Paul Clitheroe

Renowned financial literacy advocate, philanthropist and media commentator, Paul Clitheroe AM, has accepted an invitation from the trustees of Future2 to be Patron of the Foundation.

Mr. Clitheroe is executive director at ipac securities, a company he founded in 1983, and Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board.   He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, former Chairman of the Financial Planning Association and among the handful of people to have helped spearhead the development of the modern financial planning profession.

“Paul has a unique combination of qualities, beliefs and skills that make him an ideal choice as Future2 Patron”, says Future2 Chair Steven Helmich. “A gifted communicator and inspirational role model, Paul will reach out with the Future2 message.  There’s no one better placed to shine a light on the heart of the financial planning profession which, through Future2, is making a real and lasting difference to the lives of those most in need.”

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Marianne Perkovic, Executive General Manager Advice at Commonwealth Bank, was unanimously endorsed as a Future2 director/trustee at a recent board meeting, for a three year term.

Future2 Chair Steve Helmich warmly welcomed Ms Perkovic to the board. “Marianne is one of the most outstanding women in Australian financial services. We have no doubt that our board will benefit hugely from her contribution, drawn on a long and distinguished career.

“As Future2 works towards greater engagement by financial planners in their profession’s charitable foundation, Marianne’s enormous breadth of experience in the advice sector will be invaluable to us”, he added.

Ms Perkovic has twenty years’ experience in financial services. She joined the Commonwealth Bank Group in 2010 as General Manager of Distribution at Colonial First State and was promoted to Executive General Manager CBA Wealth Management in 2012. Prior to joining CBA she was with Count Financial Limited for more than 11 years, being appointed CEO and MD in 2006. That appointment made her the youngest female CEO of an ASX listed company. Marianne holds directorships across a number of CBA’s subsidiary boards.

On her appointment Perkovic said, “I am very passionate about the important role that advice and the industry play in helping people achieve their goals and provide them with more life choices. I feel privileged to have been asked to join the board and look forward to continuing the great work Future2 is doing,” she added.

The Future2 board now numbers 9 directors/trustees, including three who are nominated by the board of the Financial Planning Association.

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Some of the 2013 Future2 Wheel Classic cyclists.

Cyclists in the financial planning community can now register online to join the 2014 Future2 Wheel Classic. Their challenge is raise $100,000 by riding from Melbourne to Adelaide, 13-19 November, arriving to a reception on the eve of the FPA Professionals Congress.

Now in its fifth year, the Future2 Wheel Classic has become an iconic fundraising event both for the cyclists who take part and in the wider financial planning profession. Funds raised enable Future2 to make grants to community not-for-profits that give disadvantaged kids all over Australia a new start and hope for a better future.

“The Wheel Classic showcases the best of our profession. It’s about accepting a personal challenge that pushes the boundaries, doing the right thing as a professional, and creating better lives for those in need”, says Future2 Chair Steve Helmich.

Over $420,000 has been raised in the first four years of the ride from cyclists’ own fundraising efforts and corporate support. This year’s target is $100,000.

“The interest is already high, both from teams and individuals” says Ray Griffin, a founding trustee of Future2 who, with fellow trustee Peter Bobbin, was the inspiration for the event and rode in all four Future2 Wheel Classic events. “We’ve also had an expression of interest from Japan, so we may have our first international participant this year.”

Ride virtual!

Sign up now

Wheel Classic sign up and fundraising

A 10% discount applies to registrations made up to 31 May. Registration closes on 31 August. Cyclists may register for any combination of days, or for the whole ride. They may register as individuals or as a team member. Once registered, they set up an online fundraising page and a target for fundraising.

Cyclists who exceed higher fundraising targets will have the option to take a refund of their registration fee, or to give it to Future2 as a tax-deductible donation.

Special discount on FPA Professionals Congress

All FPA members who register to ride the Wheel Classic will be eligible for a 10% discount on registration for the FPA Professionals Congress in Adelaide, 20-21 November, and a 25% discount if they reach higher fundraising targets.

* Attainment of the higher target will qualify riders for a 50% refund of their registration fee. qualify for refund of registration fee.

