FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR

2012 Off to a Fast Start

Just days after Mother Nature dumped this year’s first major snowfall across the state, hundreds of business professionals descended upon the City of Providence for the RISCPA January business meeting and networking event.

Staged at the Providence Westin Hotel, the business meeting provided CPA members with a brief overview of recent RISCPA activities, a financial review, and a report on the roster of Board nominees to be voted on at the April meeting.  

Congratulations are in order for new RISCPA board nominees, Patrick Quinn and John Ayers and for current Board member, John Mathias, who will be advancing to the officer ranks as Secretary. Also, we’d like to thank Immediate Past President, Art Lambi, Jr., who chaired RISCPA’s Nomination Committee and Rebeka Mazzone for their dedicated service and meaningful contributions during their tenure. Both Art and Rebeka will be rotating off the Board at the conclusion of RISCPA’s fiscal year end on April 30th. Voting members will be forwarded the complete Board roster in the coming weeks, which will be presented and voted on at the April meeting.

Concluding the business meeting, Society members, attorneys and financial professionals from across the region gathered for one of RI’s premier professional networking events. Approximately 500 attendees enjoyed a lively and productive conversation at the Westin ballroom, with delicious hors d’oeuvres and the sweet music of regionally renowned pianist, Brian Mullaney. Despite the proposed 8:00 pm ending, many professionals were seen enjoying themselves beyond the formal conclusion of the event. To all those that were able to join us – we hope you enjoyed it!     

As always, advocacy continues to be an important component to our efforts. During 2011, the RISCPA Government Relations Committee and the RISCPA Executive Director collaborated with our government relations consultant, David Preston, on championing legislation supporting Non-CPA Ownership, also known as simple majority (51%). Based on the excellent working relationship that exists with the Speaker of the House, Representative Gordon Fox, and the bill’s House and Senate Sponsors, Rep. Robert Flaherty and Sen. Louis DiPalma, Governor Chafee signed this bill into law on May 27th. Achieving the passage and signing within a record five month time frame from its January introduction, was no small feat.    

Our members were very vocal in opposition to a binding arbitration effort last year, and the role our members played in supporting a call for meaningful pension reform was also a major highlight of 2011. Once again, pension reform at the municipal level is already rising to the forefront during the current legislative session. As you know, RISCPA’s membership is comprised of highly skilled individuals that, as volunteers, could lend expert analytical assistance to local communities and to the legislature. With that in mind, the RISCPA Government Relations Committee will be looking to identify interested members wanting to assist. Please look for an announcement coming soon.

Looking ahead to 2012, which we all know is a major election year, it’s important that your Society be positioned, via its PAC, to encourage our elected officials to help foster a better business climate in the Ocean State. Therefore, if you haven’t made a contribution to RISCPA’s PAC, we would encourage you to give. If you already have, thank you. To facilitate contributions, the RISCPA will be introducing a PayPal capability for members to donate in the coming month.  

In closing, a note of thanks. Our current membership total is at 1,924 members and we could not be more grateful to see that figure climb higher each month. During the past year, your Society staff worked tirelessly on behalf of its members. Along with RISCPA’s fine Board, staff members Denise Jacobson, Ellen DeCataldo and Susan Breen, are to be complimented for their outstanding efforts to the Society. They have been providing members with first-rate service, quality CPE and interesting and entertaining events that have created positive reverberations throughout the professional communities. Indeed, your membership and continued support of our programs are critical to sustaining a relevant, healthy and vibrant Society. As your Executive Director, it is my pleasure to serve all members of the RISCPA, and I thank you for affording me the privilege. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous year.

Bob Mancini