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From the President:
L. Kay Wharmby, 2006

My pride in being chosen to represent our society for the coming year is somewhat tempered by the awesome responsibility. I look forward to supporting the goals of our organization and meeting the challenges we will face in the coming year. I know I will be successful because who could fail with you, the network of fellow finance officers there to support and guide my decisions.

Our society has a fifty year tradition as a successful and respected professional organization. We successfully demonstrate all that is best about our profession. Working with you the members to maintain these high standards is my primary goal as president. I am dedicated to the continued support of the services we provide and share with one another. The board and I need your support to continue to provide the tools and services that make all the new demands that continually arise easier to handle for the new members and the old timers alike. As always your communication to us, your Board will determine how we progress.

Our fifty year tradition is our inheritance from all of the past presidents many of whom are here today. Most recently the presidency of Tom Augostini has provided leadership and insight at all our meetings. Tom has been a mentor to me in the past and I look forward to his continued support and guidance in the coming year. Tom has led with a steady hand through another exciting year. We have all benefited from his leadership and fund raising skills. I sincerely hope the same will be said of me.

Your support of our organization is vital. As your incoming president I will carefully consider where we have been and where we wish to go from here. We, the Board, know you will be looking to us for our experience and the passion that we can bring to the society. In turn, I will be looking to you for guidance and your view point that I could not possibly formulate on my own. Our ability to work together is indeed our strength and the building block on which the success of the last fifty years has been based. If I should stray along the way, I trust that you will help me to recognize my error and provide your thoughts on a better direction for the benefit of the organization.

We have introduced the Certified Municipal Finance Officer program as an acknowledgement of all the effort and training that is put into staying at the top of our profession. The success of that program can be measured in the numbers who have received their certification today. The Board will be exploring the possibility of holding round tables sessions in those areas of the state that are typically underserved, all day seminars, in a less formal environment giving local finance officers an opportunity for Q & A and practical application information. We have made a commitment to increase the frequency of the newsletter in an effort to ensure that you receive the latest information in a timely manner. We hope to be able to use email as a means of communicating quickly and effectively with you the members while reducing the cost of printing and mailing. If you have not already done so, please provide your email information to our secretary.

Our work will be about our profession which has influence that reaches far beyond our immediate needs and concerns. I appreciate that we are all busy people and that you have elected me hoping that I will not be adding to your burden. On the other hand, knowing that you wish to be kept informed and valued too for your experience. I hope you will be able to contribute much and that I can draw on your experience. With your help and support my presidential appointment will expand, develop and further benefit you the members of our wonderful organization.

Frank Lloyd Wright said, “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” I really believe that we are a strong organization capable of overcoming the challenges presented to us and that we will continue to strengthen and grow in the coming year.

L. Kay Wharmby
President
NYS Society of Municipal Finance Officers