Virtual Wheel Classic

 The registration fee for the Virtual Wheel Classic is $90 (until 31 May); $100 from 1 June to 31 August. Virtual Wheel Classic participants are expected to raise at least $250. If they reach the higher target of $1,000, a 50% refund of registration is offered.

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Future2’s annual cycling fundraising event starts soon.

Future2’s annual cycling fundraising event takes to the road next month on a 1250 k route from Melbourne to Sydney.  When the Future2 Wheel Classic arrives in Sydney on 13 October, 5,000 km will have been covered in four Wheel Classics, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help disadvantaged young Australians towards brighter futures.

The annual fundraising event has attracted sponsorship from AMP Financial Planning (Gold Partner) for a third year, with a number of its planners and staff taking part this year.  Matrix Planning Solutions is Silver Partner for the fourth year running.

Thirty one keen cyclists have signed up for what promises to be one of life’s unforgettable experiences – a challenge of mental and physical stamina that will bring the satisfaction of knowing they are helping some of the most at-risk and in-need kids in Australia.

Each cyclist has set up an online fundraising page and is seeking the support of friends, family, colleagues and anyone who wants to recognise their herculean effort and selfless dedication to a great cause.  Donations can be made at www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/f2wheelclassic2013 .

Of the 31 cyclists:

• 13 have participated in earlier Wheel Classic events
• 3 – Peter Bobbin, Ray Griffin and Roger Simionato – have ridden in all four events
• 9 are riding the whole Melbourne to Sydney route
• 5 teams are participating: AMP Sparks, Bravien Financial, Hillross Bendigo, Les Trois Originals and Milestone Financial

“The Wheel Classic sets a gold standard for innovative fundraising by a professional community,” said AMP Financial Planning Managing Director Michael Guggenheimer.

“The Future2 Wheel Classic is a journey for the financial planning profession as a whole – not just those cycling in the event.  It demonstrates the move towards professionalism for financial planners, reflected also in their long-standing commitment to helping others.  As the ride makes its way from Melbourne to Sydney via Bendigo, Shepparton, Wodonga, Khancoban, Jindabyne, Canberra, Bowral and Wollongong, we will take that message into every community.”

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Planning is the key.

Australia’s leading succession lawyer is inviting financial advisers, their clients and the public to join him to learn the Planning Holy Trilogy: Wealth Creation, Wealth Preservation and Wealth Distribution. “Bring pen, paper and the ‘important other’ in your life and get ready to learn”, he says.

For the fourth year, Peter Bobbin is donating his time to deliver the Future2 seminars while simultaneously participating in the Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the Future2 Wheel Classic, a 1250 km charity cycle ride from Melbourne to Sydney.

Peter Bobbin, managing principal of Rockwell Olivier Sydney and a founding trustee of Future2 Foundation, knows all there is that is important to know about tax, super, risk insurance and much more.  He is a much-in-demand guest lecturer at a wide range of universities, institutes, associations and financial services businesses.

From 30 years’ experience, Peter guarantees financial advisers that their invited clients will turn to them to implement the simple strategies he talks about.  He offers practical tips and insights on minimising succession taxes, why super borrowing is so tax-effective (but watch the pitfalls), how to be commercial business succession ready, the common failings with children loans and how to fix these, how and why to testamentary trust the will (and when not to), the major super ‘dos and don’ts’ and much more.

The seminars are co-sponsored by Lonsec, a specialist in stockbroking and financial research, and Magellan Asset Management, manager of global equities and listed infrastructure strategies.  The Melbourne, Albury Wodonga and Canberra Chapters of the Financial Planning Association are supporting the events.

The sessions are being held in

• Melbourne, 4 October, 12 to 2.15 pm (Click here to book for the Melbourne session)
• Albury Wodonga, 7 October, 4 to 6.30 pm (Click here to book for the Albury session)
• Canberra , 10 October, 4 to 6.30 pm (Click here to book for the Canberra session)

The cost is $30 per person;  $210 for a table of 8 and the price of admission is fully tax-deductible.

Tickets may be booked by financial advisers on behalf of clients, or directly by members of the public.

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Future2 the FPA have executed and MOU .

A long-standing relationship between the Future2 Foundation and the Financial Planning Association (FPA) has been formalised and strengthened with an agreement to work together for the betterment of the Australian community and the enhancement of professionalism among financial planners.

