Business : Financial Coaching Course Begins April 15

Sharpen YourFinancial Coaching Skills begins April 15 in Marion. This course from Iowa State University Extension is designed forvolunteers, clergy and others working in nonprofit groups and organizations who assist their clients or members with financial management concerns.

The five-week course combines two face-to-face sessions with three weeks of online learning, said Phyllis Zalenski, ISU Extension Program Specialist. Participants will learn how torecognize the causes, complexity and associated stress of financial problems. They’ll gaintools and strategies they can use to assist clients with various financial problems. In addition, they’llapply coaching skills to typical financial situations facing their clients.

“Just as important, this course will help you recognize client situations that are and are not appropriate for a non-professional to address,” Zalenski said.

Sharpen YourFinancial Coaching Skills will be taught by Phyllis Zalenski, ISU Extension Family Resource Management Program Specialistand Patricia Swanson, an ISU Extension Family Resource Management Program Specialist and CFP® certificant.

The registration deadline is April 8, 2011. The course fee is $60 and includes a book and other resources. Contact the Linn County Extension Office at 377-9839 or e-mail zalenski@iastate.edu for a course brochure.

The kick-off session on April 15, 2011 at the Linn County Extension Office will provide an introduction to financial coaching and financial management strategies. You’ll receive a tool kit for financial coaches and information to log on to the online course.

The three-week online portion of the course begins April 25, and participants may log in at their convenience. Each week a new topic will be introduced: communicating about money, tracking spending and understanding credit.

“You will have the opportunity to complete learning exercises and interact with the instructor and other participants via a weekly chat room and course email,” Zalenski said.

The course will conclude with a face-to-face session May 25th featuring community resources and role playing of typical financial coaching scenarios.

For more information, contact the Linn County Extension Office at 377-9839 or Phyllis Zalenski at 319-462-2791 or zalenski@iastate.edu

Financial Brochure Part I

Part II