Chapter Off to a Great Start

By Warren M. Bergstein, Brooklyn Chapter President

Our first meeting of the year—the traditional organizational meeting—was held at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University in early June. The venue, as it has been for the last four years, was the Jonas Board Room overlooking the Lutney Commons, the elegant and restored lobby of the former Brooklyn Paramount Theater.

I am proud to say that our entire Executive Board, including our past presidents Myrna Fischman, Pat Wright and Philip Wolitzer (a member of the State Society Hall of Fame), was present. Several Society staff members attended as well.

We were joined by Steve Valenti, a member of the Society Board of Directors, and Bill Pape and Lelia Dickenson, of the Society staff. Mr. Valenti, whom I have known personally and who has served the Society in many capacities, offered an update of Society activities and plans for the coming year. He called on our chapter membership to take on an active role in advancing the goals of the Society. Mr. Pape and Ms. Dickenson offered their services to the chapter and presented a broad outline of the services that are available to us. Dr. Fischman, herself a member of the Board of Directors, asked the young people present to become active and noted that the rewards for participation come back to each of us in many ways.

I was especially encouraged by the total participation of every individual present. Vice President Jack Cohen immediately went to work to plan our first educational seminar of the year—an employee benefits update, which was well attended despite the short notice. Jack is now assembling a crowd for the Brooklyn Chapter to attend the Brooklyn Cyclones game in the beautiful Keyspan Park on August 18. Check with Jack Cohen to see if any tickets are still available.

Wow, I must be sounding very excited about the year ahead. I am very proud to be president of the chapter that is growing in Brooklyn, for the benefit of those working, living or attached through tradition or otherwise to the great borough of Brooklyn. My goal is to increase the chapter membership and to attract young CPAs and train them for future leadership in the Society.

Warren M. Bergstein can be reached at 212-382-0404 and at wbergstein@akmcpa.com.