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Making Chapter Connections

By Warren M. Bergstein, Brooklyn Chapter President

Yes, I have been president of the Brooklyn Chapter since June 1, and we are approaching the fall with a full calendar of events. Larry Keiser, known for his expertise in all tax areas, will come to Brooklyn on Sept. 21 to update us on the latest developments in the estate and gift tax area. I have attended many sessions led by Larry and always walk away with new ideas to bring to my practice.

Pat Wright, the Brooklyn Chapter’s past president, has information for the Walk for Breast Cancer in Prospect Park in Brooklyn in this issue. Come one, come all; your support is needed.

We will have more information about our October and November meetings in the next issue. Most of the details are on our chapter Web site. Be sure to save the Dec. 1 date for our annual all-day program. Phil Wolitzer and Myrna Fischman have worked with the IRS representatives to put together an information-packed full-day program.

Thanks again to Jack Cohen for getting us great speakers for our first educational program in June. More than 40 people attended, with short notice, what was an excellent program on employee benefits. The three speakers, Joseph Cosenza, Daniel Handley, and Robert Geils, were well received.

Brooklyn Chapter President-Elect Audrey Dussard and I were joined by Veronica Beltran, our Young CPA Chair, at the NYSSCPA Leadership Conference at the Sagamore Hotel. We had an opportunity to hear firsthand about the challenges facing our profession. Our State Society has taken a strong leadership role on many audit and tax initiatives. We were able to interact with members of the Society Board, including Myrna Fischman and Steve Valenti, our Chapter Liaison. Although kept busy by the Society staff, we found time for recreational activities around one of the most beautiful settings in New York state.

So, if someone tells you that involvement in Society activities is a thankless task, tell them, in true Brooklyn language, Fargetaboutit! My past leadership roles with the Society have taken me to places I would never have had an opportunity to visit, and the friendships, associations and valuable connections have made every activity I have been involved in over the years very worthwhile.

I hope to see all of you on Sept. 21 at the beautiful, state-of–the-art Library Learning Center at Long Island University.

Warren M. Bergstein can be reached at 212-382-0404, Ext. 206, or at wbergstein@akmcpa.com.