New Orleans Chapter
Le Journal de
Nouvelle Orleans

(Continued from Page 1)

Jullin has been professionally active in AGA since May 1979. He was the Regional Vice President for 1998-99 and President of the New Orleans Chapter for 1986-87 and 1995-96. As president, he served on the Host Committee to assist in planning and coordinating the AGA's National Professional Development Conference, which was held in New Orleans in 1987 and 1999. He has served the AGA as Chairman of the National Public Service Committee, Chapter Treasurer, Chairman of the Chapter Programs Committee, and Chapter Membership Chairman. He received a national AGA award for his achievements as Membership Chairman and, in 1994; he received the Financial Manager of the Year Award from the New Orleans Chapter. In addition, he obtained certification under the AGA's Certified Government Financial Manager Program.

He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants; Louisiana Association of School Business Officials; Secretary-Treasurers' Organization of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana; the National Association of Black Accountants, Incorporated; the National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; and the Governmental Finance Officers Associations of Louisiana (GFOA). In 1992, he obtained designation as Certified Government Finance Officer with the GFOA Certification Program. He presently serves on the Board and has served on the Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee and Program Chair for the New Orleans Chapter of the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. He also served several years on the Personnel Committee of the Office of Legislative Auditor. In addition, Jullin is a member of GFOA Special Review Committee for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in the Financial Reporting Program. He is a volunteer instructor for the American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter.

By the time you read this message Easter will have come and gone. So I hope everyone had a happy, safe Easter. This is our last formal meeting of the year and it is a joint meeting with the Baton Rouge chapter. We also have a standard challenge with the Baton Rouge chapter to see which chapter has the most attendees at the joint meeting. We are the defending champs and I don't want to lose the title on my watch. I am issuing a challenge to all members to come to this month's meeting. The speaker for this month's meeting will be the national President and our very own Jullin Renthrope.

He will give us an update as to what's going on at the national office. He will also relate to us some of his experiences as national president. I bet he his some stories to tell.

I would also like to personally thank all those people who donated blood on behalf of Gary Millet. You donated over 55 units of blood on his behalf. That was fantastic, but I was not surprised. I know that we can always count on AGA members and NFC employees to come through when the chips are down.

Our collective condolences also go out to Mary Porter who recently lost her eleven year old daughter in a tragic automobile accident.

It is now time to give serious thought to attendance at this year's Professional Development Conference (PDC), June 27 - 30, 2004. Note that early registration ends May 21, 2004. So, don't wait too long.

The education committee is making final plans for the first annual joint Symposium with the Federal Executive Board set for June 9, 2004, at the Astor Hotel. It is a one-day training that will feature some of the top experts in their field. They will discuss some of the pressing issues we face in the business world today.

Ronald J. Parent, CPA, CGFM

Sandra Scillitani, CPA, President of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA), called the joint meeting of ASWA and the New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) to order at 6:18 p.m. at Five Happiness Restaurant. She introduced Ronald J. Parent, CPA, CGFM, President of AGA. Ms. Scillitani then called upon Diane Allison for the invocation after which the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Ms. Scillitani asked the AGA Board members to stand and introduce themselves. Then she requested the ASWA Board members do the same.

Mr. Parent advised on the health of Gary Millet, Treasurer and thanked everyone who had participated in the blood drive that day at the National Finance Center on behalf of Mr. Millet. Mr. Parent then read a note from Mr. Millet.

Mr. Parent announced next year's officers for AGA and next month's meeting to be held on April 22, 2004 at Bull's Corner in La Place.

After Ms. Scillitani completed ASWA business, Mr. Parent announced the winner of this year's scholarship award, Patricia Small, an accounting major at Our Lady of Holy Cross College.

Mr. Parent then introduced Jill Byrd, one of the Public Service Chairs, who thanked everyone who participated in VITA. Ms. Byrd reminded everyone that old cell phones were still being collected as well as videos for the video program at Ochsner Hospital. She also asked for volunteers for WYES on May 21, 2004.

After Special Agent Gordon's informative lecture, he pulled the winner of the 50/50 raffle, an ASWA member who won $76.00.

Mr. Parent then introduced two new AGA members, Godwin Ndukwe and Theresa Vo.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned 8:40 p.m.

SUBMITTED BY/s/ Mary E. Herbert, CPA, CGFM, Secretary

KUDOs to the VITA Volunteers

AARP and AGA are partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax assistance for individuals and families. We would like to thanks Daphne Leaumont, Warren Wilson, Gerry Knepp and Jill Byrd for volunteering to prepare tax returns.

Michael Byrd Video Program Needs Movies
In 2000, a video program was established at Ochsner Hospital to honor Michael Byrd, (Jill Byrd's husband) who died from cancer. Televisions, video players, and movies were donated at that time. Patients and their families can use the movies and video players free of charge, while they are in the hospital. Each year, the program solicits new movies to keep the selection up to date and interesting. If you have any movies on VHS video tapes that were purchased, (copies are not accepted, due to Copyright laws) and would like to donate them to the program, please call or email Jill to pick up. Jill Byrd 426-5465 jill.byrd@usda.gov.

