LAST CHANCE! This is the grand finale of our regular monthly meetings until September. A challenge has been made by the Baton Rouge Chapter to see which chapter has the most members to attend the April dinner meeting in support of their chapter. As you did at the March meeting with 60 AGA members and guests in attendance, I am counting on you to demonstrate the power within our chapter. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet our AGA National President, Bill Anderson. Bill is our guest speaker and will provide all with the most current activities and events at the national level.

For our March meeting, hats off to Jim Julian for a superb speaker presentation resulting in over 70 AGA and Association of Women Accountants (ASWA) members and guests. We all learned about "The Internet and the Modern Criminal" while earning credit toward CPE. It was a great opportunity to network with ASWA colleagues and enjoy the excellent Five Happiness food. All aspects contributed to an outstanding meeting.

Again I emphasize that all members are encouraged to meet the challenge and become actively involved in your chapter leadership. I congratulate all officers past, present and future for their dedication and commitment in making AGA a premier professional association.

I look forward to seeing you on April 24th at our joint meeting with AGA's Baton Rouge Chapter at Bull's Corner in Laplace.

Pam

The March AGA meeting was a joint meeting with the American Society of Women Accountants.  President Pam Lincoln called the meeting to order and introduced Diane Allison, ASWA President.  Diane then gave the evenings invocation and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Several guests attending the meeting where introduced as well as the head table and the speaker for the evening.  Pam introduced Tia Moss, a junior at Xavier University, and her mother.  Tia is this year’s AGA scholarship recipient.  Shirlaine George presented Tia with the scholarship award.

Ron Parent, President-Elect, announced AGA’s slate of officers for 2003- 2004.  These included: Ron Parent, President; Peggy Javery, President-Elect; Gary Millet, Treasurer; Mary Herbert, Secretary; Dawn Wagener, Historian; Linda Lewis, Membership; Lila Thompson and Lorraine Dawson, Newsletter; Marcie Tureaud and Chris Cutitto, Education; Jim Julian, Meetings; Wilbert Antoine, Publicity; Gerry Knepp and Jill Byrd, Public Service; Shirlaine George, Awards; Marcia Curole, CGFM Director; Vincent Parenti, Programs; and Pam Lincoln, Website Coordinator.

Diane Allison then introduced ASWA slate of officers and made several announcements.  The WYES Showboat auction will be May 9-16.  The Red Cross Humanitarian Ball is June 13^th at the Fairmont Hotel.  ASWA’s next meeting will be at Carmine’s on Veterans Blvd April 23^rd; Dr. Lacho from UNO will be the speaker.

The meeting then broke for dinner.

Jim Julian introduced Mr. Michael Gordon from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Mr. Gordon has worked since 1999 in the “white collar and computer crime” division.  The topic of his discussion was  “The Internet and the modern criminal”.

Mr. Gordon began his discussion with a brief overview of what the Internet is and how it works.  He then went on to discuss computer hacking, credit card fraud, money laundering, fraudulent checks and identity theft.

After Mr. Gordon spoke he was presented with a gift.  Our newest member, Ursula J. Gifford, won the 50/50 raffle.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p. m.

Dawn Wagener
Secretary

WYES Showboat Auction

We need your help!!!  The 37^th annual WYES-TV Showboat Auction is going to set sail May 9^th through May 16th.  Our date for participation is May 16^th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  We need approximately ten AGA members to volunteer for various jobs. This is a high energy and fun event…and as always WYES supplies plenty of food and snacks.  Please put this date on your calendar and plan to participate in this worthwhile cause.  R.S.V.P. Gerry Knepp at 255-4602

AGA & ASWA VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH AARP

Thanks to both AGA and ASWA for their volunteers who assisted the community with their tax returns on five Tuesday nights from

February 25, 2003, through April 1, 2003.

Volunteers from ASWA included Leslie Read, Patrice Johnson, and Diane B. Allison.  AGA volunteers were Barbara Smith, Ron Parent, Pam Lincoln, and Betty Salisbury.

Your time and knowledge are very much appreciated by the taxpayers serviced.

COLLECTIONS DISTRIBUTED

The continuous flow of generosity has allowed us to participate in two very worthwhile distributions.  First, toiletries and reading materials were gratefully welcomed by two local nursing homes, Our Lady of Wisdom Health Center and Meadowcrest Nursing Center.  Second, our chapter is officially supporting our local troops oversees in IRAQ by contributing toiletries and reading material that will be put into military care packages.  Thanks to all for helping us be a part of these public service efforts.

ON-GOING COMMUNITY SERVICE COLLECTIONS

We are continuing to collect the following:

(1)   Old Cell Phones to be reprogrammed and distributed to battered women for their use in emergency situations;

(2)   Books and magazines for the local Senior Citizens Centers;

(3)   New or used maternity and baby clothing, baby toys, and diapers for the Crisis Pregnancy Center; and

(4)   Toiletries for the homeless.

Please support these community service activities. For additional information, please contact Betty Salisbury (504-255-2344) or Gerry Knepp (504-255-4602).

Our Chapter of AGA wishes to extend a warm welcome to the following new member who was sponsored by Jullin Renthrope:

Ursula J. Gifford

Ursula, welcome to AGA.

