San Diego Chapter
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Archive for the ‘President’s Message’ Category
January 21st, 2009
By Marleen Thudium, CPA
Dec. 17 was our annual Christmas party, and our Young and Emerging Professionals added a community spirit element by having Toys for Tots donations. The Toys for Tots drive was made extra special by the representation of the United States Marines, one of whom has participated in the Toys for Tots drive with the Marines for the last 20 years and was instrumental in starting the campaign. We thank these officers for volunteering their time to the program and for their service in the military.
At the party we recognized our past presidents. For all of you who attended, thank you for coming, and we would like to thank all of our past presidents for their past and current contributions to CalCPA. Of particular notice was the absence of Dick Maches, a past president and a 40-year member. Dick is actively involved with the board on a monthly basis and heads the La Jolla Life’s a Beach discussion group. He brings a wonderful sense of humor to the board of directors meeting. Right now Dick is home sick, and we miss him. We hope he gets well soon and will again join us as soon as he can. For all of you who would like to send Dick a get well soon card, please contact chapter program associate Carmen Conrady for more information.
This year, unlike many of the past years, the Young and Emerging Professionals had 15 people at the Christmas party. I would like to thank all of our YEPs for participating this year and for your contribution to CalCPA. Keep up the good work.
I hope everyone has a happy new year.
— Marleen Thudium, CPA
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December 4th, 2008
By Marleen Thudium, CPA
Fall is now complete, Christmas at Roy’s will be held Dec. 17 and CPA Day at the Capitol is coming Jan. 21.
This fall came and went in a blur. There was the U.S.–Mexico Day, which was a fantastic event. Then came the Paperless and Technology Demo Day to help us all be more green and learn about the latest tax software.
The joint meeting with the Hong Kong Business Association gave a glimpse of all that is happening in the Pacific Rim.
Student Day saw many young students ready to spend a day with someone in the profession. For those who volunteered to host a student, the day was fantastic. Additionally, this event was my first opportunity to hear a speaker from the California Board of Accountancy, which was very informative and interesting
Our financial literacy volunteers had their first monthly meeting with a group of eager professionals and students from San Diego State University. The financial literacy group was tasked to coordinate one event this month this month with a group of students or adults to discuss topics related to financial literacy.
This is the first year that I made an appearance at the Tax Institute, which had a familiarity to it that I had not expected. It was like mashed potatoes for Sunday dinner in the Midwest. Taxes are a major part of what many of us do in our daily work, and the Tax Institute represents that core group of our accounting profession.
Our chapter interest and discussion groups met monthly throughout the year. If you have not attended one of these meetings, now is a great time to make a commitment to participate in the upcoming year. This next year should bring a Downtown Discussion Group to the list of available opportunities for networking and CPE. Check the chapter’s website for upcoming dates.
Our chapter’s Christmas party at Roy’s in La Jolla will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17. If you have not done so already, sign up today!
This year CalCPA is asking all members to participate in meetings with our local legislators. Your effort to attend is greatly appreciated. Your attendance is also requested at CPA Day at the Capitol Wednesday, Jan 21. Please mark your calendars and make your airline reservations. CalCPA is working hard to help pass 150-hours legislation. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, check out the mobility resources online.
— Marleen Thudium, CPA
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November 3rd, 2008
By Marleen Thudium, CPA
CalCPA has developed many programs to support financial literacy education. Throughout the year, I will bring relevant information regarding financial literacy to you through the Bulletin. If you have an opportunity to speak about financial matters, CalCPA’s Dollars & Sense is an easy-to-use program that makes a great presentation.
What is Dollars & Sense?
Dollars & Sense is the cornerstone of the CalCPA’s and CalCPA Institute’s financial literacy initiative. Dollars & Sense workshops are offered as a public service to help Californians “get the most for their money.”
Who are Dollars & Sense workshops for?
Any Californian interested in improving their financial literacy.
Who hosts Dollars & Sense workshops?
Workshops are designed to be co-hosted by CalCPA in conjunction with another entity, such as a chamber of commerce, state legislator, PTA, nonprofit etc..
What part does CalCPA play?
CalCPA provides three to four CPA volunteers to lead the workshop—a 45-60 minute presentation on financial topics such as budgeting, money management, managing credit cards, saving and investing, tax tips, disaster preparedness, financial preparations and more. The presentation is followed by an hour of Q&A with the audience. CalCPA also includes materials for audience members to take home.
What are the host’s responsibilities?
The host arranges for a location, sends invitations or announcements, handles earned media and staffs the event.
Can the programs be customized?
Dollars & Sense can be customized for practically any audience. In addition to general financial planning and tax-related topics, programs can be tailored for a variety of topics or audiences, including:
- College students
- Individuals entering the job market
- Parents
- The “sandwich generation”
- Change in marital status
- Life crisis
- Small businesses/entrepreneurs
- Military families/reservists
- Retirement
- Homeowners
- General adult audience
What about public relations for the event?
To help hosts prepare for a Dollars & Sense workshop, CalCPA will provide sample fliers, press releases, news advisories and more. In some instances, CalCPA may lead the media outreach effort.
