New Orleans Chapter
Le Journal de
Nouvelle Orleans

The first meeting of the fiscal year got off to a rousing start. We had over 50 members and guest in attendance. And if members' comments can be used as a gauge, I think Zachary's was a big hit. I would not be surprised if we decided to return to Zachary's next year. The excellent meal was followed by a superb presentation by John "Jeff" Brignac, an investment representative of Jones Edward Investment Company. He gave a very informative presentation on the history of the Stock Market and brief analyses of some Bull and Bear market trends. He gave us his evaluation of the government's Thrift Savings Plan, which he felt was an excellent vehicle for participating in the stock market. He urged everyone who was not in TSP to join immediately and encouraged all FERS employees, who are participating, to make sure they contribute at least the 5% to maximize the government's matching contribution. He stressed that it is impossible to time the Market, even for the "pros". His advise to us was to get in the market, or stay in the market, if you are already in, and not to worry about the ups and downs that the market will invariably go through. He said when the market is down, like it has been the last couple of years, that is the time to buy. Think of it as stocks being on sale.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this meeting such a success, with special thanks to Jim Jullian, Vincent Parenti, and Gary Millet.

We are coming into the holiday season, a special time of giving and bringing joy to others. What better way to perform those acts of kindness and love than by volunteering to take part in the Rebuilding Together Low Income Home Revitalization Project? We need as many volunteers as we can get. And I promise you that the effort you put forth in helping repair and paint Mr. & Mrs. Earl Shepherd's home at 508 Homer Street in New Orleans will come back to you many fold through the warm feeling you get from helping someone who can't help themselves, and who you know really appreciates that a stranger took the time to care. That's the kind of people I think we are.

Please take the time to care and call Gerry Knepp at 255-4602 to volunteer.

I look forward to seeing you at our next chapter meeting on Thursday October 16, 2003, at Scalfani's Restaurant.
Bring a friend, a long lost member, or a guest. I promise no Tricks, all Treats!

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 6:00 p.m., and began with the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed with a prayer from Babette Haines. Mr. Parent asked for a silent prayer for Marcie Tureaud who lost her husband and Mary Lou Newton who lost her brother.

Mr. Parent then presented James J. Julian, CGFM, Meetings Chair. Mr. Julian announced that the November 20, 2003 meeting was a luncheon meeting and had been scheduled at Mr. B's. He said that the restaurant could only accommodate forty-five people, and that the first forty-five people who paid in advance would be those in attendance. He also said that the Christmas Party was scheduled at the Eastover Country Club for Saturday, December 20, 2003, which is the Saturday before Christmas.

Mr. Parent then introduced Gerry Knepp, one of the Public Service Chairs. Mr. Knepp stated that the New Orleans Chapter had participated in the WYES Showboat Auction in May 2003, and the WYES Summer Showcase in August 2003. He announced the upcoming Rebuilding Together Low Income Home Revitalization Project, which will be held October 4, and 11. Mr. Knepp also said that the Chapter was collecting food for the food banks, cell phones for battered women, books and magazines for the elderly, and baby clothes for the women's crises center.

Mr. Parent then asked for new members and guests to introduce themselves. He also announced that this month's meeting was a joint meeting with the National Association of Black Accounts, who made introduction as well.

After a pleasant dinner, Vincent Parenti, Programs Chair, introduced the speaker for the evening, John J. "Jeff" Brignac of Edward Jones Investment Company. Mr. Brignac spoke on investing in today's economy, as well as college planning and life insurance. After a brief question and answer session, Mr. Parenti thanked Mr. Brignac and presented him with a gift. Mr. Brignac pulled the winner of the 50/50 raffle. Charles Kyser won $34.00.

Mr. Parent announced that next month's meeting would be held on October 16 at Sclafani's, and that the officers would take a picture after the meeting. Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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

Volunteers are needed for the Rebuilding Together Low Income Home Revitalization Project. We need as many volunteers as we can get on October 11th to finish repairing and painting the home of low-income homeowners Mr. & Mrs. Earl Shepherd, Sr. at 508 Homer Street in New Orleans. We have already worked one day on the house and we are trying to finish the project on October 11th.

COMMUNITY SERVICE DONATIONS

Canned goods and non-perishable food items are needed. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to the October and November AGA meetings. These items will be used in our Adopt-A-Family for Thanksgiving campaign and to help restock the St. Philip Center Food Bank.

We are also still collecting: (1) Old cell phones to be reprogrammed and then distributed to battered women to be used in emergency situations; (2) Books and magazines for the elderly in nursing homes; and (3) New or used maternity and baby clothing along with baby toys for the Pregnancy Crisis Center. If you would like to donate any of these items, bring them to the AGA meeting or contact one of the Public Service Co-Chair's.

Please consider supporting one or more of the above mentioned community service opportunities. Thank you in advance for your support and consideration. Contact Jill Byrd at 504-255-5749 or Gerry Knepp at 504-255-4602 for additional information and/or to schedule your participation.

2003/2004 Membership Drive

It's that time of year again and we cannot stress enough the importance of keeping the New Orleans Chapter of AGA at its strongest. The intent is to encourage you to recruit at least one new member into AGA. Don't have a lot of time? Just log into AGA's National website to view the top 10 ten reasons to join or stay a member of AGA.

Think back to the day when you first decided to join AGA…chance to network with other professionals, increase my knowledge of government financial management, gain added recognition and respect from my colleagues, etc. You know first hand the benefits of membership and once you share this information with someone else, they too will decide to join AGA!

You are encouraged to invite a potential member to a New Orleans Chapter event. Also, this is a great opportunity to get involved in the Chapter's community service activities. As always, prizes will be offered to Top Sponsors and Top Recruiters.

GET STARTED TODAY AND WE CAN ATTAIN ANYTHING ESPECIALLY GETTING NEW MEMBERS!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE

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

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

Charles Wallace
Sponsored by Ron Parent

Chuck, welcome 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 our sponsor this month, 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 September 2003:

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

Member information can be updated directly into the National AGA database by logging in with your Name and Member ID number. Log into AGA's website at https://www.agacgfm to update personal information such as phone and address changes.

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

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

ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTANTS

NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER

2002-2003

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AGA Officers for 2003 - 2004
Seated: Dawn Wagner, Secratery, Ron Parent ,President, Linda Lewis, Membership. Standing: Gary Millet, Treasurer, Jim Julian, Meetings, Wilbert Antoine, Publicity, Lila Thompson, Newsletter Co-editor, Julin Renthrop, National President, Vincent Parenti, Programs, Pan Lincoln, Immediate Past President and Web coodinator, Chris Cutitto, Education, Loraine Dawson, Newsletter Co-Editor, Gerry Knepp, Public Service. Not pictured are Peggy Javery, President Elect, Mary Herbert, Secretary,
Marcie A. Tureaud, Education, Jill Byrd, Public Service, Shirlaine George, Awards, Marcia Curole, CGFM
Director.

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

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

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