Two seminars addressing issues of estate planning are coming up for Portage County residents.
The first, "Taking the Mystery out of Estate Planning," is scheduled for Monday, April 26. The seminar will provide advanced estate planning information. Topics will include a summary of the current federal estate tax and the new Wisconsin estate tax; how to reduce taxes with charitable giving; long-term care insurance, what it is and who should have it; and the facts about medical assistance rules and nursing home costs.
The law firm of Anderson, O'Brien, Bertz, Skrenes and Golla will present the seminar from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sentry Theater. The seminar is free, but reservations are required and those who plan to attend should call 344-0890.
The second seminar, "The Basics of Planned Giving," will be presented by professional planners in the Stevens Point area and is scheduled for Thursday, May 6. Topics will include basic concepts and terms used in planned giving; types of gifts and their advantages/disadvantages; what to do if someone offers you a large gift; and useful resources for donors.
The free seminar will run from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Oak Room at 2501 Main St. Reservations should be made by calling 346-5463.
The seminars are part of a program initiated by independent professional planners and by Planned Giving for Portage County, a voluntary alliance of independent, nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to residents of Portage County.
The alliance felt that many people weren't aware that planned giving was a way to contribute to nonprofit organizations in Portage County and organized in order to promote charitable giving. Additionally, the alliance felt that many people did not realize that there are tax benefits associated with planned giving.
Over the past seven years, six area nonprofit organizations, with the assistance of the Anderson, O'Brien, Bertz, Skrenes and Golla law firm, have offered spring and fall seminars to the community. The seminars provide information about estate planning and the benefits of planned giving.
Community response to the seminars coupled with the realization that a voluntary collaborative effort could be successful led the group to form a larger collaboration with a larger mission.
An organizational meeting was held in October 2003 and over 20 additional nonprofit organizations and professional planners joined. Currently, membership is approaching 40.
A voluntary steering committee was also formed. Committee members serve on one of three task forces designated to implement the education, resource guide and marketing initiatives.
The goal of the resource guide task force is to produce a printed list and service description of all nonprofit organizations that have an office in the county and provide direct services to county residents. The cost of producing the directory will be shared by the nonprofit organizations listed in the publication.
The goal of the education task force is twofold. It plans to provide education to nonprofit organizations on the various types of gifts and how to receive them, and to provide information to the public about the personal and financial benefits of planned giving.
The goal of the marketing task force is to produce television and radio public service announcements, as well as newspaper advertisements, designed to inform the public about the personal benefits of planned giving. Since Wood and Marathon counties have initiatives similar to Portage County's initiative under way, and the broadcast media can reach all three counties, the public service announcements will be a three-county collaboration.
Steering committee and task force meetings are open to all nonprofit organizations and professional planners. While steering committee members are not required to serve on a task force, their involvement is encouraged. The hands-on work of the collaboration is done at the task force level and meeting minutes and notices are sent via e-mail to all members.
Task forces and memberships include:
Education: Kelly Caughlan, Stevens Point Area YMCA Foundation; Mary Cayford, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Portage County Cultural Fest, Catholic Charities; Amy Eddy, Anderson, O'Brien, Bertz, Skrenes & Golla Law Firm; Sue Martens, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jim Mendyke Jr., Sentry Insurance; Pam Owens, St. Michael's Foundation; Paul Rice, Community Industries Corp.; Lizz Schneider, Clifton Gunderson LLP; Len Sheard, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
Marketing: Linda Cates, United Way of Portage County; Paul Jaeger, CAP Services; Liz Sheahan, Ministry Home Care, Hospice.
Resource Directory: Meg Erler, Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools; Mary Mahr, Meals on Wheels; Mae Nachman, American Red Cross; Holly Voll, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Nonprofit organizations interested in being listed in the Resource Guide should call 344-4052.
For more information about Planned Giving for Portage County, contact Kelly Caughlan at 342-2980, Paul Jaeger at 343-7519 or Pam Owens at 346-5337.