EXPANDING OUR CHAPTER

For the last few years, the FPA-SW has been in contact with many of the other financial professional organizations in southern Wisconsin. The Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP), National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA),  the Estate Planning Councils, and CFA Society to name a few.  Our Chapter has grown in stature, and the participants of other organizations have come in contact with our members, attended our meetings or our Symposiums.  As a result, we have been asked by those organizations to cross promote events.

This is a good thing for all concerned as each organization has the ability to gain exposure and credibility with many more professionals.  Those professionals have the opportunity to gain knowledge from programming put forth by the other chapters, and perhaps gain insight from a different perspective that would be of value to their clients.

Our Chapter can gain by bringing members of the other organizations into our FPA-SW.  We have an opportunity to expand our member footprint with quality financial professionals to the benefit of all concerned. 

When you come in contact with members of other associations – either professionally, socially, or at one of our events – tell them why they should be a formal participant in FPA-SW.  The educational opportunities of our CE events, the day long learning at our Symposium, and the chance to develop relationships with CFP® members can truly enhance their value to potential clients.  We win by getting new members and their valuable insights into the financial services industry. 

Make it a point to seek out someone from NAIFA, SFSP, or the CFA Society, and introduce yourself.  Bring just one person into our Chapter membership, and contribute to FPA-SW's ongoing health and wellbeing.  Everyone will gain.

David Dewey
FPA-SW President

Join us for our March 15th meeting, hosted by Wells Fargo at 100 Heritage Reserve, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. NOTE: this is not our usual meeting location. We'll begin our program with a two hour presentation by Wells Fargo Senior Economist Gary E. Schlossberg.  His presentation is entitled  "The Economic And Financial-Market Outlook Into 2012: Coping With A Post-Meltdown Economy." 

New normal, old normal, or something in between? Households, businesses and investors are all pondering what the economy will look like after the upheavals of the past few years, even as they grapple with the threat to the US economy and the financial market from the European debt crisis and its impact on the banking system there. Gary Schlossberg will look at where we are and where we expect to be in 2012 and beyond, including the implications for economic growth, interest rates, prospects for financial-market stability and for investment strategy. Several potential flashpoints, beyond Europe, will be identified, along with other longer-term issues shaping the US economy's prospects in an increasingly competitive global economy.

We'll continue with a presentation on Client Relationship Skills that has already been accepted for CFP CE, presented by Roger Seip, Co-Founder of Freedom Personal Development and a stand-up comic. You'll learn to improve skills to help develop rapport, clarify client needs, and advise clients, all increasing the standard of care for clients.

We will close the morning with a program by Associated Financial Group's Ragan Cheney on "Workplace Technology Risks: Protecting Your Clients and Financial Data." Cheney is an attorney and HR consultant with experience in insurance defense litigation and risk avoidance in recruiting and retaining employees. At the end of this session, attendees will understand the risks posed by data breaches in the workplace and how to reduce those risks, evaluate the potential need to audit and upgrade practices, policies and procedures, and understand how cyber liability is designed to fill gaps left by other general business insurance.

We'll apply for 4 CE for this program. Please be sure that you provide license numbers when you register in order to be eligible for electronic filing of continuing education credits.

We have attached a map and directions to Wells Fargo on the web site. We've also attached a printable registration brochure that you can use to register with a check, or share with colleagues.

Artio Global Investors
Charles Schwab Advisory Services
Chortek & Gottschalk, LLP
CT Access
Fiduciary Partners, Inc.
Genworth Financial
Morningstar, Inc.
Natixis Global Associates
The Schroeder Group, S.C. Attorneys at Law
TD Ameritrade
Waukesha State Bank
Weitz Funds
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

We are still in the process of accepting renewals and new Partners for 2012. We expect most of our 2011 Partners to renew. In addition, we already have several new Partners. Watch the website for updates soon.

Welcome to New 2012 Partners

O'Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing
Waukesha County Technical College

FPA-SW Volunteer Opportunities

Several very interesting opportunities for involvement are coming up for Chapter members this year.  If you are interested in participating in any of the following, please contact Liz Pollock at 262/446-2464 or mailto:Liz@affordablehealthandmore.com.

World Burn Congress: September 12-15, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency,  Milwaukee.  For the past two years, FPA has exhibited at the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress.  The event unites all segments of the burn community, including survivors, their families, health care professionals and fire fighters. It  is inspiring and uplifting.  The organizers do an excellent job.  The event will be in Milwaukee this year, in partnership with Columbia St. Mary's Regional Burn Center and the Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety. It will be held from September 12-15.  The organizers have extended FPA two complimentary registrations and a booth. Attendees will stop by the FPA booth to ask planners basic financial planning questions.  Volunteers will be moved by the experience.  

