Past Seminars at Libraries, Union Halls, and Businesses
Cygnet Institute
Past Seminars and Events highlight the long history of financial literacy programs delivered by Cygnet Institute in partnership with libraries, community organizations, unions, and educational institutions. These past seminars and events focus on unbiased personal financial literacy, experiential learning, and fiduciary-based education without a sales agenda.
Through these past seminars and events, Cygnet Institute has helped communities strengthen financial decision-making, reduce financial stress, and improve long-term financial outcomes. Each program reflects a commitment to education-first financial literacy delivered in trusted public spaces such as local libraries.
A program to make libraries in every community the learning center for unbiased Personal Financial Management without a sales agenda.
Reduce the prevalence of educational (sales) seminars that insurance agents, investment advisors, annuity salesmen, self-proclaimed social security experts, long term care salesmen, eldercare specialists and attorneys pushing living trusts. Many rent space at libraries and market their presentations by prominently using the name of the library to capitalize on the age-old trust and credibility libraries enjoy.
Document Contents
Section
Page(s)
ALA Guidelines
1 – 5
Why Cygnet?
6
Pharos Library Project
7
Past Library Events
8
Events Marketing
9 – 10
Evaluation of Workshops
11
Ted Lakides Profile
12
Survey of Interest
13 – 15
Partnership
Now Partners in Providing Personal Financial Literacy: Cygnet Institute & Oakland Community College
Cygnet’s mission is to educate adults in economic matters in order to enhance their ability to make good financial decisions and through their improved financial literacy enhance quality of life for themselves as individuals and the community in which they work and live.
Cygnet is a Fiduciary, Tax Exempt 501c(B) Nonprofit Financial Educator. Teaching people how to make good financial decisions to achieve their goals since 1989.
Estate Planning Do you really need a trust? Learn other options for avoiding probate and proper use of Power of Attorney.
Mon, Jan 11, 2016
—
—
Income Tax Planning It’s more complex than ever; learn about the different strategies the IRS allows that could help reduce your income tax bill for the year.
Mon, Feb 22, 2016
Thu, Mar 17, 2016
Tue, Feb 16, 2016
Budgeting Budgeting, like life, is full of trade-offs. Learn methods and ideas on how to make economics work for you.
Thu, Mar 24, 2016
—
Thu, Jan 21, 2016
Investment Fees and Retirement Risks Understanding Fees: not all fees are obvious; how hidden fees reduce return. Investing Strategies: benefits of asset allocation; Index Funds vs. Active funds.
Mon, Jan 25, 2016
Thu, Feb 4, 2016
—
Social Security What claiming options are available? How are benefits taxed? How do you qualify for benefits? Learn why waiting to claim may cost you money…or make you money.
Tue, Mar 15, 2016
Thu, Mar 31, 2016
—
Education Funding Education Funding: complicated and expensive. Learn strategies available during the saving phase as well as your options when it’s time to start paying tuition.
Thu, Feb 18, 2016
—
—
Death of a Loved One Losing a loved one is a stressful time. In addition, there is a mountain of financial concerns that need to be addressed. Learn what steps need to be taken before and after a loss occurs.
—
Tue, Jan 26, 2016
Thu, Mar 10, 2016
Financial Education Series — Pontiac Public Library
Presented by Ted Lakkides, CFP® President, Cygnet Institute of Personal Financial Literacy
Human resources, management, and corporate leadership will all benefit from this brief presentation detailing the positive impact of financial literacy on profitability. You’ll learn:
The causes behind personal financial stress
The impact of the financial literacy deficit to employers
Why many financial wellness programs fail
How to enhance employee engagement
A cost-effective process for improving employee financial wellness
About the Presenter
Ted has over 25 years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner™. Since 1989, Cygnet Institute of Personal Financial Literacy, a 501(c)(3), has conducted hundreds of experiential workshops bringing unbiased financial education to thousands of employees in SE Michigan. Ted is also director of workplace financial literacy for the Michigan Council on Economic Education and past faculty at Walsh College where he taught in their CFP® program.
