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Opportunities in 2011–2012
by Mary Stone
Beta Alpha Psi is all about providing opportunities—opportunities to learn, lead, influence, network, and serve. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities described in this article.
New Reaching Out Activity (ROA)
The Executive Office and local chapters of Beta Alpha Psi sponsor Reaching Out Activities to encourage members to venture into areas that are important to the profession, but traditionally have not been the focus of Beta Alpha Psi activities. One example is international involvement. The accounting profession has recognized the importance of internationalization for decades. Beta Alpha Psi, however, is just beginning to reach out internationally. A new Reaching Out Activity encourages members to use technology to interact with members of recently initiated Beta Alpha Psi chapters in the Oceania Region in Australia and New Zealand, and to develop innovative ways to interact with international students and professors on their campuses and in other countries.
Accounting firm and corporate recruiters say they want to hire students who can deal with change, are tech savvy, and can think outside the box. This year's Best Practices competition asks chapters to provide examples of how they: (1) responded to unexpected chapter changes or natural disasters, (2) used social networking or technology to share information and reach out to students, Beta Alpha Psi alumni, and professionals, and (3) developed and implemented a unique activity that adds value to the chapter but does not fit into standard best practices themes.
The first regional meeting (Western) begins on February 17, and the last one (Northwest) ends on April 14. During 2012 over 1,500 members, faculty advisors, professional advisory board members, exhibitors, Beta Alpha Psi staff, and professionals will attend regional meetings. Speakers for these meetings will include top professionals and executives in each region. Post-session refreshment breaks and a reception will provide opportunities for members to introduce themselves to the speakers and ask follow-up questions. Members of Beta Alpha Psi's Advisory Forum (professionals from accounting firms, corporations, the government, and CPA review course providers) will be available throughout the meetings. They can be a source of valuable information on recruiting, passing the CPA exam, transitioning from college, and many other topics.
Task Forces Seeking Input
During the next few months, members of Beta Alpha Psi task forces will be asking members and faculty advisors: (1) to respond to a short survey on Beta Alpha Psi activities and services that add value or could be improved, (2) to comment on a strategic plan for effectively using technology and social media, and (3) to become involved in planning for Beta Alpha Psi's Centennial Celebration.
It's never too early to begin planning your trip to the 2012 annual meeting in Baltimore, a centrally located, reasonably priced city that's loaded with attractions, and an alternative to its pricier neighbors (NYC and Washington), with Southwest and other discount air carriers flying into BWI, and train service available from Washington and other cities in the mid-Atlantic region. Co-meeting chairs Dori Danko and Susan McCaffrey are already hard at work planning the meeting.Mary Stone, 2011-2012 President, Beta Alpha Psi