The Statement
The Statement

Feedback, collaboration is mantra for 2001-02

If the goals of John Wilson's presidency could be summed up in two words, they would be feedback and collaboration — among the leadership, staff and members of MACPA.

Wilson believes in a team approach and encourages feedback and participation at all levels.

"I don't want it to be about Tom [Hood] and I making decisions. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us. I can't do it all and I don't have all the answers," Wilson said. "I think it has to be a process that starts with the board and officers, and chapter representatives and then reaches out to as many people as possible."

Wilson carefully outlined his expectations at a Board orientation held in mid-June and in a letter sent to the Board on July 1, the official start of the new fiscal year. Board members enthusiastically agreed that they must take a greater role in working with members and staff to more effectively understand issues, take the membership's pulse, monitor initiatives and make informed decisions.

Each Board member will now serve as liaison to one of MACPA's major Value Streams. Value streams are defined as those product and service lines that members value, such as image enhancement activities, student recruitment efforts, legislative and regulatory advocacy, professional development programming and products, technical information and resources. In the role of liaison, Board members will work closely with staff and volunteers who focus their resources in these areas.

"This idea was actually proposed by our Secretary/Treasurer Pat Reese at our Officers' Planning Session in April. I think it's an excellent idea, and the Board was very receptive to taking on this responsibility," said Wilson. "I want this year to be about assessing the return on investments we made in new initiatives, such as the new Business Learning Institute and CPA2biz, and putting processes in place to measure member satisfaction with all that we do."

In addition, the Board of Directors will have more of a presence at MACPA events, including chapter meetings to keep a dialogue going between MACPA leaders and grassroots members.

Priorities in the coming year include:

  • recruiting and retaining employees and students;
  • proactively responding to the continued scrutiny by the SEC on independence issues;
  • enhancing the image of CPAs; and
  • balancing our investment return on MACPA activities to ensure a sound fiscal policy.

At the same time, leaders will work to:

  • transition the association's Governance and Structure to a new model that will enhance member involvement and allow MACPA to respond quickly to member needs;
  • communicate with members to create awareness and obtain feedback on a variety of issues, including CPA2biz.com and the proposed global designation;
  • encourage member support and participation in MACPA-sponsored legislative, image enhancement, professional development and networking activities;
  • serve as an ambassador for MACPA and the CPA profession among internal (members) and external (students, media, legislators/regulators, business community and general public) audiences; and
  • take an active role in guiding the MACPA staff to achieve strategic goals.

"We have a lot of work ahead of use, but I hope we'll also have fun," Wilson said.

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