EVEN HURRICANES WON’T STOP US! October was a very busy month for the New Orleans Chapter despite Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili…one week apart and infringing on our chapter’s Public Service activities!  We still prevailed through the dedication of many of YOU.

A very special thanks to our Public Service Co-Chair, Gerry Knepp, for successfully leading not one BUT TWO public service projects in October:  Rebuilding Together (better known as Christmas in October) and WYES-TV Art Auction.  Thanks for the efforts of many of you, your family members, and friends for unselfishly volunteering your time to Rebuilding Together.  Gerry’s words say it all:  “We claimed victory at Mrs. Halley’s home at 1407 France Street.  This was a hard project requiring significant work over three weekends, which necessitated significant support from our members, and we got it.  There was a core group that worked well above and beyond the call of duty.  We did a good thing and I'm proud of what we accomplished and I'm thankful for the support from members that helped, especially those that worked for four days on this project.”   A special thanks to ALL who volunteered for the project in the middle of the storms with a special thanks to our most dedicated volunteers:  Gerry Knepp and his hardworking wife, Roxanne, Chris Cutitto, Charles Kyser,  Shelda  Melancon and Gary Millet. 

In addition, nine AGA volunteers participated in the WYES-TV Art Auction…to include some of those that were at the Rebuilding Together project the next morning.  We have a lot to be proud of, take a bow!

Are you surprised?  Last month’s meeting surpassed our expectations as well…you sold out the meeting room at 48 members and guests to a superb meal at Don’s Seafood Hut and our repeat speaker, Don Carroum of the US Social Security Administration.  Don was back by popular demand and for a very good reason.  Thanks Don for a very informative talk and handouts.  We have certainly been challenging our Meetings chair, Vincent Parenti,

Programs Chair, Jim Julian, and our Treasurer, Gary Millet. 

I eagerly look forward to seeing you at our next chapter meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2002, at Commander’s Palace for a luncheon speaker meeting.   

I am pleased to announce that our South Central Region VP, Don Dees, and South Central Region’s Coordinator for Chapter Assistance & Development, Bill Johnson, will be with us at the November meeting.  Don’t forget to bring canned goods for the Thanksgiving Baskets to the meeting!  

Until then,

Pam

President Pam Lincoln, called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m..  Pam led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gerry Knepp, Public Service Chair, discussed upcoming chapter events.  Gerry asked for volunteers for the WYES Art Auction for Friday night October 18^th from 5:30 – 9:00 p. m.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the Rebuilding Together project on Saturday, October 19^th.  Betty Salisbury is planning a Junior Achievement event.  Anyone interested in more information on these events should contact either Betty or Gerry.  Gerry also reminded everyone of several collection activities that the AGA is sponsoring.  Members are being asked to bring the following items for donation.  These items include:  can goods or cash for the Thanksgiving baskets, old cell phones, books and magazines as well as used  baby clothes, and maternity clothes (in good condition).  Gerry thanked the 14 people who   volunteered to work on the Rebuilding Together project.

Vincent Parenti then reminded the members of the upcoming November meeting and he urged everyone to RSVP and prepay early.

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The meeting broke for dinner.

Jim Julian introduced the evening’s speaker, Mr. Don Carroum and employee for Social Security Administration.  Mr. Carroum gave a very insightful explanation of the processing of W-2’s for the Social Security Administration and the cost incurred. He spent the remaining time discussing the health of Social Security and discussed Windfall Elimination and how it affects other pension plans.

Jim presented Mr. Carroum with a speaker’s gift.   Mr. Carroum pulled the 50/50 raffle ticket, which was won by Shelda Melancon. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Dawn Wagener

Secretary

Volunteerism and Donations continue AGA's long tradition of Community Service.

November – It Is A Time To Give Thanks

In the spirit of Thanksgiving for the month of November, the New Orleans Chapter has two community service events that we are running simultaneously.  We are collecting:  (1) food and monetary donations for an Adopt-A-Family at Thanksgiving campaign; and (2) non-perishable food items and canned goods for the food bank at the St. Philip Center.  We are going to adopt at least six low-income families for Thanksgiving through the St. Philip Center and we are also trying to restock their pantry/food bank.  AGA members can Adopt-A-Family at Thanksgiving for $20.  Contact Jill Byrd at 504-255-5749 to do so.  If you cannot adopt a family, please consider either donating $1 or $2 to help buy the turkeys for the food baskets or donating nonperishable food items.  We are specifically asking for the following food items:  canned vegetables, canned yams/sweet potatoes, canned fruit, canned gravy, canned cranberry sauce,

canned tuna, canned soups, dried rice, dried beans (red or white), spaghetti/macaroni, stuffing mix, corn bread mix, biscuit mix, macaroni and cheese, two liter soft drinks, cake mixes & icing, crackers, oatmeal, dried onions, spaghetti seasoning, chili seasoning, cereals, peanut butter, jelly, oil, and flour.  Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to the November meeting or deliver them to Gerry Knepp (504-255-4602) or Betty Salisbury (504-255-2344).  If you don’t want to be bothered lugging canned goods or non-perishable items between cars or to Commander’s Palace, consider donating $1 or $2 to this effort.  Jill Byrd will be available to collect donations at the November meeting.

