Look to the chapters and your fellow members for the secret of TEI's success.

• Author: McCormally, Timothy J.
• Position: Tax Executives Institute

It's good to go back to your roots. That's what I did in mid-December when I traveled to New York for the chapter's Annual Symposium. The symposium puts on display all that's best about TEI: First, it provides its members with unsurpassed tax education, bringing together the best practitioners in the country to share their insights and experiences. Second, it gives those same members an unparalleled opportunity to network with one another. And third, it brings together taxpayers and government officials to discuss their concerns and possible solutions to common tax administration issues.

During my tenure, I have spoken many words about the strengths of TEI and the benefits of membership, and I have heard many more. Among the most eloquent are those of New York Chapter President Bob Levy at the symposium luncheon on December 16. Bob began by recognizing the outstanding efforts of three associate members of the chapter--Jerry Palmiero, Joe Gadalata, and Al Derwin--whose day-in and day-out efforts in the Institute's behalf are remarkable. He then read the following words from plaques that were presented to these long-time members:

When most others would have long since chosen to view their commitment as having been fulfilled, you have chosen to remain involved in a most meaningful way. You have been, and continue to be, an indispensable part of everything this chapter stands for. We thank you, applaud you, and honor you. Bob next recognized the effort of a chapter member who had been nominated to receive the Institute's Meritorious Chapter Service Award, a new award intended to highlight how members' local efforts elevate the stature and effectiveness of the organization on an Institute-wide basis. (Once the award becomes final, the recipient's name will be shared with the membership at large.)

Finally, Bob used the occasion to place efforts of the named individuals (and the chapter's many "unsung heroes") in the context of TEI's six decades of stellar performance:

Once more our Symposium has risen to the highest level of quality in continuing professional education, and I'm confident the afternoon sessions will be as strong as this morning's. I hope you'll take advantage of networking opportunities with your fellow attendees whether from the corporate tax world, government, consulting firms, or publishers. But TEI is more than just education and networking. We are a family as witnessed by the devotion of members whose names I've mentioned and...