April 07 Newsletter - AGA Cleveland Chapter

THE VOICEIssue No. 8, 2006-2007 OF THE CLEVELAND CHAPTER April 2007INSIDE THISISSUEMessage from thePresident ………… 1Calendar ofEvents.……………...2CommunityService……………...2ChapterNews..……………....3ExecutiveMinutes……………..4AGA NationalNews.…………….....5GovernmentCorner………………6CGFMCorner……………....7Training…………….8Cleveland – Home of the Rock & RollHall of FameAGA ClevelandChapter Websitewww.agacleveland.orgBy JasonDenmeadeClevelandChapterPresidentPresident’s MessageBrand YourselfPersonal branding is the process of creating orenhancing a personal brand: your total perceivedvalue, relative to competitors, as viewed bytheir target audience. It is also the concept ofcreating a firm impression or fixed image thatcomes to people's minds when they think of you,or a mental picture that people conjure up whenyour name is mentioned. There are two types ofbranding: tangible and intangible. Tangiblebranding involves tying your name to a specificbenefit that people will get from dealing withyou. Intangible branding involves creating apositive feeling in people about you.Creating a personal branding statement starts withidentifying your target market and then pinpointing the mostimportant benefit they could receive from a person in yourposition. You then create reasons why people should believethat you will deliver on your benefit promise. Personalbranding is similar to what the corporate world does intheir branding efforts. No matter what an individual'scareer title, that individual could be described as the CEOof their own personal service company, and actingaccordingly helps establish the personal brand. If each ofus is "a free agent in an economy of free agents," then weall must establish our own "micro equivalent of the Nikeswoosh.In today's business world it's imperative that you possessthe intelligence of your subject matter and the ability todeliver. In addition to this, it helps for a leader todress for success and have a commanding presence. Beforeyou are able to convey that to your counterparts the firstimpression comes from how you look. You never get a secondchance to make a first impression. Your appearance speaksvolumes before you ever get the opportunity. Your attireshould say, "I'm professional; I take my career seriously;and I'm well groomed". Dressing for success doesn’t meanexpensive watches, jewelry or even clothing. What it doesmean is to dress with conventional wisdom. For example, mengenerally wear a dark suit, white shirt with a tie. Ladieshave moved forward in what is considered professional.Continued on Page 21

President’s MessageContinued from page 1Along with the business shirtsuit, women have the choice ofwearing a dress or a businesspants suit. Flashy and trendyclothing would be less acceptableand this image will set you apartfrom the crowd. Attire thatcould be worn to an after-fiveevent is inappropriate for thework place. Likewise, unless youwork in a relax environment, youprobably do not want to wearclothing what you wear to theball park.The concept of personal brandingalso applies to successfulleadership and how you projectyourself will have a great impacton how you will be remembered.The concept itself and impact canbe applied to your authority andwhether or not you will be takenseriously or not.The cliché “first impressions arelasting ones” holds a great truthand I have always prepared myselffor many levels higher than whereI actually was in my employment.This can apply to any aspect ofyour life and how yourprofessionalism is perceived.Once you are viewed as being weakor indecisive, it can be verydifficult for others to seethings your way. Personalbranding and image is acontinuous process needingmanagement and nurturing. Youshould always strive to seek selfimprovement whether it isemotionally, spiritually,physically or financially.“If you shoot for the moon andfall short, you still end upbeing a star”. Oprah Winfreydefines success as "whenpreparation meets opportunity!"Don't miss your opportunity forsuccess because you lackpreparation.CALENDER OF EVENTSApril 28, 2007Community Service EventMay 9, 2007Audio Conference on EthicalChallengesJune 24 – 27National PDC, in Nashville, TN*******************************************March Luncheon RecapOur March speaker was Jim Rokakis,Treasurer of Cuyahoga County. Mr.Rokakis' topic was "The ForeclosureCrisis in Cuyahoga County"Jim’s biography is available on theCleveland website.*******************************************Community ServiceOur next community service event willbe at the men's shelter at 2100Lakeside Avenue Cleveland Ohio onSat. April 28th from 5 to 8 p.m.Below is a link for more information.We will be partnering with Al Batesand his organization those volunteerson a regular basis.********************************************2

