6515 Highland Rd, Ste #240 Waterford, MI 48327 info@cygnetinstitute.org (248) 800-2525

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

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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

SectionPage(s)
ALA Guidelines1 – 5
Why Cygnet?6
Pharos Library Project7
Past Library Events8
Events Marketing9 – 10
Evaluation of Workshops11
Ted Lakides Profile12
Survey of Interest13 – 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.


Seminar Schedule (2016)

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Financial literacy seminars at local libraries

TopicWaterford (7:00-8:30pm)Highland (6:30-8:00pm)Milford (6:30-8:00pm)
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, 2016Thu, Mar 17, 2016Tue, 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, 2016Thu, 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, 2016Thu, 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, 2016Thu, 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, 2016Thu, Mar 10, 2016

Financial Education Series — Pontiac Public Library

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TopicDateTime
Estate PlanningMonday, May 23rd6:00-7:30pm
BudgetingMonday, June 13th6:00-7:30pm
Death of a Loved OneMonday, July 11th6:00-7:30pm
Investment Fees and Retirement RisksMonday, July 25th6:00-7:30pm
Education FundingMonday, August 8th6:00-7:30pm
Social SecurityMonday, August 15th6:00-7:30pm
Income Tax PlanningMonday, August 22nd6:00-7:30pm

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

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LocationTopicDateTimePhone
Pontiac LibrarySocial SecuritySeptember 7th6:00-7:30pm(248) 758-3943
Waterford LibrarySocial SecuritySeptember 12th7:00-8:30pm(248) 674-4831
Pontiac LibraryRetirement IssuesSeptember 14th6:15-7:45pm(248) 758-3943
Milford LibraryFinding A Financial Advisor You Can TrustSeptember 15th6:30-8:00pm(248) 684-0845
Highland LibraryRetirement IssuesSeptember 21st6:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218
Pontiac LibraryIncome Tax PlanningOctober 5th6:00-7:30pm(248) 758-3943
Milford LibraryLearn How to Pay off Your Mortgage EarlierOctober 13th6:30-8:00pm(248) 684-0845
Waterford LibraryUnderstanding AnnuitiesOctober 18th7:00-8:30pm(248) 674-4831
Highland LibraryUnderstanding AnnuitiesOctober 19th6:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218
Highland LibraryEstate PlanningNovember 3rd6:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218
Waterford LibrarySelf-Inflicted Investment Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemNovember 9th7:00-8:30pm(248) 674-4831

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.

LocationDate/TimePhone
Waterford LibraryApril 26th @ 7:00-8:30pm(248) 674-4831
Highland LibraryApril 27th @ 6:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218

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!

LocationTopicDateTimePhone
Highland LibraryEstate PlanningOctober 3rd6:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218
Milford LibraryUnderstanding AnnuitiesNovember 1st6:30-8:00pm(248) 684-0845

**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

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LocationTopicDateTimePhone
Waterford LibrarySocial SecurityJanuary 8, 20197:00-8:30pm(248) 674-4431
Highland LibraryUnderstanding AnnuitiesJanuary 16, 20196:30-8:00pm(248) 887-2218
Kezar Branch LibraryEstate PlanningJanuary 17, 20196:00-7:30pm(586) 752-2583
Waterford LibraryLearn to Pay Off Your Mortgage EarlyJanuary 22, 20197:00-8:30pm(248) 887-2218

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

  • Unbiased
  • Personalized
  • Very confidential
  • No strings attached
  • No sales pitches or solicitation
  • Incorporates your spouse’s benefits
  • A “fast forward” picture of your retirement finances
  • Integrated with 401k and all Retirement 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:

  • 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

Call (888) 447-7894 to register