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Volunteers take center stage at MACPA's Annual Meeting

Association, profession 'are better off because of the work they do'

By Bill Sheridan
Statement editor

Volunteers are the heart of the MACPA, and on June 16 the association offered its heartfelt thanks.

While serving up the usual array of reflections, awards and leadership ballots, the MACPA's 2005 Annual Meeting offered a bit more as well. This year's spotlight was placed squarely on the volunteers who do so much of the association's good work.

"Our volunteers make this organization what it is," said MACPA President and CEO Tom Hood. "I have one of the best jobs in the world, because I get to work with CPAs every day. I'm surrounded by smart, energetic, caring people, and our organization and our profession are better off because of the work they do."

'Make a difference'

New to this year's Annual Meeting was a reception designed to recognize the efforts of all of the MACPA's volunteers, from chapter leaders and committee members to task force participants and public speakers. A 15-minute video featured dozens of volunteers who spoke of how they have benefited from their MACPA involvement.

Earlier in the day, a roundtable discussion allowed volunteers to examine the opportunities that are available through MACPA involvement and potential ways to improve those opportunities. It was a frank and fruitful discussion that left current volunteers energized and potential volunteers eager to get started.

According to Ed Rommel, they'll be glad they did.

"I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to move through the ranks of the Board of Directors of the MACPA," said Rommel, who served as chair of the association's board in 2004-05. "I would encourage each of you to make a difference. Become involved. Work with us and we'll work with you. If you can't think of any other reason to become involved with the MACPA, do it for selfish reasons, because if you enjoy working with and meeting good people, I believe you can have as much fun as I did."

Honoring excellence

Some of the MACPA's most dedicated volunteers were honored for their work, including:

• Wes Johnson, a former MACPA and State Board of Public Accountancy chair who has been elected vice chair of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. A proclamation was issued to recognize his work. "One of the things I think is vitally important is that we, as CPAs, should give back to the profession through volunteer work in proportion to what we have received from the profession," Johnson said.
• The MACPA's Peer Review Committee, which was recognized for its collaborative work in a year in which peer review was made mandatory for every Maryland CPA who performs reviews and compilations. "Why do they do it? If you ask them, they will tell you they are dedicated to the betterment of our profession," said Rommel. "I don't know of a better group of professionals."
  
  Committee members include Judith Barnhard, Nancy Bechanan, Jo Anne Crowder, Marc Dickler, James Dougherty, Katherine Grice, Jerry Herskovitz, Raymond Locke, Michael Manspeaker, Michael, Donald Marshall, Harvey Milhiser, Randy Rager, Terrence Regan, Wade Ritchie, Daniel Sandstrom, Michael Sisk, James Summers and Malcolm Taylor.
  
  Also recognized were Carol Kirwan, the MACPA's director of technical services and regulatory affairs, and MACPA Peer Review Manager Mary Beth Halpern for their work with the committee.
• 2005 Public Service Award winner Marianela Del Pino-Rivera, who was honored for her work in increasing the financial knowledge and well-being of Marylanders, especially her fellow Hispanic citizens. "Financial literacy has always been one of my passions," she said. "I'm preaching to the choir, because you are all volunteers and many of you are working in your communities. I think we all know the secret: When you give, you get a whole lot back in return."
• Dan Moldover, recipient of the 2005 Max Teichmann Outstanding Committee Chair Award for 2005 for his work as chair of the MACPA's Technology Committee. "The Technology Committee has been a lot of fun," said Moldover, who has since moved to Virginia for a new job with America Online. "That's probably my biggest regret in leaving — that I won't get to see these people on a regular basis anymore."

'Great synergies'

The meeting also featured brief addresses from a pair of Maryland dignitaries:

• State Sen. James Brochin (D-District 42) offered tips on how to develop relationships with your legislators. "If you want to get to know your legislator well, if you want to have an impact on public policy, it takes persistence," he said. "The good news is, you can do it fairly easily, especially at the state level."
• Gregory Safko, commissioner of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for Maryland's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, spoke of the State Board of Public Accountancy's working relationship with the MACPA. "We've shared some great synergies in what we've tried to accomplish together for our mutual best interests," he said.