Lincoln Chapter Association of Government Accountants

Transcription

1 Lincoln Chapter Association of Government Accountants Newsletter September, 2016 Highlights/Contents Presidents Message AGA Chapter Meeting Calendar of Events Introducing Jenessa Boynton Citizen Centric Report (CCR) Report AGA Lincoln Chapter Member Award Program Members in the News Chapter Meeting Minutes September 7, 2016 Chapter Executive Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2016 Corporate Sponsor Program - Lincoln Chapter Treasurers Report Presidents Message Greetings, members and friends of AGA! Welcome to the changing season when trees start turning to gold, brown, and red. It s a beautiful time of year. It helps that the Huskers are 4-0, too! Our Chapter has had a very strong start to the new program year. Our first chapter meeting was held at Misty s. The speaker was Byron Diamond, Nebraska DAS Director. He was very cordial and sharp. It was evident he genuinely appreciated the opportunity to meet our Chapter members and share his views about his responsibilities within Nebraska State Government. I was pleasantly surprised to learn he hadn t known Ricketts before being considered for his job. I think we are fortunate he is a member of Ricketts team. During this meeting we welcomed guests Shannon Muffly and Shuraya Frauendorfer. They work for State Accounting and State Treasurer, respectively. We also welcomed new AGA member Ely Kass. He works at Game and Parks. It was great to meet all of you and we hope to see you back again soon. Our PDT was the 21 st. Kudos to Frank Faughn and Patty Richard for planning and conducting a very successful training event. Our speakers were very engaging and well prepared. Billy Morehead presented separate sections on detecting fraud, another interesting perspective on supply and demand in the government financial management workplace, and effective writing for financial managers. Paul Koehler gave his unique views and updates on 1

2 government standards and principles on accounting and reporting. Paul is solid and knows his material inside and out. Billy is extremely knowledgeable with an impressive diversity of work experience. Billy is also a past national AGA president and currently chairs the editorial board for AGA s Journal. I enjoyed discussing a few AGA issues with him. Kudos to Michelle Raphael for getting an excellent start in her area of Community Service. She proposed to our CEC, which enthusiastically approved, that we buy T-shirts with the AGA emblem on them and present to anyone who volunteers on behalf of our Chapter. Others who want a T-shirt can buy one for $ She also coordinated a collection of food and dollars, for the local food bank, during our PDT. We had planned to do this anyway but national has since challenged all chapters to conduct food collection activities for local food banks. We ve accepted their challenge and will continue collecting items during Chapter activities through November 18. I m very pleased that our CEC has adopted a Corporate Sponsor Program for this year. Not only is this intended to generate additional operating funds but the possibility of also involving Sponsors talent would be beneficial, too. Our Chapter meeting in October will be very interesting. Frank Daley, Executive Director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, will be our speaker. See elsewhere in this newsletter for more details about this meeting. This is all for now. Be well! Ken Rouch, Chapter President AGA Chapter Meeting No registration required. Bring a guest and their lunch is free. Date: Wednesday October 5 Time: 11:45 am -1:00 pm Location: Ticos S. 17th St Speaker: Frank Daley - Director- Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Frank Daley is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. From 1987 to 1999 he served as the Commission s General Counsel. Prior to his service with the Commission, Daley engaged in the private practice of law in Hebron, Nebraska and served as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Omaha. He received a BA in Government from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey and a law degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Daley is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Lincoln Bar Association. He has served as the Vice Chair of the NSBA s Poverty Law Committee, as Chairman of the NSBA s Government Practice Section and as president of the Lincoln Bar Association. Calendar of Events

