News & Views
March 25, 2021
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Angie’s List? No, it’s the Syverson Strege’s List!
Not only can our associate planners help build your financial plan, but they can also build things in their own homes. We have recently discovered their handyman skills and wanted to share these amazing talents with you.
Mike Murkins: building shelves, trim work, mold mitigation
Ben Geiger: home entertainment installation
Jerin Young: building shelves, fireplace mantels, wood staining
Tim Roemmich: wallpaper removal
Jennifer Scheck: flooring installation
Lance Knaack: backsplash demolition and installation
Michael Team: general demolition
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Random Acts of Kindness Day
Syverson Strege employees were given a great opportunity to give back on Random Acts of Kindness Day on Wednesday, February 17. They were notified via email that each employee was going to receive $20 to use as they wish to spread random acts of kindness. Click here to learn about some of their experiences.
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**************Contest Results************** |
97%= the % of clients retained in 2020 (includes clients who have passed away)
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Last month you had the opportunity to enter a contest for a Syverson Strege face covering as a prize. We had you guess the percentage of clients (1-100%) that Syverson Strege retained in 2020. We had one person who guessed the exact percentage. We declared anyone a winner who guessed within 2 percentage points of 97 and they were sent a prize. We had a total of 12 winners.
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Syverson Strege introduces the new FIT Video Series…Financial Instruction and Teaching designed to help provide peace of mind and clarity on a variety of financial planning and investment topics.
You want to make a difference…for your family, your business or farm, and for your community. You strive for clarity, peace of mind, and simplicity. And you want to learn. Our FIT Video Series will help educate and encourage you to move forward with purpose, live well, and finish strong.
In the first FIT video, Financial Planner Wayne Johnson and Associate Financial Planner Jerin Young explain the benefits to farmers of donating grain, livestock, or other ag commodities in order to benefit their favorite charity and save taxes.
Be watching for more videos on our Facebook page and soon on our website.
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Community Involvement/Philanthropy |
Something New…Charity Discovery |
Some of our clients have previously participated in the Syverson Strege Giving Club. Their donations have truly made a difference for each of the organizations that have received the Giving Club’s quarterly meeting proceeds.
Due to the pandemic, our Giving Club meetings have been suspended. We miss getting together and listening to presentations of new charities. One of the main benefits of attending a meeting was to learn about charities they didn’t know much, if anything, about. In some cases, attendees ended up not only financially supporting the charity, but also getting involved as a volunteer.
As a result of this input and the inability to safely resume gathering at this time, we are revamping the Giving Club and introducing Charity Discovery.
Here’s how Charity Discovery will work:
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We will highlight a charity in our monthly News & Views email publication beginning with this issue.
- You’ll have the opportunity to watch a short video presentation by the charity to learn more about its mission.
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News & Views will include a link to learn more and/or donate to the featured charity if you so desire.
This month’s Charity Discovery is the local Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. Their mission is “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”
Their local efforts are incredible! They partner with 400 families in the greater Des Moines area through a home ownership program where families purchase their home with an affordable mortgage, through the “Rock the Block” repair program, and with financial literacy education.
Watch Clara Bergren explain these special local initiatives in this short video.
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Several Syverson Strege employees will be volunteering for “Rock the Block” in April. You can register to volunteer, too, for a “Rock the Block” event by clicking here.
If you’d like to donate, click here.
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Syverson Strege welcomes our newest employee, Ryan Simpson! As Client Service Associate, Ryan will provide support to Financial Planners and Associate Financial Planners in the development of comprehensive financial plans and service to our clients.
Ryan was born and raised in the Des Moines area. He attended South Dakota State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. After graduation, he worked as a Research Associate at Iowa State University participating in water quality studies throughout the Des Moines River. Since graduating from college, he also worked for Simpson Design Group, a family-owned graphic design business.
In January of 2020, Ryan received a certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University. This program provided him with the education requirement to sit for the CFP® exam, which he was fortunate enough to pass in September of 2020! Ryan is passionate about helping individuals navigate complex financial issues for the betterment of them and their families. The success of our clients is his ultimate goal and reward. To learn more about Ryan, click here.
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Syverson Strege employees will be off for observance of Good Friday and Easter on Friday, April 2. They will resume work on Monday, April 5. |
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David Strege attended The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition meeting this month. The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition’s mission seeks to improve the personal financial literacy of all Iowans. The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition envisions a time when all Iowans will be financially literate and equipped to achieve lifetime financial goals upon graduation from high school. |
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Syverson Strege employees enjoyed a luncheon outside on one of the beautiful days in early March. It was great to gather again as a team and see one another! Gradually our team is returning to the office as safety permits. |
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Johnne Syverson attended an AEF (American Endowment Education) Council of Advisors meeting. The Council of Advisors are leading financial, legal, and accounting professionals who provide ongoing insights into recent trends concerning charitable planning, Donor Advised Funds, and other current topics that affect the industry and their clientele. |
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Johnne Syverson serves on the Iowa Prayer Breakfast Committee which met this past month to finalize plans for the 60th Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast. The Iowa Prayer Breakfast has hosted Iowa’s governor along with hundreds of legislators, business, and community leaders. This annual gathering unites Iowa’s Christian community in prayer for the state of Iowa and its leadership.
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3,474? the # of workflow tasks completed year to date! Workflows are automated processes designed and created to help establish and maintain consistency throughout the implementation of the financial plan. Workflows help keep us on track as we serve clients and make sure that nothing falls through the cracks.
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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.
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In case you missed these articles on social media... |
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Finance Moment…Syverson Strege’s mini-podcasts to provide rapid-fire information on financial topics of the day.
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