Thought Leadership Thursday
Are you ready to search for missing money on Unclaimed Property Day?
Thought Leadership Thursday Article
Are you ready to search for missing money on Unclaimed Property Day?
January 26, 2023
State Treasurer & NAUPA President
Nebraska
Dear Colleagues,
It is my honor to serve as the President of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators as we embark on a new 5 year strategic plan. Our Vision which guides our work is to be “the foremost authority on unclaimed property” and “lead a coalition of administrators to reunite all recoverable unclaimed property with its rightful owner.”
State programs already do an excellent job reuniting property. In our most recent Annual Report, states collectively returned $4,020,939,375.39 to its rightful owner! We need to ensure we are making these successes known and continue to raise awareness of these vital consumer protection programs.
Our messages are stronger when we come together in one bipartisan voice to be heard nationwide. This year, NAUPA continues to build off the success of our 2022 campaign by introducing some new, creative ways to educate the public and our local leaders about the unclaimed property services our state governments provide.
NAUPA has purchased advertisements to run in every state on the Audacy streaming platform from Jan 23rd to Feb 1st. We will also be sending out a press release on January 17th and using social media all day February 1st with #unclaimedpropertyday.
In addition to our nationwide audio efforts, there are a number of ways your office can get involved to help spread the word:
- Detective Social Media Campaign. Our social media campaign this year features a detective theme encouraging people to search for the clues of their missing money. We have a great video featuring our new Inspector to help get the word out that would work great on social media.
- Proclamation Template. NAUPA has created a proclamation template to help make this an official holiday in your state like Maine has done. The great work of your programs are very deserving of this recognition and awareness.
- Send a press release to your local media outlets. NAUPA has developed a template press release to help earn your office some local media coverage and get the word out about February 1.
- Draft a letter to your legislators to raise awareness and encourage them to get involved with outreach to their constituents. Our template letter, which can be tailored to state lawmakers and persons of influence, will educate them about unclaimed property and how they can impact marketing and outreach efforts within their communities.
- Spread the word about ucpday.com and #unclaimedpropertyday. However you choose to get involved, we want to encourage states to direct traffic to ucpday.com which contains a link directly to all state’s websites and hashtag your social with #unclaimedpropertyday so NAST can follow and boost your posts.
I invite you to join us and be a part of something big to help spread the word about unclaimed property across the nation! The duty of unclaimed property is the work of a lifetime, but we hope you will help us make this day, February 1, a celebration of the tireless effort and incredible successes of these programs.
States are required to return unclaimed property to its owner no matter how long it takes. Remember, it is their money and it should be with our constituents. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Jeremy Dawson with any questions.
Sincerely,
Hon. John Murante
Nebraska State Treasurer
NAUPA President