3 October 5 - Wednesday Monthly Chapter Meeting - Frank Daley, Executive Director NE Accountability & Disclosure Ticos October 19 - Wednesday CEC Meeting 1526 Building 2 nd Floor Conference Room November 2 - Wednesday Monthly Chapter Meeting John Gale Secretary of State - HopCat-601 P Street November 16 - Wednesday CEC Meeting 1526 Building 2 nd Floor Conference Room December 7 - Wednesday Monthly Chapter Meeting - Eric Zeece - Director- Nebraska Department of Economic Development - Yowie s Lodge Q st December 21 - Wednesday CEC Meeting 1526 Building 2 nd Floor Conference Room January 4 - Wednesday Monthly Chapter Meeting - Patrick Weber - Chief Financial Officer-Nebraska Department of Health and Human Resource - Egg & I Q Street January 18 - Wednesday CEC Meeting 1526 Building 2 nd Floor Conference Room February 1 - Wednesday Monthly Chapter Meeting - Jason Jackson -Chief Human Resources Officer- Governor s Office Location TBD February 15 - Wednesday CEC Meeting 1526 Building 2 nd Floor Conference Room Introducing Jenessa Boynton My name is Jenessa Boynton. I am a graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln and currently work as an Auditor Senior with the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR). I have been in this position with NDOR since August As an Auditor Senior in the Controller Division my roles include verifying overhead rates and conducting cost reviews on projects with NDOR. Prior to working at NDOR, I worked as an Auditor of IFTA/IRP for the Department of Motor Vehicles and as an Accountant for a private trucking company. I have been married for nine years and have one energetic three year old boy named Barrett. When not at work, I keep busy with my family and completing house renovations. I look forward to being part of the CEC and being able to network and learn from other AGA members. Citizen Centric Report (CCR) Report Ralene Cheng Lincoln Chapter Director of Accountability & Outreach has completed the Lincoln Chapter CCR Report for the Chapter year. It is attached for everyone to review. AGA Lincoln Chapter Member Award Program The Chapter re-started the Chapter Member Award Program for the Program Year. The Chapter uses this Program as one way to recognize our members participation in the Chapter s various activities. The top two members with the highest total number of credits at the end of the Program Year will each receive a certificate and a $25 prize. CEC (Chapter Executive Committee) members are not eligible to receive a prize. The rules of the Program are: 1. Credits will be given for attendance or participation per event as follows: a. 5 points - Regular Monthly Meeting b. 5 points - Webinar Program c. 10 points - Community Service Project 2. Event sign in sheets and volunteer sign up information will be used to track each member s attendance and participation 3. Make sure that you sign in at each event 4. A worksheet will be used to track each member s credits 3

4 Ann Martinez, the Chapter s Membership/Early Careers Director will be in charge of the Program this year. If you have any questions please contact Ann at ann.martinez@nebraska.gov. Members in the News "Lincoln Chapter s immediate past Chapter President, Ramona Hartley, is now Ramona Kruback. Congratulations on your recent marriage!" If you or someone you know has made a career change, had another significant life experience, or otherwise has news to share please let me know. You may reach me at Jenessa.E.Boynton@nebraska.gov. Jenessa Boynton, Assistant Director Membership CGFM News CGFM Apparel Looking to purchase a shirt with the CGFM designation? Whether you're at work, out in town, at a conference or on the golf course, show everyone how proud you are of your CGFM designation by wearing CGFM apparel. Buy yours today! Note: White shirts will be embroidered with the red and gold CGFM logo, and red shirts will be embroidered with an all gold logo. A $5.95 logo embroidery fee will be added to each item purchased. Please visit the AGA store at: CGFM Study Guides New CGFM study guides are available. The Chapter is willing to purchase the new guides if anyone is interested in using them. We have 2014 CGFM Study Guides and they are available for you today. Please contact Candace Meredith for more information. cmeredith@lancaster.ne.gov CHAPTER MEETING MINUTES September 7, 2016 The meeting was held at Misty s. 26 members and 1 guest were present at the meeting. Ken Rouch, Chapter President, called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance. The guest present was introduced. Ken thanked the CEC for their hard work so far this program year and asked those present to introduce themselves. Michelle Raphael had an update about the project to collect greeting cards for St, Jude. A sign up sheet was passed around for the Salvation Army s Bell Ringing project in November. 4

5 Frank Faughn passed out flyers on the upcoming Fall PDT that will be on Wednesday, September 21 st. Registrations can be completed on line. Jenessa Boynton, Ken Rouch, and Ann Martinez attended the UNL Meet the Firms. They had an opportunity to talk to a variety of students about AGA and the reasons to think about government as an employer. They all agreed that the group was very receptive to the idea of reaching out to government employers federal, state and local for job opportunities. Jeff Filbert and Curt Youngman were the top two Members of the Year. Ken presented each of them a certificate and $25 in cash. Credits are earned by attending monthly Chapter Meetings, participating in Chapter community projects and by attending webinars sponsored by the Chapter. Credits are being collected for the Program Year. Once again this year the Chapter received Platinum status. Platinum is the highest level awarded by AGA National. The award was presented at the annual PDT in July in Anaheim. Chris Barber, President-elect accepted the award on behalf of the Chapter. Ken presented the award to Ramona Hartley Kruback last year s President. Ramona accepted the award and thanked the CEC and the members for all they did to make it possible to reach the Platinum level again. Ken also presented Tim Baker with a certificate recognizing his AGA service as the National Treasurer. Jeff Filbert updated the group on upcoming Chapter meetings. Jeff then introduced Byron Diamond, the Director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Byron talked about the various Divisions within DAS and their initiatives. Byron drew the winning ticket for $ The winner was Dee Ward. Two other attendees won small notebooks promoting the 2017 National PDT in Boston. Presented by Ann Martinez, Substitute Secretary CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Sep K Street, Conference Room 2B Members attending: Patty Richard, Tim Channer, Ann Martinez, Jenessa Boynton, Amy Hock, Ramona Hartley Kruback, Jeff Filbert, Michelle Raphael, Dan Albrecht, Chris Barber, and Ken Rouch-Chair. Members excused: Ron Carlson, Lily Kathee, Staci Bolton, Frank Faughn Jr., Ralene Cheng, and Candace Meredith. Ken called the meeting to order at 12:04. He had three items to present for action. One, he informed everyone that Inna Goldman had resigned her position as Secretary. She changed jobs and no longer works in Lincoln. The second item was regarding participation in the regional conference call hosted by Ann Martinez, RVP. Ken can t participate but Chris will. Ken then presented a revised Corporate Sponsor Program for action. There was brief discussion. (Ken had proposed an earlier draft using s which suggestions have been incorporated into this final draft.) Michelle moved approval of the Program and Ramona seconded. This passed unanimously. This Program is attached and a part of these minutes. 5

