February 2000

Workshop Helps Chapter Presidents-Elect Plan Terms

The NYSSCPA held its annual Chapter Presidents-Elect Workshop on December 2 to assist presidents-elect in transitioning into their future role as presidents. The all-day workshop, led by Nancy Newman-Limata, the Society's vice president for chapters, is structured informally to update attendees on professional matters, explain the Society's organization and the role of key personnel, present an overview of the nuts and bolts of chapter administration, discuss chapter issues and concerns and how they will impinge on goals of the upcoming chapter presidents, and provide an opportunity for the chapter leaders to exchange ideas. Nine of the 11 chapter presidents-elect attended.

NYSSCPA Executive Director Louis Grumet discussed the Uniform Accountancy Act, the related legislation pending in New York state, and the November hearing held by the State Assembly. (See the December issue of The Trusted Professional for detailed coverage of the hearing.) Society President-Elect P. Gerard Sokolski briefed the group on the AICPA's recent activities and shared some of his experiences as a past chapter president. Sokolski informed the group that in some ways, the AICPA seems to be moving in an opposite direction than the NYSSCPA. For example, the Institute has disbanded some committees and eliminated certain activities while the Society has seen an increase in committee service and is looking to expand its number of chapters. Both Grumet and Sokolski's topics stimulated much discussion among workshop attendees.

Following the professional issues update, Joseph Falbo, chair of the Buffalo Chapter's Technology Committee, gave a presentation on http://www.nysscpa.org, in which he explained how his chapter uses the Society's website and e-mail lists to improve member communication. The discussion elicited a number of ideas on using technology to reach out to potential new members, contact members more quickly, and save newsletter postage costs. The presidents-elect also explored the possibility of using one printer for all newsletters to cut costs through increased efficiency.

The workshop also featured presentations by Society staff members, who offered tips on how to get things done--including preparing a budget, contributing to The Trusted Professional, filing for CPE credit for chapter courses and obtaining chapter publicity. Attendees praised the session and said they are already looking forward to a reunion this summer at the Society's annual Leadership Forum. *