News & Views February 25, 2021
News & Views
February 25, 2021
Inside Look
We had requests to reveal the “who” behind the “true statements” that were shared in the January News & Views. Those true statements were acquired from a game the employees played at their Zoom holiday party in December.
 
Each employee provided Debbie Richards with three truths and a lie about themselves. Team members then guessed which statement was the lie. Here are some of the true statements, along with the person they belong to, for those employees who gave permission to share. We hope you enjoy this fascinating inside look at our employees!
 
Tyler Conley
I broke both arms at the same time.
I have owned over 10 boats.
 
Megan Geary
I have traveled across the country to see the same band over 200 times.
I once got my sundress stuck in the escalator at Von Maur.

Meri Grogan
I do not have a middle name.
 
Jason Gunkel
I have jumped out of an airplane in New Zealand.
I once planned a funeral for someone I never met.
 
Lance Gunkel
I came to my Syverson Strege internship interview with six small-loop earrings.
I needed to have a snack pack quantity of raisins surgically removed from my nose.
 
Wayne Johnson
I was once on a plane that moved to the head of a 90-minute airport takeoff line because my flight was carrying a donor organ.
I was once on a helicopter that was forced to make an emergency landing in a farm field because it was low on gas.
 
Lance Knaack
I’m known as the brunch maker in my house.
In high school and college, I had what is known in boxing as a glass jaw.
 
Deb Longseth
I jumped in the pool backwards and ended up with stitches under my chin.
I got stopped by a state trooper for speeding on senior skip day.
 
Michael Murkins
I raced a car around Newton Speedway at more than 150 mph.
I was the guitar player for an aspiring rock band.
 
Michael Team
I grew up with wolves in my back yard. Not in the woods behind my house; my actual back yard. They were rescued by my grandparents.
I had shoulder-length hair in high school which I straightened regularly, both chemically and with a flat iron.
 
Debbie Richards
I worked at a department store surveilling and detaining shoplifters.
I gave myself a digital facelift while working from home.
 
Matt Roberts
I have a basset hound named Chester.
I used to have red hair in high school.
 
Tim Roemmich
I have moved 18 times in my life.
I have written a poem that was published in a book.
 
Tim Schau
I have been in seven accidents, one of which wasn’t my fault.
I was on the floor at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and the field of Kinnick Stadium on the same day.
 
Jennifer Scheck
I sip tequila and whiskey neat.
I do not have pierced ears.
 
David Strege
I showed up to try out for the Drake Women’s Volleyball team.
I thought my best chance to make an Olympic Team was in team handball.
 
Julie Summa
Our family had a three-legged hamster for a pet.
My great uncle Carl Magee invented the parking meter.
 
Johnne Syverson
I played in a rock and roll garage band in 8th grade.
I grew up riding motorcycles in Minnesota.
 
Jerin Young
I still have a baby tooth.
I own a special edition box set of That 70s Show.
**************Contest Alert**************
If you made it this far in the News & Views, you have the opportunity to win a prize, one of our new Syverson Strege face coverings!
 
It’s simple to enter the contest! Just reply to this email with your guess of what percentage of clients (0-100%) Syverson Strege retained in 2020. The winner(s) will be notified and sent your prize. 
Community Involvement/Philanthropy
7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story
7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story | Official Trailer | Fotolanthropy
Chris Norton, a former Syverson Strege event speaker, is featured in an upcoming documentary film, 7 Yards. This inspirational film explores the resilience and perspective of Chris who suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury during a football game.
 
Syverson Strege corporately, along with David Strege individually, made contributions to support the development of this film which will virtually premier on February 22. The full release will be on February 25 on Apple, Amazon Prime Video, and Voodoo.
 
Community and Employee Involvement
We are thankful that through volunteering, charitable giving, sponsorships, and individual philanthropy, Syverson Strege and its employees are involved with many organizations and nonprofits. Check here to see a full list.
 
As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” 
 
Charity Discovery
What is Charity Discovery? Watch for the announcement and details in the March News & Views!
Shred-It Update
A longstanding tradition at Syverson Strege has been to provide our clients free document shredding, usually for three days in the month of April. Due to the pandemic, we cancelled the event in April 2020.
 
For this year, our goal is to have the annual Shred-It event, but we have scheduled it for September 22-24 instead of this spring. We know you all would love for us to help you shred your documents this spring, but we feel that it would be safer to wait until fall. Thanks for your patience!
Out and About
Johnne Syverson and Julie Summa attended the quarterly Iowa Christian Generosity Council (ICGC) meeting. ICGC is a passionate volunteer group of like-minded leaders who inspire, educate, and motivate Kingdom-minded generosity. Johnne is the current Chairman of ICGC. 
Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel attended the online webinar hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. The investment education session partnered with Pavilion, a Mercer company, to hear their perspectives on 2020 portfolio returns, economic trends, and what that means for charitable fund investments. 
Associate Planner Ben Geiger attended a COVID-19 Economy webinar sponsored by eMoney. Ben learned about how the COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on clients’ lives, their ability to achieve their financial goals, and the need for strategic financial planning and guidance. 
David Strege, Jason Gunkel, and Jennifer Scheck attended the two-day virtual 2021 Kingdom Advisors Annual Conference. The 2021 Annual Conference is designed to help advisors recognize their unparalleled kingdom opportunity in light of God's grand story and take their next step in community, personal engagement, and client impact for kingdom purposes.
Client Orientation Workshop
Syverson Strege is offering a virtual Client Orientation Workshop for all clients, whether new or established, who want to learn more about being a Syverson Strege client. The workshop will be held virtually on Thursday, April 15 at 1:30 PM.
 
The workshop will cover the following areas:
  • How to read statements
  • Tax forms
  • Client portal/online access
  • APS (Annual Planning Session) process
  • Recordkeeping/shredding documents
  • Handling charitable gifts from your IRA
 
You’ll be joining the workshop virtually, but you will have ample opportunity to ask questions and interact with the financial planners.
 
Click here to register for the Thursday, April 15 workshop at 1:30 PM.
Articles
In case you missed these articles on social media...
Travis Kelce Says He Blew All of His Rookie Contract Money; “I Spent it All."
3 Ways to Reduce Password Anxiety
Employee News-Job Openings
Syverson Strege has two new positions open at the firm. We are looking to hire a Financial Planner/Business Development Agent and a Business Development Agent. Click here to view a description of the two positions. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please forward them this information.
Podcasts
This Story Needs to Be Heard podcasts highlight stories of unsung heroes who are living a life of impact within Central Iowa and the surrounding area. Perhaps these podcasts will inspire you to think about your life message. 
Ed McIlhon
Assembled Products, Inc.
This Story Needs To Be Heard: Ed McLlhon
Finance Moment…Syverson Strege’s mini-podcasts to provide rapid-fire information on financial topics of the day.

The Value of Money
By David Strege
Market Update
February 5

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