The seventeenth annual Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama conference was held at the Huntsville Marriott February 26-27. With a total of 104 registered, this was the best attended GFOAA conference held in Huntsville.
Kudos go out to the speakers and sponsors who made the event such a success. Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spence kicked off the conference with a gracious welcome to the attendees. Keynote speaker and former coach and athletic director C.M Newton, who had just been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, reflected on his career at Kentucky, Alabama and Vanderbilt. Mary Jane Caylor, State Board of Education, reported on the state of education in Alabama.
After Dr. Caylor's presentation, the topics became more technical. Robert Eisenbeis, Federal Reserve Bank, Member Joe Kerr, Jefferson County, Lucy Baxley, State Treasurer, and an economic panel comprising of John Hatfield, Morgan County, Deborah McGill, Jefferson County and Brian Hilson, Madison County closed out the first day.
On Tuesday, the Alabama Department of Revenue provided an update of online services. Dr. Carl Ferguson, Professor University of Alabama, presented an economic outlook for the state. Dr. Robert Smith provided an informative GASB update. Member Roger Rendleman did a fine job of discussing GASB 34. John Morris from SouthTrust bank started the afternoon with a session on municipal cash management. Agents from the FBI provided the audience with some war stories. Members Mike Wright and Waymon Powell spoke on bond issues and internal auditing respectively. Mike Weaver, finance director Madison City Schools, wrapped up the conference with a discussion of implementation and the use of debit cards. Everyone was treated at lunch the first day to the comic talents of Dr. Don Tubbs, retired Assistant Superintendent Huntsville City Schools.
A reception was held at the Alabama Space and Rocket Center and attendees viewed the IMAX movie Destiny in Space.
Mark your calendars . . . The 18th Annual GFOAA Conference will be held in the great city of Montgomery in March, 2002. Don't miss it! We expect to see you there!
Past President's Dinner
Seated l-r: Ruby Neeley, Sarah Mays, Carol Prince |
How wonderful to have many of our past presidents attend a dinner during the conference in Huntsville. Attending were Ruby Neeley (1986-87), Doug Mackey (1987-88), Sarah Mays (1989-90), Ronnie Burlison (1990-91), Gene Stabler (1991-92), Mike Wright (1993-94), Carol Prince (1995-96) Charles Hagood (1996-97), Mac Underwood (1998-99) and Rob Terry (1999-00). It was great to fellowship with old friends. Thank you all for attending. |
From the Past President . . .
Farewell Accolades
Serving as GFOAA's President was a most rewarding experience. However, no job is finished until the paperwork is completed. I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who served beside me. The Officers and Directors added pillars of support as we constructed projects to fulfill the strategic initiatives. I extend an "extra" accolade to Travis Hulsey. He gave added meaning the words "right hand man".
The most rewarding aspect of my tenure was the opportunity to work with the committees. Forty-two multi-talented individuals generously dedicated their time as committee volunteers and assisted in the implementation of the various projects.
- Ronnie Burlison served as chair of the Membership Committee. His team strengthened our foundation with a 15% increase in membership.
- Judith Kamnikar served as chair of the Education Committee. Her team increased our educational offerings to 48 hours of continuing education credits by adding 8 hours of training to the Summer Workshop.
- Rob Terry, serving "double duty", chaired the Certification Board and the Scholarship and Service Committee. The Certification Board entered the design phase for a new certification program while the Scholarship and Service Committee unveiled two awards programs: the Awards for Innovations in Government Finance and the Edward and Judith Kamnikar Award of Merit.
- Gene Stabler, Governmental Relations Committee chair, and his team kept us abreast of the current legislative actions of the Alabama Legislature.
- Ed Kamnikar, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, was the "master architect". His team laid the foundation for our strategic initiatives.
- Sherry Gurganus, chair of the Public Information Committee, produced The Balance Sheet (our quarterly newsletter) and promoted the various service programs. Her team brought us articles on current government finance issues as well as tidbits from the quarterly board meetings.
It was indeed an honor to serve as President. Now, I have joined the ranks of the fifteen Past Presidents who served before me. And that, too, is an honor. Thank you.
With Warm Regards,
Sarah L. Williams
April 1, 2001
From the President . . .
Happy New Year! Yes, I know it's only April but this is the beginning of
a new fiscal year for GFOAA. I am very proud and humbled to serve as the president of this
outstanding organization for the upcoming year. GFOAA has experienced tremendous growth in
its brief history primarily because it membership has recognized and appreciated the basic
premise upon which the organization was founded. That basic premise is to promote improved
public finance and to improve the knowledge and skills of all individuals concerned with
government finance through educational programs provided at minimal expense.
Our organization has benefited from the leadership of many outstanding individuals throughout our history. Sarah Williams is one of those outstanding individuals and her accomplishments on behalf of GFOAA this past year were exceptional although she has been very reluctant to accept her well deserved praise. I know that her shoes will be difficult to fill but she has been kind enough to share with me during the past year her thoughts, ideas and vision of what GFOAA can be. Her tutelage has helped me better prepare to serve GFOAA during the coming year.
I would like to share with you some of our goals and objectives for GFOAA for the upcoming year for I know that without the full help and support of our entire membership, attainment of these goals will not be possible.
- Increase membership by 10%.
- Increase member attendance at the Annual Conference and Summer Workshop.
- Increase member participation in the Certified Government Finance Officers program.
- Develop Certification Program for Accounting Assistants.
- Continue to develop more local regional meetings throughout the State.
- Encourage greater member organization participation in the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program.
- Publish Annual Program and Membership Roster.
- Enhance web site by implementing "Employment Opportunities", "Membership Application/Profile Update" and "Member Listserv" to the list of available applications.
