Prepared by: Eileen St. Pierre, Personal Finance Extension Specialist, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6122, (405) 744-8072,
Lesson revised: May 2012
Time needed to teach lesson: 40 minutes to 1 hour
Lesson Focus and Description: Tornadoes are a fact of life in Oklahoma. They make us aware that everything we own may be gone in an instant. Documenting your personal property and safeguarding your important records are vital steps in surviving a disaster. Having a plan in place will make getting through such a difficult time in your life less stressful. Being organized will also help you manage the activities of daily life with much more ease. You will not have to search for where you put the bank statement or the utility bill that is due next week.
Objectives: In this lesson, you will learn to:
· Organize your home office space
· Identify and inventory important papers
· Determine how long to keep important papers
· Set realistic goals for getting organized
Materials:
1. Teacher’s Guide
2. Lesson Guide
3. Handout Helpful Websites for Replacing Important Documents
4. Finances Issue Team Evaluation Form
5. PowerPoint Slides or Flip Chart
Suggested Activities:
Before the Lesson
1. Read through Teacher’s Guide, Lesson Guide, and Handout.
2. Go through PowerPoint Slides or Flip Chart.
3. Determine if you need to print Fact Sheets.
4. Gather examples of labeled folders and envelopes, CDs and flash drives, portable storage containers (to take records with you in case you need to evacuate), and a digital camera.
5. Make sure there are enough copies for each member.
At the Lesson
1. Handout materials.
2. Go through Lesson Guide (and PowerPoint if you so desire) with club members.
3. Ask members to share how they have organized their important papers (or lack of organization).
4. Show examples of items listed above. Show members how to use digital camera to document household inventory.
Evaluation:
Administer evaluation form.
Checklist of things to consider for self evaluation
1. Was the audience generally interested in this topic?
2. If you brought samples to the lesson, did the members come up after the lesson to examine them more closely?
3. Did they understand how to use a digital camera?
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.