Teddy bear donations for young patients at the Children’s Hospital and unwrapped toys for the Toys For Tots Campaign are also being collected.  Take advantage of this opportunity to share in the joy of giving and the delight recipients experience when they receive your caring gifts!

October 2002 Kudos

Rebuilding Together/Christmas In October:  Our biggest Community Service event of the year was the Rebuilding Together/Christmas in October Project which was wrapped up on October 19^th.  This year the project required significant hard work over three weekends.  All participants worked above and beyond the call of duty.  Twenty AGA volunteers spent 200+ hours fixing, scraping, priming, and painting the house, fence and shed of low-income homeowner Lizzie Halley.  The  AGA volunteers worked with The Insurance Women of Greater New Orleans on October 4^th, 5^th, 11^th, 12^th, and 19th.   The house looked really great when we were finished.  Mrs. Halley was well pleased and couldn’t thank us enough.  The fact that many volunteers came to work on the project on multiple days (including a holiday weekend and a Friday afternoon) speaks volumes about AGA member team spirit, character, and integrity.  The volunteers did a good job and can be very proud of what they accomplished.

AGA volunteers on the Rebuilding Together project included:  Chris Cuttito, Tracey Edwards, Debora Fikes, Babette Haines, Gerry Knepp,

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Roxanne Knepp, Charles Kyser, Pam Lincoln, Knica Lloyd, Shelda Melancon, George Melancon, Austin Melancon, Gary Millet, Vincent Parenti, Jullin Renthrope,  Barbara Smith, Lila Thompson, Marcie Tureaud, Corinne Tureaud, and Cheryl White.  A special thanks goes to the following AGA volunteers that worked on the project on 2 or more days:  Chris Cuttito, Gerry Knepp, Roxanne Knepp, Charles Kyser, Pam Lincoln, Shelda Melancon, and Gary Millet.

WYES Art Collection Twelve:  On Friday, October 18, nine AGA volunteers acted as bid takers during WYES’s Art Collection Twelve auction.   AGA volunteers included:  Brenda Amato, Chris Cuttito, Tracey Edwards, Gerry Knepp,  Knica Lloyd, Gary Millet, Lila Thompson, Corinne Tureaud, and Marcie Tureaud.   The auction was a fun event and raised significant funds to help keep WYES’s quality programming on the air.

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 La Fon’s Senior Citizen Center; and

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

Please consider supporting one or more of the above mentioned community service opportunities.  Thank you in advance for your support and consideration.  Contact Betty Salisbury (504-255-2344) or Gerry Knepp (504-255-4602) for additional information.

Rebuilding Together Project

Project Coordinator Gerry Knepp

President, Pam Lincoln

Ron Parent, our President Elect, is featured in the November 2002 Topics, Page 14.  We have reprinted most of the article, but for the complete article read Topics.

 “Satisfied Member Shares What He Gains from AGA Membership.”   

Joining AGA was a natural move for Ronald J. Parent, CGFM, who believes that active participation in professional associations can bring numerous benefits.

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Ron joined the National Finance Center in the late 1980s.  His immediate supervisor was an AGA member, and when he attended a chapter meeting as a guest and enjoyed the speaker, he signed up to become a member himself.  He has been active in the New Orleans Chapter ever since, serving as treasurer and now president-elect.

Ron said he gets many rewards from his AGA membership: 

Guest Speakers – The chapter brings educational speakers to it’s monthly meetings, and these experts share their knowledge of government financial management, answer questions and provide timely information that can be used on the job.

Continuing Professional Education – As a CPA and CGFM, Ron must maintain his proficiency by keeping up-to date on developments in the field.  Attending AGA’s Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition provides more than 30 CPE hours.  The New Orleans Chapter also provides training opportunities.  Between the PDC and another class or two, Ron said he could earn all 40 CPE hours he needs for the year.

Camaraderie – Ron said he enjoys networking with his peers, comparing notes on accounting issues and learning a few tips he can bring to his work. 

