Community Engagement Experiential Education Project Proposal

Full Name: Christopher James Hanson

SUU T#: 00324382
Email: cjhanson1@gmail.com
Phone: 801 792 6452
Major: Finance
Title of Project: Financial Principles Seminar
Expected Project Start Date (Semester/Year): Spring Semester 2014
Expected Project End Date (Semester/Year): Summer Semester 2014
Project Advisor: N.A.
Students collaborating with you on this project: N.A.
Abstract:
For my EDGE project I will research, plan, prepare, and conduct a seminar in
which I will teach those in attendance about relevant financial principles. One of the
topics that I will address will be that of interest; how to calculate it, the advantages and
disadvantages of it, and how to make it work for your benefit. I will also talk about real
estate and how the average person can safely invest in real estate. I will talk about
financial planning and budgeting, including retirement planning. I will talk about
peoples individual relationship with finances and about how ones attitude towards
money is one of the most important factors in obtaining a prosperous life. Following the
seminar, I will lead a group session in playing the game Cashflow. Cashflow is a board
game designed to teach people how to manage finances with an investors mentality.
There will be refreshments and networking at the event.
Project Details
This particular EDGE project will help me move toward a successful and
rewarding career. It took me a few years to find an educational topic that I was naturally
interested in. Finance has been a great fit for my personality and my strengths in math
and science, and my natural interest in money. My studies have been incredibly
rewarding. I have not yet, however, determined the best career position in which to
apply the things I have learned. In seeking for the best way to apply my knowledge I
have spent some time observing my own talents and abilities. Over the course of my
life, I have recognized that I have a profound gift for teaching. Even strangers have often
told me that I am a skilled and entertaining teacher and that I have an inherent ability to
simplify concepts to make them accessible to almost anyone. Although I have had
experience in teaching, I have never had the experience of teaching Finance, particularly
to a group in a formal setting. I am excited to see through this EDGE project if teaching
finance is the ideal career choice for me.
This project is well suited for community engagement because it will help others
to improve their lives. In preparing the seminar presentation I will first and foremost
keep in mind the needs of the audience. What are their most prominent concerns?
What are their current perceptions? What are their strengths, and how can I build off of
those strengths to help them be successful in their finances? What are their financial
weaknesses, and how can I help them to overcome them? In order for me to feel
purpose and fulfillment in a career, I need to be offering true value to others. This
project will be a sample of using my gifts and knowledge to help others.
The proposed date and time for my seminar would be Thursday April 10
th
at 5:30
pm. I would need to secure the use of a venue by March 27
th
. That would give me two
weeks to actively advertise the seminar. I would spend approximately one hour every
day during those two weeks to advertise the seminar. I would advertise via posting and
handing out flyers on campus and in the community. I would also use Facebook and
network through the business school. I would need to have the details of my
presentation completely ready by April 1
st
. Upon project approval, I anticipate spending
three hours a week to study and prepare material for the presentation.
Fortunately, if this project were approved, the monetary costs would be fairly
low. I expect to spend no more than $10 on fliers for advertizing. Another $10 will
probably be needed for informational handouts in the seminar itself. I will spend no
more than $50 on refreshments. The venue should be free. That is a total of $70 for the
project. I have those funds available at present.
In respect to my personal strengths relevant to this project, as mentioned
previously, I have a gift for teaching which will be directly beneficial. Another strength
that I have is my knowledge of financial concepts. Such will be essential for this project. I
am also good at advertising, although it is not a passion of mine, so that will help me to
get people to attend the event. I am self motivated and disciplined, which will help me
to follow through and complete this project to its full potential. Overall, I have tried to
design a project that will combine the use of my various strengths and I think this
project is a great fit.
In respect to my weaknesses that other outside sources that could pose a threat
to the successful completion of my project, I do not foresee any significant troubles. I
think that the scheduling of the event and subsequent preparation may have to be
somewhat flexible because things do come up. However, I think that in dealing with
scheduling issues, minor adjustments will be sufficient.
Conclusion
I am looking forward to the successful completion of my EDGE project, and I
would greatly appreciate your feedback!