New Orleans Chapter
Le Journal de
Nouvelle Orleans

The new year got off to a great start when more than 60 people attended our January meeting to hear Mr. Hank Padeletti, Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Padeletti gave an interesting and informative presentation on some of the latest tax changes effective for the 2003 filing year and the upcoming 2004 tax year. Kudos to everyone who helped make that meeting a success.

February is upon us and it is usually a very busy and fast paced month, as evidenced by the fact that the meeting this month is on February 12, 2004. We have two major holidays this month (Mardi Gras and President's Day). Most folks start thinking about doing their dreaded annual reconciliation with the nation's tax collector, the Internal Revenue Service, in February. February is also a busy month for the AGA. Not only do we have the same holidays and compressed schedule, we also have the taxing issue of dealing with the Internal Revenue Service, although it is from a preparer's prospective through the VITA program. After this month, we only have two more formal meetings, March and April (May is the crawfish boil and June is the Zephyr's game). February is also "Black History" month, when we take time to recognize the achievements and contributions our African-American community has made to the development of this great country. We have a lot to squeeze into the shortest month of the year. A good start would be to attend this month's meeting and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the "Social Security System and You." How much will you receive, if any, when you retire? Will the "offset clause" affect me? Get those answers and more by coming to this month's meeting and listening to Mr. Dom Carroum, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration. He will be interesting and very informative.

It is not too early to start thinking about the Professional Development Conference which is in Washington DC, this year from June 27-30, 2004. Early registration ends May 28, 2004. It would be a

good idea to make your hotel reservations now before the host hotel is fully booked. You can always cancel the reservations later, if you decide not to attend. This year the conference will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The telephone number is (202) 328-2000 or (800) 228-9290. Be sure to mention you are attending the "AGA PDC" when making your reservations to receive the special conference rate.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Mardi Gras! Hope to see you all at Doug's.

Ronald J. Parent, CPA CGFM

Ronald J. Parent, CPA, CGFM, President, called the meeting of the New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants to order at 11:40 a.m. in the cafeteria at the National Finance Center. Shirlaine George gave the invocation after which Mr. Parent led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Parent introduced the head table and then Jill Byrd, one of the Public Service Chairs. She thanked everyone who gave toys for the Toys for Tots program and teddy bears for Christmas for Children's' Hospital. Ms. Byrd said that the Chapter gave 29 toys for the Toys for Tots program and 86 teddy bears to Children's' Hospital.

Lila Thompson, one of the editors, asked that information for the newsletter be sent to her on time, and thanked those who had provided information.

Mr. Parent welcomed new members Theresa Vo and C. B. Wolcott.

After a delicious lunch, Mr. Parent said that the Education Committee is working on the Spring Conference, and asked that if anyone has any ideas for subjects and speakers to please contact one of the Education Chairs.

Mr. Parent introduced Vincent Parenti, Programs Chair, who explained the process for CPE credit. Mr. Parenti then presented the speaker, Henry "Hank" Padeletti, Senior Tax Specialist for Taxpayer Education and Communication for the Small Business/Self-Employed Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Padeletti spoke on tax law changes for 2003.

After Mr. Padeletti's informative lecture, Mr. Parenti presented him with a gift of appreciation.

Mr. Parent announced that the next meeting would be held on February 12, 2004 at Doug's in Slidell.

Having no further business, Mr. Parent adjourned the meeting at 12:47 p.m.

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

Informational Program on Tax Law Changes

The New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the National Finance Center's (NFC) Diversity Champions Team are co-sponsoring a 1-hour informational program on tax law changes that may affect your 2003 income taxes.
The presentation will be Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 6 in Building 350. A representative from the Internal Revenue Service will give the highlights of the tax law changes.

Volunteers Needed
AARP and AGA are partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax assistance for individuals and families. We need volunteers to assist taxpayers on Wednesday, March 3rd. and Tuesday, March 9th. at Clearview Mall. The hours are from 6:30 - 8:30. We will use the AARP site and will have access to their computers, software, and copiers. Anyone who has experience preparing

tax returns is welcome to volunteer. Please email or call Jill Byrd at
255-5749 and Gerry Knepp at 255-4602 to volunteer.

