By Ernest J. Markezin, Associate Director, Committee Services

Participating in a New York State Society of CPAs committee is one of the most effective ways for members to practice and refine their skills while contributing to the Society. Now is the time to join.

Committee service is for members interested in enhancing their technical proficiency and career potential, having a voice in the legislative and regulatory process, and making business contacts, as well as giving back to the profession through mentoring or educational program development. See the abridged committee description listing beginning on page 19 to find a committee that best suits those interests.

To join a committee for 2003-2004, you may apply online by going to www.nysscpa.org, clicking on “Find Committees” at the left-hand side of the page and then look for the “Committee Application” link at the right-hand side of the page. You also may contact Nereida Gomez, committee services manager, at (212) 719-8303 or ngomez@nysscpa.org.

Members currently serving on committees no longer are required to go through the annual reapplication process. In September of this year, the Society’s Committee Operations Committee, in response to committee membership, approved a streamlined procedure based on the presumption that members who volunteer to serve on committees typically desire to do so for periods longer than twelve months.

Current-year committee members automatically are carried over to the next committee year unless they notify the Society that they do not wish to continue or if the chair deems that their services are no longer required. A mechanism will soon be in place where committee service will be part of the member profile. A check box periodically will appear so that members can notify the Society if they no longer wish to serve on a committee. More details will follow in future committee communications.