2006-2007CHAPTER OFFICERSPO Box 99824 East Ninth StreetCleveland, Ohio 44199www.agacleveland.orgagacleveland@agacleveland.orgJason DenmeadePresidentCarolyn Svetz, CPATreasurerSheila D. JohnsonSecretaryStephanie PaschelDirector of MembershipWilliam E. Walsh, CGFMDirector of Awards & ScholarshipsJoanne Kmets Walsh, CGFMDirector of CommunicationsDonna WolfeDirector of Events and PlanningKathleen AlexanderDirector of Education & TrainingJennifer SmithTiffany FolmarEarly Career ChairStan KochRetention and Advanced Career ChairPatrick UntrauerCorporate Communications ChairAndrew DaniellKaren A. McLaughlinCommunity Relations ChairPatrick Millane, CPAHelen Mooradian, CPA, CGFMPrograms and EducationLinda WoodfordDorothy Mosley, CGFMNewsletter EditorsRon Gedeon, CGFM, CMA, CFMProfessional CertificationCHAPTER NEWSThe AGA/ASMC/OSCPA, incombination, hosted the annualSpring Seminar on Tuesday, April23, 2007.From the opening and closing remarks bythe AGA Cleveland Chapter president,seminar attendees were afforded theopportunity, through breakout sessionsand keynote speakers, to listen, learnand gain knowledge and insightful adviceon a variety of topics that includedBusiness Etiquette, Certifications,Government Performance, Technology, NSPS,Respect in the Workplace, RetirementPlanning and Transformation.The morning and lunchtime keynotespeakers presented information onChallenges Facing CPAs Today and Pointerson How to Communicate more effectively.Slides from the various presentations areavailable on the Cleveland Chapterwebsite.The Cleveland Chapter President alsoannounced the election of the followingnew officers for the upcoming programyear:Carolyn Svetz – PresidentPatrick Milane – TreasurerBethany Haupt – SecretarySelected to Co-Chair positions wereFrankie Denmeade, Education Co-Chair andAngela Woods, Program Co-Chair.Also at the seminar, the Chapterpresented its annual scholarship toCleveland State University student, Bang“Betty” Thich.Treasury Report –March 2007By Carolyn Svetz, TreasurerBeg. Bal. 2/28/07 $3,664.12Deposits 507.24Expenses (134.95)End. Bal 3/31/07 $4,036.413

AGA ChapterExecutive CommitteeMeeting MinutesApril 2007Attendees:Kathleen AlexanderAndrew DaniellJason DenmeadeAnthony EzellSheila D JohnsonPatrick MillaneDorothy MosleyStephanie PaschelAshley ShipmanCarolyn SvetzWilliam WalshDonna WolfeCommunity RelationsAndrew announced that he islooking for volunteers to docommunity service by serving foodat the “men shelter” on Saturday,April 28 for 5:00 to 8:00 pm.Please email Andrew if you wouldlike to volunteer so that he canturn in a head count to theshelter.Events & PlanningDonna is finalizing arrangementsfor the spring PDC which is beingheld Tuesday, April 24 th at theCrown Plaza Hotel.Carolyn set up registrationprocedures & coordinated with AGANational to accept credit cardpayments. Joanne set up thewebsite with agenda &registration information.Kathleen is working on brochures& signs. Shelbie is working withAGA National on pens & will workwith Jeff Hayden to see what goesinto the folders.Programs & EducationSince the PDC is scheduled forApril, our monthly luncheon willbe held on Wednesday, March 28th.There will not be a luncheon heldduring the month of April. May'sluncheon will be held on May 23 rdat Pimento’s Restaurant in theCrowne Plaza Hotel.Continued next columnNewsletterDorothy reported that thenewsletter has been approvedand will be posted to thewebsite this week.Awards & ScholarshipsJason was notified by Ron thata professor from ClevelandState will select 5 studentseligible for the scholarshipaward. The goal is to presentthe award scholarship duringthe luncheon at the PDC.Bill will create a new formfor the scholarship.There was a motion to select acommittee to nominate therecipient of the scholarship.Motion was passed. Bill,Jason, Kathleen and Ron aremembers that make up theselection committee.Bill reported that Jeff Hartwill talk with national aboutautomating the registrationprocess for the conferences.TreasuryCarolyn reported she receivedone check for payment on thespring seminar.Education & TrainingKathleen reported that March’saudio conference will be heldfrom 2:00 to 4:00 in Room2702. The topic isProcurement Fraud Detectionand Prevention and you willearn 2 CPE credits. May’saudio conference will be heldfrom 2:00 to 4:00 in room2751. The topic is Ethics andyou will earn 2 CPE.Recruiting & MembershipStephanie reported that 25 newmembers have been recruitedsince May 2006.Miscellaneous ItemsThe next executive boardmeeting will be heldWednesday, May 16, in Room1881. For those outside ofDFAS please call in 216-522-6769.4

