I would like to take this opportunity as your President for 2003 - 2004, to thank you for the chance to serve you. I promise you I will work hard to earn the trust you have placed in me (regardless of the fact that no one else wanted the job). This year will prove to be a challenging one. We have many obstacles to overcome, like extremely tight budgets, heavy workloads, and member apathy, etc. It is my job to help overcome these obstacles and re-energize the membership. With the help of the Chapter Executive Committee, I intend to get the membership energized and actively involved.

To those returning members, I say, "Welcome back. We have an exciting year planned for you". We have lined up new restaurants and exciting speakers who will address current issues.

To those members who have not renewed their membership or who are on the fence about renewing, I say, like the commercial, "Try us again for the very first time". I know the dues have gone up substantially, and I know sometimes you question what's in it for you. All I ask is that you keep an open mind and come to a meeting, socialize with your fellow members, meet new members, listen to the speaker, earn CPE credits, and enjoy a good meal, all for approximately $ 20.

Though we face many challenges, this year is also a very special year. For the second time in less than 10 years, the National President, Jullin Renthrope, hails from our chapter. This should give you some insight as to the quality of our membership. We are looking forward to a new working relationship with the Federal Executive Board, and partnering with them in sponsoring meaningful educational seminars. I'm excited about this year that already has gotten off to a good start. Our members hosted one of WYES fundraising telethons last month. This was the first time I participated, but it won't be the last. I had a blast. They over fed us, we had fun, and, oh yeah, we helped to raise money for a worthy cause. So come on and get involved! Your chapter has a lot to

offer, professional CPE credits, educational seminars, community service, camaraderie, good food, and fun. What you get out of it is up to you.

Hope to see you all at Zachary's on September 18, 2003.

Ronald J. Parent, CPA, CGFM

President, Ron Parent, called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.  Members in attendance were Ron Parent, Jim Julian, Vincent Parenti, Gary Millet, Marcie Tureaud and Peggy Javery. 

Issues discussed were locations and dates for meetings, the Christmas party, potential speakers for the meetings, and education opportunities for the upcoming year. 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Our public service projects for the current chapter year are underway!  We have already participated in two WYES-TV events and four planning meetings for the Rebuilding Together Low Income Home Revitalization Project.  Our volunteers have, to date, logged 85.5 hours of participation.  The first WYES-TV event was at the very beginning of this reporting year.  On May 15^th and 16th, Jill Byrd, Amanda Green, Angelle James, Gerry Knepp, Pam Lincoln, Kenny Lincoln, Shelda Melancon, Gary Millet, Marcie Tureaud, Dawn Wagener, Fay Wilson, and Warren Wilson worked the WYES-TV Showboat Auction as bid takers, computer processors, and luggers/tuggers.  Our second community service event was on August 16^th.   Chris Cuttito, Ida Holmes, Jim Julian, Roxanne Knepp, Gerry Knepp, Charles Kyser,

Gary Millet, and Ron Parent worked the WYES-TV Summer Showcase Membership Drive.

Rebuilding Together Volunteers Needed:  Our biggest Community Service event is the Rebuilding Together Low Income Home Revitalization Project, which is to revitalize the house of a low-income homeowner.  We need as many volunteers as we can get on October 4^th and 11^th to help repair, scrape, and paint the home of Mr. & Mrs. Earl Shepherd, Sr. at 508 Homer Street in New Orleans.  Spouses or other concerned individuals are welcome.  We will be working with The Insurance Women of Greater New Orleans and some Naval Reserve personnel. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE COLLECTIONS

Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to the September and October AGA meetings.  These items will be used in our Thanksgiving baskets and to help the St. Philip Center Food Bank.

We are also still collecting:  (1) Old cell phones to be reprogrammed and then distributed to battered women for 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 volunteer your time to help the Chapter with at least one of these worthy causes.  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

If you interested in joining our distinguished list of sponsors that will be listed under this column, 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 your member ID number, contact Linda Lewis at 504-255-5902.

The New Orleans Chapter wishes to extend the warmest congratulations to Chris Cuttitto and his wife Michelle, on the birth of their daughter Mia in the month of July 2003.  Mom, Dad, and baby daughter are doing great! 

Congratulations to Griselda Taylor on her promotion as Program Analyst in the Payroll/Personnel Operations Section with the National Finance Center. 

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

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

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

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