AGA TOPICS Newsletter

The Value of AGA Membership – What Does That Really Mean? What’s in it for Me?
By: Bobby Derrick, CGFM and Ray Harris, CGFM

Every so often, these questions come up in conversation. Both members and nonmembers want to know the tangible and intangible value of their dues. Hopefully, the following will help you decide to join the New York Capital Chapter of AGA, renew your membership and/or sponsor a new member.

Tangible
Let’s start with the tangible factors. As you may know, the chapter is a perennial National award winner for its extensive, cost-effective education and training programs. This year, the chapter is offering around 100 continuing professional education (CPE) credits at significantly reduced rates for members. While the cumulative savings to members from registering for these programs far exceed the cost of membership, the chapter also offers 12 two-CPE audio conferences at no cost to members. That’s 24 CPEs valued at $180 for free! In fact, the estimated savings (that is, the difference between the member and nonmember rates) for all the chapter’s educational events this year exceeds $500. Further, based on program evaluations from the participants, the quality of these events is excellent and is reason enough why high attendance continues despite these tough financial times.

In addition, your membership includes the quarterly magazine Journal of Government Financial Management and weekly e-newsletters (TOPICS and AGA Today), periodic research reports from national AGA and the chapter’s Annual Continuing Professional Education Program and Events guide and award winning newsletter and website.

Intangibles
Now, let’s discuss the intangibles. In addition to the chapter’s mission of providing quality education at a reasonable cost, the chapter serves persons interested in the government financial community by supporting professional certifications, promoting professional interaction, recognizing professional and academic achievement and serving the local community. Let’s get specific with each one of these areas.

·          Certification—While the chapter encourages all professionals to earn one or more certifications to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge, as well as increase their marketability, the AGA’s Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation is the first certification broad enough to cover the whole field of government financial management— federal, state and local. It has become the standard by which government financial professionals are measured. David M. Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General and head of the Government Accountability Office, has said that earning a CPA is fine for private industry, but for government financial professionals, the CGFM designation should be obtained. We have exam study guides and continue to offer review-type classes to help you with the three exams.

·          Networking—AGA, as a national organization of accountants, auditors, investigators, budget and finance professionals, IT experts, CFOs and other financial accountability managers, and the chapter thrives on professional interaction at all of its events. An AGA national survey of its 15,000-plus membership found that networking was the No. 1 reason for being a member. These professionals recognize that such interaction provides valuable information about topics, issues, solutions, resources and at times, employment opportunities that one may not have been aware of prior to meeting and talking to others. And beyond the professional aspect of networking, personal friendships often evolve from these encounters.

·          Recognition—AGA has an outstanding reputation for recognizing the efforts of its volunteers who manage the 100 chapters throughout the U.S., as well as the government financial community. Not only is our chapter a perennial national award recipient in several categories, but individual members have earned national honors for their dedication and efforts. At the Chapter level, we have our own award structure to recognize dozens of individual achievements, as well as recognize outstanding government financial contributions in the community. Further, recognition is more than individual and chapter awards, it is knowing that AGA is considered the “thought leader” on a national level and is continually sought after to assist governments at all levels achieve their missions.

·          Community Service—The chapter has been active in “giving back to the community” for many years. In addition to individual members and often their friends and family volunteering their services for a variety of activities, the chapter continues to give back to the community in which the members live. Annual events such as WMHT membership drive, VITA Tax Preparers’ Program, Valentines for Vets, flower fund-raiser for Sponsor-a-Scholar, Project Equinox, serving a meal at Capital City Rescue Mission and St. John’s/St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen and preparing a meal for Ronald McDonald House guests are other great ways to network and socialize with other professionals while giving back to the community. Such opportunities occur practically on a monthly basis so there are many chances to provide your volunteer services.

·          Leadership Opportunities—The chapter gives an equal opportunity for all our members to serve in a leadership position, whether it is as an officer, board member or as a committee member. Voluntarily serving as a leader in the chapter provides an excellent opportunity to learn how to lead others or improve upon one’s skills. It is also an effective way to demonstrate to prospective employers your skills as a leader.

·          Communication Skills—Good communication skills are a necessity in your personal and business life. Some people are naturally good communicators. For everyone else, communication is a skill that must be nurtured. Improving poor communication skills can make a huge difference in the way that you relate to others and the resultant relationship that you share. All of us can continue to improve upon our communication skills whether it is leading a team, speaking to a large group, or building networking relationships. The chapter offers several opportunities to improve your skills by leading others, managing a project, or networking to make new friends or business relationships. You can learn by leading and/or being a team member listening and observing others as to how they use their communication skills.

·          Selling Yourself—You have heard the expression it is not what you know, but who you know. There is a lot of truth in this expression. Of course, you must have the requisite skills and abilities the perspective employer needs. But there is one factor that is important that will give you the advantage that you need to be competitive. That factor is exposure.  The New York Capital Chapter  offers you opportunities to effectively build advocacy relationships and to demonstrate your leadership and communication skills. What does it take to gain this important advantage? There are a number of opportunities. You can learn how to effectively network. You can learn how to become an effective leader and communicator. Through your voluntary service, you will show your perspective employer(s) that you are always looking for ways to increase your professional and personal development.

·          Professional Development—Through your active participation in the chapter you are taking your professional and personal development in your own hands. You can take pride that you are always looking to improve upon your professional and personal development by staying current on issues to know who is doing what and how. You can take pride in that you are not comfortable with the status quo, but you want more.  You want to improve your technical and personal skills to be the best you can be.

Well, that’s just a snapshot about the value of membership. The chapter has grown over the years to the point where we are one of the 10 largest chapters in AGA. We have established a reputation throughout the Association as an innovator and leader in providing services to its membership and the government financial community. This is the result of providing leadership opportunities to members from all levels of organizations to serve in chapter officer and director positions, as well as other support activities. These leadership opportunities build character and broaden one’s ability to handle multiple tasks successfully.

Please share this information with your staff, peers, friends and management to gain their support of you as a volunteer member of an outstanding, highly respected Association.

Visit our website at www.aganycap.org or contact any of the officers and directors in the chapter for further information.

Bobby Derrick, CGFM, is AGA’s Field Representative, Past National President and a member of AGA’s Indianapolis Chapter.

Ray Harris, CGFM, is AGA’s Director of Chapter Operations and the New York Capital Chapter’s Vice President for Marketing.