(1) Old Cell Phones to be reprogrammed and distributed to battered women to be used in emergency situations;
(2) Books and magazines for the Senior Citizens Center; and
(3) New or used maternity and baby clothing, baby toys, and diapers for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Please consider supporting one of more of the above mentioned community service opportunities. Thank you in advance for your support and consideration. Contact Jill Byrd or Gerry Knepp for additional information.

Our Chapter of AGA wishes to extend a warm welcome to the following new members:

Angela Bennett - sponsored by Shelda Melancon

Mary Harrison, CPA - Sponsored by Faye Martin

David Mumfrey - Sponsored by Jill Byrd

Godwin Ndukwe - Sponsored by Freida Scott

Ronnie Rodgrigues, CPA - Sponsored by Jullin Renthrope

Judy Terrell, CPA - Sponsored by Jullin Renthrope

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!!

AGA New Orleans Chapter thanks the following members who have sponsored new members from September 2003 to March 2004.

2 New Members
Jill Byrd

1 New Member
Ron Parent
Jessica Vo
Shelda Melancon
Freida Scott
Faye Martin

CONGRATULATIONS to all Sponsors!!! You have all qualified to earn AGA dollars. Those recruiting three or more qualify for the GRAND PRISE!

Grand Prize---sponsor three or more new members and be entered into a drawing to win a three-night, four-day stay at a four-star hotel. Airfare and hotel for two provided.

If you are interested in joining this distinguished list of sponsors,

START RECRUITING TODAY

Congratulations to Robin Gegenheimer, CPA for the successful completion of the November 2003 Certified Public Accountants Examination. Also, Robin was recently promoted to the Senior Auditor position with the Office of Legislative Auditor, State of Louisiana.

Chapter Recognition of 2004 Graduates

Our New Orleans Chapter would like to list your relative's name on the membership page in the next month's newsletter (May/June) to recognize graduations or other achievement.

If you have immediate family member's participating in commencement exercises (univ/college, secondary, middle, high school, etc.) next month, please e-mail your information to Linda Lewis at linda.lewis2@usda.gov.  Include their name, degree, certificate, award, and school/university name.  Please send your information no later than COB April 30, 2004.

AGA is proud to announce it’s 53^rd Annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition (PDC), to be held June 27-30, 2004, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The PDC will bring together more than 1,200 federal, state and local government professionals, as well as private sector leaders, to discuss timely issues affecting government financial management.  The conference offers twenty- five CPE hours and provides unparalleled opportunities to make valuable professional contacts, discuss challenges, discover creative solutions and gain the tools you need to become more effective.

With the theme “Technology: Powering the Accountability Age,” PDC 2004 provides the perfect opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the complexities of meeting new expectations for accountability.  There has never been a more critical time to become a better-educated government financial manager. 

Commit to excellence today by registering for the top training event of the year.

Early Registration Deadline:  May 28, 2004

For more information about the conference agenda, registration, hotel and travel discounts, please visit our website, www.agacgfm.org/pdc.

The following members get a free meal at Bull’s Corner this month for attending at least five meetings during the AGA year.  They are as follows:

Debora Conway-Fikes, Lorraine Dawson, Yolie Genovese,  Pat Hanks,  John Haslauer, Mary Herbert, Gerry Knepp, Charles Kyser, C.J. Ladner,  Pam Lincoln,  Ron Parent, Vincent Parenti, Gloria Samuels, Anita Smith, Howard Tamborella, Lila Thompson, Dawn Wagener, Faye Wilson,  Warren Wilson

Training for Government Financial Managers

You are aware of the courses that have been developed for the CGFM training program.  However, did you know that the same courses could be used for training government financial managers?

The courses would be of considerable benefit to the following professionals:

Individuals who are just beginning their career in government

Program managers, budgeters, accountants, auditors, and controllers

Government consultants

Course 1 provides education on the environment in which they will work, including how governments are structured and organized, the legal aspects of governments, the management cycle and how the components are related and interrelated, how governments are financed, public accountability, ethics, and various financial management responsibilities and skills.

Course 2 provides education on governmental accounting, financial reporting, and budgeting including influences, objectives, and standards setting; general principles of accounting; cost accounting and performance reporting; budgeting; accounting and reporting for state and local governments; and federal budgeting and financial reporting.

Course 3 provides education on government financial management and controls, including internal controls, auditing, performance management and reporting, financial and managerial analysis techniques, cash

management, investment management, credit management, procurement management, inventory and supply management, and financial management systems.

Naturally, we would like to see attendees pursue the CGFM certification after they have completed the courses.  This would be a natural progression for their career.

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

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

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