Highlights of May Council meeting.

• Position: News update

Following are some of the more significant actions and events that took place at the AICPA governing Council meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 20-22:

* Council authorized a member ballot on several proposed bylaw amendments. (See details of ballot proposals on page 4.)

* A wide variety of guest speakers shared thoughts on the 2008 elections and on political issues pertinent to the profession. Among them were Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the United States Karl Rove; Terry McAuliffe and Ed Gillespie, Immediate Past Chairs of the Democratic and Republican National Committees; Paul Begala, political analyst and CNN commentator; George F. Will, America's foremost political commentator; and Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.), CPA.

* Council members conducted visits to legislators' offices on Capitol Hill. Beforehand, they were offered briefings on various topics affecting the profession and the public, including tax strategy patents and financial literacy.

* Robert F. Kevane, CPA, of La Mesa, Calif., was given the 2006 AICPA Public Service Award for Individuals. Cited for his deep commitment to his community, Kevane has served on the boards of more than 40 local organizations, including Saint Augustine Catholic High School, the San Diego Blood Bank, the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation and the City of San Diego Affordable Housing Task Force.

* Mountjoy & Bressler, LLP, of...