Business news: Bench and Bar Conference held
Otero Federal Credit Union is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make an online, remote-friendly curriculum available to schools in Chaves, Lincoln and Otero Counties completely free.
Originally posted on alamogordonews.com
Bench and Bar Conference held Sept. 25
12th Judicial District Bar Association held its annual Bench and Bar Conference virtually on September 25, 2020. It was attended by 42 members, which included our 5 district court judges, and 7 other presenters. The participants were eligible for a total of eight CLE credits, seven general and one ethics. Topics included Mental Health and the Justice System, The Impact of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), the State of the 12th Judicial District, Civil and Criminal Appellate Update and Procedure and Technology and the Law: Ethical Considerations.
The following awards were presented:
- Don Quixote Award- James R. Walker
- Non-Attorney Professional- Andrea Carrillo
- Young Attorney- Brandi Red
- Lifetime Achievement-Gail Brownfield
- Best Litigated Case- Freda McSwayne.
Presenters included Grace Phillips, General Counsel NM Association of
Counties; Scott Patterson, Administrative Office of the Courts Behavioral Health Manager; Chief Judge James Hudson, 5th Judicial District; CYFD Secretary Brian Blalock, Anne Kelly and Nicholas Sydow, NM Attorney General’s Office; Mark Fidel, RiskSense, Inc.; Chief Judge Angie Schneider, 12th Judicial District; Judge James W. Counts, 12th Judicial District; Judge Daniel Bryant, 12th Judicial District; Judge Steven Blankinship, 12th Judicial District; and Judge Ellen Jessen, 12th Judicial District.
Board members include RoxeAnne Esquibel, President, Stacey Haase, Vice President, Rebakah Courvoisier, Treasurer, and Michael Eshleman, Secretary; Clydene Baca, paralegal for Lori Gibson, and Matthew Wade, 12th Judicial District Hearing Officer.
Otero Federal Credit Union offers student money management course
Local students are getting a free education in how to manage their money. Otero Federal Credit Union is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make an online, remote-friendly curriculum available to schools in Chaves, Lincoln and Otero Counties completely free.
"Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life," Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, said. "But because Otero Federal Credit Union is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free. More than ever, it's important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and Otero Federal Credit Union realizes that and they're doing something about it."
Banzai is an interactive, online program supplemented by printed workbooks and aligns with New Mexico state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. The course work can be completed on any internet enabled computer or mobile device, and teachers are able to monitor student progress remotely. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 60,000 teachers nationwide.
Otero Federal Credit Union has offered time, money, industry experience, and a variety of credit union resources to help local schools teach personal finance in the classroom. Students using the program are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills and balance a budget – but it’s not always easy. Students must learn to manage unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees. The educational program also introduces students to auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs, savings and more.
Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit otero.teachbanzai.com or call 888-822-6924