The Dallas CPA Society has developed a leadership program to assist emerging leaders in developing the skills necessary to be an effective leader within their profession and community.  In mid-January we sent our members an email informing them of the upcoming Leadership Development Academy (LDA) offered by the DCPAS; LDA letter to Applicants(doc). As a follow-up to that email, we would like to formally invite you to submit an application to the 2011 LDA program.

• Professionals with  three to five years experience will gain effective leadership skills and knowledge beneficial to their employers and their careers.
• Firms will gain highly effective professionals.
• Dallas CPA Society will develop future leaders.

What will be covered:

• What is Leadership?:  Discussion of leadership principles, qualities of an effective leader and essential daily practices of an effective leader.
• The Art of Self-Leadership:  Understanding your strengths/weaknesses, taking care of yourself  emotionally and physically, taking the initiative to learn, and developing your personal mission.
• Time Management and Organization:  Solid tips on effective time management and understanding how organization can help with clarity in communication and productivity. 
• Motivating and Developing Others:  How effective leaders motivate and develop the skills of their people.
• Essential Elements of Communication:  Understanding the mutual objectives of others receiving the information, positive and negative perception, and discretion of leaders in communicating information.
• Crucial Conversations:  Topics include giving and receiving feedback, resolving conflict, and the art of gracious acceptance.
  21st Century Communications:  Topics include Social Media, casual conversations, boundaries in communication and employment issues.

Time Commitment and Curriculum Calendar:

• Seven sessions at 2-3 hours each.
• Sessions will typically be held during the afternoon on the 3rd or 4th Thursday of each month there will be one session per month.
• A mixer will take place in May 2011 so participants can get acquainted.
• A dinner for participants and significant others will be held in January 2012
•  Use this link to see a calendar of program activities.

The Dallas CPA Society is pleased to announce that we are once again offering the required 4-hour Ethics course!  The presenter for the course is Dr. Wayne Shaw from SMU.

Title:  “Contemporary Accounting Ethics and Related Legal Topics – Texas Edition”

Instructor: Dr. Wayne Shaw – Southern Methodist University

Dates:
April 8, 2011
May 13, 2011

Location: Dallas CPA Society Training Facility
12700 Park Central Drive #1000,  Dallas TX  75251
Time:  8am-12Noon...

The 18th Annual Dallas Morning News Tax Hotline held February 13, 2011, was another great success!  Nineteen DCPAS members fielded over 500 calls from the public with tax related questions.  Thanks to Dallas CPA Society member, Ken Sibley, and Pamela Yipp of the Dallas Morning News for pulling off another great program.

Thanks to the following DCPAS members who gave generously of their time and expertise to man the phones and answer the public’s questions:  Anne Rule, Betty Maines, Bob Hurt, Brad Gooding, David Harris, Diane Snow, Frank Norris, Hank Pearson, Jim Smith, John Beall, John Bovard, Ken Sibley, Mickey Petty, Miguel Reyna, Paul Willey, Skip Muller, Vic Owen, Willie Hornberger, and Chelsi Ross.  Some interesting quotes from these volunteers included:

“It is a beneficial service to people in the Dallas area and a great experience for those participating.”

“This event is a great service to the community, providing advice and addressing tax concerns for many who cannot afford to pay a CPA for tax advice, or those who need direction in addressing an unusual situation.”

“We provided a valuable public service and helped people who were confused by the tax law.”

And finally, a very special thanks to Thomson Reuters for providing Quickfinder handbooks and CCH for providing US Master Tax Guides for use of the volunteers.

The Toastmaster Club is off to a great start!  The meetings are held weekly on Tuesday mornings from 7:30-8:30am.

Location for the meeting is 2626 Cole Street, Suite 400, Dallas Texas 75204.  Map.