Message From the President

Message From the President

By Z. Joseph Tax, Westchester Chapter President

It’s finally here! This is my last president’s column. Today is April 6 and this letter is due April 9. It’s tax season! How do you put aside all the pressures of April 15 and write a decent letter?

I can tell you that there were some really great moments and some not so great. Overall, I’m glad I had a chance to lead this fantastic chapter. Did I have much of an impact? I don’t know. When I took on this job, I had many aspirations, but my most important goal was “do not do any harm” and leave Don Kiamie with a chapter not any worse than when I took over.

I want to say that being president is a lot of work, but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do it. Being a sole practitioner didn’t hold me back. I may have had to work a few more late nights, but all my work went out on time. What I’m saying is that, if I can do it, any of you can do it too!

This all could not have happened without the help of many people. I would like to thank my Board and all the chairmen for their help, and, in particular, Denise Stefano, Jeff Schwartz, Don Kiamie, Dawn McEvoy, Sonnie Hirsch and Johann Leon.

Denise, you came from nowhere and within a year are now on our next Board—one person can really have an impact. Your committee, which lay fallow for many years, is one of our most well attended.

Jeff, you came through for me when I really needed help. You are going to make a great future president. I hope I can help you as much as you helped me.

Don, it’s your ship now! Thanks for being there, helping me to make quick decisions that couldn’t wait until the next board meeting. It seemed as though you were always available, even on weekends!

Dawn, taking on the newsletter job was fantastic. I keep telling you, it’s not too late to become a CPA. You’d make a great chapter president!

Thanks, Bill Pape. I hope the Society realizes how lucky they are to have you. Your help was always appreciated.

I couldn’t have lasted all these months without Lelia Dickenson. Only a phone call away, I felt as if you worked just for me. What I mean is that you made me feel as if I was the most important chapter president. I’m sure all the other chapter presidents feel the same way.

A really big thank-you to my staff, Sonnie and Johann, for dealing with all the extra work this created. You made me look organized and efficient.

Most of all, I’d like to thank my family for putting up with all the missed dinners and family activities. Elena, Mike, Nicole and Zack, after May 31, I’m all yours.

I hope I’ve had an impact on some of you to become more involved. Now it’s your turn to keep this great chapter going.
Well, it’s been fun, let’s do it again sometime. I hope to see you at the Hawaiian Night, Wednesday, May 19.

Z. Joseph Tax can be reached at 914-948-7660 or at zjtax@aol.com.