Yount Fireside

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A pilot effort to learn how to support
educational advancement among Church members
YOUNT PROGRAM In Select Areas
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Educational AdvancementAmong Church Members
Educational advancement has both a spiritual and
a temporal dimension. It needs support from both.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

• Has a heritage of educational advancement
• Needs an educated membership to fulfill its
  destiny
• Has a problem Its members no longer stand apart
  in educational attainment

President Hinckley continually preached an
education motto and a mandate . . .
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. . . a motto and a mandate
If we have a motto, it is this The glory of God
is intelligence. Gordon B. Hinckley,
Teachings, p. 127
Educational advancement is a fundamental doctrine
of the Church applicable to all members
The Lord has mandated that this people get all
the education they can Gordon B. Hinckley,
Teachings, p. 721-724
See Yountprogram.org for numerous quotes by
modern prophets
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The Yount Program from an endowment administered
by THE PERPETUAL EDUCATION FUND DEPARTMENT
The Yount Program for Educational Advancement
Follows the counsel of prophets Patterned after
the Perpetual Education Fund Based upon an
identified need in the U.S.
See www.yountprogram.org
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Steps to Educational Advancement
Its all about the future
1. Realize the value of educational advancement
for yourself, your family, your
community, your church, and your Savior
2. Take the Yount Seminar how to prepare
for, get into, pay for, and succeed in further
schooling
3. Utilize learning by study and by faith
principles
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Who is not getting adequately educated ?
College, including formal technical training, is
all but essential in todays world
During the 9th - 12th grade 22 drop out of
school 1/3 of high school graduates do not go on
to college Only about 1/2 of college students
finish school
Something New is Needed
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Yount Program
So what is holding up educational advancement of
Church members?
Advanced schooling requires far more than
registering and paying tuition

• Less than 40 of secondary students get
  adequately prepared to succeed in post high
  school education
• The transition from high school to college is
  much more difficult than it used to be and few
  are taught how to navigate the process
• Success in college requires a different skill set
  than high school
• Relatively few high school or college dropouts
  result from lack of intelligence

Money is not the barrier parents and students
think it is
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Yount Program
THE YOUNT PROGRAM ADDRESSES ALL EDUCATIONAL
ADVANCEMEENT CHALLENGES

• The lack of adequate basic skills is a major
  reason people find more schooling difficult
• False beliefs about college and the shock of
  college culture can create stumbling blocks
• Disadvantaged populations face a more difficult
  challenge in further schooling and need a
  different kind of assistance and support
• The secrets of school success are known but
  rarely taught . The Yount Program teaches them.

To go or not go that is the question?
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Factors Related to School Success . . .
. . . Are Covered in the Yount Seminar
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The seminar content and follow-up tracking,
monitoring and mentoring are designed to result
in the highest rates of success.
The Yount program promotes school success in
every way possible
Dropouts have difficulty repaying college loans
(most students have them) Dropout creates
disadvantages including a lowering of self-respect
Designed to enhance success and avoid dropout
Teaches the tools of success and provides the
necessary supports
Includes how to learn faster and better and take
advantage of available helps
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Educational Advancement
All kinds of advancement
Academic schooling Technical schooling Job
upgrade training Personal study
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Educational Advancement
Goes beyond preachment It requires a support
system
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Yount Program
The Yount Program assists stake and ward leaders
in their efforts to achieve higher levels of
educational attainment and well being among
members. It has four purposes 1. Support
educational advancement 2. Help equalize
educational opportunity 3. Promote learning by
faith and by study 4. Develop self-reliance
The Yount Endowment was established through a
generous gift of Jack and Blonda Yount, leaders
and builders in Los Angeles, California.
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How the Yount Program Assists Educational
Advancement
Yount Program

• Teaches members how to assess their readiness
  and overcome any barriers.
• Provides direction on selecting and validating a
  career.
• Teaches how to select the right school or
  training institution and find the needed
  resources.
• Teaches members how to learn faster and better.
• Provides grants and loans to worthy members ages
  18-40.

