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plays a vital role
in this campaign.

Please call:
(952) 346-6055
with any questions
on partnering with
Go Direct.


	Spread the word about the safety benefits of direct deposit by sponsoring a Go Direct Public Service Announcement (PSA) on your organization's Web site or radio or television program. The PSA – available in 15- or 30-second versions in English and Spanish – features U.S. Treasurer Anna Cabral encouraging senior citizens to switch to direct deposit. Click here to view, download or order the PSA.

Visit the
Partners Section
of our Web site and enter the password: 4partners

February 2007

Get ready…Go Direct Month is just around the corner

Promote direct deposit during Financial Literacy Month

In the Media

Get ready... Go Direct Month is just around the corner

During March Go Direct Month – the campaign's biggest month of the year – hundreds of organizations nationwide will be kicking their Go Direct partnership into high gear with outreach, events, promotions and other activities aimed at seniors and others who receive Social Security checks. The goal of Go Direct Month is simple – inform as many federal benefit check recipients as possible about the benefits of direct deposit, and help them sign up for it!

Go Direct will have a variety of initiatives underway throughout the month to complement and support partner efforts, including media publicity tied to a U.S. Department of the Treasury poll, an official U.S. Senate Go Direct Month resolution, and Go Direct messages on all Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check envelopes.

All partners are invited and encouraged to take part in Go Direct Month – it's easy! There is still time to order campaign materials from your campaign representative, or download Go Direct Month-branded materials from the Go Direct Month tool kit. Below are ways partners can drive monthlong Go Direct activities in their communities from coast to coast.

Ideas for financial institutions
The first few days of the month – a time when most people get their Social Security or SSI checks in the mail – are prime time for financial institutions. Tellers can encourage customers or members who come in to cash or deposit federal benefit checks to switch to direct deposit. Banks and credit unions can bring the campaign to life in their branches by displaying Go Direct materials in lobbies or at teller windows, mailing statement stuffers with Go Direct Month messaging, or posting a Go Direct Month Web banner linking to www.GoDirect.org. To access these materials, click here and enter the password: 4partners.

Ideas for elected officials
Go Direct Month is a great time for elected officials to challenge constituents to make the switch to direct deposit – and help curb identity theft and fraud. There are a variety of ways elected officials can get involved in Go Direct Month, including issuing a proclamation declaring March “Go Direct Month” in their city, county or state; issuing a news release announcing their proclamation; and referencing Go Direct in speeches to seniors, people with disabilities, and those who care for them.

Ideas for community-based organizations, government agencies, law enforcement, and other organizations
These organizations can host financial literacy workshops, senior safety presentations and other events featuring Go Direct. They also can include a Go Direct article in their electronic or print newsletters; or post a Go Direct Month Web banner on their Web site.

To learn more about how you can get involved in March Go Direct Month, visit www.GoDirect.org or talk to a campaign representative at (952) 346-6055.

Promote direct deposit during Financial Literacy Month

Achieving financial literacy is an important goal at any age – and switching from paper checks to direct deposit is an important step toward reaching that goal. Your organization can incorporate direct deposit messages into your financial literacy presentations or workshops during Financial Literacy Month in April, and every month.

If you don't yet have a financial literacy curriculum, consider adopting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Money Smart program -- a free training program to help adults enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships. Messaging about Go Direct has been added to four of the 10 curriculum's modules, including Bank On It, Check It Out, Money Matters and Keep It Safe. To order a free copy of the new Money Smart curriculum, call the Go Direct partner line at (952) 346-6055 or send an email with your name, organization name, phone number and mailing address to GoDirect@webershandwick.com.

Click here to learn more about the Go Direct Financial Literacy Program.

In the Media

On Jan. 3, Go Direct announced the results of a baby boomer survey sponsored by the U.S. Treasury, and kicked off a yearlong "Countdown to Retirement" pledge drive to encourage baby boomers to choose direct deposit once they start collecting Social Security benefits. The story was covered by more than 450 news outlets across the nation, reaching an audience of nearly 60 million people. Media coverage included:
- A major story in The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 3. Visit www.GoDirect.org to view the article.
- National news coverage in Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg News, US News & World Report (online version), AARP.org, Yahoo! Finance and Forbes.com.
- Television interviews featuring U.S. Treasurer Anna Cabral in more than a dozen markets. In total, 255 television news hits nationwide.
- Local coverage in approximately 50 newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.