Event Details
Date & Time: Thursday, October 18, 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Location: UHY Innovation Lab – Ground Floor, 12900 Hall Road, Sterling Heights, MI (between Van Dyke and Schoenherr — office building next to Chili’s restaurant)
Free to Attend · Light Breakfast Included · Registration Required
We're a non-profit with a mission dedicated to helping to teach people how to make good financial decisions. Your donation will help us expand our FREE financial literacy education programs to more public libraries in Michigan.
It is clear now that financial planning is required for financial security and for peace of mind. We had plans before but not this detailed.
The methodology is logical and just like the approach an engineer uses when a system is designed. Financial planning is not just stocks and bonds. Cygnet is a quality organization as demonstrated by their understanding of GM’s plans and the comprehensive nature of their models.
I believe I can now perform my job with less stress by realizing that I am on solid ground financially.
I am more appreciative of my job and the benefits it provides, including the opportunity to attend this class.
I feel better about my 401(k) plan. I wish I had been offered this course when I started my career.
I feel more confident that I have control over my finances, that I can ride out and adjust to factors that are not in my control.
I’m amazed that my current level of income plus modest raises will give me my financial freedom. I must have a pretty good job.
So detailed and many faceted! The connectivity factor is critical, everything must work together.
I feel that with a small amount of discipline I can be financially secure for life. It’s a good feeling!
I had never taken the time to understand what I was doing with my money, now I realize the importance of putting a plan together for my retirement.
Last Updated: February 10, 2026 by cygnetin-admin
Past Seminars at Libraries, Union Halls, and Businesses
Cygnet Institute
Past Seminars and Events highlight the long history of financial literacy programs delivered by Cygnet Institute in partnership with libraries, community organizations, unions, and educational institutions. These past seminars and events focus on unbiased personal financial literacy, experiential learning, and fiduciary-based education without a sales agenda.
Through these past seminars and events, Cygnet Institute has helped communities strengthen financial decision-making, reduce financial stress, and improve long-term financial outcomes. Each program reflects a commitment to education-first financial literacy delivered in trusted public spaces such as local libraries.
Pharos Library Project
View flyer
A program to make libraries in every community the learning center for unbiased Personal Financial Management without a sales agenda.
Document Contents
Partnership
Now Partners in Providing Personal Financial Literacy: Cygnet Institute & Oakland Community College
Cygnet’s mission is to educate adults in economic matters in order to enhance their ability to make good financial decisions and through their improved financial literacy enhance quality of life for themselves as individuals and the community in which they work and live.
Cygnet is a Fiduciary, Tax Exempt 501c(B) Nonprofit Financial Educator. Teaching people how to make good financial decisions to achieve their goals since 1989.
Seminar Schedule (2016)
View flyer
Financial literacy seminars at local libraries
Do you really need a trust? Learn other options for avoiding probate and proper use of Power of Attorney.
It’s more complex than ever; learn about the different strategies the IRS allows that could help reduce your income tax bill for the year.
Budgeting, like life, is full of trade-offs. Learn methods and ideas on how to make economics work for you.
Understanding Fees: not all fees are obvious; how hidden fees reduce return. Investing Strategies: benefits of asset allocation; Index Funds vs. Active funds.
What claiming options are available? How are benefits taxed? How do you qualify for benefits? Learn why waiting to claim may cost you money…or make you money.
Education Funding: complicated and expensive. Learn strategies available during the saving phase as well as your options when it’s time to start paying tuition.
Losing a loved one is a stressful time. In addition, there is a mountain of financial concerns that need to be addressed. Learn what steps need to be taken before and after a loss occurs.
