Googolplex
Meet  the New C-Note Teenage Panel!
 
By Corey Pratt, Googolplex editorial board liaison

The school year has drawn to a close and with it the end of duties for our current C-Note Teenage Panel. Though we will remember all the great things the 2010-2011 group has done, it is time to announce the new 2011-2012 C-Note Teenage Panel!

Chloe, 15—Chloe is a student teller at Rogue Federal Credit Union in Medford, Ore. She enjoys photography and hopes to start up her own photography business. She also enjoys reading and listening to Usher and Jennifer Hudson. Chloe says that when her picture makes the cover of Time magazine, it will read, “Worldwide-Known Photographer Takes on Africa!”
 
Elijah, 17—Elijah is a youth adviser for his local credit union, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, and a student at Judson Early College Academy in San Antonio, Texas. He is the leader of his school’s chapter of the Key Club and maintains a high GPA. Elijah says the perfect meal for him is “clam spaghetti and warm bread sticks and people to share it with.”

Kapriann, 15—Kapriann learned about C-Note from her cousin, who is an employee at Numerica Credit Union in Spokane Valley, Wash. Kapriann is enrolled in all honor classes and maintains a high GPA at her high school. She has played soccer since third grade and considers it her passion. Kapriann says that when her photo makes the cover of Time, it will read, “Math + Soccer= Mathlete.”
 
Rachel, 14—Rachel is a seven-year member of a AurGroup Financial Credit Union (AFCU), which operates a student run credit union at Rachel’s high school. Rachel is an avid soccer player with the Cincinnati United Premier. She also is a member of her school’s Business Tech Program. Her favorite song about money is “Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band.
 
Spencer, 16—Spencer learned about C-Note through Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union in Parma, Ohio, where he is a member. He is class president at his high school and maintains good grades while participating in a number of extracurricular activities. Spencer says that when his photo makes the cover of Time magazine, it will read, “First Man on Mars.”
Marketing Tip: Quick Tip: Promote C-Note photo contests
Encourage all your credit union members to visit the C-Note photo contest via your website.
 
The current contest, "Theme Parks," is bringing in some very creative entries. There's still time: The deadline to enter is July 28.
 
Use the photo contests to draw high school students to Googolplex on your credit union website:
  • Put a graphic or text announcement on your front page or on an interior youth page. Make it quick and to the point—the way teenagers like it!
  • Don't name the contest theme—it changes every seven weeks.
  • Announce the contests in your newsletters or in other communications to members.
SAMPLE ANNOUNCEMENT
 
Win $$ in the C-Note Photo Contest
 
It's up to you. Whether or not your photo entry is voted "best of the best" by your peers, any time's the right time to visit the C-Note photo contest. Who knows, you could win $100 or even $1,000! Here's how:
  • Visit C-Note on our website. [If this is a print communication, insert your credit union's URL for the front page of C-Note here.]
  • Click on the photo contest display on the top right of the page.
  • Read the rules and enter your photo in the contest theme named on the top right side of the page.
What photo will you enter? There's a new theme every seven weeks. While you're on the contest page, vote for your favorite photo from the previous theme, in the ballot box on the left. Read others' comments and post your own in the "talk back" area below every photo.
 
Come back often! There's a wealth of information to help you become financially competent, plus it's a lot of fun! C-Note posts something new every week: stories, games, videos, blog posts, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted comments from your peers.
 
Don't reinvent your marketing efforts! With your subscription you get several tools to help you market Googolplex. Click the photo or contact Rena Crispin, Googolplex's managing editor, at 800-356-9655 ext. 4258.
 
She can help you pinpoint the best tools for your situation.
C-Note instant poll results–Summer Vacation*
Most C-Note teenagers say that they're going on vacation this summer, even if it's just in-state day trips.
 
How are they paying for it? In her story, "How Much Do You Spend in a Year?" Katie, 17, says, "We spend so much money without even thinking about it."
 
Use Katie's story as a tool to help your young members budget their money wisely. As Katie says, "If you save, there are so many things you can do: buy a car or house, take vacations, travel abroad—anything! "
 
Last month's Instant Poll question and its results:
 
Q: With summer coming up, are you going on vacation?
 
1. Yes, in the country
2. Yes, out of the country
3. Yes, just a day trip in state
4. No
5. I don’t know yet
51%
13%
9%
15%
13%

Instant poll questions capture your high school members’ attention. On which issues would you like to learn more about what they think? Use your imagination and send your poll questions with possible responses to Rena Crispin.

* Instant poll results reflect an unscientific sampling of Googolplex readers.

5-Spot activities

On the Road Again
Going on a long road trip? Take along Travel Bingo and Alphabet Search and other car games. Warning: Time flies when you're having fun!
U WONT BLEEV YR IYZ
Seeing is believing, right? Here's a collection of cool optical illusions that may change that belief. Get ready for the Elephantom and the Fog Lifter!
Hyper Hodgepodge
See letters magically move on the page to help guess these goofy drawings.

5-Spot stories

Make Your Own Greeting Cards
Here's a cool idea: Make your own greeting cards instead of buying them at the store. Camryn, age 10, says, "Last year I made and sold greeting cards at my school's bazaar." She shares her creative ideas.
Baseball Scores Big
Some kids dream of being professional baseball players when they grow up. "Only a few make it to the major leagues," says Daniel, 10. Find out how they make their dreams come true.
Stylish on a Dime
You want to look good, but sometimes it's hard to find the money. Sydney, 10, says "I'm creative in finding ways to save money and still be stylish." Find out how she does it.

