Running head: FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN 1

Semester Project:

Ladies Last: Financial Literacy for Women

Brennan Haskins

Western Carolina University

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PLANNING

Program Name: Ladies Last: Financial Literacy for Women

Program Purpose: The purpose of Financial Literacy for Women is to provide members with
an opportunity to view how financial literacy differs between men and
women, to provide resources to gain financial literacy, and identify
resources to develop goals and budgets.

Program Goals: By the end of this program, members will:

1. Gain a different perspective of financial literacy through the eyes of

women from a facilitator.

2. Gain social and educational awareness through the North Carolina

Reality Check activity.

3. Gain an understanding of what financial literacy is and how to be

champions for women by advocating.

Program Outcomes: By the end of this program, members will be able to:

1. Understand financial challenges unique to women;

2. Distinguish the difference between needs and wants;

3. Define financial literacy for women;

4. Articulate possible solutions through educational and social awareness.

As stated above, the purpose of this program is to provide members with an opportunity

to view how financial literacy differs between men and women, to provide resources to gain

financial literacy, and identify resources to develop goals and budgets. This program is in

partnership with Phi Mu Fraternity. When planning the Financial Literacy for Women, it is

important to understand and align the program with the mission of both Phi Mu Fraternity and

their Radiance Programs. Below are the two areas mission statements from Phi Mu Fraternity

(n.d., A).

Phi Mu Fraternity
Founded in 1852, Phi Mu is a women’s organization which provides personal and
academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong
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friendship through a shared tradition. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living, encouraging

members to achieve their personal best.

Radiance
The Radiance Program develops the strong, noble woman to lead a vibrant, balanced life.
Through a chapter meeting structure, the member development program empowers
women to enhance leadership skills, start conversations that matter and identify strategies
to create positive change. Phi Mu is preparing women to be engaged citizens in an ever-
changing world. Phi Mu is developing noble, confident and radiant women.

From both of the mission statements shown above, some very similar components are

incorporated. These include: personal development, commitment to excellence, and empowering

women. Looking at these three pieces against the mission statement of Phi Mu Fraternity and

Radiance, it is clear that this program aligns with the direction Phi Mu is wanting to go.

Radiance programs are an intentional program provided to members to give them an opportunity

to actively learn about different things and perspectives that may not be covered inside the

classroom (Phi Mu Fraternity, n.d., A).

The program’s tagline, “Live Vibrantly. Day by Day” truly encompasses the purpose of

Phi Mu Fraternity. There are four components in the initiative: sisterhood, character, knowledge,

and service. Each component includes topics that align with the values and ideals of Phi Mu

Fraternity. The programs are interactive, educational, and intentional. These member-led

programs encourage peer to peer learning, self-reflection, and personal growth (Phi Mu

Fraternity, n.d.A).

IMPLEMENTING

To begin the process of planning and implementing the program, I spoke with the Vice

President of Chapter Development for Phi Mu. We set up a date and time to present the program

to the chapter and discussed what I was planning to do. I reviewed the facilitator’s guide

(Appendix A) provided from Phi Mu (Phi Mu Fraternity, n.d., B). I decided that the guide did not
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encompass what I wanted the members to gain from the session, so I created a new facilitator’s

guide (Appendix B). Appendix B gives an overview of what the program should entail; lists

learning outcomes; addresses suggested facilitator(s), room set-up, what is needed to be known

prior to the program, and materials needed. I showed the Vice President the facilitation guide and

what I would need (Appendix B). There was no marketing needed, as the program was being

held during a chapter event for Phi Mu.

I had already created the PowerPoint (Appendix C) for another class assignment, so that

was complete. I double checked my statistics and updated with any new information. I met with

the Vice President one last time before the program. This was a great time for her to ask any last-

minute questions that she may have and provided myself with an opportunity to show her

Appendix C.

EVALUATING

For this program, I created a post-evaluation survey (Appendix D) that was sent out to

every member in the chapter. I had provided the Vice President the link the day beforehand to

post on GinSystem (there chapter communication website). As shown in Appendix D, a matrix

table was used for members to rate their level of agreement with the following statements. The

members were reminded of the workshop objectives at the beginning of the survey. There were

three open-ended questions at the end of the survey to gain additional information. These

questions focused on whether the members gained an understanding and felt like they had

improved their financial literacy and if they gained a better understanding of the impact financial

literacy has on women. These questions also allowed the members to give their suggestions for

the facilitation of the program and future radiance programs surrounding financial literacy.
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The table below shows the outcomes of this program in reference to whether these

outcomes were evaluated and met.

Social &
Advocating
Learning Outcomes Perspective Educational
Awareness

By the end of this program, members will be

X
able to understand financial challenges unique
to women.

By the end of this program, members will be

able to distinguish the difference between X
needs and wants.

By the end of this program, members will be

X X
able to define financial literacy for women.

By the end of this program, members will be

able to articulate possible solutions through X X X
educational and social awareness.

X = Outcome met

Results

As shown in Appendix E, the matrix table is graphed to show the results. The report then

lists the answers for the short answer questions. From the assessment taken by the students,

overall the students agree that their financial literacy knowledge has improved with the

participation in this program. When asked if the members found the instructional environment

supportive, 82.35% strongly agreed. Even though members were required to attend this program,

it does not seem that it lessened the value of students attending to gain more knowledge on

financial literacy. I feel this opportunity allows members to gain knowledge in an area they

would typically not reach out to learn about. When compiling member’s short answers to the

questions, it appears that more women would like resources provided to them on how to pay for

graduate school and more information on student loans and debt.

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REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATIONS

From the information provided by the members in the assessment, I feel confident in

suggesting that this program was an overall success. Both in terms of the knowledge they gained

about financial literacy and the skills they gained into help combat challenges they may face. As

shown in the learning outcome matrix above, I feel as though all of the learning outcomes were

both evaluated and met. This is all shown as well in Appendix E. I was extremely pleased with

how this program turned out and how receptive women are when presented with this compelling

information.

From the perspective of planning and implementing, I feel as though the program went

smoothly and had no interruptions or incidents. In the future, I would recommend possibly

completing a pre-survey to see what aspects of financial literacy for women that members are

interested in learning about. For example, the post-assessment showed that there was a lot of

interest in graduate school. Had I known, I could have come prepared with handouts and links

for the members to reference and gain the information they wished they could have received. I

also would prepare a budgeting activity for the members to complete in a group for more

engagement. Even with this suggestions and recommendations, I believe that the program as is

was a huge success. I feel confident that members gained the knowledge I intended for them to

learn and are now exposed to the challenges that women will face and are equipped with the

tools to combat them.

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References

Phi Mu Fraternity. (n.d., A). About us: Mission Statement. Retrieved from

https://www.phimu.org/about-us/

Phi Mu Fraternity. (n.d., B). Library: Radiance Programs. Retrieved from

https://www.phimu.org/library/
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Appendix A

Phi Mu Facilitation Guide

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Appendix B

New Facilitation Guide

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Appendix C

PowerPoint
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Appendix D

Post-Assessment Survey
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Appendix E

Survey Results
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