President’s Thoughts: Transparency

Written By: Don Fulton, AFCPE Board President

Transparency.   

Clearing the mind to enable focus.  Cleaning glass to let the light in.  Using a magnifying glass to better understand what seems small.  Using binoculars to bring close what seems distant.  Our choice of words can clarify meaning.  Listening is our tool and transparency is essential in our relationships and building trust.   

I recall a conversation with an investment manager.  The conversation was about social purpose funds.  The investment manager pointed out that because social purpose funds required additional screening, they were less likely to be fined penalty fees for wrongdoing.  Not only were social purpose funds an opportunity to put our money where our values are, they offered a healthier investment.  I liked the idea.  

Transparency. 

The AFCPE Board of Directors has been hard at work as ambassadors for the organization, seeking out partnerships with like-minded mission and vision, exploring funding opportunities, engaging in conversation with outside consultants, reviewing financial statements, researching bylaws and policies.  The list can go on as you might imagine.  Among the Board’s responsibilities are acting as a governance body called to make sure the organization stays in compliance.  At the age of 40 plus and growing, AFCPE needs to keep pace with guidelines, rules, and trends for non-profits.  All to make sure that we are wise stewards of finances, growth decisions, staffing needs, and what makes a nonprofit organization tick in a healthy way. 

AFCPE has good bones as they say on HGTV.  AFCPE operates with values of ethics, DEI, supportive networking, and continuing education.  AFCPE trains Accredited Financial Counselor^® (AFC^®) to empower clients in a consumer driven culture.  The need for financial counseling, coaching and education will only grow.  By adapting as an organization, we will be better prepared to meet the needs of our membership and their clients.   

Transparency. 

As financial professionals we are called to do meaningful work.  Each of us has a role.  We give of our time, talents, and resources for a greater good.  Keep watch for emails, materials, and dates with information leading up to our Annual Meeting on October 7, 2024, when Members Vote to Adopt New By-Laws.  The AFCPE Board, AFCPE Staff, and our Executive Director have put in the hours of time and energy to prepare us for this next step in compliance as a non-profit organization.  I ask that as we have contact with AFCPE Board members, AFCPE Staff, and our Executive Director let them know we appreciate all they do.  This is work we do together. 

Blessings!