Reflections Over an Exciting Year

By Robert J. Schaffer, Nassau Chapter President

As I write my last president’s message, I am reflecting over the past year. First, there was all the preparation for being president, which ended with my year as president-elect, which was a busy and exciting year. I had all the expectations of becoming president and was thinking of everything that I would do as president. That year has now come and is almost gone. It has been an amazing year!

Now let’s get down to the business of the remaining programs for this year.

We have some exciting programs planned for the spring. I hope everyone will join us for the 52nd Annual Installation Dinner/Dance, which will take place on Friday, May 6, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Please join us in welcoming Michael Garibaldi as our next president and installing the rest of the new officers and board members for the 2005–2006 year. See the registration information on our website. There is some exciting entertainment planned.

Our Young CPAs Committee is having a post–busy season networking event on Thursday, May 12, at the 56th Fighter Group in Farmingdale. I invite all young CPAs to come down and join us for a fun event. Thanks go to Rob Pickus for putting this event together and to Independence Community Bank for sponsoring it.

One cannot miss our annual all-day estate and personal financial planning conference, which will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the Melville Marriott. This is a very important seminar, as we are getting or should be getting more involved with the total financial picture of our clients. We have some interesting speakers lined up. Please try to register as soon as possible.

Our newly formed Membership Committee has been very active this year. It is ending the year with a bang by sponsoring our second women’s breakfast and including minorities. It will be held on Friday, May 20, at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho. Please make every effort to attend. This is your Society and profession too! Thanks go to Lisa Haynie for organizing this breakfast.

And of course, it is never too early to mention the 37th Annual Golf Outing, sponsored by the Cooperation with Bankers and Other Credit Grantors Committee. It will be held on Thursday, June 30, at North Hills Country Club. Please make your reservations early. Several of our committees will continue programs throughout the summer. Since our next newsletter is in September, please look for e-mails or check the website for the committee meeting announcements.

Congratulations go to our award recipients for the 2004–2005 year. Michael Gaines has been awarded our Distinguished Service Award for all of his past service to the chapter as a board member, helping to head our high school initiative and, most recently, helping to create our new CPE professional skills seminar. He has always been there to assist the chapter wherever he is needed. Even more recently—in fact, just yesterday—I called upon him to cover a high school career fair on April 14! That is dedication!

Our other award recipient is Micki Levine, who is receiving the first annual Samuel B. Traum Achievement Award in memory of our long-standing active member who passed away last year. Micki has served the chapter in many roles, including president as well as holding other offices. She has also been continuously involved with many different committees, where she sought to advance and benefit women and students in the accounting profession.

I would like to thank the officers, board members and committee chairpersons for all of their support during this past year. In particular, I would like to thank Lisa Haynie and Ellen Gordon for spearheading our newly formed membership committee. And special thanks go to Noelle Geiger and Narissa Khan for all of their efforts with the newsletter. I would like to thank Karen Tenenbaum, among many others, for helping to develop our new Professional Skills CPE seminar. Thanks also go to Gail Linder, Liz Venuti, Marie Umbach and John Barone for all their assistance with our high school and college outreach programs. I am sorry that I cannot mention everyone here who made my year so easy. I would also like to thank Richard Zerah for giving me the benefit of his experience as president last year. And I would be remiss if I did not thank Lelia Dickenson for all her assistance during the past year.

I am honored that you gave me the privilege of serving as your president this past year, and look forward to many years of continued involvement with the Nassau Chapter and the NYSSCPA. I am also saddened that my year as president is coming to a close so quickly. But I am pleased with all that the chapter has accomplished in the past 50 years and how it improves each year. I know the legacy of the chapter will continue for years to come. Congratulations and best wishes go to your next president, Michael Garibaldi, who will continue our proud tradition.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments about our existing programs or about programs we can create, please do not hesitate to contact me at 516-409-5000 or Michael Garibaldi at 516-240-3300.

Enjoy your summer, and best wishes for the future.

Robert J. Schaffer can be reached at rschaffer@schwartz-cpas.com.