May 2000

Westchester

By Sandra A. Napoleon-Hudson, CPA, President

Our chapter has been busy trying new ideas and focusing on outreach programs, both alone and in conjunction with others. As professionals, we have a great deal of expertise to offer, and offer it we have.

This year we were involved in two joint ventures with The Journal News, the local Gannett newspaper. We featured a call-in tax hotline in February and a call-in "How to Start Your Own Business" hotline in December. The business hotline participants also included attorneys, bankers, and insurance agents that we brought into the program. Participants of both programs had a terrific time fielding questions from the general public, and the Journal News folks are looking forward to sponsoring the programs again next year.

Chapter members met with Urban League and Westchester County Department of Social Services officials and designed a program to discuss the earned income credit with caseworkers so that they could inform their welfare-to-work customers of its availability. Chapter members are also working on related programs to teach caseworkers about family budgeting and banking matters. In addition, we are collaborating with the Westchester County Association and Westchester Community College on programs for entrepreneurs who have started, or are thinking of starting, a business.

Our One-on-One program with the many high schools and middle schools throughout Westchester is approaching the 20-year mark. It's great to see the Young CPAs involved in these programs, and the students enjoy talking to them. Our Young CPAs also brought Christmas in May to the Blythdale Children's Hospital.

Our other committees presented superb programs throughout the year, ranging from Excel techniques to several tax meetings, A&A updates, and an evening with Yankees batting coach Chris Chambliss. The Loan Officers/Cooperation with Bankers Committee sponsored an interactive mystery theater meeting where attendees tried to solve "Who Killed the Boss?" (Some attendees seemed almost TOO attentive!)

It's been a busy year, and it isn't over yet. Westchester has always been a chapter that is willing to try new things. Who knows what idea some member might come up with next? *