The World of education in Your Hands
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Services Offered
Yount Program
Yount Seminar
For members of all ages with a need for
educational advancement
PreCollege Mini Grants (ages 18-40)
Up to 500 to help worthy members prepare for
success in college or technical training or
obtain short-term job upgrade training
SEE WWW.YOUNTPROGRAM.ORG FOR DETAILS
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Please do not promote the Yount Program as a Loan
program. It is an Educational Advancement
Program that has a loan component when
scholarships or other resources are not
available
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The Yount Seminar . . .. . . promotes and
assists educational advancement
Yount Program
. . . Any type of school
Regardless of where a person left off in their
schooling, the seminar helps them take the next
step.
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Yount Program
THE YOUNT SEMINAR
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THE YOUNT SEMINAR IS TAUGHT BY PEOPLE CALLED AT
THE REGION OR STAKE LEVEL Who will be trained by
Yount Headquarters
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Yount Mini Grants
Yount Program

• Worthy Church members ages 18-40 are eligible to
  apply for a mini grant up to 500 for schooling
  to
• prepare for entry into college or formal
  technical training, or
• obtain short-term job upgrade training leading to
  a higher wage

Improve Basic Skills ? Master English ?
Workplace Success skills ? Includes related
books and supplies
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Mini Grant Application
Do your homework on the type of schooling needed
and school options
Print paper copies of the application from the
Yount Website to fill out.
Collect and fill in the necessary data including
membership number.
Take a final copy to bishop for review and
signature indicating need and worthiness. Bishop
sends or faxes application
Go back to Yount website and transfer the
necessary data to the electronic submission
version. Press the submit button. (both a
bishop signature version and an electronic
version are needed)
Tuition and fees are disbursed directly to
school. Books and supplies are reimbursed to
student based upon receipts.
After approval notification send in your school
invoice.
See Yount Seminar
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Yount School Loans
Yount Program
Worthy Church members ages 18-40 are eligible to
apply for school loans up to 5,000 per year,
10,000 total. Loan applicants must take the
Yount Seminar. (Only parts for those already in
school)
Worthy for men includes a mission for men of
missionary age unless excused. Institute
attendance is expected where it is available.
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Loan Approval Process
Young adults in need of more schooling are
gathered by stake and ward councils.
Group orientations are held and interested
participants are registered for the seminar.
For loans, ERSC validates the career, school,
budget, and loan plan and forwards for approval.
Participants complete workshops/homework. Those
eligible for loans apply online.
Yount Headquarters Loan committee reviews and
approves applications or sends them back for
revision. Loans are set up with payments made
directly to schools.
Local LDS Employment Resource Service Center
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On average an investment in education provides a
greater return than any other investment
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Earnings
VALUE ADDED SCHOOLING
Job Stability
Church Donations
Church Service Skills
Time to Serve Others
Family Success
Church Retention
Childrens Education
RESEARCHED RESULTS
Personal Maturity
Self-Respect
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YOUNT PROGRAM FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT
AREA 70
Presiding Council
TRAINING AS NEEDED FROM YOUNT STAFF
Representatives from Area Coordinating
Councils Employment Center Director Yount
Specialist
Support Arm
Operational Arm
Area Educational Advancement Specialist
Area Coordinating Councils
Stake Ward Educational Advancement Specialist
Stake Ward Welfare Committees
Family
Employment Centers
YOUNT HEADQUARTERS
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DUTIES
Presiding Council
Set Policy and Direction Address Issues
Area Coordinating Councils
Provide Leadership and Oversight Review Progress
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WHO? HOW?
Stake Ward Welfare Committees

• Round up members who want or need more education
• Interview them and ask them to attend the Yount
  Seminar
• Track individual progress through the educational
  advancement process
• Provide mentors and other supports to
  participants as needed
• Provide frequent sustaining contacts
• Align Yount Program with welfare services

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ORGANIZE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Where do other welfare services fit in?
(See Handbook 2)
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From Church Publications
Education is one of the six areas of
self-reliance promoted by the Welfare Arm of the
Church (See Welfare publications)
Church members should obtain formal education
or equivalent training that is necessary for
employment. Bk 2, p 257
Under the direction of the bishop, quorum and
group leaders help resolve temporary and
long-term welfare needs, including those related
to education. Providing in the Lords way a
Leaders Guide to Welfare, p 24 (See also pp 16,
23)
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From Church Publications
Special Stake Welfare Specialists may be called
to assist the stake welfare committee as
needed. Bk 2, p 259 The bishopric may call
Ward Welfare Specialists to assist the ward
welfare committee as needed. Bk 2, p 260
Stake and Ward Educational Advancement
Specialists Fall under the mantle of welfare
Specialists
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EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT SPECIALISTS
Coordinating Council Level

• Train Stake Welfare Committees
• Schedule or Teach Yount Seminar as Needed
• Receive and Compile Reports from Stakes
• Report Progress to Coordinating Council and
  Presiding Council

