The Executive Committee has voted to send one free CPI Credit Education Awareness Ribbon car magnet to all paid members with their 2006-2007 manuals as a further way to publicize the Awareness Ribbon project. The white-bordered blue unity ribbons started out as a local project for Michele Rocher, MPCE, when she was President of CPI of Atlanta, GA, in 2004-2005. Her theme that year was "Opening the Door to Opportunity". Michele's idea was that the members could wear the ribbons whenever they were out in public and, when people noticed the unusual color and asked about the ribbon's meaning, it would give the member an opportunity to talk about Credit Professionals International. It worked like a charm. People asked about the ribbons in restaurants, stores, offices, waiting rooms, while in line at the movies, and even in the security lines at airports. |
| Michele had also found the perfect awareness tag line: "Prevent Credit Abuse - Promote Credit Education". The ribbon's royal blue and white design not only reflects our CPI colors, but also works well with the national awareness ribbon symbolism. According to the Personalized Cause™ Cause Guide, blue symbolizes, among other causes, raising awareness about education and abuse prevention, and white symbolizes community support, a perfect fit. The tag line is already in use on most CPI websites and we encourage local associations and members to use it on their CPI business cards, brochures, and correspondence. The use of the tag line and ribbon at the International level was approved at the International Conference at Ann Arbor, MI, in June, 2005. Members can create their own fabric unity shape ribbons to wear out of any blue ribbon with a white border. CPI of Atlanta uses Michael's Dashes, Dots & Checks - SKU #387465, Item #D23598, available at Michael's craft stores. This ribbon is 3/8" royal blue with a white dashed border. Wear it with your CPI pin or just use a straight pin. As the project continues to gain momentum we plan to make ceramic or metal clutch pins available. It is our goal to have our CPI Credit Education Awareness Ribbon car magnets and pins as familiar to the public as those used now to raise awareness for Breast Cancer (pink), Patriotism (red, white & blue), and Support of our Troops Overseas (yellow). You can do your part by displaying your CPI Credit Education Awareness Ribbon car magnet proudly when you receive it this Fall, and by ordering additional magnets for your friends, family, speakers, and sponsors. They will be available from the Corporate Office for $3 each while supplies last, or you can order quantities of 25 or more directly from Right On Signs for $1.65 each plus tax and shipping. Then, when someone asks YOU what YOUR ribbon means, you can respond that it's a reminder to "Prevent Credit Abuse - Promote Credit Education", and tell them how CPI and the Foundation work together to do just that in your community. Hand them your CPI business card and invite them to your next meeting! top of page CPI Home Page Back to Site Map |
Credit Professionals International Credit Education Awareness Ribbon Project |
page last updated 8.2.2006
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