January 2004 Community Service Kudos

WYES-TV'S FAMILY FUN FEST
AGA members Tracey Edwards, Ida Holmes, and Gerry Knepp participated in WYES-TV's First Annual Family Fun Fest on January 17, 2004, by helping setup for the event and working the event. The event was fun for all. WYES -TV is hoping this event will grow to be a major fund raiser. Activities for children included numerous exhibits, performances by Imagination Movers, face painting, jewelry making, games, clowns, arts & crafts, appearances by Clifford the Big Red Dog and other mascots, and giveaways.

Continuing Community Service Collections

(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 (504-255-5749) or Gerry Knepp (504-255-4602) for additional information.

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

Daphne M. Leaumont
Sponsored by Jill Byrd

Terri Fortenberry, CPA
Transferred to New Orleans Chapter

We would like to welcome you to AGA. Once your application has been processed, a member ID and password will be sent to you for you to begin using AGA's Member's Only website. Again, welcome and feel free to contact the New Orleans Chapter Officers with your questions or concerns.

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 January 2004.

CONGRATULATIONS to all Sponsors!!! You have all qualified to earn AGA Dollars.

For the campaign period, May 1, 2003 -April 30, 2004, each time you recruit a new AGA Member, your sponsorship will be tracked, and you will be in the running to win exciting prizes.

Recruit two members and earn 10 AGA Dollars, after that, earn 5 AGA Dollars on every member recruited.

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 interested in joining this distinguished list of sponsors,

START RECRUITING TODAY!

CGFM Renewal

It is the beginning of 2004, and that means your annual AGA/CGFM renewal invoice should soon be arriving in the mail. If you are a CGFM holder, here are a few important reminders about your renewal:

-- CGFM renewal is annual and is due by March 31, 2004.

-- CGFM renewal fee is separate from your AGA dues but is billed on the same invoice. The 2004 CGFM renewal fees are as follows: $30 for AGA members or $65 for non-members.

-- Unless you've already paid your dues for 2004, your annual invoice should arrive in February. If you have recently moved or changed jobs, please update your contact information with AGA national office by calling 1.800.AGA.7211 or through the "Members Only" portion of the AGA website.

Contact AGA if you do not receive an invoice by March 15th, 2004.

-- If you company or organization pays for your AGA and/or CGFM dues, please follow up with them to make sure that payment was made.

-- All renewing CGFM holders must be complaint with the CGFM Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement of earning at least 80 CPE hours in their two-year CPE cycle, with at least 20 hours in each year. The hours earned must be in government financial management topics or related technical subjects applicable to government financial management areas. For more information on CGFM CPE requirements, please visit AGA website at www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/.

-- Your two-year CGFM CPE cycle depends on the year your CGFM was awarded:

If you have earned your CGFM in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999 or 2001, your last two-year CPE cycle just ended on December 31, 2003. If you do not have 80 CPEs in 2002-2003, you can catch up during the grace period of January 1-March 31,
2004. Any hours completed towards a deficiency in one CPE cycle may not be counted towards the next cycle.

If you have earned your CGFM in 1996, 1998, 2000 or 2002, your current CPE cycle is 2003-2004.

-- CGFM holders do not automatically have to send information on their CPE hours to AGA, but need to keep records and complette backup documentation
(such as certificates of completion) on all CPE activities for at least three years. This documentation may be requested by AGA if you are selected to be audited.

-- All renewing CGFM holders and AGA members must adhere to the AGA Code of
Ethics.

-- Retirement status affects your CGFM renewal. You are considered retired if you have retired from and are no longer substantially working in the government financial management community. Contact the CGFM office to update your status if you have retired (or if you returned to work after being retired).

-- If you have any questions on CGFM renewal, please call the CGFM office at 1.800.AGA.7211, ext. 310 or 313 or send an email to ksilver@agacgfm.org.

February 19 - 20, 2004 - Second Annual National Leadership Conference, Washington D.C.

March 1, 2004 - Deadline for CEAR Program Submissions.

March 4-5, 2004 - NEC Meeting, AGA National Office, Alexandria, VA.

March 6-7, 2004 - NEC Meeting, AGA National Office, Alexandria, VA

June 27-30, 2004 - 53rd Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.

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

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

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