Financial Education Series — Pontiac Public Library
View flyer
Call (248) 758-3943 to register
Pontiac Public Library, 60 East Pike St, Pontiac, MI 48342
(248) 758-3943 · http://www.pontiac.lib.mi.us
No Sales Pitch
Provided By: MCEE (Michigan Council on Economic Education), Cygnet Institute, Chief Financial Credit Union
Financial Education Series — Fall 2016
View flyer
To attend, call your local library to register today!
***If there are fewer than 5 people registered, the seminar will be cancelled***
No Sales Pitch
Provided By: Huron Valley State Bank, Cygnet Institute, Chief Financial Credit Union, MCEE (Michigan Council on Economic Education)
Money Smart Week — April 22-29, 2017
View 2017 flyer · View 2018 flyer
Retirement Income Planning & Your 401K
Learn the actuarial process and technical steps you need to predictably plan for your retirement income needs.
Call your local library and register today!
Sponsored By: Cygnet Institute, MCEE (Michigan Council on Economic Education)
Financial Education Series — Fall 2018
View Fall 2018 flyer · View Winter 2018 flyer · View Fall 2017 flyer
To attend, call your local library to register today!
**If there are fewer than 5 people registered, the seminar will be canceled**
No Sales Pitch · FREE OF CHARGE
Funded By: Cygnet Institute, Huron Valley State Bank, Michigan Council on Economic Education (MCEE)
Financial Education Series — Winter 2019
View flyer
To attend, call your local library to register today!
***If there are fewer than 5 people registered, the seminar will be cancelled***
No Sales Pitch · FREE OF CHARGE
Funded By: MCEE (Michigan Council on Economic Education), Cygnet Institute, Huron Valley State Bank
UAW-GM Financial Plan Checkup
View flyer (Dec 2018) · Pontiac TAP (Jan 2019) · TAP flyer (April)
Personal Financial Management now available through UAW-GM Tuition Assistance Plan
Fiduciary · Experiential · Confidential · Workshop
FINANCIAL PLAN CHECKUP (BUSN-1879)
Oakland Community College
Instructors Are Prohibited From Accepting Participants as Clients
Build Your Own Certified Financial Plan in This 2-Session Class
“See What Future Lifestyle You Can Create With Decisions You Make Today”
Benefits
Sessions
Session A: Tuesday Dec 4, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
(Session A is the foundation for Session B)
Session B: Tuesday Dec 11, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: UAW Local 5960 Union Hall, 180 E. Silver Bell Rd (near Lapeer Rd)
Spouse is encouraged to attend — no additional cost
Registration Interest
YES, I am interested, please send me the OCC forms and the instructions for TAP registration.
NO, I am interested, but cannot attend. Please use my information to notify me of the next one.
Fields: Name / Phone, Address, Email Address, Will spouse be attending? YES / NO
The Impact of Financial Stress on Productivity & Employee Retention
View flyer · View InProgression flyer
Presented by Ted Lakkides, CFP®
President, Cygnet Institute of Personal Financial Literacy
Human resources, management, and corporate leadership will all benefit from this brief presentation detailing the positive impact of financial literacy on profitability. You’ll learn:
About the Presenter
Ted has over 25 years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner™. Since 1989, Cygnet Institute of Personal Financial Literacy, a 501(c)(3), has conducted hundreds of experiential workshops bringing unbiased financial education to thousands of employees in SE Michigan. Ted is also director of workplace financial literacy for the Michigan Council on Economic Education and past faculty at Walsh College where he taught in their CFP® program.
Event Details
Date & Time: Thursday, October 18, 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Location: UHY Innovation Lab – Ground Floor, 12900 Hall Road, Sterling Heights, MI
(between Van Dyke and Schoenherr — office building next to Chili’s restaurant)
Free to Attend · Light Breakfast Included · Registration Required
Call (888) 447-7894 to register
Category: Uncategorized
Help Expand Financial Literacy
We're a non-profit with a mission dedicated to helping to teach people how to make good financial decisions. Your donation will help us expand our FREE financial literacy education programs to more public libraries in Michigan.
Testimonials