I'm looking forward to getting to know many of you better during the coming year and I solicit your help so that we can accomplish our goals and have another great year at GFOAA.
Welcome New Board Members
We are very pleased to welcome Bill Flowers, Andrea Jackson, Tony Stapler and Al Westbrook to the Board of Directors. We know that they will all be an asset to GFOAA.
Special thanks to outgoing board members Ronnie Burlison, Barbara Malkove, John Wolk and Past-President Rob Terry for your tireless dedication and service to GFOAA. Thank you for leading our organization to a new millennium and to new heights!
Upcoming Events
GFOA OF ALABAMA
Site Visit
GFOAA annually sponsors a site visit to tour pertinent operating facilities within the State of Alabama. The site visit is available to all members at no cost. The visit includes a tour of the facilities, a discussion of the establishment of the facility, including funding sources, and an overview of the financial operations of the facility.
The 2001 site visit will be Friday, May 18, 2001
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Capital Hill Course
(Newest addition to the Trail)
2600 Constitution Avenue
Prattville, AL 36066
Tour Guide: Bobby Vaughn, President, Sunbelt Golf Corporation.
Meet in lobby area of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capital Hill Clubhouse.
Lunch: 12:15 p.m. - Deli Market Buffet (Buffet will be set-up in the meeting room - 2nd floor clubhouse).
Cost: $10.36 per person
To register for the Site Visit please contact:
Sarah L. Williams
swilliam@ache.state.al.us
Phone: 334-242-2257
Registration must be received prior to May 10th.
Or visit our web site at www.gfoaa.org
Board Meetings
GFOAA Quarterly Board Meeting
May 18, 2001
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Capital Hill Course Conference Center
2600 Constitution Avenue
Prattville, AL 36066
GFOAA Quarterly Board Meeting
August 12, 2001
Hampton Inn Hotel
22988 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Summer Workshop
GFOAA Summer Workshop
August 12-14, 2001
Windemere Conference Center
22988 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Orange Beach, AL 36561
GFOA
GFOA's Year 2001 Annual Conference, on June 3-6, will put you on the leading edge of the public sector's digital revolution. Learning the latest in technological and informational advances will give you the ability to forge forward into the world of e-government and the new economy.
GFOA's annual conference also will bring you the latest in best practices in accounting, budgeting, cash management, debt management, pensions, and all fields of government finance. You will learn practical techniques that will enhance your success as a finance officer.
The Alabama GFOA breakfast will be held at Allies Restaurant at the Philadelphia Marriott on Tuesday, June 5, 7:00-8:00 a.m. For further information contact Sherry Gurganus at 205-325-5763 or gurganuss@jcc.co.jefferson.al.us.
For further information visit the GFOA web sit at www.gfoa.org.
Awards for Innovations in Government Finance Winners
  
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The Awards for Innovations in Government Finance program was introduced by GFOAA in the year 2000 in order to recognize innovations and outstanding contributions in the field of government finance. The program is designed to recognize documented innovations in government finance which exemplify leadership to the profession and promote improved public finance. Congratulations to the following winning entries which were presented during the recent Annual Conference: City of Auburn - "Biennial Budgeting: Challenges and Benefits"; Jefferson County - "Cooperative Purchasing Among Local Governments", "Employee Health Incentive Program" and "Liability Management Program". It is the hope and desire of GFOAA that bringing recognition to such innovative ideas that can be shared with other state and local governmental organizations will create opportunities for all governmental entities to improve their financial practices and inspire other governmental organizations to seek innovative solutions to fundamental problems in public finance. If you would like additional information on any of the entries, please contact Travis A. Hulsey at hulseyt@jcc.co.jefferson.al.us or 205-325-5738. |
Name the Newsletter Contest
Although the "Name the Newsletter" contest entries did not yield a winner, the newsletter will herald a new name. Beginning this Quarter, the Spring Issue, The Balance Sheet has become $$Money Talk$$, The Alabama Journal of Government Finance. Thank you to everyone who participated.
Deadline Extension
As a reminder, the deadline to submit scholarship applications has been extended to May 15th.
Regional Meetings
The second quarterly luncheon meeting of the GFOAA Regional Group of Mobile and Baldwin Counties was held on Friday, March 16th at Skyline Country Club in Mobile. The C.P.A. firm of Wilkins Miller sponsored the meeting by providing lunch and a speaker on GASB 34.
There were 25 participants from 12 governmental agencies in the area. The next quarterly meeting will be held in June. Contact Linda Steele at 334-208-7167 for further information.
Membership Profile Forms
Members attending the annual conference were asked to complete new Membership Profile Forms. Some members completed the forms and some did not. If you have not updated your form, please do so. For your convenience, the form may be completed/updated and submitted on line at www.gfoaa.org.
GFOAA Committee Chairpersons
Certification Board
Mike Wright, CGFO
Office: 205-349-0113
e-mail: mwright@ci.tuscaloosa.al.us
Education Committee
Judith Kamnikar
Office: 334-244-3496/Fax: 334-244-3792
e-mail: jkamnikar@monk.aum.edu
Governmental Relations Committee
Eugene "Gene" Stabler
334-277-4030
Membership Committee
Ronnie M. Burlison
Office: 256-428-6983/Fax: 256-428-6981
e-mail: rburlison@hsv.k12.al.us
Public Information Committee
Sherry R. Gurganus
Office: 205-325-5763/Fax: 205-325-5841
e-mail: gurganuss@jcc.co.jefferson.al.us
Scholarships & Service Committee
Sarah Williams
Office: 334-242-2257/Fax: 334-242-0268
e-mail: swilliam@ache.state.al.us
Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee
Edward G. Kamnikar
Office: 334-241-5438
e-mail: ekamnikar@tsum.edu
Editor: Sherry R. Gurganus