September 1999

Forum Brings Together Society Leaders

By Lorrie Lamazor

The NYSSCPA held its first Leadership Forum that brought together nine groups of Society leaders who met both jointly and separately to discuss various policy issues and future plans. The event took place August 15-17 at the Hudson Valley Resort and Conference Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

Approximately 100 members attended, representing the following leadership groups: chairs of Society committees, chapter officers and pertinent local committee chairs, CPA candidates (advisors and presidents), FAE board of trustees, Finance Committee, government relations directors, Leadership Academy (advisory chair, academy chair, and several proteges and mentors), Political Action Committee, and young CPAs (chapter and statewide committee chairs).

Society President Alan E. Weiner, Vice President for Chapters Nancy Newman-Limata, and Committee on Committee Operations Chair Carol C. Lapidus worked in conjunction with Executive Director Louis Grumet and the member relations division to plan the sessions and activities.

"This exchange of information and ideas among such a diverse group was a first for our Society leaders," Grumet said. "Based on its success and the positive feedback from attendees, it will become a popular annual event."

Seven of the nine groups (all but the Finance Committee and FAE board of trustees) had separate tracks with sessions designed to specifically address their particular needs. These tracks ran simultaneously and at times combined for joint sessions on solving problems, explaining new techniques, and sharing ideas on effective leadership.

Committee Chairs Share Experiences

Approximately 25 committee chairs attended the forum, the first retreat-style event the Society has sponsored for chairs.

Participants praised the conference and felt that the Society should continue such events.

"I think it was a wonderful idea to invite the committee chairs as this forum truly makes a huge difference in streamlining my focus and giving me direction in the future," commented one committee chair on the evaluation form.

Other participants said that the informal setting provided an opportunity to brainstorm and gain insight into the workings of the Society.

In addition to the practical sessions, social activities included swimming, a spa, a golf tournament, and a reception and dinner. Among the golf tournament winners were P. Gerard Sokolski, Jeffrey Schwartz and Joseph P. Schlegel.