Highlights
The GAR Report is a monthly summary of membership numbers by chapter. In the Chapter Recognition Program, up to 3,000 credits are available in the Membership Section in the areas of Base Growth, New Member Acquisition and Retention.
The GAR lists chapters by size (Group A = 300 or more members; Group B = 150-299 members, etc.). We also publish a GAR by region. It may be useful to see how individual regions compare. Don’t remember what the columns and numbers mean? Read a detailed explanation of the GAR Report.
Mark Your Calendar
Nov. 13—Chapter Recognition Program second quarter reporting deadline.
Nov. 21 – 23—AGA National Office closed for Thanksgiving holiday.
Dec. 7—Free SEA reviewer training audio conference.
Dec. 12—AGA’s Anatomy of Fraud: Case Examples of Greed, Collusion and Override of Controls audio conference.
Dec. 14—NLC hotel scholarship RSVP deadline.
Dec. 22 – Jan. 2— AGA National Office closed for the holidays.
Jan. 25—NLC early registration deadline.
The Benefits of AGA's Advantage Group Membership Program
If you have five or more AGA full government members in your agency, your group qualifies for all of the benefits and cost savings in the AGA Advantage group membership program. We encourage chapter membership chairs and presidents to review their membership rosters and assist government agencies that may not be aware of the Advantage program or only need one or two more members to qualify. Contact Kim Ferguson for more information.
Audio Conferences—Great Source for Recruiting!
Did you know that a high percentage of participants to AGA's audio conferences are nonmembers? What a great opportunity to recruit these individuals after they have seen what the chapter and AGA has to offer. Hopefully, you are capturing phone numbers and e-mail addresses from these nonmembers when they sign in for the audio conference to follow up later with more information about your chapter. If not, we have them for you! Contact Kim Ferguson for a list of contacts in your area. Check out all of the upcoming audio conferences.
2008 National Leadership Conference
Make plans to attend the Sixth Annual National Leadership Conference (NLC) Feb. 21 – 22, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, “Dynamic Leadership for Changing Times,” will explore the ever-changing field of government financial management. Staying up to date on new regulations, while maintaining a clear vision of government transformation, can be accomplished through the best training. Read more about the NLC, including registration, hotel and travel information.
Chapter Dues Changes?
Whether your chapter is increasing, decreasing or completely doing away with dues, please submit any changes to your dues structure to Jessica Jones by Dec. 21 so that they may be reflected in the 2008 – 2009 billing.
Recognize the New CGFMs in Your Chapter!
Obtaining the CGFM certification is an important accomplishment, and we want to encourage you to recognize that achievement in your chapter—in your newsletter, chapter meeting, conference, etc. Who are the new CGFMs in your chapter? CGFMs are listed by month and by chapter. (You can also click on the CGFM logo on the CGFM homepage).
Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to everyone who celebrated at least 20 continuous years of membership with AGA! View the list of individuals celebrating at least 20 years of membership (listed in five-year increments).
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November 2007, Volume 2, Issue 10
Member-Get-A-Member “We Have a Dream” Recruitment Campaign Well Under Way
As we move through the month of November, many of our members are making moves to sponsor new recruits and win some dream prizes. Lori Hendon, CPA, Idaho Centennial Chapter, is in the lead with 21 new recruits. Second place is a tie among Stephanie Paschel, Cleveland Chapter, Emelda Lowi-Teng, Sacramento Chapter, and Jason Arrington, CPA, CFE, Dallas Chapter, each with 15 new recruits. Have you made a new recruit yet? If not, now is the perfect time to get in the race.
Every AGA member is challenged to recruit at least one new member before the close of the membership year, April 30, 2008. Recruiting is easy and fun—you probably already do it. Just share your AGA excitement with a co-worker. A little excitement goes a long way.
We have made it so simple to participate!
- Download a membership application.
- Print your name on the 'Sponsor's Name' line on the application to receive credit when your recruits join.
- Follow up with those individuals that you asked to join.
Visit AGA's website for all of the details, including prize information. The 2007-2008 Recruitment Campaign runs through April 30, 2008.
