Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) Thursday announced the 12 winners of the second annual Financial Planning Week Challenge.

FPSC invited CFP professionals from across Canada to submit ideas for events that they could hold in their local communities during Financial Planning Week (November 19-25) to inspire Canadians to take action and learn more about financial planning and the difference it can make in their lives.

Each winner will receive an honorarium of $500 to help pay for their event or to make a charitable donation. This year, each of the winners chose to donate their honorarium to a local charity.

“Giving back to the community is a value we see very much from CFP professionals. These community events are meant to inspire, educate and help people learn more about various aspects of financial planning and bring more of it into their lives,” says Tamara Smith, VP, marketing & consumer affairs, FPSC.

In keeping with the theme for this year’s public outreach campaign (“It’s About Time”), FPSC is encouraging Canadians to make this Financial Planning Week the time to learn more about financial planning and taking action towards their financial wellbeing.

This year’s Challenge winners exemplified this. The winners’ seminar topics ranged from helping young families and those with disabilities to discussing workplace finances with newcomers to Canada and the changes to retirement rules with soon to be retirees.

“We congratulate the winners and also acknowledge all the CFP professionals across Canada who are holding events in their communities,” adds Smith. All events are posted on the FPW Events page, including the Challenge winners.

The 2012 winners are:

CFP professionals

City/Province

Event name

Prize money donation

Tom Markham, Dave Petrie

Delta, BC

Understanding Money Matters and Having Fun With It

Delview Secondary School

Stephanie Dean

Victoria, BC

Financial Planning for all Abilities

RDSP contribution for a participant

Alexandra Gilgunn

Victoria, BC

Financial Planning for Young Families

Young Parents Support Network

Kelley Doerksen

Edmonton, AB

Family Financial Wellness Event

RESP contribution to each of two attendees

Jay Stark, Stuart Sutton, Tim Hansen, Andrea Hansen

Saskatoon, SK

CONNECT 2012: Workforce Finances to Personal Family Finances

Global Gathering Place

Jewel Reimer

Headingley, MB

The Fuss About Fees

Headingley Library

Paul Beck

Hamilton, ON

It’s About Your Financial Life

Marvin Ryder Foundation

Vanessa Chan

Markham, ON

Parents Helping Kids Help Themselves

Canadian Feed the Children

Nancy Edmison

Milton, ON

Financial Strategies for Caring for a Loved One with a Disability

Windrush Stables

Roger Touw

Toronto, ON

Students: Plan for Your Succe$$

Go Green Project

Deborah Jean Young

Deer Lake, NL

The Retirement Rules Have Changed, What Now?

Deer Lake Food Bank

Redge Deg

Halifax, NS

Planning Your Financial Future

Student Graduation Scholarship