not only important to their own future, but to all of ours, as among these now high school juniors and seniors are the credit union leaders of tomorrow! That is just one of the reasons Synergent staff take an active role in these events, from managing one of the many booths, serving as a coach, or even emceeing the festivities!

You can learn more about these fairs here. Here’s hoping that it inspires you to coach future CU leaders in your own community!