DSEF Supports National Consumer Protection Week March 1-7, 2009
Welcome to the Direct Selling Education Foundation’s website supporting the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), taking place March 1 – 7, 2009.
This year’s theme, “Nuts & Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy,” focuses on sound financial principles, especially relevant in today’s economic environment. Please join our virtual seminar with just-in-time, important presentations from our partners in government and the non-profit sector who advise on issues that include home foreclosures, investments, credit, and business opportunities.
We hope that as a consumer or a small business leader, you will use the valuable tools we have provided to make informed decisions in today’s challenging marketplace.
Our Company Showcase highlights the messages of support and National Consumer Protection Week activities from members of our parent company, the Direct Selling Association, representing over 15 million independent business owners involved in person-to-person selling businesses.
“As a DSEF Board member, I support the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week and their focus on sound financial principles. Consumer education in general and financial literacy in particular are essential components of a healthy economic system that contributes to the well being of individuals, families and communities. Furthermore, financial literacy provides for a more balanced relationship between businesses and consumers. I encourage readers to consult the resources available on the DSEF’s NCPW website. The information provided there can be useful for teachers and their students as well as individual consumers in their roles as employees or customers.”
Dr. Maria E. Canabal, Chair, Department of Family & Consumer Sciences
Texas State University – San Marcos
DSEF Board Member
“The FTC’s Nuts and Bolts: Tools to Today’s Economy is exactly the right theme and information for consumers in these difficult economic times. As a current board member of DSEF and four decade supporter of the work of DSEF with the FTC and other consumer protection agencies and organizations, I salute and congratulate both the foundation and the FTC for their productive collaboration in this important public service program.”
W. Alan Luce
President
Luce & Associates
“The Pampered Chef proudly joins the DSEF in support of the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week. This year the DSEF offers a variety of tools and resources that provide sound financial principles to help people make informed decisions. New this year are virtual seminars from DSEF’s partners in government and the non-profit sector. The Pampered Chef strives to be a solution for people seeking additional income and ways to save money during these difficult times. We believe that these resources will give our customers, Consultants and coworkers the nuts and bolts for making financial decisions today.”
Doris Christopher, Founder and Chairman
The Pampered Chef
Chairman, DSEF Board of Directors
“I am happy to join the Direct Selling Education Foundation in supporting this year’s National Consumer Protection Week. The March 1-7 ‘Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy’ theme is very timely in helping consumers make intelligent financial decisions in today’s marketplace.
As a DSEF Board Member, the goal of the Foundation is to educate the public not only about economic empowerment, but about the industry, ethical leadership and consumer protection rights too. I would encourage you to review the special website made available here for more information about this year’s opportunity.”
R. Scott Montgomery
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Reliv International, Inc.
DSEF Board Member
“Regal Ware Worldwide is pleased to join DSEF in support of National Consumer Protection Week. Building on our founding principles of integrity, dedication, performance, and pride, we continue to encourage consumers to use the tools available through DSEF’s website to aid in making informed decisions and understanding their options in the financial marketplace.”
Jeffrey Reigle, President & CEO
Regal Ware Worldwide
DSEF Board Member
“Herbalife and its 250,000 independent U.S. distributors join with the Direct Selling Education Foundation and the Federal Trade Commission in support of National Consumer Protection Week this March. Since its founding in 1980, Herbalife has provided consumers with safe and healthful products, backed up by a 30-day money back guarantee. We encourage all of our independent distributors, customers and employees to visit the special DSEF website — the theme for which is Nuts & Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy. In a practical manner, the DSEF website provides helpful tips based sound financial principles.”
Brett R. Chapman
General Counsel
Herbalife International of America, Inc.
“As a lifetime member of the Board of Directors of the Direct Selling Education Foundation, I join many of my colleagues in being aware of the importance of National Consumer Protection Week, and of the recognition it provides both to consumers and to those many thousands of direct sellers who give careful recognition to the rights of consumers. The great majority of direct selling firms whose representatives devote their time to the straightforward representation of worthwhile products and services are assisted in their work by the kind of recognition being given to consumer protection, those who practice it, and those who benefit from it.”
Robert H. King
DSEF Board Member
“The very special service offered to the consumer by the Direct Selling Education Foundation is of far reaching value. Millions of consumers purchase products and services from direct sellers worldwide. The Direct Selling Education Foundation helps assure that consumers understand that this distribution channel is one that cares deeply about business ethics and practices that benefit and enhance the consumer. Hats off to DSEF and to all direct selling businesses that put consumers first.”
Jane Creed
President
Creed & Creed International
“As a DSEF Committee member, I am pleased to commend DSEF for launching this ‘Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy’ Web Site which can make a huge different for consumers and businesses and help them weather this economic downturn. It has very timely topics, easy to navigate and has links to important resources for consumers. What a great resource only during National Consumer Protection Week but throughout the year!”
Pastor Herrera, Jr.
Director
County of Los Angeles Dept of Consumer Affairs
“Mary Kay Inc. wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) and the Federal Trade Commission to educate consumers about critical financial issues facing all of us today. During my service as Chairman of the Board of the Direct Selling Association and the DSEF, I often heard stories about individuals succeeding by overcoming insurmountable obstacles. Whether it’s becoming a successful Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, starting your own business, or just working to provide additional income for your family, believing in yourself and your dreams goes a long way to ensure success. Equally important, is taking the time to become educated about today’s financial, economic and business environment in order to be good stewards of one’s own dream. Embodying the very spirit that helped fulfill her own dream of building a company to enrich women’s lives, Mary Kay Ash said it best: ‘You can do it!’”
Nathan P. Moore
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Mary Kay Inc.
“As CEO of USANA Health Sciences and as a member of the Direct Selling Education Association’s board, I believe in empowering people to protect both their physical and financial health. That is why I am so pleased to join the DSEF in support of the 2009 National Consumer Protection Week, which encourages people to become more knowledgeable about the financial transactions they make every day. I encourage you to use the resources on this site to improve your financial skills–from safer online shopping to smarter investing. With accurate information and sound financial habits, you have the power to make better decisions about your finances and, ultimately, your future.”
Dave Wentz
CEO
USANA Health Sciences
DSEF Board Member
DSEF is pleased to provide a link to the FTC’s National Consumer Protection Week’s Outreach Toolkit. The Toolkit includes banners, buttons, sample documents, and other tools to promote National Consumer Protection Week.
A key goal of the 2009 National Consumer Protection Week is to encourage consumers to make informed decisions in today’s financial marketplace. This page highlights some of the national organizations offering financial education for individuals, parents and students. You will find information on topics that include credit and debt management, retirement, investments, credit counseling, personal finance, E-banking and budgeting and savings.
