Montgomery Alabama Chapter 2012-2013 Chapter Plan 1
Chapter Governance Goal: Maintain an effective governance and financial structure. 1. Annually review how chapter business is organized and conducted. 2. Produce and maintain policies and procedures to assist the Chapter Executive Committee (CEC) and other committee members in their positions. 3. Prepare an annual budget that defines how chapter funds will be spent for the fiscal year. Ensure expenditures are within budget. 4. Monitor the chapter s financial condition by the preparation and review of financial statements. 5. Require an annual evaluation of the chapter s year-end financial statements with a review of the system of internal control. 6. Conduct meetings in accordance with chapter bylaws and prepare and obtain approval of CEC and chapter meeting minutes. Membership - Attract and retain a diverse and growing membership. As of June 1, 2012, the Chapter has 294 members in good standing and 62 suspended members. Goal: 1. By June 2013, the Chapter hopes to retain current members and reach a goal of 400 members in good standing 1. Provide updated suspended lists to the Chapter Executive Committee members and committee leaders and ask them to encourage renewal by making contact via e-mail, phone, and/or letters to the suspended members. 2. Use a brochure with details about the Montgomery Chapter as a promotional tool. A focus in this brochure is that AGA is not just for accountants; it is for anyone in government accountability fields, including information systems, academics, analysts, etc. 3. Distribute membership applications, AGA promotional literature, and CGFM promotional literature at chapter sponsored events (Fall and Spring educational seminars and the cosponsored Governmental Accounting & Auditing Forum held each December) 4. Send a welcome letter to all new members from the Chapter President via email. Welcome new members at the monthly luncheons, in the newsletters and on the website. 5. Host at least one Meet and Greet for all new members to welcome them to AGA. 6. Offer an incentive drawing for all AGA members that pay their own dues by March 31. : Four $25 awards to be awarded at the Annual Awards Luncheon. 7. Host a recruiting Campaign before the Fall Seminar. Members who recruit at least one new member will be entered into a drawing) Four $25 gift cards will be given. 8. Contact past AGA members in an effort to get them to renew their membership. This will enhance our efforts to increase membership while striving to keep existing members 2
9. Seek input from both Chapter members and the government accountability community to enhance the value of Chapter membership. 10. Visit area university accounting classes to publicize the AGA, the CGFM certification, our local chapter scholarship programs, and career opportunities in governmental accounting and auditing 11. Participate in job fairs at Montgomery area universities in order to distribute promotional literature regarding AGA, the CGFM certification, and governmental employment. 12. Continue our chapter s emphasis on a Fall Membership and Training Seminar whereby paid attendees will have the option of having their membership dues paid by the chapter. This is a primary recruiting activity. 13. Feature comments from current members/early career members in newsletters/pamphlets to promote the benefits of being an AGA member. Early Career Goal: Promote early career and student membership, increase active participation in chapter activities, and aid in the development of management and leadership skills of tomorrow s leaders 1. Host Job Shadow Day in an effort to recruit early career members. 2. Provide outreach opportunities to college campuses to raise awareness of and encourage participation in AGA chapter. 3. Encourage supervisors and co-workers to personally engage early career and potential early career members to participate in chapter activities. 4. Contact applicable accounting professors at Montgomery area universities asking them to promote our chapter by providing applications to their accounting students. This will enhance our efforts to recruit early career members. 5. Provide mentoring and networking opportunities to involve and develop emerging leaders and early career members 6. Sponsor a pizza party for accounting students at Montgomery area universities in order to distribute promotional literature regarding AGA, the CGFM certification, and governmental employment. 7. Sponsor AGA membership for nine students (three each at three Montgomery area universities). We will solicit recommendations from applicable accounting professors at each university for the names of students most interested in membership 8. Encourage college students to apply for local and national scholarships. Continuing Professional Education Goal: Provide professional training, education, and development opportunities that are relevant to the needs of the government professional community. 1. Provide a quality program by increasing accounting and auditing (A&A) hours for practitioners and members maintaining certification 2. Publicize the seminar through media streams, social media, brochures, emails, website, etc. 3