What about high school students?
While CalCPA has an excellent Dollars & Sense module for high school students, most high school presentations need to be more interactive. Thus CalCPA members have been working with curriculum developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) when they visit high school classrooms.
What are the NEFE materials?
NEFE provides a comprehensive curriculum guide, and both our volunteer and the teacher get a copy. Additionally, each student receives a workbook. The modules in the NEFE program include budgeting, saving and investing, and credit.
How are high school visits scheduled?
CalCPA Community Outreach Coordinator Crystil Turner schedules high school visits. She is the contact for both volunteers and teachers and can be reached at (650) 802-2494 or crystil.turner@calcpa.org.
More information regarding financial literacy programs is available online or you can contact Crystil Turner, CalCPA’s community outreach coordinator.
—Marleen Thudium, CPA
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September 16th, 2008
By Marleen Thudium, CPA
CalCPA is asking for your help regarding the mobility issue. If you know a legislator in the area, please contact Nicole Pizarro for help in scheduling a visit to discuss this important issue with our elected leaders. To learn more about the mobility issue, please refer to CalCPA’s resources online.
Our chapter is looking for opportunities to teach financial literacy within the school system and community organizations. We have plenty of volunteers, but are in need of the opportunities. If you know of an opportunity, contact Carlos Gomez, co-chair of our chapter’s Financial Literacy Committee. If you know of someone or organization, that has done exceptional work in the area of financial literacy, let us know this information, as well. Please keep your eye out for upcoming meetings about how you can become involved with financial literacy.
Our board has been involved with team development. Are you interested in getting to know your chapter’s board better? Please let us know by contacting chapter program associate Carmen Conrady. We will make an effort to reach out to you either by telephone or personal meeting.
With October here, take the time to attend one of the major events, chapter interest groups or discussion groups. Mark your calendars now for the US-Hong Kong Business Association Conference, Paperless Demo Day and Student Day—major events that you will not want to miss. If you have never attended a discussion group I encourage you to make October your month to attend one. Let us know if you would be interested in a new discussion group in downtown San Diego.
Thank you for your participation in CalCPA.
— Marleen Thudium, CPA
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September 4th, 2008
By Marleen Thudium, CPA/PFS
With fall coming quickly, we have an impressive list of upcoming events. Our 14th Annual US Mexico Conference is Sept. 25; the US-Hong Kong Bus. Assoc. is Oct 16; Technology Day is Oct. 23; Meet the Students Day is Nov. 7; and the Tax Institute is in mid-November. This is in addition to the continuing education classes offered through the interest groups. You can find more information on these events on our website. Our chapter also has three discussion groups held in San Diego, North County and East County. These groups are less formal and give you a chance to ask your peers your pressing questions. I encourage all of you to check the website for the event or events that interest you.
One advantage that CalCPA has given me is a chance to network with other CPAs. I can take this one step further and say that CalCPA has offered me mentoring. One of the people in this chapter that is a mentor for me is Irving Eisenberg and his delightful wife, Lori Eisenberg.
I had the opportunity to know Irv through the Personal Financial Planning interest group. Once I became the PFP interest group co-chair, he made sure that I understood the importance of going to the CalCPA PFP Committee meetings. I took his advice and made the meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the last eight years I have missed one annual CalCPA PFP Committee meeting. These meetings are that important to me. Irv also coached me on best business practices. When I was considering giving up my securities licenses, Irv let me place my license under his license. Without Irv’s support and encouragement, I would have missed out on many opportunities.
Lori Eisenberg is one of those perfect wives—always encouraging, pleasant and supportive. Without their support I would not have the opportunities available to me that I have. As always, Irv is encouraging and asking what he can do to help. I would like to thank him for his continued mentoring, which is something that brings more opportunities to everyone involved.
I also would like to encourage all of you to get involved with CalCPA. Showing up consistently will maximize the benefits of your membership. If you have read this article and decided to attend, let one of our board members or chairs know. We appreciate your involvement.
The San Diego Chapter was well represented at the recent CalCPA Annual Members’ Business Meeting in Hawaii, where Greg Burke, from CalCPA’s Sacramento Chapter, was introduced as the new CalCPA chair. You can read what he has in store for his year as chair in the July issue of California CPA. Representing our chapter at the state level are Sharon Lightner (CalCPA Council and CalCPA Board); Narelle E. MacKenzie (CalCPA Council); Joseph A. Forlenza (CalCPA Council and member of the Education Foundation Nominating Committee); Kate Leonard (AICPA Council representative); Steve Wimmers (AICPA Council representative); and Melody Thornton (CalCPA Council and CalCPA Board).
In other chapter news, we’ll be launching a financial literacy initiative to work hand-in-hand with CalCPA’s Financial Literacy Committee, so keep an eye out for details—and please volunteer for this cause. For more information on what the state committee is up to, go online.
Along with financial literacy, CalCPA will be focusing this year on a number of other programs, including the Financial Leadership Forum; Young and Emerging Professionals; and the Women’s Leadership Forum, among others.
— Marleen Thudium, CPA/PFS
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