Vincent Parenti, Meetings Chair, was a participant at the Saints vs. 49er's game, Sunday October 20, 2002 in the "Saints Cash Catch" contest at halftime.  He had to catch footballs that were shot out of a machine from the 30-yard, 50-yard and 70-yard

lines.  As he progressed at each stage of the contest, he won prizes

He caught all three footballs and won $1,000.00, two season tickets for next year plus additional prizes.

Congratulations Vincent!

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 Logo Information

Are you looking for AGA merchandise?  If so, log on to https://www.agacgfm.or/marketplace/index.html for ordering polo shirts, coffee mugs, executive notebooks and lots of other items. 

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.

ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTANTS
NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER
2002-2003

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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 GAINING RECOGNITION FOR THE CGFM CERTIFICATION WITHIN YOUR GOVERNMENT

In today’s world of tight budgets, deficit spending, and staff cutbacks, the CGFM designation places you on the cutting edge when entering the job market.

As an employee in a government financial management position, you may not be able to obtain recognition of the CGFM through a direct percentage pay incentive, but you may be able to earn a job promotion, including a pay increase, without a government appropriations increase.

One way to begin the process is by having the CGFM professional certification listed as a preferred qualification for job positions in the government financial management field in Louisiana.  If you know of anyone in Louisiana state or local government that can facilitate the

process and want to enlist the support and help of your chapter officers, regional CGFM coordinator,  Virginia Brizendine or Joan Schwartz 2002 CGFM national coordinators.

During the last few years Washington State, Idaho, Virginia, Tennessee and Contra Costa County, CA have recognized the CGFM designation either as a preferred hiring qualification, a substitute for professional experience, or a requirement for a pay incentive.

Obtaining recognition does not happen overnight; but your colleagues who have worked to obtain recognition for the CGFM have a suggestion or two for how to obtain recognition a little more quickly.

In Idaho, Angie Billings, the state chief financial officer and an AGA past RVP commented that it took her almost a year to obtain recognition for the CGFM designation. The chapter ultimately succeeded by engaging the help of the Idaho

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Human Resources Department and changing their approach.  When Ms Billings began her pursuit of recognition for the CGFM, she was hoping to have a monetary award given to individuals when they received their designation.  What she quickly discovered was that each state agency had its own policies and procedures, especially when it came to spending appropriated funds. A monetary reward for the CGFM certification looked like a lifetime project one that Ms Billings did not have the time to pursue!

The chapters newly appointed CGFM coordinator, Rachel Martinen, came in with a new approach. Ms Martinen discovered that the better way to gain recognition was through the Idaho state Human Resource Office; they screen and then approve all appointed jobs; which includes the majority of the financial management positions in the state. Here was the heart of the operation here was the office that could recognize the CGFM!  In this instance it would not be for a monetary incentive, but for bonus points towards a job promotion.  These points could be crucial to making it to the top of the list for job eligibility, according to Ms Billings.  This was certainly one way to indirectly obtain a monetary reward for the CGFM credential.

In Washington State, the CGFM can substitute for one year of professional experience. Again, the pathway was through the state Department of Personnel; it was in the throes of conducting an intensive study of state pay and job classifications, including accountants, and during the CGFM was included in the revised legislation.

In Tennessee, the State Human Resource Department aided in having the CGFM recognized.  Charles Harrison and Richard Norment of the Tennessee Audit Office were instrumental in having the CGFM added to the listing of accepted certifications. Once on the list, each agency made the determination of whether to spend appropriated funds for the offered pay incentive of up to 9% over a two-year period. In Virginia there is a similar situation. According to Joe Kapelewski from the Richmond Chapter, the Commonwealth of Virginia's recent Compensation Reform Plan allows agencies to reward employees who earn professional

certification with 'in-band' adjustments or other rewards. 

From reviewing the cases we have to date, one suggestion from your colleagues would be to speak with the state human resources department about how you can gain recognition for the CGFM. This seems to be a crucial step in the process.

Another suggestion is that you be aware of any government job reform legislation that is being developed for passage in the legislature. In Washington State the CGFM recognition was part of an extensive study of the pay and job classifications of state government accountants; in Virginia the CGFM recognition came about because of the state’s Compensation Reform Plan that allowed agencies to reward employees with an in-band adjustment.

The road to recognition is available; it requires some research and networking in both the state and agency human resources departments. It requires speaking with your colleagues within AGA who have succeeded in gaining CGFM recognition.

Certainly you do not have to do it alone; approach other chapter officers for their support and help; contact the regional CGFM coordinator in your region; and/or Virginia Brizendine (vbrizendine@ohsers.org) 2002 National Chairman or Joan Schwartz (jschwartz@agacgfm.org).

It can be done and you can be part of a chapter team that succeeds!

Carolyn Sibley, CGFM Director

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