i. Provide least 40 CPE credits of training provided annually ii. Offering 1 CPE at October and January luncheon meeting-joint Meetings with IIA in October and with Military Society of Comptroller in January iii. Offering 8 CPE through Fall Seminar on November 9, 2012 iv. Offering 8 CPE through Spring Seminar on April 11, 2013. v. Offering 8-12 CPE through Audio conferences vi. Offering 16 CPE through Government Accounting and Auditing Forum (joint with ASCPA and GFOAA) December 5, 2012 and December 6, 2012. vii. Promote CPEs offered through the CGFM Study Group Sessions 3. Promote webinars and educational events hosted by AGA National 4. Promote our chapter events by adding our chapter s educational events to AGA National online calendar of events Community Service chapter members giving back to the tri-county community: Expand Community Service opportunities and events to include areas in Montgomery, Millbrook, Prattville and Wetumpka to our members. Goal: Promote and conduct community service activities that will enhance the chapters and the Association of Government Accountant s image and reputation. To gain 100 % participations from Chapter s leaders. 1. Establish an annual plan of volunteer service projects that demonstrate the chapter s commitment to serve the community. 2. Encourage CEC and chapter members to volunteer their time and effort and contribute their resources to community service projects. 3. Expand Community Service Opportunities particularly those that can be offered without cost to the chapter 4. Offer an event once per month or at least bi-monthly during the program year 5. Publicize in the newsletter and on the website after the event to show AGA is at work in the community Ongoing Items: Cell phone drive for Family Sunshine Center, Eyeglasses drive for Lions Club Loose Change Program for Faith Rescue Mission, Pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Scholarships providing the following scholarships to college students who meet the local chapter scholarship criteria: 1. State Employee Scholarship ($500 or $1000) 2. Chapter Member Scholarship ($500 or $1000) 3. Child of Chapter Member Scholarship ($500 or $1000) 4. College Student Scholarship ($500 or $1000) Monthly Meetings Offer monthly luncheon meetings at RSA Activity Center on 2 nd Thursday of each month during September, October, December, January, February, March and May. 4
1. Monthly meetings will begin at 12:00 pm with introduction of speaker at 12:10 pm. Meetings will conclude at 1:10 pm to gain the 1 CPE (50 minutes of speaker) for members. 2. 1 CPE at October and January luncheon meeting-joint Meetings with IIA in October and with Military Society of Comptroller in January 3. December-Luncheon meeting 4. November is our Annual Fall Seminar 5. February -Early Career month 6. March -CGFM month 7. April-Annual Spring seminar 8. May Awards Luncheon Certified Government Financial Manager Goal: To increase the number of finance professionals becoming CGFM holders by marketing the CGFM mark, by assisting potential candidates in attaining certification, and by supporting current CGFMs 1. Attach CGFM ribbon to name tags worn at AGA monthly meetings or seminars 2. Advertise CGFM by wearing the pin, adding the CGFM designation after your name on business cards, reports, etc 3. Publish CGFM members achievements in newsletter, local newspaper or website 4. Publish new CGFMs in newsletter and on website 5. Display CGFM brochures at monthly luncheon meetings and seminars 6. Offer study sessions as well as scholarships for exam cost reimbursements to members who successfully pass all of the CGFM parts throughout the year. i. Offer study group sessions throughout the year on each Wednesday at noon. ii. 1 hour CPE is available to those who attend through the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants. We plan to have 35 study sessions throughout 2012-2013 year. a. Exam 1-7 hours of CPE b. Exam 2 13 hours of CPE c. Exam 3 15 hours of CPE 7. Offer up to 9 scholarships to members who successfully pass a section of the CGFM exam. (first come first serve basis). 8. Submission of articles, exam-taking tips, and notices to chapter newsletter and website. Employment Continue to notify members of opportunities in the governmental accounting profession in the area. Sponsorship: Goal: Contact potential sponsors to obtain corporate funding to assist the chapter with educational events and membership activities. 5
Awards - Seek nominations and determine awards for local members in the areas of Favorite Speaker Award, Chapter Ambassador Award, Community Service Award, Professional Development Award, Government Financial Manager, and Bob Childree Significant Contributor Award. 1. Ask for nominations in the February newsletter. 2. Chapter President will send email to members in February and March encouraging nominations. 3. Chapter members should also be encouraged to apply for national awards starting in January. Newsletter: Goal Communicate effectively with Chapter members, customers and stakeholders in an integrated and timely manner. 1. Inform members, customers, and stakeholders about AGA National and chapter programs, benefits, accomplishments. 2. Provide current information of interest to the members, government financial community, and general public. 3. Increase the use of electronic communication and personal contact. 4. Use multiple means of communication including newsletter, press releases, e-mail, etc 5 Promote public awareness and confidence in the integrity, competence, and professionalism of government accountability professionals. Website: Goal Work closely with committee chairs to ensure that the AGA Montgomery website is updated as needed and requested 1. Publicize AGA Montgomery events on our website, Facebook, Twitter, AGA National website and Central Montgomery.com 2. Work with committee chairs to ensure the integrity of the data stored by in the admin section on the website 3. Regular updates of the chapter website with the latest accomplishments, events, and news. Financial Stability our Chapter will be prudent, transparent, and accountable for the usage of chapter funds. 1. Treasurer will keep a record of all economic transactions. 2. Treasurer and President will monitor the budget line items on a monthly basis. 3. President will notify the officers and directors of budget line variances on a quarterly basis. 4. An annual audit will be completed by an independent CPA firm in the tri-county region. 5. An audit committee will be formed if the CPA firm or CEC deems necessary. 6. Chapter reserves will grow each year with a goal of $10,000 by 2015. 6