Message From the President

By Rich Zerah, Nassau Chapter President

The month of November usually brings a great sigh of relief to those in our profession. We are finally past the extended due dates for corporate and personal tax returns, and we can take a collective breath of fresh air before we look down the road toward busy season. In this spirit, I invite you to participate in the many chapter events we are providing this month.

For this month’s chapter meeting, we have our annual “Student Night” on Nov. 12 at the Chateau Briand in Westbury. This event is usually well attended by students from area colleges and universities and allows practitioners and students to network in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Our guest speaker for this event is Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, president of SUNY College at Old Westbury. He will address the importance of recent developments to business and business education. Over the years, I have found the lively exchange between practitioners and students both refreshing and energizing to all who attend.

We are continuing to move ahead with our mentoring program, which is spearheaded by our Cooperation with Educational Institutions Committee. We have selected two educational institutions to participate in this pilot program, and have received enthusiastic interest from our members to become mentors. Although we began the program in October, please contact Gail Linder if you are interested in participating on a go-forward basis.

This month we also have the chapter’s annual blood drive. Each year, many of our members generously participate in this life-saving cause. Please refer to this newsletter for the dates you can donate and help this chapter once again show our commitment to helping those in need.

Hopefully November’s events will draw as much success as last month’s activities. On Sept. 6, our chapter cosponsored a Young CPAs cruise on the Hudson River with the Manhattan/Bronx and Suffolk Chapters. It was an absolutely glorious day weatherwise, and all attendees enjoyed the afternoon thoroughly. We all thank Marie Umbach, one of our Young CPAs Committee cochairs, for coordinating the event. And on Sept. 18, we held our second annual “CPAs for a Cause 5k Run/Walk.” Although we were staring at the threat of Hurricane Isabel, our members turned out in force and braved the strong winds to make the event a success. Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman attended the event and thanked our members for being an important and integral part of the community. The proceeds of the run, around $13,500, benefit the Long Island Community Foundation, which works to provide a permanent source of private funding for Long Island’s charities. We appreciate the efforts of Alan Levine, John Barone, Roy Massa, Raymond Floch and Micki Levine for a job well done.

Finally, don’t forget we will be celebrating our 51st chapter dinner dance on Friday, May 7, 2004, at the Cresthollow Country Club, where we will be installing Robert Schaffer as our incoming president. I hope each and every one of you will attend and support Robert and the chapter, as you have in the past.

As always, I am available for your input, comments and concerns.

Rich Zerah can be reached at 516-735-4717 or rich@zerahco.com.