The past few weeks have brought incredible change and uncertainty into people’s lives. In a sea of relentless headlines, stock market volatility and social distancing, it is no wonder many of our clients are needing our guidance. Thank you for continuing your work to support them during this time – reminding them of the strategic plans set in place during calmer times.

At the FPA MN, we are doing our part as well. In the interest of public health, we have canceled all in-person events through May and will hold our May chapter meeting virtually. During this time, I encourage you to take advantage of our great online resources to stay connected with our community. Log onto onefpa.org to tap into FPA Connect message boards, learn and share with others through Knowledge Circles, read The Journal of Financial Planning online if you aren’t able to review your hard copy, and check out the virtual training available to FPA members.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to connect on social media as well. The FPA Activate Facebook group is a dynamic forum for NexGen planners. Tune into a podcast to learn from other planners around the country. It's crucial that we stay connected as we navigate this time as planners – for our clients benefit as well as our own.

Thank you for being a member of our chapter and providing the context to help to ease our clients’ tensions and keep them on-track for their future. In a time of great uncertainty, the strength and importance of our financial planning community is clear.

When the dust settles, our chapter leaders will be excited to welcome you back for our excellent in-person experiences once again.

Thank you. Stay healthy!

We’re proud to have one of the largest, most active FPA chapters in the country. The financial planning industry in Minnesota is thriving – and we want to help share the wonderful work you are doing!

Have a story or business update you’d like us to share? Our members are encouraged to email content, visuals and relevant links to Grace Rose.

Whether it’s an innovative company event or big milestone, our chapter is excited to share as appropriate on our social media channels.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce and several partners have created COVID-19 related guidance and resources that may help you and your colleagues. We encourage you to take a look at these great materials.

In addition, our FPA MN Pro Bono Committee created a helpful resource list available here .

Did you know you can receive discounted rates on planning software through your membership with FPA? These include everything from Money Guide Pro to NaviPlan to Advizr.

More details are available here .

Earlier this year, we announced our chapter's partnership with the  Angel Foundation on the new  Financial Cancer Care program. This innovative pilot program will provide cancer patients and their caregivers with financial planning and education to help mitigate the financial burdens associated with treatment.

If you are a CFP® professional who is interested in volunteering, there are steps you can take now to get involved even if you are practicing social distancing!

Learn more about the program here.

Fairway Independent Mortgage can support your clients in this bear market, including helping them decrease expenses. We have solutions for lowering the outgoing cash that your clients are obligated to pay, and a reverse mortgage may be a flexible solution toward that goal. Working with retirees, one way to do this might be to pay off a forward mortgage with a reverse mortgage. This could substantially reduce the client’s monthly outflow of cash, which can be a huge help during a trying time like now.

Learn more by contacting Dominic James DesMarais here .