Economic Development

financialImageThe Economic Development Committee is a standing committee whose primary focus is to address national and local priority issues and concerns in business, economics and finance.  As a global organization with a membership of over 200,000 sisters, our focus is periodically reassessed to meet the needs of a changing world and economy but our mission remains the same – helping communities achieve economic empowerment and financial freedom to improve quality of life.




Committee Objectives

The goal of the Economic Development Committee is three-fold:

  • Educate our membership and the community about economic development and growth
  • Empower individuals to improve their economic well-being and quality of life
  • Explore tools and approaches to achieve and sustain financial fortitude

 

Program Activities

National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.


In support of our national Financial Fortitude program, chapter activities this fiscal year include:

  • Launch of a Financial Fortitude Series entitled, ‘Stop. Think. Change!’, which helps participants gain a clearer understanding of their current financial priorities; make better decisions about where and how to change spending habits; and set some financial goals - short term and longer term.
  • Presenting workshops dedicated to educating our membership and the community on issues relating to debt management/reduction, retirement, college education financing, investing, insurance, estate planning, home ownership and savings.
  • Sharing tools and approaches for achieving financial fortitude, including a Money Smart Adult Education Program and a Money Smart computer -based instruction tool from the FDIC to complement the Financial Fortitude Program.