Stake Level

• Train ward councils (roundup, tracking, and
  support)
• Train new ward educational advancement
  specialists
• Schedule firesides/seminars and arrange teachers
• Collect monthly reports from ward advancement
  specialists and compile a report for region
• Make recommendations for Yount Program improvement

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EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT SPECIALISTS
Ward Level

• See that all ward members are briefed on the
  importance of educational advancement and the
  helps available.
• Round up those in need of more schooling and
  schedule a seminar for them.
• Track participant progress through the Yount
  Program
• Arrange mentors for participants as needed
• Arrange sustaining contacts for participants
• Submit tracking reports to Stake
• Report progress to ward council

Educational Advancement is often Frightening
The Personal Touch is Required
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MEMBER DUTIES

• Promote educational advancement in your family
• Take the Educational Advancement Seminar or go
  through the workbook on the Yount website
• Assist other participants in the seminar and be
  willing to ask others for help
• Study how to learn by faith as well as by study
• Use the skills learned in the seminar to apply
  for financial aid, scholarships or a better job
• Apply for a Yount Mini Grant or Loan if needed
  and eligible

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TWO APPROACHES TO SEMINAR 4-6 hours total in two
study session. Some use Sunday evening firesides.
TWO STEP APPROACH
THREE STEP APPROACH
The bulk of ward members Educational advancement
fireside and registration for the Yount Seminar
Previously rounded up participants Combined
fireside and Part I of Yount Seminar
Yount Seminar Part I
personal homework
personal homework
Yount Seminar Part II
Yount Seminar Part II
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Educational Advancement Fireside(Can be covered
in first part of Seminar)
Yount Program
The purpose is to build hope and enthusiasm for
educational advancement. Priesthood leaders and
family members should be invited in order to gain
an appreciation of the Yount Program and learn
how to support those engaged in educational
advancement.
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Rounding up those in need of Educational
Advancement is the most important task
A You might want to begin with the Seminary and
Institute lists and add older members in need of
educational advancement for one reason or another.
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Who Will Help Participants?
Yount Program

• Other program Participants.
• Local Educational Advancement Specialists
• LDS Employment Resource Services Centers
• Sustaining support from priesthood leaders and
  mentors.

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Role of Employment Resource Services Centers

• Teach the Career Workshop if the needed parts are
  not covered as part of the Yount Seminar
• Review loan applications for the availability of
  job opportunities and the expected salary for the
  chosen occupation
• Help students find part time work (or better
  work) during their schooling
• Help graduates locate employment in their chosen
  field

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Area Coordinating Council Next Steps
Align resources Employment Specialists
Quorum Leaders Relief Society ERS Centers

Obtain Yount Materials as needed Can be printed
locally using a master copied from the
www.yountprogram.org website or ordered from
Yount Headquarters. (Reimbursement available)
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Print materials from the website or order them
For help or Further Information Contact
Richard Maxfield 801-240-8389 maxfieldmr_at_ldschurch
.org
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Priesthood Leaders Verification
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PLEASE NOTE
For the time being, the Yount Loan Application
uses the regular PEF loan application. This can
be confusing since Yount is separate from PEF.
Some of the fields do not apply to the Yount
Program. Participants must closely follow the
instructions at the end of the Yount Seminar
Workbook.
The same applies to the Loan Status Report sent
to stake presidents and bishops. Please make sure
that people do not think that the PEF program has
come to the U.S.
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Questions and Answers
Yount Program

• Can inactive members take advantage of the Yount
  program? (Anyone can go through the seminar)
• Are students expected to work while attending
  school? (Yes, part time if they have a loan)
• What is the biggest challenge participants
• typically face? (Self-confidence and
  self-disciplinemoney can usually be found)
• Even if adequately prepared and with available
  scholarships or loans, what prevents some from
  further schooling ? (Living expenses, attitudes,
  misunderstandings, etc.)

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Questions and Answers
Yount Program
5. Can multiple family members participate in the
Yount Program? YES 6. Which areas in Southern
California can participate? Ventura County South
to Mexican border and East to Arizona border 7.
How soon must a loan be repaid? As soon as
practical but within eight years 8. Can a
person have both a mini grant and a loan? Not
at the same time 9. What is the current interest
rate? 3 but subject to change 10. Can a person
go to school part time and still get a loan?
Yes, but attending full time and working part
time is usually a better investment 11. How
soon before school starts should I get started?
Three months to a year are recommended 12. How
long does it take for grant/loan money to be sent
to my school? Up to a month after the application
is complete
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If you wish to help education advancement in
other ways, contact Dr. Maxfield
Field Coordinators Writers Graphic artists Layout
artists Programmers
801-240-8389