AGA’s 56 th Annual ProfessionalDevelopment Conference &Exposition will take place June24-27, 2007 at the NashvilleConvention Center, located at 601Commerce Street, Nashville, TN37203.Join us in Music City, USA for AGA’sProfessional Development Conference &Exposition– the government financialmanagement education and networking eventof the year!Staying current with changes in governmentfinancial management is a huge challenge.Let AGA help. With dozens of educationalsessions, social events and exhibitorsavailable, the PDC is an authoritativesource for the knowledge and contacts youneed to succeed in today’s constantlychanging environment.Offering 24 CPE hours, the PDC is avaluable event for all government financeprofessionals, whether you handle detailwork on the front lines, or manage a teamamid difficult political and financialrealities.The PDC offers exceptional trainingopportunities. Learn about the newestresearch in the field. Find out abouttools and techniques that have advancedthe profession. Hear dynamic speakers.Meet the top leaders from federalagencies, state and local governments, theprivate sector and academia. Take part insmall-group discussions, explore theissues facing the profession and find someanswers.Sessions will be organized around thefollowing tracks:Accountability & EthicsAuditing Tips, Tools & TechniquesFinancial Management StrategiesInnovative Funding MechanismsManagement Challenges & SolutionsAGA National NewsThe PDC is also about networking. Takeadvantage of the many receptions andsocial events that are planned, and enjoythe Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall ofFame, historical landmarks, good food andfun that Nashville has to offer.Do Your Part to Shape theNational Debate on FederalFinancial Management andPerformance IssuesAGA and member organizations ofthe Government PerformanceCoalition will undertake a projectto help shape the agenda in the2008 presidential election bypromoting dialogue and debate onbudget, management and performanceissues in the federal government.The Coalition is ready to startconversations with federalgovernment managers, campaigns andthe public.The project will use a web-basedsurvey tool in pursuing acomprehensive picture of federalmanagement's experiences and ideasgoing forward. The final reportwill be a full finding of thegroup's work, survey results anddialogue sessions. Recommendationswill be included by each memberorganization of the PerformanceCoalition. Coalition membersinclude American University Schoolof Public Affairs, AmericanSociety for Public Administration,Council for Excellence inGovernment, George WashingtonCenter for Innovation and PublicService, IBM Center for theBusiness of Government, MercatusCenter, National Academy forPublic Administration, PerformanceInstitute and Partnership forPublic Service.We encourage you to visit thewebsitehttp://internetmailmanager.com/i/ou.htm?a=120745&b=849700&c=8507409&d=http:~~www.transitionsingov.org~often, to offer comments to thedaily blog and to forward yourthoughts and feedback. Give AGA avoice and assist the efforts ofthis coalition to ensure the nextpresidential Administration keepsa sharp focus on management andperformance issues.For more information, visitwww.transitionsingov.org

Government CornerNo Time Off for Travel onHolidays, OPM SaysFederal employees traveling on federalholidays as part of their jobs are notentitled to compensatory time off,under final rules issued Tuesday bythe Office of Personnel Management."Compensatory time off for travel maybe earned by an employee only for timespent in a travel status away from theemployee's official duty station whensuch time is not otherwisecompensable," the rules stated.The final regulation will go intoeffect May 17, according to a noticepublished in the Federal Register. OPMreviewed comments submitted by agencyofficials, union representatives andmembers of the public in response to a2005 draft proposal.The 2004 Federal Workforce FlexibilityAct allows agencies to compensateemployees with time off for businesstravel they conduct outside of normalworking hours.Under the final rules, the compensatoryleave will be credited in directproportion to the amount of time spenton authorized travel for work, andagencies will be responsible formanaging their policies.OPM also revised the definition of"travel" to clarify that time spenttraveling in connection with unionactivities is not creditable for thepurpose of earning compensatory timeoff. Also, travel time accrued as aresult of a change of job or locationis not eligible, the notice said.The new rules also clarify that anemployee must use his or her accruedcompensatory time off within 26 payperiods after it is earned. The rulespermit the head of an agency to extendthis time limit if an emergencyprevents an employee from using thebenefit.Read more at www.govexec.comFederal Recruitment CampaignExpands with Three New AdsThe Office of Personnel Managementlaunched three new advertisements inRaleigh, N.C., recently, opening anew front in its campaign to attracttop talent to the federal workforce.The ads are "having a terrific impactin raising awareness about andspurring interest in the wonderfulspectrum of vitally important andrewarding careers available in thefederal government," said OPM DirectorLinda Springer.Since the broader ad campaign beganlast year, the federal government'sjobs Web site, USAJobs.gov, has seen aspike of tens of thousands ofadditional visits from residentsliving in the media markets where theads have aired, Springer said.The ads are designed to spark interestin federal jobs, as concerns mountover a retirement wave slated to hitover the next decade. And according toOPM spokesman Mike Orenstein, theyhave done exactly what they set out todo -- generate awareness of federaljob opportunities and boost visits tothe USAJobs Web site.Orenstein said OPM tracked uniquevisits to USAJobs.gov before, duringand after it ran a series of ads inColumbus, Ohio, last fall. He saidthat in the two weeks before these adsbegan, the site attracted only 7,058unique visitors. But during the twoweekperiod in November when OPM ranthe ads, USAJobs had 68,246 uniquevisitors, he said.Read more at www.govexec.comQuotes of the Month"A government big enough to give youeverything you want is a government bigenough to take from you everything youhave."--Gerald R. Ford6

