RCCU Offers Women a "Money Makeover"

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Move over Suze Orman, Riverside County’s Credit Union is looking to take the lead in educating and empowering women about their finances. RCCU will be hosting a “Money Makeover” educational seminar tailored to women in November. “It is a title that is not patronizing. That clearly said, it is for women and we want to help with this financial makeover by arming them with the tools they need,” said RCCU Marketing Director Donna Michalka. “The statistics speak for themselves. Women handle 75% of the family finances and control 80% of purchase decisions, but most of the financial advertising is either ignoring women or is offensive and doesn’t capture that market. So we are looking to appeal to women subtly in advertising. Last year we offered a small financial education seminar, and although only 25 to 30 women attended, it got rave reviews. So we decided this year to do another one but on a bigger scale.” Michalka says she feels this move to focus on women is on the right track because RCCU already offers a number of services and products that accommodate women and their needs. “For example, we have a program that educates and helps members with debt consolidation,” said Michalka. “So many people don’t know there is a right way to consolidate debt without negatively impacting their credit rating. My sister is a single mom and when she was trying to buy a new car, she discovered the company that consolidated her debt reflected negatively on her credit rating and it took a lot of time to help her correct it.” The day will kickoff with Someone’s Got to Take the Lead and That Someone is You” by keynote speaker, Theresa Ashby, PhD, co-founder of Callisto International Consulting, Inc. Ashby specializes in leadership and organizational development and is the co-author of How to Speak CEO, A Communication Guide for the Five Corporate Tribes. After hearing Ashby speak at several other conferences, the RCCU marketing team knew she would reinforce the dynamic, uplifting, empowerment theme of the day. The day will also cover topics ranging from “Give Your Financial Investments a Face Lift” and “Slim Down your Debts” to “Applying the Foundation of Home Buying” and “Wash that Stress Right Out of Your Hair”. The seminar is being promoted via the RCCU Web site, branches and newsletter. In addition it will have brief mentions on the radio as “Sponsorship of this portion of traffic is brought by Riverside County’s Credit Union. Call today about the Money Makeover Seminar on November 15.” Michalka says the credit union will spend just under $1,000 to put on the seminar, and she hopes it will fill to capacity at 150 people. Recognizing that it is a lot to ask women to give up a large chunk of their Saturday, attendees will be provided breakfast and lunch and will also receive spa gift bags and chances to win door-prizes including Nordstrom, Target and Starbucks gift certificates, a spa day and weekend getaways. RCCU is also encouraging women to bring children to the seminar by providing fun activities like face-painting and Disney movietime on site. “We want to give real value and want the women to leave energized and upbeat with the attitude that says `Now I can do this,” said Michalka. “We may get new members out of this seminar, but really we are hoping that women leaving the seminar will remember RCCU as being women-friendly.” [email protected]