New Orleans Chapter
Le Journal de
Nouvelle Orleans

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He is the Dean of the Division of Business at Dillard University. His areas of research interests are executive decision making and communications, business law, leadership and economic development, financial planning, and investments and risk management.

Mr. Chase serves or has served on numerous boards and commissions within Louisiana, often as Chairman of the Board, some of which are: The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, Bishop Perry Middle School, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, The New Orleans Museum of Art, the Millennium Port Authority, The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, The Bureau of Governmental Research, The Preservation Resource Center, the Council for a Better Louisiana, and the Committee for a Better New Orleans.

Welcome to AGA's 2004 - 05 program year! We are professionals, accountants, program analysts, system analysts, telecommunications and computer programmer specialists, budget analysts, voucher examiners, and technicians representing government accountability. AGA headquarters has spent time this year reinventing AGA’s term to be more representative of the organization.  As the New Orleans Chapter kicks off the upcoming year, it is important that members know that government accountability is the responsibility of all federal, state and local employees.  As president, I want to extend an invitation to our current members and all government employees of all job titles to participate. 

You will find dynamic educational speakers, fun sessions, and a network of executives, managers, supervisors, and employees gathered to increase

knowledge, enhance skills, and gain continuing professional education credits.  We will talk about issues that affect our work environment and government challenges. With the hard work of your chapter executive committee you are guaranteed a quality program year.

It is our goal to raise the bar in membership and participation this year.  We all have to be empowered to not only belong or be a member to the New Orleans AGA chapter, but also make our chapter a premier organization each year with self-empowerment.  Self-empowerment will boost your career and add value to our organization.  Think about it.  You really can’t do much without power.  Empower yourself to attend meetings, to dialogue with the members, bring a co-worker or friend to the meetings, volunteer for the community service projects, spread the word about our scholarship fund, give feedback, make recommendations, and only then are you in a position to empower your peers and others.  Recruit – sell AGA as a strong organization, recognized worldwide for the caliber of its members, proven Industry impact and confidence in AGA’s agenda, comprehensive Certification of Government Financial Managers, and a unified voice for government financial management accountability.

As you read the newsletter, mark your calendars, get involved, and stay empowered.

I look forward to serving you and meeting each member of AGA’s New Orleans Chapter.

Peggy Javery, CGFM

Peggy Javery, CGFM, President, called the meeting of the Chapter Executive Committee (CEC) for the New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) to order at 11:20 a.m.  She asked everyone to introduce themselves, tell what position they hold on the CEC, and whether they were a new officer.

Ms. Javery stated she had attended the regional Baton Rouge training meeting.  She then asked Ronald J.  Parent, CPA, CGFM, Immediate Past President, to give a brief background on the chapter recognition point system.  She announced that James J. Julian, CGFM, President Elect, would be responsible for tracking the chapter recognition points earned.

Babette Haines, Membership Chair, received the membership information from Linda Lewis, the former chairperson.

Barbara Carmen, Programs Chair, reported that Edgar Chase would be the September speaker, and would be speaking on risk management.  Seven speakers will be needed for the year.  The January meeting will be a tax update and other possible topics included crime in New Orleans, personal safety, homeland security and a speaker on Investments.  Debbie Conway-Fikes will provide a Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants’ speakers list.

Pamela B. Lincoln, CPA, CGFM, Meetings Chair, announced she is looking for input for the dinner meetings.  There was a discussion on probable sites and the dates of the meetings where announced.

Shelda Melancon needs to provide a mailbox to new editors for the newsletter.

Debbie Conway-Fikes, Awards Chair, announced that the scholarship would be presented to a Dillard University student this year.  There was a discussion as to whether AGA should also give the student a membership to AGA.

There was a discussion on possible fundraisers as well as new and different community service activities.  The Baton Rouge AGA Chapter won the national community service award again this year.  The New Orleans Chapter should brain storm with the Baton Rouge chapter for new ideas.

Ms. Javery advised that the next meeting would be August 11^th, at which time the budget and finances would be discussed.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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

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

Geremie Loupe

Amy Marino

Your New Orleans chapter welcomes you to AGA. You are now on your way to making new friends and important professional contacts. You’ll get the business meetings and educational seminars. Your AGA membership means nationwide network.

Sept. 15, 2004 – Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) Program Awards Ceremony- Washington, D.C.

Oct. 6, 2004 – First Career Foundations Leadership Conference & Exposition – Washington, D.C.

Feb. 7-8, 2005 – Third Annual National Leadership Conference & Exposition- Washington, D. C.

July 10-13, 2005 – 54^th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition – Orlando, FL

RECOGNITION POINTS

PDC MEMORIES - JUNE 2004

Clyde McShane speaking at the PDC, with President, Jullin Renthrope looking on.

President Jullin Renthrope passing the Gavel to the new AGA President, Bobby A Derrick.

CGFM CORNER

GOAL 1 - SUPPORT CURRENT CGFMS

Publish CGFM member’s achievements in the newsletter and local newspapers.
Partner with other organizations and/or governmental entities to promote the CGFM designation.
Recognize local CGFMs by using the CGFM designation in chapter publications, name tags, etc.
Contribute items to chapter newsletter such as CGFM recognition, study suggestions, encouragement, and technical requirements.
Publicize new CGFMs in chapter and local publications.

GOAL 2 – MARKET CGFM LOCALLY

Encourage employer policy change to recognize CGFM.
Solicit endorsements of CGFM from area employers and elected officials.
Coordinate with the Regional and National coordinators to assist in promoting the Chapters goal.
Contact area government accountability leaders.
Create an awareness of the value of CGFM to the general public.

GOAL 3 – ASSIST POTENTIAL NEW CGFMS IN ATTAINING CERTIFICATION

Coordinate study groups.
Develop a mentoring program.
Develop other study options.
Develop a plan in the Chapter to offer CGFM courses.
Provide a CGFM Examination Scholarship.

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

TIME VALUE MATERIAL

   PLEASE EXPEDITE

Please contact Babette Haines (504-426-5443)
with address corrections.