Archive for the ‘President's Message’ CategoryThe Ides of MarchFebruary 25th, 2010
The Glass Is Half FullJanuary 29th, 2010
Bravery in the New YearJanuary 4th, 2010
A Gift That Won’t Be ForgottenNovember 24th, 2009
I have been a witness to the gift of time and financial resources in our own chapter during the past month. First, I would like to thank those of you who participated in the Oct. 31 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk. Our group of 16 walkers included CalCPA members, friends, colleagues and families. We definitely stood out in our orange “CPAs Care” T-shirts, and the team raised more than $1,600, which will help support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to fund research, increase public awareness and provide free programs and services to people impacted by breast cancer. Thanks again to all who contributed and especially to those who participated in the walk. More than 420 attorneys, bankers and CPAs visited the Humane Society Silicon Valley Nov. 10 at the ABC Fallfest. The Humane Society staff provided tours of the impressive new facility that includes doggie daycare, a grooming and boarding facility, a pet store and a dog park. Several tour group members abandoned the tour once they entered the cat or dog condo areas. We know for a fact that a few fortunate attendees ultimately left the facility at the event’s conclusion with a new pet in hand. We also heard reports that several attendees made appointments to return in the following days. Giving a new home to a deserving cat or dog and supporting the Humane Society is another great example of how we can give a gift that will not be forgotten. I believe we all enjoyed this wonderful venue, and I want to congratulate Howard Loomis, Renée Hazel and the dedicated ABC Committee for all of their hard work in planning this stellar event. Howard tells me that this was one of the best-attended ABC events in recent history. As you know, the net proceeds from this event go toward funding the scholarships we will award in January and are another example of CPAs giving to others. Following the successful ABC event at the Humane Society, we ushered in the first ABC Night in the Santa Cruz area Nov. 18. More than 120 professionals attended the gathering at The Swenson House on the Cabrillo College campus in Aptos. The culinary school provided hors d’oeuvres, and a local winery and brewery donated beverages. The event was well-received by the community, and plans are already under way for a similar event to be held next spring. Our thanks go out to the planning committee for its hard work and vision in providing a networking event for those in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay areas. By now you should have all recovered from your Thanksgiving holiday and are planning for the Christmas holidays. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone (408) 287-7911 if you have any questions or comments.
Give Thanks with GivingNovember 2nd, 2009
Though the economy is beginning to recover, requests for help continue to grow at many nonprofit organizations that provide sustenance for people in our community. As food requests for individuals and their families increase, many organizations are challenged by a decrease in donations from large manufacturers and retailers who are tightening their belts. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” I am asking CalCPA members to consider donating a frozen turkey, stuffing mix or cranberry sauce this month to one of the many organizations that provide meals in our communities. You may already be aware of organizations in your local community, but here are two that you may want to consider: Loaves & Fishes was founded in 1980 to help meet the needs of our local community’s families and seniors. It is committed to providing free, nutritious meals and support services in a dignified, safe and caring environment. The organization serves five meals each week at several South Bay locations to an average of 200 guests per meal. Donations can be dropped off 9:30 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday, at InnVision’s Montgomery Street Inn; 358 N. Montgomery St.; San Jose. Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties has provided services to the community for more than 35 years. This organization provides food to an average of 207,000 individuals each month. In addition, it operates community nutrition programs and a multilingual, toll-free hotline where callers can learn how to access the food programs in their neighborhoods. The organization takes pride that it can provide two nutritious meals for every $1 donated. Donations can be dropped off at the distribution center at 750 Curtner Ave. in San Jose. Thank you all for your support and for helping me to give thanks with giving. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Walk to Make a DifferenceOctober 1st, 2009
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just the name of a walk; it describes the progress being made to help people stay well, get well, find a cure and fight back. You’ve heard it said that every donation makes a difference, and it really is true. Here are a few of the ways our donations will help save lives:
I know that the economic environment is difficult for many of us, but any amount donated will make a difference. The walk does not require a registration fee or minimum fund-raising amount, and people of all ages are welcome to participate. Each of us has our own reasons for caring about the fight against breast cancer. I participated in the San Francisco event for several years, both as a walker and as a volunteer, in memory of my parents, who both succumbed to cancer. Now that the event is in San Jose, I hope that we can join together to help raise dollars and awareness. I invite you to join the CalCPA Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter’s team either as a walker or by making a donation. Sign up early so that we can order enough CalCPA T-shirts for our walkers! Hope for a cure starts with one walker and one dollar at a time. You can reach our team page online.
