The following volunteer position offers fun and innovative hands-on service opportunities with the possibility for cultural exchange and growth. This happens in an environment that allows us to be of service as well as to receive what others can offer and teach us. If you like to talk about money and consider yourself to have mastered some good money management techniques, please read on.

Volunteer application

Financial Success Coach/Mentor for Family Savings Account Program
Partner up with an enrolled participant of the Family Savings Account program (a 4:1 matched savings account program geared toward acquiring an asset). Become their sounding board and provide support as they work toward achieving one of the three asset purchases: higher education, first home or starting a small business. One half-day of training is provided for this service opportunity. A background check is required. Time commitment is generally two to three hours of service per month. A minimum commitment of one year is optimal. 

Skills:  Education, experience or work history in consulting on matters of finance. Knowledge of home-ownership, attending college/trade school or small business/entrepreneurial and experience in coaching/mentoring a plus.   

Financial Instructor for the Family Savings Account Program with or without a degree 
Teach 1 of 6 financial classes to participants of the Family Savings Account program (a 4:1 matched savings account program geared toward acquiring an asset). The core curriculum of this series is: asset-building; self-assessment of values around money and skill-building to deal with internal and social pressures. Each two-hour class covers a different topic, some topics include: budgeting, credit building, investments, consumer protection, etc. As an instructor, you may opt to teach one particular class curriculum or you may opt to teach the curriculum of several classes. One half-day of exceptional training is provided for this service opportunity. A background check is required.   

Skills:  Appreciation of diversity. Experience or work history in teaching a plus. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is desired but not required.

Financial Forum Speakers
Present one-hour session on topics of interest for FSA holders. In the past, industry experts have held lectures on credit, tax preparation, housing options, and investments. We strive to provide a comfortable atmosphere for conversation, one that prompts group support among participants as they share their views on money and learn new approaches toward managing their own finances. 

Skills: Respect for lifestyle and cultural differences regarding the use of money. Your creativity is much welcomed. As facilitator of a Personal Finance Center Financial Forum, you may opt to pick a date to add to the center’s calendar, or opt to volunteer on an already scheduled date. 

Member Services Host
Greet visitors and assist in promoting the Personal Finance Center’s purpose, that being self-directed education toward gaining a better understanding of money management. Answer questions about, and register persons for, the various programs, classes and services offered. Requested time commitment: 2 hours per week, however, can accommodate volunteers who may be unable to serve on a weekly basis. 

Skills:  Warm and welcoming personality, appreciation for diversity, willingness to learn as well as educate are essential.  

Business Plan Readers
Join a group of volunteers for a couple of hours to read the business plans of FSA holders who are using their savings match to capitalize a new or existing business. Qualified volunteers are given instruction on reviewing guidelines. Group meetings are supervised. All volunteers need to complete an application that includes a criminal background check. 

Skills: Education, experience or work history in consulting on matters of finance or financial planning; preference given to those with an understanding of small business or mirco-enterprise ventures. 

Time Commitment:  3 hours per session. You may contribute one or several reading sessions. Most reading sessions will take place after normal business hours or on a weekend day.

FSA Enrollment Interviewer
Primary responsibilities of an Enrollment Interviewer are to meet with the program participants on an individual basis, listen to their goals, explain how the program works and what is needed to become officially accepted to the FSA program. An Enrollment Interviewer will use a combination of forms and on-line computer access to collect and organize needed information from the participant. 

Skills:  A detailed oriented person with education, personal experience or work history in matters of personal finance.  Be computer literate.  Willing to submit to a criminal background check.

Time:  Must be able to volunteer during business hours for at least 2 hours per session on a frequent and regular basis, i.e., once a week. 

Administrative Support
An Administrative Support volunteer works with our staff here at the office during normal business hours.  Jobs focus on various projects, such as mailings, calling program participants, and updating database information. 

Skills: Detail oriented, computer literate and willing to commit to a regular schedule, such as once a week for a few hours. We are flexible. We will train and volunteers must submit to a criminal background check. 

Advisory Council and Speakers Bureau Members
An Advisory Council is currently being formed for our community-based Personal Finance Center and its Phillips Saves IDA Program. Members will include: local business, banking, financial services, consumer economics, socio-economics, behavioral economics, tax issues, business development, law, real estate, education, diversity, civic engagement, and/ or community development. The Advisory Council’s goal will be to support staff in realizing the strategic objectives of the initiative. This service commitment is anticipated to be approximately three hours per month.  Advisory Council seats are for a two-year staggered term. 

TAX CLINIC 2008
Free Income Tax Return Preparation and E-Filing Clinic

One hour of your time can mean as much as $4,500 to a family of four.  Please join us to help taxpayers avoid high cost tax preparation services, refund anticipation loans, and other tax season traps!

The Personal Finance Center tax clinic runs over a 10 week period, beginning in February.  Every volunteer receives free training and ongoing support, beginning with initial training in early January.  After training, time commitment is generally 4 hours per clinic.  You can sign up for as many clinics as you wish.

• Reviewers* – As a Reviewer, you’ll thoroughly examine, for accuracy, each return, submitted by the preparers, before they are e-filed.  Previous tax experience and attention to detail is essential during this stage to ensure that the highest quality of tax preparation service is provided.
• Tax Preparers* – As a Preparer, you’ll sit down with taxpayers to prepare their federal, state, and property tax returns for the current year.  Experienced tax preparers and other volunteers are available to assist you in every way. 
• Tax Site Assistant/Screeners* – As a Tax Site Assistant, you’ll welcome tax payers and help them through the process of completing the intake form and making sure that they have all necessary documentation.  Site assistants make copies and obtain necessary signatures on tax returns and give taxpayers their tax returns after completion.
• Tax Site Greeter – As a Greeter, you’ll coordinate hospitality and welcome volunteer staff for the tax clinic.  You will also oversee customer service for taxpayers to ensure a smooth experience for everyone.  You will be responsible for communicating issues to project staff or AccountAbility MN.

         * Training is provided by AccountAbility Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN

For more information about volunteering with the Personal Finance Center, call 612-879-5319.