CUNA's online vehicle to reach young people, an education package, "Googolplex: The Credit Union Guide for Student Money Makers," is gaining new ground this summer with apparent heightened interest among elementary students, preteens and teenagers.
Managers of the subscription-based Googolplex said that the number of youthful applicants to serve on a paid youth editorial board has risen markedly.
"Every year since the inception of Googolplex in 2001, we've seen the list of applicants grow with more than 150 applying for the 12 positions," said Rena Crispin, who serves as managing editor of Googolplex and a group of other online publications produced by CUNA.
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Many of the past members of the youth editorial boards for Googolplex, said Crispin, are now seeing younger siblings follow in their footsteps in applying for positions on one of the three boards, elementary school, middle school or high school.
"Board membership is a fantastic way for kids to learn about money while also having fun and getting paid for their time and effort," said Crispin. "Youth who participate on the Googoplex board gain numerous benefits including getting paid, experience, membership in writing consumer-related articles and the chance to play credit union friendly online games."
Since youngsters are not seen as likely to be attracted to serving on an industry "board," CUNA has branded the panels as the "Clubhouse Crew" for elementary students, "AJ's Super Youth Team" for middle school and the "Teenage Panel."
CUNA staffers work with the board members with the young participants critiquing articles in Googolplex weekly.
At the end of each year, CUNA guides each of the 12 board members through a process of developing an original story for Googolplex. "Many choose to illustrate their stories with original drawings and photos," she noted.
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