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Highlights

Upcoming Audio Conferences
Check out the 2009–2010 Audio Conference Schedule

This Week on the AGA Blog

Monday: Mary Glenn-Croft, Chief Financial Officer and Performance Information Officer, Social Security Administration, on "Insight into the Social Security Administration’s Performance and Accountability Report"

Friday: Angela Gore, Assistant professor of accountancy, The George Washington University

AGA Needs You on the Blog! Come share your opinions with the AGA community! We are now booking for June (we're in need of bloggers on: June 10, 12 and 15). Contact Marie Force to book your day on the AGA Blog.

Training Opportunities

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Join AGA Group on GovLoop.com The Social Network Connecting the Government Community
GovLoop.com is the social network developed by and for the government community. As featured in the Washington Post and Federal Times, the site is the true "Facebook for Government" and currently connects over 10,000 federal, state and local government employees.

AGA has just launched a group on GovLoop.com, as a way for members to network with peers, get career advice and discover great career events.

Membership is free and takes only a few minutes.

Performance Management Conference Agenda—We Want Your Ideas!
Performance management covers many topic areas and we want to offer you those topics which are of the most interest. Do you have a topic that you would like to see presented at the PMC in November in Seattle? Did you hear a really useful presentation at another conference? Please contact Evie Barry with your ideas for a session. Planning will begin this month.

Past National President Tom Sadowski Retires
After a 33-year career with the state and University of Missouri, Thomas J. Sadowski, CGFM, CPA, a member of the Mid-Missouri Chapter, has retired effective May 29. He served as director of accounting for both entities. He is an AGA Past National President and a two-time AGA National Treasurer. Tom said, "It's been fun.” After all, my theme as president was "Have fun!"

“I am proud of the many things I did for the people of Missouri and for AGA,” Tom said. “At the end of the day, though, it is all about the people and I've gotten to know a lot of good people in Missouri and through AGA and hopefully made a difference for some of them.

"I have two people to especially thank. The first is Jim Antonio, my professor and my first and best boss. He is how I got into government financial management and he taught me a lot, especially about how you treat the people you work with and for. He also helped me learn how to ask the right question. Thank you Jim!

"And, of course, there is Jatha, my wife, my partner my strength and my love. None of this was possible without her."

Tom said his retirement plans are to do nothing until something better comes along. His son, Cale, gets married June 20, and he plans to help his son, Grant, in his business in Ft. Lauderdale. He will also get to spend more time with his daughter, Kaitlyn, a student at the University of Missouri. And he will stay active in AGA!

AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Advertise in AGA's electronic newsletters—TOPICS and AGA Today! Get maximum exposure and build your brand. Find out what's available in an upcoming issue. Click here for all the information you need to run your ad. Or, you can contact April Pardoe.

Volume 49: Issue 11, June 1, 2009

TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton Global Public Sector delivers financial, technology and performance management solutions to federal, state and local government clients, and international organizations. Call us to see if we can help your agency manage its resources more efficiently and effectively at 703.637.2750.

From the National President

With my term as AGA National President coming to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to both share with you my reflections on the office of the president and offer some suggestions for the National Executive Committee and the National Board of Directors to consider.

As you know, the National President is chosen by the Nominating Committee through majority vote. The Immediate Past National President chairs the committee and the Nominating Committee members are either appointed by the National President or are elected among national or chapter level officers according to certain provisions of the AGA Bylaws. Read more.

AGA PDC Tour Registration Ends Soon
We are looking forward to seeing you at AGA’s 58th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition (PDC) in New Orleans. While you’re here, we want to make sure that you and your guest have a great time.

We have created a new program to keep everyone entertained in the Big Easy. While you’re busy in the technical education sessions, we’ll be hosting a variety of activities for your spouse/guest. Tours are scheduled to give your guest plenty of time to return to the hotel to join you for evening receptions or free time to enjoy the city.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their guests to the PDC. This new program serves as an opportunity for your spouse, partner or guest to catch up with old acquaintances and make new friends, while discovering New Orleans’ culture and history.

Register by Friday, June 5, 2009 to reserve your spot for these exciting sightseeing tours. AGA reserves the right to cancel tours if the minimum participation requirements are not met. If you have any questions regarding the tours, please contact the Vega Group, aga-tours@vegagroup.com, at 504.488.5222.

TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Graduate School
Compliance Auditing at the Graduate School
Learn the kinds of compliance audits that might be made, including compliance with the provisions of contracts and grant agreements, conformance with quality control requirements, and compliance with established procedures and controls. Explore unique situations that might affect compliance.

June 24–25, San Francisco, CA
September 14–15, Washington, DC

Past National President Jeffrey S. Hart, CGFM, CFE, to Receive Robert W. King Memorial Award
Humbled, inspired and prouder than ever to be a member of AGA. That’s how Past National President Jeffrey S. Hart, CGFM, CFE, describes his reaction to earning AGA’s highest honor, the Robert W. King Memorial Award.

Named after AGA’s founding president, a gold medal is awarded annually to an Association member who has greatly enhanced AGA’s national prestige and stature through distinguished service. AGA’s 56th National President said the award touches him more than any other. “After all, your professional colleagues are keenly aware of what you really know and what you have really contributed, more so than any outside group.”

“Jeff Hart is an outstanding choice for the Robert W. King Memorial Award,” said Past National President Mitch Laine, CGFM. “He has been an incredible contributor to AGA with his vision, hard work and dedication for many years.” Read more.

