Where: Maggiano's Little Italy 
                        Santana Row
                        3055 Olin Ave.
                        San Jose, CA 95128
 
 When:  October 20, 2009

            10:00-11:30 Board  Meeting (guests  
             welcome)

 As I progress through my tenure as president of MSEA I look to see what has been accomplished and what can be. One of the accomplishments this year is the MSEA website www.MissionEAs.org with the tremendous help of Bob Davi EA the website is much improved and if you have not visited it lately you will be pleasantly surprised.   You should especially look at the "Tax Preparer Referral" area www.missioneas.org/tax-referral.html if you are not on any of these lists you still can get your name added to your area of expertise, doing this your fellow members and those outside visitors may find you. Another area that the society is excelling in is the education events that are being offered most if not all are offered both in the Silicon Valley as well as the Monterey Bay area. Whether you need to fulfill your educational requirements or simply would like to expand your knowledge in a particular area check out the education page on the website to see what is coming up.

I have been asked over the years why should I become or stay a member of the society and the one thing that always comes to mind if nothing else is additional credibility. I would be concerned if my doctor was not a member of the American Medical Association or my attorney was not a member of the Bar Association. We as professionals are no different and our clients or potential clients like the additional assurance that their tax professional is a member of one of the most active associations in the industry. CSEA's continuing educational requirement is 25% higher then the governmental requirement this alone is added creditability. When a member or prior member tells me that they do not feel that they get any benefit from membership I ask if they put anything into the association other then their dues and generally the answer is no. We all need to get involved this does not mean you need to make a big commitment but there is always room on any committee for someone who would like to get involved. Volunteering is one way to give a little and gain a lot it has certainly opened more doors for me personally then would have if I just sat on the side lines. If anyone would like to get involved but does  not know where to start feel free to contact me and I will be more then wiling to help you find an area in which you would be comfortable  alan@apinckandassociates.com . 

Alan L Pinck EA
President MSEA 2009-2010