We cannot stress the importance of keeping the New Orleans Chapter of AGA at its strongest.  That can only happen with your support.  AGA National’s REAP-Reruit & Retain Essential Accountability Professionals Membership Campaign is in full force this year.  The focus has been on recruiting 2,300 new members into membership this year.  The intent is to encourage you to recruit at least one new member into AGA.  As always, prizes will be offered to Top Sponsors and Top Recruiters.  Get started today!

Renew your AGA Membership Online

AGA members can renew membership online via the Members Only section of the AGA website. To renew online, just access the Members Only site, login, then press the “Renew Your Dues/CGFM Online” button.  Your information is updated immediately into the AGA database.

To all of our sponsors, we appreciate your efforts with the growth of the New Orleans Chapter of AGA. Continue to keep up the good work !!

The following list includes sponsors from May 2002 through March 2003:

If you are interested in joining this distinguished list of sponsors, START RECRUITING TODAY!

Member’s Only Site

Use your member ID number and password (your first initial and last name with no spaces) to access this exclusive site for members only.  If you need member ID number, contact Linda Lewis at 504-255-5902.

The New Orleans Chapter wishes to extend the warmest congratulations to Melissa Rumsey, on the birth of her son, Joshua David.  Joshua was born on March 28, 2003, weighing 8lbs 4ozs and 21 inches long. 

Please share news about yourself or other AGA members.  Contact Linda M. Lewis at 255-5902 or linda.lewis2@usda.gov

2003 CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Please help us spread the word about AGA’s 2003 scholarship program!! Extend the value of your AGA membership and encourage a family member to apply for an AGA National scholarship.

Each year, the AGA awards:

·        six $1,000 full-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members,

·        two $500 part-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members, and

·        one $1,000 community service scholarship to AGA members and non-members

The deadline for receipt of AGA National scholarship applications is April 4, 2003.  Apply now and take advantage of your membership with the AGA.  Visit the web site for more details and an application http://www.agacgfm.org/about/a_awards.htm

Or, contact Sebrina Bridgers, Staff Liaison to the AGA National Awards Committee, at sbridgers@agacgfm.org or 800.242.7211 x 131.

LONG RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN

AGA’s  National Executive Committee has recently updated the Association’s Long Range Strategic Plan.  As AGA enters the final phases of its strategic planning process, we now turn to our National Board of Directors for the vital support that is needed to move forward.  As such, we would very much appreciate your review and comments on our proposed Strategic Framework, as well as the entire draft Long Range Strategic Plan.  Please go to www.agacgfm.org/about/a_lrstrategicplan.htm to view these documents.  Your input and support is very important as we chart the course for AGA’s future. 

We would very much appreciate any comments you have by May 1, 2003.  Please send your replies to me at cculkin@agacgfm.org. Thank you for taking the time to provide your comments. 

Charles W. Culkin, Jr., CGFM
Executive Director

NATIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 27 – May 3 • National Community Service Week.

June 28 • National Executive Committee
Meeting, Chicago, IL.

June 29 • National Board of Directors Meeting, Chicago, IL.

June 29 – July 2 • AGA’s 52nd Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, Chicago, IL.

Sept. 19 • NEC Meeting, AGA National Office, Alexandria, VA.

Dec. 5  • NEC Meeting, AGA National Office, Alexandria, VA.

Feb. 19 – 20, 2004 • 2nd Annual National
Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C.

The following members qualify for a free meal at the April meeting:

Debora Conway-Fikes, Yolie Genovese, Shirlaine George, Jim Julian, Gerry Knepp, Charles Kyser, CJ Ladner, Pam Lincoln, Shelda Melancon, Gary Millet,

Mary Lou Newton, Ron Parent, Vincent Parenti, Gloria Samuels, Barbara Smith, Michelle Taucer, Marcie Tureaud, Warren Wilson

Benefits of Earning The CGFM

Do You Agree?

Question: What are the most common benefits of certification as reported by applicants and certificate holders?

Answer: Although many organizations emphasize job promotion and higher salaries when promoting their certification programs, the reality is that these tangible benefits usually fall at the bottom of the list. What comes out at the top?  Intangible benefits such as increased knowledge, enhanced credibility, and personal satisfaction in attaining a goal.

Interestingly, this pattern holds true across a wide variety of professions, including those for which possessing the credential is tied directly or indirectly to increased income.  It appears, then, that much of the value derived from the credential stems from: (a) the visibility and image of the enhance professional development credential and

b) The degree to which. participation in certification and re-certification

This question was excerpted from Certification Navigator, Copyright 2003, Knapp and Associates International, Inc. Fall, 2002.

The CGFM Regional and Chapter Coordinators continue to work energetically and diligently to inform the financial management profession about the many benefits of earning the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation.

We appreciate each and every AGA member's contribution to informing others about the CGFM - from wearing a CGFM ribbon at AGA meetings and seminars, to offering chapter scholarships to

those members who are planning to take the CGFM exam, to gaining state government recognition for the CGFM.  Every action, however small or large, helps to raise the visibility and image of the CGFM designation.  Those who have earned their CGFM indicate the increased confidence and knowledge they bring to their jobs. From our anecdotal experience, we find that our holders mirror the reasons cited in the answer above. 

Take I-10 West toward Baton Rouge. Take Exit #209, turn left on US 51 and go 3.3 miles to Airline Hwy.  (US 61). Turn right and the restaurant is 0.3 miles on the right, just after the traffic light.  Look for the large red and white awning.

P.O. Box 29186
New Orleans, LA 70189-0186

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

Please contact Linda Lewis (504-255-5902) with address corrections.