New Orleans Chapter's first remote participation network launched on the Gulf Coast.

• Author: Hubbs, Terry D.
• Position: Chapter News

The New Orleans Chapter has established a video conference network for its Baton Rouge members to participate remotely in technical sessions held in downtown New Orleans, and vice versa, a first for any TEI chapter based on reports received by the Institute's staff in Washington. The system was tested during trial runs held in May and June, where the technical presentations were made by tax professionals in New Orleans, and in September, where the speaker participated from Baton Rouge. Members in both locations could see, hear, and participate in the technical discussions occurring in the other location.

The chapter's speaker on May 22 was Rudolph R. Ramelli, a partner in the New Orleans lase firm of Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrere & Denegre LLP. Mr. Ramelli is the current Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Taxation. His presentation was styled "Tax Reform--Fact or Fiction." Participants in Baton Rouge watched Mr. Ramelli's presentation on a monitor and were able to ask questions.

The chapter's June 22 meeting consisted of two technical sessions. The first featured Kim Edwards of the Internal Revenue Service's New Orleans office. She discussed various federal tax issues of interest to taxpayers. The second session, which featured Ms. Edwards as...