NOVEMBER 21, 2001 - Tune in on Saturday morning from 8-9 a.m. to “Consumer Insider” on the Michigan Talk Radio Network to learn how to choose where to donate their time and financial donations to non-profits this holiday season.

This week’s Consumer Insider radio program features special guests:

How to Start a Non-Profit/How to Make Sure a Non-profit is Reputable– Guest: Tracy Goss, senior manager for the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services’ Corporation Division

Volunteering for Michigan’s Non-profits – Guest: Kyle Caldwell, executive director of the Michigan Community Service Commission

How Can People Help Michigan Non-profits in Wake of Sept. 11 Attack – Guest: Rob Collier, member of the Michigan Nonprofit Association Board of Trustees and president of the Council of

Michigan Foundations     

“Consumer Insider” is a new weekly live talk radio program about CIS & State of Michigan resources in an effort to educate consumers about state government resources. The show is hosted by Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services Director Kathleen M. Wilbur.

Past topics have included Bio-Terrorism Emergency Response and Safety Concerns with Col. Michael Robinson, director of the Michigan State Police, and Dr. David Johnson, Deputy Director and Chief Medical Executive of Michigan Department of Community Health; and a discussion with Laura Chappelle, Public Service Commission Chair about Gasoline Prices/Protection of Utilities in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack.

Consumer Insider is aired live from 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays on the Michigan Talk Radio Network and simulcast on www.mlive.com. It is rebroadcast on Saturday evenings from 7-8 p.m. and archived on www.mlive.com. Affiliates in the Michigan Talk Radio Network currently broadcasting the radio show include: WABJ-Adrian (1490 AM), WKMI-Kalamazoo (1360 AM), WSJM-Benton Harbor (1400 AM), WMFN-Grand Rapids (640 AM), WMMI-Mt. Pleasant (830 AM), WLDR-Traverse City (1210 AM), WJML-Petoskey (1110 AM), WNBY-Newberry (1450 AM), WMIQ- Iron Mountain (1450 AM) and WHAK-Alpena (960 AM).

Wilbur said, “President George Bush urged all Americans this week to show their support for the nation’s  charities, many of which are hurting from significant decreases in giving since September 11th. This show is an opportunity for consumers to learn how they can wisely give of their time and their financial support for their neighbors in need this holiday season.”

Wilbur has been director of CIS since it was created in 1996 when the Regulatory functions in the former Departments of Commerce and Labor were merged together with agencies from five other departments. Some of the agencies within CIS include: the Unemployment Agency, Liquor Control Commission, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the Office of Financial and Insurance Services.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.