Supporting Future GenerationsSeptember 11th, 2009
Applicants must be college-bound or college-enrolled students who are cancer survivors diagnosed at 18 years of age or younger (age 25 or younger at the time of application); demonstrate financial need; and be California residents who plan to attend a two or four-year accredited undergraduate institution in California. This year, each selection committee member reviewed approximately 10 applications from the 75 received. In addition to assessing financial need and basic academic requirements, the committee reviews each applicant’s educational and career plans, life philosophy, motivation and determination by evaluating three short essays. Once students are accepted into the program, they are required to serve a minimum of 25 volunteer hours with the American Cancer Society and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants are eligible to receive up to four years of scholarships. The committee was able to approve renewal applications for 24 returning students and award new scholarships to another 26 students. I welcome participating in this activity every year, and I continue to show up because I care about the cause. By awarding scholarships to deserving young students, I feel we are helping future generations. So how can we all help future generations? One easy way is to financially support accounting students by attending our chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament. This event is just around the corner and raises money for our chapter’s scholarship fund. The Golf Committee (co-chaired by Perry Forschino and Andrew Bader) is working hard to bring us another quality tournament. This particular event is a great opportunity for CPAs to network with each other, as well as with attorneys, bankers and various other business owners. The tournament will be held at Coyote Creek Valley Friday, Sept. 18. I encourage you to consider being a tournament sponsor or playing in the tournament. Invite your colleagues, clients or business associates to join you at this quality event. Find additional information and the registration form online. Hope to see you there!
Supporting Future GenerationsSeptember 1st, 2009
Applicants must be college-bound or college-enrolled students who are cancer survivors diagnosed at 18 years of age or younger (age 25 or younger at the time of application); demonstrate financial need; and be California residents who plan to attend a two or four-year accredited undergraduate institution in California. This year, each selection committee member reviewed approximately 10 applications from the 75 received. In addition to assessing financial need and basic academic requirements, the committee reviews each applicant’s educational and career plans, life philosophy, motivation and determination by evaluating three short essays. Once students are accepted into the program, they are required to serve a minimum of 25 volunteer hours with the American Cancer Society and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants are eligible to receive up to four years of scholarships. The committee was able to approve renewal applications for 24 returning students and award new scholarships to another 26 students. I welcome participating in this activity every year, and I continue to show up because I care about the cause. By awarding scholarships to deserving young students, I feel we are helping future generations. So how can we all help future generations? One easy way is to financially support accounting students by attending our chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament. This event is just around the corner and raises money for our chapter’s scholarship fund. The Golf Committee (co-chaired by Perry Forschino and Andrew Bader) is working hard to bring us another quality tournament. This particular event is a great opportunity for CPAs to network with each other, as well as with attorneys, bankers and various other business owners. The tournament will be held at Coyote Creek Valley Friday, Sept. 18. I encourage you to consider being a tournament sponsor or playing in the tournament. Invite your colleagues, clients or business associates to join you at this quality event. Find additional information and the registration form online. Hope to see you there!
Showing UpJuly 31st, 2009
As CalCPA members we are asked to show up for many reasons. We show up at work to earn a living, we show up at our place of worship for our beliefs and a sense of community, and we show up for community service events because we believe in the mission of the organization. And, I have asked you to show up at various CalCPA events. I recently attended a meeting of the San Jose North Rotary Club and had the privilege of introducing the guest speaker for the day, Chris Finn. He spoke to the club about a nonprofit organization, the Federation International de Powerchair Football Association, of which he is vice president. Chris was an avid sports player while growing up and his specialty was soccer. Unfortunately, during his senior year in college, Chris suffered a spinal cord injury that left him confined to a motorized wheelchair. Several years ago, Chris became involved with power soccer. In fact, he was the head coach of the 2007 World Cup Champion USA National Power Soccer team. His presentation at the Rotary Club included a short video showing how the game is played. It is a fast-paced sport, designed for people with disabilities using power wheelchairs. It’s played on a basketball court with two teams of four players each. A cage is attached to the front of each wheelchair that is used to bat an oversized soccer ball through the goal. It was inspirational to see the joy in the players’ faces while they participated in a sport designed for them. Chris tells us that the sport has been in existence since the late 1970s, and the United States got involved in 2005. The new U.S. organization is looking for a volunteer to assist them in setting up their accounting. I am reaching out to our members to see if any of you may be willing to “show up” for this opportunity. Please e-mail me if you are interested and I will put you in contact with Chris.
CelebrationsJune 25th, 2009
The CalCPA Annual Members’ Business and Council meeting was held June 18–19 in San Francisco. More than 100 California CPAs attended the meeting. We were addressed by a legislative panel led by Assembly members Fiona Ma and Mary Hayashi, who summarized the status of several bills in the Assembly. CalCPA is sponsoring SB 691, which is co-authored by Assembly member Ma and will require that all candidates entering the profession after Jan. 1, 2014, meet the 150-hour educational requirement (a total of 150 units with a bachelor’s degree, including at least 24 units in business and 24 units in accounting). The success of this legislation is essential to allowing current and future California CPAs to represent the needs of their clients with interests in other states. Ma indicated that our voice in Sacramento is stronger than ever due to our increased membership, which now exceeds 35,000, and to the vigilant services of Bruce Allen, CalCPA’s government relations director. The meeting’s final event was a gala dinner and dance held in the grand ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill in San Francisco. Several hundred CalCPA members and their guests were dressed in their finest, and there was an enthusiastic crowd on the dance floor throughout the evening. It was a fitting conclusion to our celebration of CalCPA’s 100th anniversary. By the way, have any of you had the opportunity to attend that extra chapter event yet? Please take this opportunity to accept the challenge I shared in May in my first “President’s Message.”
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What do we think of as we enter March? On the morning of March 11, the chapter’s Not-for-Profit Committee is offering a 90-minute meeting on special event compliance for nonprofit organizations. Please consider 
