Sustainability and renewal.

• Author: Hollein, Marie
• Position: President's page - Column

All around us--from customers, suppliers and investors, to state, local, federal and international forums--we are hearing more about the need to focus on and communicate with stakeholders about sustainability and renewal.

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This special edition of Financial Executive magazine--a "green" edition--focuses on sustainability and renewal in the context of the environment. As senior financial executives, you'll find among the articles one on the dollars and sense of green initiatives, another on alternative energy sources and others on investor communications, accounting and financial reporting.

I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on how sustainability and renewal are core issues to us here at FEI as well, not only with respect to the environment (such as our offering members a choice to receive a digital edition of this magazine and opt out of being mailed print copies), but also with respect to the sustainability and renewal of our own core mission: To benefit you, our members.

Sustainability

Since beginning my role at FEI in January 2009, many of you have reached out to me at Area Leadership Board meetings and chapter meetings, as well as through individual phone calls and emails, to share with me how you have benefit-ed from your FEI membership through networking with peers building collegial professional relationships that span decades and even generations, and staying current by reading our publications--including this magazine--and our e-newsletters and Web site.

In truth, some of you have also shared with me where you believe FEI falls short in meeting your needs, and I greatly appreciate your constructive suggestions for how we can strengthen the cost-benefit equation for you. Some of you are aware and take advantage of a variety of our programs and services. Many of you are familiar with the role we play in national and international advocacy on behalf of financial executives--from Capitol Hill to the Financial Accounting Standards Board to the International Accounting Standards Board and more.

It is through the hard work of our active volunteer members and our dedicated staff that we have earned a reputation as a trusted, credible voice of the profession, working on behalf of chief financial officers, treasurers, tax directors, controllers, audit committee members and the many other members that together constitute FEI. Other programs of note include our Career Center and exceptional national and regional...