Junior Achievement Volunteers are needed for 2 dates either May 3^rd or May 8^th, 2012.   Here’s description:

Volunteers at JA Finance Park help area high school students learn to balance a family budget for a month. The students are given real life scenarios and must make 19 different decisions within their family budget.  Volunteers share their experiences with the students and help the students build their budget – with a little put into savings at the end!  The volunteer commitment is from 8:30 to 1:30. Volunteers are trained the morning of the event.   Click this link to see what is happening at JA Finance Park in Milwaukee! http://youtu.be/gle-2bweLdw 

Make a Difference: Presenters  deliver a 6-session financial literacy program to 11^th graders in Milwaukee Public  and a few suburban schools.

One of the hardest things for me to do is accept defeat.  And I have been defeated by a client.  After 3 years of trying various approaches and enlisting the aid of another counselor, I “graduated” Mary out of my care with a list of several alternatives advisors for her to contact.

She was spending herself into certain bankruptcy and I could not stop her and she couldn’t or wouldn’t stop herself.  I hoped that someone else could reach her before it became too late.  I hoped that for her sake a fresh approach with someone with a different style – or maybe a heavier hand – could save her.

With so many other success stories to tell, I find it difficult to admit that I could not get through to Mary. It made me remember a few others that were resistive to behavioral changes but after a few baby steps began to feel empowered. Mary didn’t even take baby steps.

She was a referral from another longtime client who is always apologizing to us for having sent her. And I tell her that I’m sorry it didn’t work out.

Two things were reinforced by this whole experience:

1. Don’t accept a client just because it is a referral from or a relative of another client.

2. We can’t be the right fit for everyone, but there are many other great FPA members who might be a good fit when a client isn’t right for you. Use your referral sources for the benefit of the client and yourself.

June Ann Schroeder, RN, CFP^®
Liberty Financial Group, Inc.

• Steve Carl
  Madison Investment Advisors
• Diane Esser, CFA
  Kyle Financial Service
• Krissy R. Fischer
  ZyWave, Inc.
• Jason Ganiere
• Jan Garkey
  Credit Union National Association, Inc.
• Lisa S. Goede
  Zywave, Inc.
• Heather Meyer
  Madison Investment Advisors
• David Muchow
  Aspirant
• Mike Winters
  Zywave, Inc.

15 Years

Kurt G. Krumholz, CFP^®
SVA Wealth Management

Christina M. Olson, CFP^®

Arthur S. Rothschild, CFP^®
Landaas & Company

10 Years

Bradley C. Baldridge, CFP^®

5 Years

John J. Barrett, CFP^®
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Sarah N. Ehrhardt, JD
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Mark R. Mirsberger, CFP^®
Dana Investment Advisors

Richard j. Reese, CFP^®
Reese Financial Management, Inc.

FPA-SW Offers Scholarships - Deadline February 29, 2012

The FPA of Southern Wisconsin will award scholarships in February 2012 for the March 2012 CFP^® exam. The Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students pursuing the Certified Financial Planner™ certification.  It is open to candidates who meet the following requirements:

1.         Wisconsin resident
2.         Completing the final class in a CFP^® Certification Education Program.
3.         Registered for a CFP^® Exam Review Class in preparation for the CFP^® Exam.
4.         Paying for the class without being reimbursed from his or her employer.

Click here for a copy of the application. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in applying.  The deadline for all applications is February 29, 2012.

If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, please contact Karen Hendrickson at 414-358-9260 or karenhendrickson@bizwi.rr.com

FPA of Southern Wisconsin will host a Practice Management meeting on Thursday, March 29th from 5:00-6:00 pm. The group will meet at the offices of Red Granite Advisors, 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2700, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Alan Blake from Fiduciary Partners will be leading a discussion on the topic of "Addressing Five Common Concerns with Planned Estates."

Practice Management is open to all FPA-SW members. To participate, contact Zach Newcomer at 414/326-3207 or ZNewcomer@redgranite.com.

By Stan Popovich

Stress and anxiety are very common when you work in financial planning. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a person in financial planning can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties.

Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

When facing a current or upcoming task at your job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one.

Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.

In dealing with your anxieties at your  job, learn to take it one day at a time. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage.  The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice.  The more you practice, the better you will become.

Biography:

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/.

Scammers have become even more clever in gaining access to your computers by pretending to be from a person or business that you know.  Click on the link in the email and they might be able to gain access to your online accounts.  I fell victim to one of these, even though I am married to a devout computer security nut.  I received an invitation to join someone on LinkedIn and low and behold I clicked on the link and was taken directly to a site selling drugs.

Cyber-security experts offer a bit of self-defense advice: Let your pointer hover over the link in the email.  The status bar on the bottom of your Web page shows the link’s Web address.  Be suspicious if you don’t recognize it or if it doesn’t end in “.com” or “.org.”

June Ann Schroeder, RN, CFP^®
Liberty Financial Group, Inc.