TOPICS is Brought to You by The Network
For over 25 years, The Network has worked with public and private organizations to meet their compliance needs. Download our white paper Perspectives on Best Practices for Preserving Accountability and Transparency: Complying with Title XV of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For more information call 800-253-0453.

Audio Conference Set on Using Performance Measures to Manage Government Services
AGA is pleased to announce its latest audio conference, worth 2 CPE hours, on using performance measures to improve operations, set for 2 – 3:50 p.m. EST on July 15.

Accountability. Transparency. Measurement. These are the buzzwords of the day, but the expectations are real that citizens are expecting governments to be efficient and effective. Collecting good data does not improve government operations, however. What improves operations and service delivery systems are the discussions, analyses of the information, and point/counterpoint debates that focus directly on making changes. A new research project, Using Performance Measures to Improve State and Local Governments’ Service Delivery, will determine the extent to which performance measures are being used in government to improve services, regardless of the level of government. The project will follow up with successful practices in applying these techniques to achieve performance goals and provide quantifiable value.

Join Harold (Hal) I. Steinberg, CGFM, CPA, lead researcher and former first Deputy Controller/Acting Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, and two government experts who will share their failed attempts and successful experiences.

Cost: $249 per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register on or before Friday, July 10, 2009 and $299 thereafter. SPECIAL PROMOTION: Government agencies and CPAG members who register five or more offices will receive a 20 percent discount ($200 per site)

To Register:1) Register online 2) Print the registration form or Special Promotion Registration and fax it to 703.684.6933

If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Maria Lucas at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 308. Questions regarding the program should be directed to Raymond Harris, CGFM, at ext. 339.

An Exclusive Offer for AGA Chapters and ADVANTAGE Group Member Agencies—Discounted Audio Conferences
AGA is pleased to again announce a special offer exclusively for AGA chapters and ADVANTAGE group membership agencies. For a limited time only, purchase four, five or six AGA audio conferences as a package and you will receive a 10 percent discount on the early-bird price offered by the AGA.

Purchase seven, eight or nine AGA audio conferences for a 15 percent discount. Purchase 10, 11 or 12 audio conferences for a whopping 20 percent discount. This offer is only available to AGA chapters and ADVANTAGE group membership partners until July 8, 2009. Contact Maria Lucas at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 308, with questions or to register. Download the registration form.

The audio conference series has been a huge success over the past few years. With thousands of participants earning two CPE hours for each program, AGA now offers practically monthly audio conferences that provide chapters and group membership agencies a cost-effective and convenient way to provide quality education for members and others in the government accountability profession.

Questions about any of the audio conferences? Contact Raymond Harris, CGFM, Director of Chapter Operations and Audio Conference Producer, at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 339.

Not sure what is involved in becoming an ADVANTAGE group membership agency? Visit our website for details.

Plans Under Way for September Fraud Conference
Join AGA at its Fourth Annual Internal Control & Fraud Conference, set for Sept. 16–17 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Worth 14 CPE hours, the conference will focus on management’s responsibility for ensuring a good system of internal controls and the role of all accountability professionals in minimizing the risk of fraud, waste and abuse. Hear from leaders in government, academia and private industry discuss latest
discovery techniques and lessons learned from various schemes; how poor internal controls can lead to fraud, waste and abuse; and how different levels of government are cooperating to improve services to citizens. The conference will also cover various aspects of the Recovery Act from an internal control and fraud perspective.
Speakers include:

Earl E. Devaney, Chairman, Recovery Act Transparency
and Accountability Board
Neil Barofsky, Special Inspector General, Troubled Asset
Relief Program, U.S. Department of the Treasury
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (Invited)
Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Arthur A. Hayes, CGFM, CPA, Director of State Audit,
Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee
Thomas M. Davis III, Former U.S. Congressman (Invited)

Cleveland Member Recruits 75 New Members to Earn Recruiter of the Year Honor
AGA’s Big Easy Member-Get-A-Member competition results are in, with the top honor going to Stephanie Kay Paschel of the Cleveland Chapter. By recruiting 75 new members this year, Paschel has earned the distinction of Recruiter of the Year. She will also receive a complimentary AGA national meeting registration. Congratulations!

Word of mouth is one of the main ways we recruit new members, so the Member-Get-A-Member campaign is a crucial part of AGA’s annual membership drive. Our members understand that our strength is not only in the quality of membership but also our numbers—more members means more resources and knowledge for everyone.

The competition this year was very tight and we even had a tie in the Top Sponsor category. The next members earning Top Sponsor distinction are Eva Williams, CGFM, CPA, of AGA’s Washington D.C. Chapter with 60 new members, and tied for second place were Tim Baker of the Lincoln Chapter and Leanna Abele, CGFM, of the Central Ohio Chapter with 41 new members each. Our Top Recruiter of Early Career Members is Lindsey Foell of AGA’s Greater Columbus Chapter with 16 new members. Great job! Read about chapter overall growth results.

Eleventh Annual CEAR Ceremony Highlights
On Wednesday evening, May 20, 2009, 17 federal agencies were honored with the prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting at the National Press Club. Keynote speaker, G. Edward DeSeve, Special Advisor to the President, Assistant to the Vice President and Special Advisor to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director for Implementation of the Recovery Act, treated the 260 guests to background on how and why the CEAR program was established in the late 1990s. Mr. DeSeve also spoke about the need for more accountability and transparency and was extremely complimentary of the previous Administration's work in promoting performance and accountability among federal agencies. For pictures and information on the agencies that received the CEAR awards, click here. Want to know more about the CEAR Program? Contact Evie Barry.

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