September 2000

Task Force Supports Creating New Chapters

In recognition of the apparent needs of NYSSCPA members throughout the state, the Executive Committee recently passed a resolution supporting the concept of creating new Society chapters.

The Executive Committee made its decision after reviewing the preliminary findings of the Society’s task force on chapters on August 9.

“We are a chapter-driven organization and need to create the matrix of how to best serve our members throughout the state,” NYSSCPA Vice President David L. Evans said. The authority to create and dissolve chapters is given in the Society’s bylaws to the board of directors.

Based on surveys of Society members across the state, the task force’s initial findings indicate that adding new chapters may be necessary. Surveys were conducted by mail and online at www.nysscpa.org.

Rosemarie Barnickel, former Staten Island Chapter president, noted the respondents’ enthusiasm, characterizing the response rate as “exceptionally high.”

Task force Chair Ronald J. Huefner said the task force expects to finalize its conclusions and recommendations before the Executive Committee discusses the issue again in September.

The task force was created in May 1999 by then Society President George Foundotos to reach out to members across the state and examine the need for new chapters. The task force is comprised of five former chapter presidents: Huefner (Buffalo), Barnickel, Micki Levine (Nassau), Kevin J. O’Connor (Mid Hudson), and Philip G. Westcott (Southern Tier).

The group began in July 1999 by asking each chapter president to broadly assess his or her chapter. The group surveyed Society members this year in January and July.

For more information on the task force’s activities, contact Huefner at (716) 645-3276 or rhuefner@acsu.buffalo.edu.