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Online shopping with a charitable outcome.

A new initiative to raise funds for the Future2 foundation is designed to encourage donations without needing to ask for cold, hard cash.

Shop for the Future is an online shopping portal for the financial planning community, where a percentage of each purchase, normally around 10%, is donated to the Future2 foundation.

“There are so many worthwhile charities, and it can be tough to hand over cash each time there is one you want to support”, says Susie Munro from Sixpence Media, the creator of the site. “This provides an alternate method to lend a helping hand.”

The site is not just for advisers, but for their clients, friends, family and centre of influence partners.

“By purchasing items that are already part of your budget, such as a bunch of flowers for a client, a new business shirt, a bottle of wine, running shoes or pair or glasses, then Future2 wins as well.”

“Of course, while this is a shopping portal, mindful and controlled spending is what we encourage. Spending for spending’s sake doesn’t do anyone any favours. You may as well just make a cash donation.”

It is also a way for advisers to initiate a conversation with their clients around charitable giving. And although the percentages may seem small, over time they add up. “If every FPA member (about 7,500), spent $100 over the course of the year, that would contribute about $75,000. Add clients and family in to the mix and you can see it doesn’t take much to have an impact. It’s about small amounts combining in volume, to make a big difference.”

Future2 Chair Steven Helmich welcomed the initiative by Sixpence Media, commenting, “Shop for the Future is a creative concept that deserves the support of the financial planning community. We wish Sixpence Media great success and look forward to spreading the word to our donors and other stakeholders.”

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Future2’s grants focus on the under 25s who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or Indigenous. Grants are awarded to projects and programs in areas such as financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service or mentoring.

The Make the Difference! Grant program is designed to encourage the involvement of financial planning professionals in community projects by requiring their endorsement and support of each grant application. All grant applications are made by charities and community groups with the support of members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), or other professional bodies recognised by Future2.

2013 Make the Difference! grants will open to applications from 8 April to 31 July. 

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Future2’s grants focus on the under 25s who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or Indigenous. Grants are awarded to projects and programs in areas such as financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service or mentoring.

The Make the Difference! Grant program is designed to encourage the involvement of financial planning professionals in community projects by requiring their endorsement and support of each grant application. All grant applications are made by charities and community groups with the support of members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), or other professional bodies recognised by Future2.

2013 Make the Difference! grants will open to applications from 8 April to 31 July.  Grants will be announced in October 2013.  Last year, grants totalling $60,000 were awarded to 7 not for profit organisations.

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Future2 Wheel Classic

Future2 has awarded two grants of $5,000 to past grant recipients whose programs have demonstrated exceptionally sound results and a strong link with the financial planning profession.

The grants follow the award in late 2012 of five grants of $10,000 each within the 2012 Make the Difference! Grant program. The grant recipients were selected from 42 applications, each endorsed by a local financial planning professional.

The latest two grants go to:

Glendyne Education and Training Centre, QLD
www.glendyne.qld.edu.au
Project: Glendyne Learning Support Program
Supported by: Shane Bradbury, Professional Investment Services

Byron Bay Community Association, NSW
www.byroncentre.com.au
Project: Community Table Café: a vision of hope and real opportunity, creating employment through mentoring
Supported by: Paul Murphy, AdvicePlus Financial Solutions

The 42 applications for 2012 grants included four from organizations who had been awarded grants in earlier rounds.  Recognising the value of sustained support for projects that are well-managed and highly effective, trustees agreed to commit $10,000 on top of the $50,000 awarded to new grant recipients late last year.

Byron Bay Community Association general manager Paul Spooner responded to the news of the $5,000 grant with the message: “This is such AWESOME news! I have just turned my computer on after getting back power and internet after being down for 2 days due to the severe weather on the North Coast. This is one of the first emails I have read … Thank you so much for having faith in the project, it has been great to be involved with the Foundation and look forward to continuing the relationship.”

Future2 Make the Difference! Grants are made to grassroots community organizations working to give a second chance and hope of a better future to young Australians who are socially or financially disadvantaged.  Each grant application is made with the support of a local financial advice professional who is a member of a professional body such as the Financial Planning Association or the Association of Financial Advisers.

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