November 1999

Rochester

By Steven J. Solimano, CPA, Chapter President

The NYSSCPA Rochester Chapter kicked off its 1999­2000 year with its second annual clambake. KeyBank served as cosponsor again, and the event was a great success. Our members heard four perspectives on investment compliance during a two-hour CPE session on regulations of which CPAs need be aware if considering venturing into investment advising. More than 120 CPAs registered for the technical session, a number the chapter had not seen in years. The clambake immediately followed the technical session, and the 100 or so attendees feasted upon an unlimited supply of steamed clams, clams casino, jumbo shrimp, mahimahi, swordfish, and many other delicious entrees. As chapter members made numerous trips to the serving stations, NYSSCPA officers updated them on current issues facing the profession as part of the officers visitation.

As I learned at the December 1998 meeting of the then chapter presidents-elect, all of the chapters face the same problem: continued decrease of member participation at local functions. I also learned that each chapter is as different as it is similar. I expected to leave that meeting with a clear focus on how to increase member participation but, as I found out, what works for Buffalo may not necessarily work for Rochester. NYSSCPA Director of Member Relations Lorrie Lamazor advised that each president-elect do whatever they thought would work best for their chapter.

I realized that Rochester had to build upon the success of its first annual clambake, an idea modeled after the Syracuse Chapter. I did not have to worry about what other chapters were doing or what had been done in the past in Rochester. Each clambake had key elements that led to its success: a technical session on a timely issue affecting all CPAs, a social atmosphere for enjoying camaraderie among peers, and networking opportunities with representatives from KeyBank and McDonald Investments--all at an affordable price, thanks to the underwriting of KeyBank.

The balance of this year's program also will contain these elements. The clambake's success has raised our standards for what constitutes a successful meeting, and I am confident we will meet these standards in our remaining meetings.

On November 9, we had a general tax update followed by a dinner underwritten by M&T Bank. Just as 20­25 representatives from KeyBank and McDonald Investments mingled with the CPAs at the clambake, M&T Bank loan officers networked with Rochester NYSSCPA members at the dinner.

In January, we plan to hold a technology update; and we are in the process of securing a sponsor and a first-class facility to hold the technical session and provide an exceptional dinner. In May, we plan to hold an accounting and auditing update with a dinner to honor past chapter presidents. Securing sponsors for each of these events will allow us to achieve our goal of providing CPE that appeals to the vast majority of members, a social atmosphere, and networking opportunities. Programs cost $10 for the technical session only, $15 for the session and dinner. In February, we will ride on the coattails of the Monroe County Bar with a cosponsored meeting, and in March we will hook up with the Institute of Management Accountants for a dinner with area college students and a chance for the Rochester Chapter to recognize outstanding students with scholarship awards.

In closing, I would like to relay a message to Raymond Nowicki, Buffalo Chapter president. Our board unanimously accepted your challenge to an interchapter game of softball. Have your people contact my people. *