Includes communications templates designed to help you promote the challenge to your employees, your consumers, and the broader communities you serve.
Getting Started with Classroom Connect
EVERFI offers a feature within the platform that allows teachers to show interest in having professionals meet with their classes virtually or in-person. EVERFI will then share information with the CAQ team to engage volunteers in the communication and execution of the event. Follow these steps and use the corresponding templates to communicate with the teacher and start planning your event.
EVERFI offers an in-platform feature that allows educators to request in-person or virtual classroom visits from Accounting+ partners across our national sponsorship. This toolkit consists of planning resources and instructional activities to help our volunteers facilitate an impactful event and build off concepts students have learned in the Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities digital program.
Interested in sharing the Accounting Careers program? Submit a referral!
Classroom Connect Process:
EVERFI will notify the CAQ team of regional requests. CAQ will then notify Accounting+ partners of volunteerism opportunities and make an introduction to begin coordinating the in-person or virtual visit.
CAQ Accounting+ Partner Volunteers should follow these instructions using the resources provided:
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities digital program.
Step 2: Review the resources and sample classroom activities contained in this toolkit.
Step 3: Choose an activity based on the number of volunteers participating in the visit and the event format (in-person or virtual).
Step 4: Email the educator to introduce yourself using the suggested email template.
Step 5: Complete the classroom visit and fill out the post-event survey.
Step 6: Send the follow-up thank you email to the educator.
Did you miss the Accounting+ Volunteer Training Session or simply need a refresher? Tune into the video below to understand more about Classroom Connect and your roles and responsibilities as a volunteer.
STEP 1: Familiarize yourself with the Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities Digital Program
To learn more about concepts taught in the digital course, click here.
Experience the course yourself! Complete the following registration steps:
- Enter in the class code: de752318
- Enter in a birthday (your actual information is not required, feel free to select at random)
- Enter in first name, last name, username, and password to begin accessing the course.
STEP 2 and 3: Review and Select a Classroom Activity
Activity Overview
Easy to implement and highly interactive, this trivia activity works in classrooms of all sizes. Put students knowledge to the test through an interactive trivia game meant to address common misconceptions about the accounting industry.
Resources:
Activity Overview
One of the most common requests teachers have when using EVERFI’s Classroom Connect tool is for professionals to visit their classrooms to speak with students around concepts of career exploration and development. This activity is designed to spark students’ interest in the field of accounting and the opportunities an accounting background can bring, while allowing a group of volunteers to share their expertise and personal stories with students.
Resources:
STEP 4: Send Confirmation Email
STEP 5: Complete Post-Event Survey
STEP 6: Send Thank You Email
Volunteer Responsibilities
New to volunteering? The event activities are designed to be easy to follow regardless of your professional or personal background. Volunteers should be comfortable presenting to and interacting with students virtually or in-person depending on the event format.
Types of Volunteers:
Event Lead: The Event Lead will be responsible for reaching out directly to the teacher, understanding the goals of the visit, coordinating logistics, and recruiting volunteers (if multiple volunteers are interested/required). The event lead may also choose to moderate the event if necessary.
Volunteers: The volunteer is responsible for reviewing the training materials, participating in the live or virtual visit, and completing the post-visit survey.
Tips & Tricks
Keep it Relatable
- You may be the first person a student has met from the accounting industry or from your career focus area. We encourage you to share your personal story and moments from your youth that have helped lead you down a specific path… It just may get them thinking about their own!
Keep it Brief
- We recommend that events are no longer than 45 minutes and, if possible, include transitions (polling, etc.) that allow for two-way engagement to recapture students’ attention.
Remember Classroom Guidelines
- Remember that you are a guest in the teacher’s classroom – don’t forget to say thank you for getting the opportunity to meet their students and be a part of their education for a day.
- If you want to take pictures, please ask the teacher. You will only be allowed to take pictures of students who have completed a photo release form. It’s worth asking if the school district’s media release form covers outside organizations!
Ended Your Activity Early?
- Get the students talking by asking any of the suggested questions below:
- Have you talked about this course with friends or family? What lessons did you share?
- What were you surprised to learn that might be opposite what you thought previously?
- When it comes to your future, what excites you and most worries you?
- What types of jobs are you considering in your future?
Background Information
ABOUT EVERFI
EVERFI from Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is an international technology company driving social impact through education to address society’s most pressing issues, including financial wellness, mental health, workplace conduct, and other critical topics. Since 2008, EVERFI’s Impact-as-a-ServiceTM solution and digital educational content have reached more than 45 million learners globally. EVERFI has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies (2020) by Fast Company, featured on Fortune Magazine’s Impact 20 List (2020), and named to the 2021 GSV EdTech 150, a list of the most transformative growth companies in digital learning. EVERFI was acquired by Blackbaud in December 2021.
Ask Questions
- If you have any questions not covered in this Volunteer Toolkit, please reach out to EVERFI’s Senior Manager of ENT Customer Success, Elana Ziegenbein, at Eziegenbein@everfi.com
Program Referrals
If you have a school or district that you would like to refer to the Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities digital program, please complete the following steps:
- Check out these helpful program FAQs!
- Share information about the program
- Submit your referral(s) here
STEP 7: Share on Your Social Channels
After your classroom visit, capture the moment with a virtual screenshot, a selfie at the school, or a picture from your experience. Share it on your social channels! Here’s some suggested text to accompany your post—feel free to tweak it and add a personal touch from your visit.
What an incredible day visiting SCHOOL NAME with the Accounting Careers: Limitless Possibilities program! I had the chance to share about my passion for accounting with students, sparking curiosity and excitement about the diverse career paths in this field. #AccountingPlus #EVERFI
Grateful for the opportunity to join TEACHER’S class today through the Accounting Careers: Limitless Possibilities program! It was fantastic to see students so engaged and curious about the diverse career paths in accounting. #AccountingPlus #ThankYouTeachers #FutureAccountants #EVERFI
Had a fantastic session with students today at SCHOOL NAME thanks to the Accounting Careers: Limitless Possibilities program! I enjoyed answering questions and providing insights into the world of accounting, helping to shape the next generation of financial experts. Visit accountingcareers.joinaccountingplus.com to learn more. #AccountingPlus #EVERFI