6 Discussion on the PDT followed. Frank couldn t attend but provided Ken a projection of PDT financial results. It showed a deficit of $25 but Frank said he would cut back on some expenses where possible. More discussion followed on the need to schedule relevant training based on the changing needs of our Chapter. Also we should attempt to use speakers who don t need to charge fees. Also regarding PDTs it was announced Beacon Hills will discontinue their restaurant operations at Country Inn & Suites. No word yet as to a successor. Other discussion followed about alternative venues with no action taken. Amy presented an opportunity for our Chapter to use one of national s audio conferences. The topic was cyber-security. No action was taken on this. On behalf of Meetings Jeff reported that the October and November meetings were scheduled at Tico s and HopCat (in the Railyard), respectively. The speakers will be Frank Daley and John Gale. The question was asked about using The Egg and I. Jeff reported that this venue is scheduled for January. The December meeting venue hasn t been decided but the speaker will be Eric Zeece, Deputy Director of Nebraska Department of Economic Development. For Membership and Early Careers Ann and Jenessa reported on their participation at the September 6 UNL Beta Alpha Psi Meet the Firms event on September 6. Apparently, students seem to be more receptive to considering government employment. It s really a lifestyle choice. Brief discussion followed regarding activities with other student groups. Ann and Jenessa will follow up with Southeast Community College regarding SCC s Career Fair. On Ralene s behalf Ken reported that the CCR report has been completed and submitted to national. This is on the Chapter website, too. Tim will distribute with the next newsletter. Tim reported that the next soft deadline for newsletter articles is Tuesday, September 27. Jenessa will continue with a Members in the News article. Michelle spoke about Community Service. There has been a friendly challenge from national about collecting food and cash donations for local Food Banks. The Lincoln Chapter had already decided to do this for the September PDT but we will now conduct through November 18 per the challenge. A $5 donation also guys the person a chance to win a T-shirt. Donations will also be taken at upcoming Chapter meetings. Michelle provided a sign-up sheet for the Ringing of the Bells to be conducted over the holiday season. Michelle also reported that the T-shirts have arrived and are ready to be handed out to volunteers or sold for $10. Dan distributed the Treasurer s Report. Items mentioned are: expenses for PDT; reimbursement paid for website; expenses from last March Professional Certification paid; and, donation paid to Community Service-People in Need. Michelle moved to approve the Treasurer s Report and Ramona seconded, which passed unanimously. Discussion followed to approve the minutes of the August 17 CEC meeting published in the last newsletter. A correction needing made is to correct the spelling of Patty Richard s last name which had been spelled Richards. Jenessa moved to approve the minutes as corrected, Michelle seconded, and motion approved unanimously. Discussion followed on the Chapter Recognition Program (CRP). The deadline is September 30. Ken will work with Chris. Number of hours and names of volunteers are needed for 6

7 community service. Also needed is the number of persons attending Chapter activities. (Not needed for CRP, but names of members attending Chapter activities are needed for the Chapter Member-of-the-Year selection.) Ann mentioned she has the Excel workpaper which has been designed by Mark Runyan, SVP, which is an easy way to organize the CRP information to be submitted on national s online data entry form. There being no further business to consider Patty moved adjournment and Jeff seconded. No dissenters. Chris Barber, Substitute Secretary Corporate Sponsor Program Lincoln Chapter, Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Emerald - $500 For an Emerald sponsorship the Lincoln Chapter will invite the sponsor to greet the Chapter membership -attendees preceding a Chapter educational activity, during break-time, or afterwards. The sponsor would briefly speak about the sponsor s interest in sponsoring AGA professional education and training. This could include an introduction of sponsor s organization and their mission. Possible available activities include monthly Chapter meetings; Audio Conferences; two semi-annual Professional Development Training sessions; and more. Ruby - $1,000 The Ruby sponsorship activities defined for Emerald would be included. Also, the organization would be invited to speak at a second activity during the year. Beyond this the organization could be credited specifically for sponsoring a given educational activity. For example the announcement could be made that ABC activity is being sponsored by (sponsor). Gold - $1,500 Gold sponsorship activities starts with those enumerated for Ruby. In addition, the sponsor will be invited to speak at a third activity. These speaking opportunities could be one to two hour educational sessions. Gold sponsorship will also allow the sponsor to be featured on the Chapter website as a sponsor of Lincoln Chapter s educational mission. Platinum - $2,500 For Emerald, Ruby, and Gold sponsorships it is understood that the Lincoln Chapter of AGA could include more than one corporate sponsor to support the Chapter during the year. For Platinum sponsorship the sponsor will be exclusive. The Chapter will not involve any other sponsors. Activities include all of the activities mentioned for Gold with the assurance that no other organization would be involved as a sponsor. Conclusion: Any monetary support received from sponsors will be used to partially or fully fund educational activities which is a significant part of Lincoln Chapter of AGA s mission. The Lincoln Chapter acknowledges a prospective sponsor may have other educational ideas worthy of their support. Accordingly, the Chapter is willing to consider these other activities. The Chapter pledges to make each sponsor feel welcome and engaged and see the value in collaborating with the Lincoln Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants. Network with AGA Online Anytime 7