Free SEA Reviewer Training
Is your agency or government interested in learning more about performance reporting? Why not volunteer to become a Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) report reviewer? More government officials are becoming interested in creating SEA reports, also called performance reports, to assist in managing resources and inform citizens of the work government is accomplishing with tax dollars. Being a reviewer is the best way to learn how governments prepare reports. A free reviewer training audio conference offering 2 CPE hours is set for Friday, Dec. 7. For more information on AGA’s SEA program, visit our website or e-mail Evie Barry.
Take the CGFM Examinations Before the NLC
 AGA is once again offering a great opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations and earn your CGFM before the Sixth Annual National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Washington D.C. Whether you've found it difficult to find time to complete the three exams or just need an extra reinforcement of the material, this is your chance to get it done.
To help you reach that goal, we are offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Monday, Feb. 18, and Tuesday, Feb. 19, and an opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations Feb. 20 – 21. The cost of the course is only $249 for qualified participants, and it offers 18 CPE hours. Special Bonus: The CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees.
This course is designed as a supplement to previous preparation for the CGFM Examinations, so this is a perfect opportunity for those individuals who have already attended GFM training courses or have been preparing by using the CGFM Study Guides. Enrollment is limited and popular exam time slots are reserved quickly, so don't delay.
Register and find more information. If you have any questions, please e-mail Crystal Vanison or call 800.AGA.7211, ext. 316.
New IRS Filing Requirements for AGA Chapters
Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations that previously were not required to file a Form 990 (or 990-EZ), Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, because their gross receipts were normally $25,000 or less, will now be required to file an annual electronic notice. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after Dec. 31, 2006. Many AGA chapters fall within this category and will be required to file the annual electronic notice by the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of the tax period.
The notice will require you to provide the following information: organization’s legal name, mailing address and website, EIN, name and address of principal officer, fiscal year, verification that the organization’s annual gross receipts are still normally $25,000 or less, and indicate whether the organization has terminated (no longer in business).
The form required to file all this information is called 990-N (e-Postcard). The IRS is currently developing this electronic filing system (there will be no paper form) and it will publicize the filing procedures once the system is completed and ready for use.
The IRS will revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to meet its annual filing requirement for three consecutive years. For additional information, click here.
Sectional Leadership Meetings Set for 2008
AGA will hold four Sectional Leadership Meetings (SLMs) in the spring of 2008 to bring together AGA national, sectional, regional and chapter leaders with AGA National Office staff to discuss the following objectives:
- AGA’s national direction and initiatives.
- Expectations of our national, regional and national leaders.
- Ways to improve services to current members and recruit new members and leaders.
- How to access information to be a more effective leader .
These meetings are by invitation only. Stay tuned for more information in early 2008. For more information about the SLMs, please contact Raymond Harris, CGFM or Julie Cupp.
Section I - Cleveland, OH
Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown
April 11 – 12, 2008
Section II - New Orleans, LA
Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center
May 2 – 3, 2008
Section III - Reno, NV
John Ascuaga’s Nugget
May 16 – 17, 2008
Section IV - Baltimore, MD
Embassy Suites Baltimore at BWI Airport
June 6 – 7, 2008
2008 PDC Hotel Now Accepting Reservations
 It’s time to look ahead to PDC 2008. Next year’s conference will take place July 27 – 30 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
The room rate is $129 (plus tax). Rates are only guaranteed until July 6, 2008, or until the block is sold out. Reservations received after the block has been filled will be made on a space-available basis and may be subject to higher rates. We encourage you to make your reservations early for the best price and availability.
To make a reservation, please call the hotel at 888.829.1396 and mention you are attending the “AGA PDC” to receive the discounted rate. A credit card is required to guarantee the reservation. Or, for your convenience, you may also reserve a room online.
Hotel Scholarships—Once again, AGA is offering hotel scholarships to each chapter. The scholarship program covers room and tax for two individuals from each AGA chapter for up to five nights.
Please note—The scholarship reservation process is different this year:
- Members chosen by their chapter to receive the hotel scholarship are responsible for making their own reservations.
- Approximately one month before the conference, members participating in the hotel scholarship program will be asked to provide their confirmation numbers and arrival/departure dates, so that we may include them in the scholarship program and move their room and tax charges to AGA’s master account. More information will be provided at a later date.
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