Chapter Presidents-Elect Exchange Ideas

At the annual Chapter Presidents-Elect Workshop on December 3, representatives from all 11 NYSSCPA chapters received information to assist them in their tenure as presidents and had the opportunity to discuss their goals for their upcoming terms.

Society Vice President for Chapters P. Gerard Sokolski (Rochester) and President-Elect Alan E. Weiner (Nassau) opened the meeting with a presentation on the chapters' role. Sokolski also congratulated the group on the fact that all 11 Chapter Presidents-Elect were in attendance. Attendees included Raymond M. Nowicki (Buffalo), Gary Cassiello (Mid Hudson), John J. Kearney (Nassau), Katharine K. Doran (Northeast), Steven J. Solimano (Rochester), Charles J. Barrett (Southern Tier), Richard Prinzi, Jr. (Staten Island), Robert S. Peare (Suffolk), Joseph J. Schlegel (Syracuse), John L. Savage (Utica), and Sandra Napoleon-Hudson (Westchester).

Outlining issues and goals for the upcoming year, Weiner discussed the Society's efforts toward developing a New York version of the Uniform Accountancy Act and other professional concerns, including his view on where the CPA stands in the marketplace. He said his goals include increasing membership and attracting younger CPAs, and expressed hope that the Big Five and other large firms would increase their participation in the Society.

Weiner also stressed the need for chapters to offer programs that provide enough incentive and interest to attract members in industry. The group exchanged ideas on how to develop meaningful CPE courses for this membership segment.

The afternoon session included a group discussion where chapter presidents-elect presented their individual concerns. John J. Kearney talked about CPE at the local level, including financing meetings and administering attendance control. He also mentioned the Nassau Chapter's active Young CPAs Committee and the networking value it brings to younger members. Gary Cassiello said one of his goals was to provide ways to assist members in transforming their practices to meet new challenges faced by the profession as it enters the next century. Other presidents-elect discussed their plans, and the group exchanged ideas.

Attendees also were briefed on Society operations by staff including Executive Director Louis Grumet, Director of Communications Joanne S. Barry, Director of Governmental Affairs Fong Chan, Director of Operations Alan Schmelkin, and General Council and Director of Technical Services James A. Woehlke.

Director of Member Relations Lorrie Lamazor, Manager of Chapter Relations Xiomara Fox, and Manager of Meetings and Conferences Sheila B. Griffiths presented the Society's operational and administrative services for chapters and offered advice to facilitate the attendees' incoming terms as presidents-elect. The workshop's agenda also included an update on the CPA Vision Project by Joanne Barry, the Society's designated "vision keeper."