AJ's activities

Incomplete
You've been enjoying summer vacation when your report card arrives—full of incompletes. Try our homework completion machine. Can you remember the last time finishing your homework was so much fun?
Clear as Mud
Whether you're smart as a whip or dumb as a box of hammers, you've likely used a simile or two in your lifetime. We messed 'em up and now you have to put them back together again.
15 Forks
You're walking down the street when you come to a fork in the road. To the left, a can of cola from Moscow. To the right, a ticket to the movies. Which has greater monetary value?

AJ's stories

Sea Cadets--What’s That?
Kasey's mom signed him up for Navy Sea Cadets. "Was I interested in the Navy? NO! Do I like the idea of getting yelled at and made to run and do lots of push-ups? NO!" says Kasey, 13. Find out what happened.
Reality: Swaziland Experience
Can you imagine not having any food for the whole weekend? Or living in a one-room building? Or wearing your pajamas for a skirt? Sarah, 13, says, "To some of the children in Swaziland, Africa, this isn't a picture in their minds, it's reality."
Take a Leap With Creative Gifts
"Every person is different," says Madison, 14. She challenges you to "take a leap into your friend's life and pick a gift that matches his or her personality."

C-Note activities

May Contain Nuts
Many warning labels are there to protect us, but some are downright ridiculous. Do we really need to be warned that coffee is hot? Check the fine print!
Center of Attention
Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, the only way you're winning this game is to be the center of attention.
Confidence
Score points with more than just an educated guess--you have to be sure of your answers. Demonstrate true confidence and reign supreme!

C-Note stories

How to Date and Save Money
"What do you do if you're the one who's paying (or not paying) for the costs of a date," asks Hannah, 17. She says, "It's easy—you don't have to blow your budget!"
It's All Family on a Military Base
"I've been a military brat for the past 13 years of my life," says Aric, 16. What's it like when your dad is deployed? Aric shares what life is like when you're family includes everyone who lives on the base.
Looking Good on a Budget
Kendall, 16, says she's figured out a good way to save money and still look good. "Nobody will ever be able to tell, so go out and get some awesome clothes!" says Kendall.

Links to Recent Releases

5-Spot activity

Birds of a Feather
What do they say about birds of a feather? They flock together. So do bacon and eggs, kings and queens, and stars and stripes.

AJ's activity

Chip It
You get a rack of pool balls and nine one-dollar bills. If you chip it just right, you'll own them all!

C-Note activity

Consolidation Loan
OK, you've got waaaay too many credit cards, and your plastic debt is piling up. Is a consolidation loan the answer? Can you become debt-free before you get buried in borrowing?

5-Spot story

Paper Dollars and Copper Pennies?
Do you think dollars are made out of paper, and pennies out of copper? The real ingredients might surprise you!

AJ's story

Need Clothes? Revive Old T-Shirts
Are your tees too small? Sick of the design? "Don’t throw out those old t-shirts!" says Hailey, 15. She gives you six ways to revive them.

C-Note story

Let's Go to the Documentary!
Do you think you'd need a big budget to put together a documentary film? Leah, age 19, says "Not necessarily—if you have a vision, a keen idea, some imagination, and fortitude!"

Give youth print and online newsletters!

Every quarter we send you enough ready-to-print pages to create three full newsletters— one for elementary-school, middle-school, and high-school level readers. We provide newsletters in high resolution for print, and low resolution for e-mail or online viewing.

Here’s how you get it:

To retrieve the ready-to-print, ready-to-view newsletter pages each quarter, log in to your Googolplex newsletter page, select the pages you need, and download them free of charge.

Don’t waste your subscription
 
Whenever you change your credit union Web address or logo, check your Googolplex customization. Make sure your links and credit union logo are what you want by logging in to your Googolplex Customizing and Installation page.
 
If you have technical or subscription questions, or need help in setting up your password, please e-mail Debbie Michels, or call 800-356-9655, ext. 4091.

If you have questions, comments, or ideas for Googolplex editorial content, please e-mail Rena Crispin or call 800-356-9655, ext. 4258.

We respect your privacy. If you’d rather not receive future e-mails on Googolplex, reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
 
This e-mail was sent on behalf of
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
5710 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53705.

 
In This Issue
Meet the Teenage Panel
Marketing Tip: Use Photo Contests to draw youth
$100 Contest: Winner
Instant Poll Results
Know What's Coming
Customize
Promote to Members
Retrieve Password
Contact Us
$100 Photo Contest Winner
 
by Connor, age 17
Hartland, Wis.
Hartland Credit Union
 
New Contest Theme:
Theme park
Deadline to enter: July 28
 
Mad City Money
Real-world lessons
 
Mad City Money gives students a taste of the real world: job, income, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments.
 
See how California and Nevada credit unions host Mad City Money.
 
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I’d love to hear how you promote Googolplex to your members and potential members. Please contact me—I look forward to your comments!

Rena Crispin
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
5710 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53705
608-231-4006
rcrispin@cuna.coop
CUNA Anytime Adviser

5710 Mineral Point Rd • Madison, WI 53705-4454 • 800-356-8010, press 3 • cunaresources@cuna.coop

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