10 Week Program
Now that your club is up and running, here are some guidelines to help steer you through the first 10 weeks in business. Remember, these are only guidelines. Should you feel ready, by all means set off on your own as you see fit.
 Week One – Investment Basics
Before you jump in and start investing, it's important to be sure you and the rest of the club are up to speed on the fundamental concepts behind smart investment choices. Discuss each in this week's meeting and be sure to think about where your club's investment strategy falls – what is your time horizon? Risk tolerance? Have you thought about asset allocation?
Week Two – Stocks
Stocks are a key building block of any comprehensive investment portfolio. This week review the basics on equities, and be sure to pay special attention to the section on how to research them. As an investment club, you will need to have a solid understanding of this part of the process.
Week Three – Mutual Funds
Your investment club may be interested in mutual funds at some point. This week review the basics on mutual funds, and again be sure to pay particular attention to the section on how to select one.
Week Four – Bonds
Fixed income products like bonds are also an important part of any balanced portfolio. This week review the basics on bonds and think about how they might fit into your overall investment strategy.
Week Five – Money Market Securities
Your investment club will likely have cash idle while in between investments – money market securities are a smart, relatively low-risk place to hold those funds. This week discuss the different types of money market securities. Which ones are best suited to your investment club?
Week Six – Asset Allocation
Now that you have covered each of the basic investment products, this is a good time to revisit the concept of asset allocation. This week, review the principals of asset allocation and then try to determine your club's own allocation. Are you on track with your investment objectives?
Week Seven-- Researching Stocks
Your club has been meeting for several weeks now, and you should all have a comfortable understanding of the fundamental investment concepts and basic products. It's time to start building your portfolio. This week, research a stock idea and be ready to share it with the rest of the group at your next meeting. Try putting together a brief, one page write up with your analysis and be sure to do your research thoroughly and present your ideas clearly.
Week Eight – Picking Stocks. Time to share your stock ideas. Go over each member's stock and discuss pros, cons and how owning this company fits with the overall investment objectives of your club. By the end of the meeting you should come up with at least one that you will include in your portfolio.
Week Nine – Researching Mutual Funds
This week, try shifting your focus back to mutual funds. Research a fund idea and be ready to share it with the rest of the group at your next meeting. Again, put together a brief write up with your analysis. You will likely want to include a prospectus of the fund in your presentation. It may take a few days for you to receive the one you request, so start your homework early this week!
Week Ten – Picking a Fund
Time to share your mutual fund ideas. Go over each member's fund and discuss pros, cons and how owning this fund fits with the overall investment objectives of your club. By the end of the meeting you should come up with at least one that you will include in your portfolio.
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