CGFM CornerCGFM CPE RequirementsIn order to maintain their CGFMdesignation in an active status,CGFMs must adhere to the AGA's Codeof Ethics, pay the annual renewal feeby March 31 and meet the followingcontinuing professional education(CPE) requirements:- complete at least 80 hours of CPEevery two years in governmentfinancial management topics orrelated technical subjects.- maintain and, if requested by AGA,provide detailed information on CPEhours completed.The two-year CPE cycle is based onthe year the CGFM was awarded. For alist of cycles, please visithttp://www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/cgfm_calendar.aspx.Determining if CPEs are applicable:continuing professional educationhours that would satisfy the CGFMProgram's requirement must be ingovernment financial managementtopics or related technical subjectsapplicable to government financialmanagement areas.The CGFM is initially responsible fordetermining whether a topic orsubject qualifies as acceptable CPE.To help one make that determination,the CGFM should consult the CPERequirements booklet (availableonline athttp://www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/cpe_requirements.aspx), including alisting of more than 50 topics andsubject areas that could qualify forgovernment financial management CPEhours. Additional questions should bereferred to the Office ofProfessional Certification -703.684.6931, ext. 305.Maintaining proper documentation:CGFMs need to maintain documentationto substantiate their statements ofcompleted CPE for a minimum of threeyears. This documentation may becontinued next columnContinued from previous columnrequested by AGA as part of a CPEaudit or a reactivation process.The proper backup documentationmust clearly state theindividual's attendance orcompletion of the CPE activity.Examples of such documentationinclude: a certificate ofattendance or completion, acertificate of CPE hours earned, agrade report or an official letterfrom the event sponsor or employerstating that the CGFM has attendedthe event.The documentation must include thefollowing information:- sponsoring organization,- location of the activity,- title of the program,- individual's name,- completion date (or datesattended), and- number of CPE hours earned.For more information on therequirements to maintain a CGFM inan active status, please visithttp://www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/About The VoiceAGA Cleveland Chapter’s monthly newsletter,The Voice, covers member and Associationactivities on both the Chapter and Nationallevels. The Voice features Chapter news,developments within the profession and articlesof interest to members. Opinions and beliefsexpressed in The Voice are those of thecontributors and do not necessarily reflectthose of the Association.We welcome and encourage members to sendus original or reproduced articles that may beof interest to our members for publication inour newsletter.Editorial contributions, ideas, or suggestionsshould be sent to Newsletter Editors, LindaWoodford, linda.woodford@dfas.mil orDorothy Mosley, Dorothy.mosley@dfas.mil.Articles should be e-mailed in Word 6.0, orfaxed to (216) 522-6388.7

Audio Conference on Ethical Challenges in Today'sGovernment Environment Set for May 9 (2:00 - 3:50 p.m. EDT)2 CPE CREDITS AVAILABLEAGA, in conjunction with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers andTreasurers (NASACT), and the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), ispleased to announce a new and significant audio conference addressing ethicalchallenges and dilemmas in today's work environment.Each of us has ethical standards, but what do we do when we are faced with anorganizational culture which may conflict with our personal ethics? What attributesconstitute sound ethical decision making?This audio conference will explore how the power and scope of today's advancingtechnology can leverage ethical decisions and other ethical challenges which may impactyour career and organization. Topics that will be discussed include:- ethical risk taking- knowing your agency mission and organizational values- career ending lapses- government responses- identifying and handling ethical dilemmas and managing your workplace ethics- practical approaches for these workplace situationsFurther, the speakers will cover such areas as right versus wrong, morals, integrity,honesty, fairness, enforcement, reporting unethical behavior, conflicts of interest andwhat a reasonable person would do under certain circumstances.To discuss the ethics challenge are two industry experts: Alan Goodman, Master Trainerfor the Institute for Global Ethics, and Leon Young, Associate Professor at theUniversity of Maryland University College. Both speakers are renowned ethics lecturers,trainers and discussion leaders for government agencies at all levels, government andprivate associations and firms.Please join us for two hours of lively discussion about this important and timelytopic. In addition to the speakers' commentary, there will be approximately 20 minutesfor Q & A.9