Changing local member service--what it means for you.

• Author: Tucker, Jeffrey H.
• Position: A message FROM THE CHAIR

The Ohio Society of CPAs is changing the way we serve our members on the local level. As you may have read in the Ohio e-CPA Weekly, The Ohio Society's Executive Board unanimously voted in January to fully implement the Member Initiatives program statewide. This means all members will move from the chapter structure to the Member Initiatives program.

Many areas of the state have been functioning under this program for almost two years. The biggest difference has been the level of service the Society has been able to provide. More programs have been offered in more areas of the state, typically with higher attendance.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

With Member Initiatives, you can be involved in what interests you with the time commitment that matches your schedule. The administrative burden that plagued volunteers in the chapter structure is gone. Ohio Society staff will now handle the "administrivial," allowing you to devote your time to what's most important to you.

This program amplifies the established successes of the chapters while lessening the stress on member volunteers. The programs you have come to expect will be continued, and we will be able to better leverage our resources for maximum benefit to you.

Genesis of the Change

The idea for the Member Initiatives program came from two different member task forces. Both recommended eliminating chapters in light of declining member involvement and increasing difficulty in finding chapter leaders.

When the first task force recommended the elimination of chapters more than 10 years ago, I had just completed my term as president of the Akron/Canton chapter. At the time, I was one of the most vocal members speaking out against the move.

Since then, I have watched the chapters operate and attempt to share program ideas. There was little success moving effective programs from one part of the state to another. Member Initiatives has proven it can do this, I've also...