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Memorial Day is approaching, and this year there is something simple that everyone can do to honor past and present military personnel — wear or display a red poppy. The simple red poppy flower has symbolized military sacrifice since World War I, but National Poppy Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) got its start in 2017 by an act of Congress. The choice of the poppy was inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front line in World War I in Europe. Since then, the poppy has become a symbol to raise awareness and recognize the sacrifices of military personnel and their families. The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans service organization that includes nearly 2 million members worldwide, adopted the poppy as the official memorial flower in 1920, and began a national poppy distribution program associated with Memorial Day in 1924."National Poppy Day is a time to honor every member of the Armed Forces who died in the name of liberty, freedom and democracy," says James W. Oxford, national commander of The American Legion."Wearing this symbolic red flower shows your support of veterans for generations to come."Everyone can participate in National Poppy Day. Wear a poppy or a poppy-themed item, such as a pin, t-shirt, bracelet or a poppy sticker, and tell people what it means. Share poppies with friends, family and colleagues. Accept a poppy and make a donation if you see members of The American Legion Family distributing poppies."Each year, members of the American Legion Family, led by the American Legion Auxiliary, distribute poppies with a request for a donation," says Nicole Clapp, national president of The American Legion Auxiliary."All donations received are then used by The American Legion Family to support the future of local veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs."This year, National Poppy Day takes place on Friday, May 28.For those on social media, share your military stories or poppy photos, and use the hashtag, #PoppyDay #LegionFamily. Visit poppydayusa.org for more information about National Poppy Day, to purchase poppy-themed items, or to donate to The American Legion.
Read moreMore than 600 diversity and inclusion experts and leaders of financial services firms recently came together for a virtual discussion about how to increase racial and gender diversity in the financial planning profession. The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning’s third annual Diversity Summit also convened financial planning practitioners, college and university academic program directors and students, and organizations representing diverse constituencies for the three-day, virtual, event. The Summit focused on moving from talk to action with metric-driven, longterm diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that can strengthen the profession. Attendees explored the challenges and opportunities related to implementing and sustaining firms’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and gained insights into successful programs that have created culture change and advanced women and people of color within the profession. They also heard from CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals from diverse communities about their personal experiences working in the profession. Additionally, the Summit shared case studies showcasing best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. A new report released during the event highlighted several advisory firms that have successfully pursued more diverse and inclusive models and provided actionable strategies for firms and individuals seeking to replicate that work. Diversity in Action: How to Sustain the Financial Planning Profession outlined building-block recommendations for establishing effective programs, including:* Tailoring initiatives to a firm’s unique mission and values to ensure long-term sustainability* Developing a mission and vision statement specifically for diversity, equity and inclusion programs* Ensuring executive leadership is committed to prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts* Developing a clear strategy with goals and tactics to guide implementation* Establishing and tracking meaningful metrics* Inviting feedback and contributions from all employees* Using surveys and questionnaires to support the evaluation of program status and progress. Fostering profession-wide inclusiveness is a key challenge for financial planning, as the current advisor workforce does not reflect the population it serves today, or the client base it expects to serve in the future. The Diversity Summit is one of several initiatives seeking to address this challenge by attracting younger, more diverse talent to the profession and supporting the career advancement of female, Black and Hispanic financial planners. To learn more about the Diversity Summit and the Center’s other diversity programming, visit CFP.net/The-Center-for-Financial-Planning. Sharing perspectives and information about what is working to advance diversity and inclusion will create opportunities for the financial planning profession to expand the talent pipeline and broaden its service to all Americans.
Read moreEveryone believes in a good cause. Especially now, when individuals and organizations are struggling in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. People want to support causes they care about, whether through volunteering, donating goods or services, or making a financial contribution. The ability to make a financial contribution to a cause that matters to you will likely vary throughout your lifetime. As a younger person starting out, your financial resources may be more limited or spread across areas including home purchase, student loans, starting a business, or starting a family. The financial planning profession recognizes that people want to support organizations that are meaningful to them without compromising other financial goals, such as repaying debt or planning for retirement. The CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pro and show cause, if any they have,fessional standards in personal financial planning, can help individuals assess their financial positions and plan for how much they can budget for charitable giving."A CFP professional can help you clarify your financial objectives and determine which charitable giving options are best suited to help you meet your goals," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, a CFP Board Ambassador.Some factors to consider in your planning include putting your personal situation first. Don’t shortchange your regular monthly expenses for housing, loans, or other essentials, then consider giving money to charity. Other tips to make the most of charitable giving:- Maximize your money. Some employers match charitable contributions. Also, writing a check directly to a charity lets you deduct the full amount vs. paying to attend a fundraising event. Do your research and find out what percentage of donations directly support the organization’s mission.- Stick to your plan. It’s easy to blow a budget for charitable giving, especially during difficult times when everyone is asking for help. Set priorities, choose your favorite organizations, and send your money there, rather than spreading your funds thin. Also consider whether monthly or yearly contributions make sense depending on the consistency of your income.- Think outside the checkbook. You don’t have to give from your regular salary to make an impact. If you have an interest or skill that you can use as a side business, donate those profits. Sell time at a vacation home when you aren’t using it and donate that money. Visit letsmakeaplan.org for more information about the CFB Board and for tips and advice on how to make charitable giving part of your financial planning strategy.
Read moreServes 6, costs about $2 per serving
Read moreMake plans to attend Oklahoma City’s ultimate breakfast experience. Join the Oklahoma City Zoo Saturday mornings in July and August for Breakfast with the Animals presented by Nutella®! This once a week morning event invites you to enjoy a special breakfast experience with Nutella at the top of the Zoo’s Sea Lion Stadium. Breakfast guests will also have the opportunity to learn more about the California sea lions and harbor seals that call the OKC Zoo home, and attend the morning sea lion presentation. The breakfast buffet will feature assorted pastries filled with Nutella, fruit and pancake kabobs with Nutella, breakfast meats, biscuits and sausage gravy, a made-to-order pancake station, and an egg and omelet station.
Read moreIf people waited to get rich to see the world, they may never travel to destinations near and far. Even though many people view travel as a luxury, there are plenty of ways to take trips even when money is tight.
Read moreThe ocean produces more than half of the world's oxygen. That means oceans are not just fun places to spend summer afternoons, but also vital to life on planet Earth.
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