| To: |
Beta Alpha Psi Chapters |
| From: |
Jan Taylor Morris, Beta Alpha Psi 2007 Annual Meeting Chair, and Ken Bouyer, Beta Alpha Psi 2006-2007 President |
| Date: |
January 10, 2007 |
| Subject: | THIRD and FINAL Call for Chapter Participation in 2007 Annual Meeting |
This is the third and final official call for chapters to present in an operational session at the 2007 BAP annual meeting that will be held in Chicago, IL on August 2-4 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. After February 1, chapters may still sign up to present, but only in sessions that are already in place, and only to the extent that we still have room for co-presenters in these established concurrent sessions.
We have already had over 25 chapters volunteer to present in operational sessions at the meeting and are looking forward to having even more take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Involvement by chapters in the operational sessions brings a much anticipated and rewarding experience for both the presenters and the other session participants. Presenting allows students to:
- Gain valuable public speaking skill as they present before a national audience of students, alumni, faculty, and financial information professionals;
- Work with students and faculty from other chapters as they coordinate their joint session;
- Engage in critical thinking as they work to focus on the most important aspects of their presentation topic; and
- Be a vital part of making this a successful and relevant meeting for those who attend.
As a way to best match the program topics and needs with your interests and skills, I am asking those interested in presenting at the 2007 annual meeting – and who have not yet done so – to complete the form that follows and return it as soon as possible, but no later than February 1, 2007.
The italicized session titles that follow are already scheduled to be presented by at least one chapter. The sessions listed are those from past years that proved successful and popular or were proposed by chapters and accepted during the first two calls for presenters. All of these sessions except one still have room for co-presenters.
Each session can accommodate up to five chapters. Each chapter would be required to present for approximately 10 minutes and to work with their session moderator to coordinate with the co-presenting chapters. Further information will be sent out after February 15.
1. Fundraising issues. Raising funds for chapter activities is a hard task. Practical and effective ideas that can be used by all chapters will be shared for raising funds.
2. Innovative recruiting of members. The lifeblood of every chapter is its active, motivated, and excited membership, all of which begins with the pledge class. Students and faculty advisors in a roundtable setting will offer innovative suggestions. Also, many chapters face a population of potential members that are nontraditional – whether it be age, family status, work status, etc. This session will also allow for discussion of ideas on how to attract these students to pledge in the first place and how to maintain their interest after they become members.
3. Keeping the chapter active – how to combat the “What’s In It for Me?” attitude. A number of members are only interested in Beta Alpha Psi as a vehicle for their own personal interests, and often cease to be involved as soon as they achieve what they are after – typically, employment. This session will share ideas of how to effectively deal with this sort of attitude. (ONE SESSION OF THIS TOPIC IS FULL – IF THERE IS ENOUGH INTEREST, A SECOND SESSION WILL BE OFFERED).
4. Beyond the Norm - Surviving as a Small Chapter. How can a small chapter (20 or less) survive? How can it compete for award status? Members and advisors of small chapters that have not only survived but have thrived as well will share ideas.
5. The CPA Exam and Other Certifications. People having taken the CPA and other certification exams will share their experiences and talk about the best way to prepare, beyond taking a review course, for these professional exams. Talk about the best time to take the exams, what about reciprocity between states, etc. Bring any questions you might have for our knowledgeable and distinguished panel.
6. Career Opportunities in the Financial Professions. Rather than simply choosing a single discipline, the benefits of integrating the college experience by combining the disciplines with multiple majors and/or multiple minors will be discussed as a means to enhancing your competitive advantage.
7. Work and Life Balance - Is It Really Possible? A roundtable of students and professionals will discuss what students expect a balanced lifestyle to be once they enter the profession, and what they can realistically expect.
8. Qualities of Effective Leaders. The primary qualities necessary to be an effective leader will be identified and how these qualities can be used within the chapter will be discussed.
9. Workshops for (a) treasurers, (b) faculty advisors, (c) reporters, and (d) presidents. Experienced representatives of each of these offices that will be available for anyone with specific help or assistance that is needed. (If your chapter prefers one of the workshops over others, please note both the number 9 and letter (a, b, c, d) in the space provided on the interest form).
10. Retaining relationships with alumni. This involves such topics as: the need to, and the difficulty in, keeping in touch with alumni, as well as how to effectively keep in touch with alumni and how to effectively utilize alumni to meet your chapter needs.
11. Sessions proposed and accepted during the first calls for papers (No more proposed sessions are being accepted):
11a) Fun and Innovative Chapter Meetings and Events. Several chapters have a great story to tell about a variety of different types of weekly meetings or events. They will share something out of the ordinary that could be easily adapted by other chapters to add a bit of pizzazz to chapter activities. If you are tired of the same type of meetings week after week, come listen to their stories and take back an idea or two for your chapter.
EXAMPLE for your abstract that will be due in February if you choose this topic and one “story” that is already taken:
One chapter will present on an event recently held during a weekly meeting: a fashion show entitled “Dress for Success” where executive board acted as models and firm recruiters spoke about the attire. We provided advice and models for both men and women, for what TO wear and what NOT to wear, and in categories like: casual, business casual, business professional, golf, and happy hour We would love to have the opportunity to share this successful event with other chapters of Beta Alpha Psi.
11b) First Year in Public Accounting: The Good and the Bad. Alumni will discuss the first year and several current members who have had internships discuss their expectations of their first year.
11c) Faculty Advisor and Student Panel: What Makes for a Good Faculty Advisor? Using role playing and a panel of both students and faculty, come join in a lively discussion about what makes a good faculty advisor from both faculty and student perspectives. (Note: the chapter proposing this session has a faculty advisor who has volunteered to role play the BAD advisor… maybe your chapter wants to volunteer your faculty advisor to play the GOOD advisor??)
11d) Chapter Officers – Can You Do It All??Work/life balance isn’t something that happens after you leave school. Join us for a discussion of the challenges faced by chapter officers as they seek a balance between BAP commitments and the remainder of their obligations.
11e) Service Project Help Session – Members will discuss effective service projects that can be adapted for your chapter. For example, one chapter will provide the basic tools and ideas to help you start a VITA program or make your VITA program grow and be a success. They even guarantee it!
Please note that you WILL be required to submit a one paragraph abstract of your presentation plans for any assigned topic by FEBRUARY 10, 2007.
Also, this interest form does not relate to Best Practices presentations; information on competing at the regional meetings for Best Practice presentations at the annual meeting is available on the BAP website at www.bap.org or you can contact your regional director.
Thanks for your help with the meeting planning!
Beta Alpha Psi
The Nancy Harke Executive Office
1211 Avenue of the Americas | 19th Floor | New York, NY 10036-8775
Phone: 212.596.6090 | Fax: 212.596.6288
E-mail: bap@bap.org
