A message from Diane Sturek, CPA, MAcc, 2022–23 Chair of the INCPAS Board of Directors
Stay Connected & Informed
Do you remember why you first joined INCPAS? Was it to celebrate the achievement of becoming part of our respected profession? Was it to have access to valuable CPE? Was it to maintain a professional association after relocating to Indiana?
I joined INCPAS in 2009 to connect with other accounting educators in Indiana through the annual Educators Conference. Thanks to Society staff, we now have an Educators Learning Network which functions much like the Open Forum—a helpful resource in this time of CPA Evolution.
Perhaps some of you remember the PIUs conducted by former CEO Gary Bolinger. (Who can forget those 400 PowerPoint slides and participation prizes?) These events provided both education and a chance to network with other CPAs in Indiana. For me, this was especially important as I wanted to know what practitioners were experiencing so it could inform my classroom teaching.
Whatever inspired you to join INCPAS, I hope you will take time this year to become more involved in the Society so you can connect, tell your stories and continue to grow in your professional life.
Do you see a trend? Yes—education and connection. In the next year, INCPAS will focus on these two aspects of its mission by:
- Continuing to provide opportunity for connection in the Online Community.
- Promoting new connections through Member Sections.
- Resuming in-person conferences and Convention.
- Conducting five regional Town Hall meetings (like PIUs, but more discussion and less presentation).
- Connecting our members with high school and college students to promote the value of the profession as a career.
- Advocating for the profession to stakeholders such as employers, government leaders and the public at large.
- Informing members of legislative issues impacting the profession.
Grow in Your Career
When I first joined INCPAS to collaborate with fellow educators, I never imagined I would be writing a letter to you as chair. I’m truly humbled by this honor. Former board chair Tom Wadelton noted he never anticipated INCPAS would become such an important part of his life. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks to all the remarkable people with whom I’ve worked, these past five years of board service have been among the most rewarding of my professional and personal life. A special thank you to Barry Hall and Jeremy Gallion for sharing your professionalism and experience—I’ve learned so much from you.
As we continue to evolve in a post-pandemic environment this next year, I look forward to working with the unparalleled Society staff, fellow board members and chair-elect Carrie Minnich to advance the mission. I hope to hear more CPA stories from our members when you join INCPAS CEO Courtney Kincaid and myself at the regional Town Halls beginning in August.
Whatever inspired you to join INCPAS, I hope you will take time this year to become more involved in the Society so you can connect, tell your stories and continue to grow in your professional life. You can do this by:
- Participating in Member Sections.
- Attending in-person conferences or the Convention.
- Presenting to high school students during INCPAS CPA Week.
- Meeting with an elected official as a CPA Advocate.
- Reconnecting with colleagues at INCPAS social events.
- Volunteering for one of a variety of opportunities available at INCPAS.
You never know what you might learn or who you might meet that will profoundly influence your professional and personal life. You will also help support and sustain the Society so it can continue to serve all future CPAs who are studying diligently in the classroom to join our profession.