8 Become a Fan of AGA on Facebook Follow AGA on Twitter Visit AGA on GovLoop Speakers and Topics If you have any suggestions for speakers or topics for chapter meetings please call or Lily Kathee, NMLS MBA Lily.Kathee@nebraska.gov or Jeff Filbert Jeffery.Filbert@nebraska.gov Guests Bring a guest to a Chapter meeting. They will get a free lunch. If they join you get a free lunch. Addresses Please remember to send any address changes to Tim Channer so the mailing list can be updated. Thanks TREASURER'S REPORT Year to Budget To Date Remaining Receipts: Spring Conference $9, $0.00 ($9,000.00) Receipts: August 1, 2016 $19, Fall Conference $9, $0.00 ($9,000.00) Fall PDT $0.00 Other Educational Events $ $0.00 ($600.00) Spring PDT $0.00 Other Educational $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Events $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Miscellaneous $0.00 Interest Income $5.00 $0.00 ($5.00) Interest Income $0.00 Corporate Income $2, $0.00 ($2,000.00) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Total Receipts $0.00 Total Receipts: $20, $0.00 ($20,605.00) Disbursements: National PDT $2, Disbursements: Membership Support $0.00 Spring Conference $6, $0.00 $6, Certification $98.46 Fall Conference $6, $0.00 $6, Community Service $25.00 Education-Non-PDT $2, $58.00 $2, Chapter Leadership $0.00 Communications- National PDT $2, $2, ($30.40) Website $34.95 Membership Support $ $0.00 $ Early Careers $0.00 Early Careers $ $0.00 $ Education Non-PDT $0.00 Communications-Website $0.00 $34.95 ($34.95) Total Disbursements $2, Chapter Leadership $ $0.00 $ Certification $ $98.46 $ August 31, 2016 $16, Accountability and Outreach $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Community Service $ $25.00 $75.00 Checking $5,941.17

9 Chapter Award $ $0.00 $ Certificates of Deposit $10, $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Total $16, $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Total Disbursements: $20, $2, $17, CHAPTER OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS Officers: Name Phone # President Ken Rouch, CPA, ken.rouch@nebraska.gov CGFM,MBA President-Elect Chris Barber Christina.Barber@nebraska.gov Secretary Vacant Treasurer Dan Albrecht dan.albrecht@nebraska.gov Past-President Ramona Hartley ramona.hartley@nebraska.gov Board Members: Director of Accountability & Outreach Co-Directors of Communication Directors of Education Director of Community Service Director of By-laws & Procedures & Chapter Historian Director of Professional Certification Co-Directors of Chapter Programs Directors of Membership/Early Careers/Young Professionals Ralene CGFM Cheng, Ralene.Cheng@nebraska.gov Tim Channer CPA, CGFM - Newsletter Staci Bolton - Website tchanner@windstream.net staci.bolton@nebraska.gov Frank Faughn frank.faughn@nebraska.gov Chapter PDT s Patty Richard patty.richard@nebraska.gov Assistant Director Education PDT Amy Hock, CPA ahock@nscs.edu Audio/Webinar Conferences Michelle Raphael mrmrsralph@aol.com Ron Carlson CPA, CGFM ron.carlson@nebraska.gov Candace Meredith cmeredith@lancaster.ne.gov Lily Kathee, NMLS MBA Jeff Filbert Lily.Kathee@nebraska.gov Jeffery.Filbert@nebraska.gov Ann Martinez ann.martinez@nebraska.gov Assistant Director Jenessa Boynton Jenessa.e.boynton@nebraska.gov 9

10 of Membership Lincoln Chapter Association of Government Accountants P.O. Box Lincoln, Nebraska