Leaders wanted: CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations for 2010-11.

California CPAs are the driving force behind one of the world's largest economies. Isn't it time you put your leadership skills to use for the betterment of the CPA profession? The CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations for 2010-11 CalCPA officers and council members at large. Officer positions include chair, first vice chair, treasurer and two vice chairs. Three at-large council members also will be elected. Additionally, nominees are being sought for AICPA Council positions. Job descriptions, a nomination form and more are located at www.calcpa.org/nominations. Nomination forms are due Dec. 1.

Here's What CalCPA's Leaders Are Saying ...

CalCPA leadership has a lot to offer, but don't take our word for it. Here are some thoughtful words from your peers about volunteering:

Lammert Van Laar

Kemper CPA Group LLP

San Joaquin Chapter

Every organization can benefit from leadership development. Where will the next generation of leaders come from? Who will train them? Will they have the broad perspective to benefit the whole team? Your involvement can help to solve those issues that many of our firms face today.

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Chris Yahng

Collins Mason & Company LLP

East Bay Chapter

At the chapter committee level, you can start by offering your assistance in shaping the agenda of the committee, by arranging speakers and by assisting the committee chair. That can then lead to being chair of the committee, member of the chapter board of directors, officer etc.

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Greg Burke

John Waddell & Co. CPAs

Sacramento Chapter

It is not what I will get out of the involvement that is important, it is what I might contribute. The satisfaction comes from being involved in the work of an organization that benefits others. One of the great benefits of being involved with CalCPA is the opportunity to work with other committed, talented people, both volunteers and staff. It is truly inspiring.

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Jenny Bolsky

Miller Kaplan Arase & Co. LLP

Los Angeles Chapter

The best thing about being involved in CalCPA leadership is meeting amazing people.

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Alex Lemos

Smith Marion & Co. CPAs

Inland Empire Chapter

CalCPA needs people who aren't afraid to sacrifice time to make a difference.

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Ben Towne

Berger Lewis A/C

Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter

Go to your chapter board meetings and the CalCPA Council meetings; your voice can be heard. By choosing to be part of the leadership, I can take an active role in shaping the future of our profession through interacting with the community, other professionals, and state and national rule makers.

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Andrea Cope

Burr Pilger & Mayer LLP

San Francisco Chapter

I have felt more connected to my profession at the local and state level and all the issues that each have in our economic environment. I've developed such great friends and colleagues through my involvement in CalCPA. I forgot to mention that my leadership involvent is just plain fun!:)

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Perry Forschino

Veyna & Forschino

Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter

Whether you're a managing partner or a staff accountant intent on making public accounting your career, CalCPA needs your involvement and your vision for the future. You can make as big or as little of a difference as you like. Get involved at the local chapter level and set the agenda of topics for an interest group as a committee chair, or join the local chapter's board of directors and assist with the governance of the chapter and it's member benefits programs of local CPE and social networking events. Get involved at the state level as a member of council or an officer and be part of setting policies and influencing legislators, which will affect all CPAs in California and promote our profession.

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Alternatively, you don't have to be involved statewide, or nationally, to be part of CalCPA leadership. There are plenty local opportunities.

Each of CalCPA's 14 chapters has a board of directors, technical committees, interest groups and geographically based discussion groups that need expert leaders. These groups provide excellent professional networking opportunities and quality, low-cost CPE, as well as a good place to test the waters of volunteer leadership.

Learn what your chapter has to offer, and what you can offer your chapter, by contacting the nominations chair in your area:

* Bakersfield: Patrick Paggi ([e-mail])

* Central Coast: J. Russell Roy ([e-mail])

* Channel Counties: Tom Letus ([e-mail])

* East Bay: Robert Y. Anderson ([e-mail])

* Fresno: Denise Patterson ([e-mail])

* Inland Empire: Mark Erickson ([e-mail])

* Los Angeles: Vee Cristobal ([e-mail])

* Orange County/Long Beach: Monica Rebella ([e-mail])

* Peninsula Silicon Valley: Karen Goodfriend ([e-mail])

* Sacramento: David Motes ([e-mail])

* San Diego: Marleen Thudium ([e-mail])

* San Francisco: Jamshed Behram Gandi, CPA ([e-mail])

* San Joaquin: Tara Eastwood ([e-mail])

* Silicon Valley San Jose: David Veyna ([e-mail])

What does it take to be part of CalCPA's local or statewide leadership? "A great volunteer leader will have an open mind and a passion for the CPA profession," says Patricia Cochran, CPA, vice president and CEO at Vision Service Plan and 2007-08 president of the CalCPA Education Foundation board of trustees.

Try these other key leadership characteristics on for size--they're what we're looking for:

* Speaks well in public

* Has charisma

* Passionate for CalCPA and the profession

* In tune with professional issues

* Team player

* Exemplifies profession's ethical values

* Turns conflict into consensus

* Makes appropriate time commitment and manages time accordingly

* Enjoys the support of family and business

* Prior leadership experience (volunteer or business-based)

* Empathetic and a good listener

* Generates enthusiasm about CalCPA and recruits others into leadership positions

Heard Enough? Ready to sign up?

Download a nomination form at www.calcpa.org/nominations. Or contact John Angelo ([e-mail]), CalCPA's division director of strategic relations, or CalCPA Nominations Committee Chair Marc Parkinson ([e-mail]) if you have any questions.