CPABC in Focus - May/June 2015 | Page 8

Notes & News Tax Events Family Day On February 9, Minister of National Revenue Kerry-Lynne Findlay attended a “Family Day” event in Vancouver to highlight the tax relief and benefit measures available for Canadian families. Several CPABC members were in attendance, including Walter Pela, CPA, CA (KPMG); Stanley Dong, CPA, CGA (Dong Russell & Company); and Brian Galloway, CPA, FCGA (Galloway Botteselle & Co.). L to R: Walter Pela, CPA, CA; Min. Findlay; Stanley Dong, CPA, CGA; Brian Galloway, CPA, FCGA; and Wai Young, MP for Vancouver South. CPABC-CRA Liaison Meetings In collaboration with the Canada Revenue Agency, CPABC hosted several CPABC-CRA liaison meetings in Victoria, Surrey, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Prince George during the months of February and March. More than 400 tax practitioners came out to hear senior CRA personnel discuss current initiatives and priorities and participate in a Q&A. If you’re a tax practitioner and would like to obtain materials from these presentations, please email David Chiang, CPA, CA, CPABC’s VP of member services, at [email protected]. Chapter Update: First Leaders Meeting Held CPABC held its inaugural Chapter Leaders Meeting in Vancouver on February 20, at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Twenty-seven chapter chairs, vice-chairs, and special guests from 14 of the 15 CPABC chapters attended this all-day event. Emceed by David Chiang, CPA, CA, CPABC’s VP of member services, the meeting kicked off with a brand imaging exercise led by Vinetta Peek, CMA (Hon.), CPA, FCMA, CPABC’s executive VP of marketing and business development. Each of the four participating teams had to create a poster that defined the CPA brand. A provincial update from CPABC president & CEO Richard Rees, CPA, FCA, followed, after which several chapter leaders shared success stories about recent social networking events, professional development offerings, and community engagement activities. In the afternoon, Jan Sampson, CPA, FCA, CPABC’s executive VP for member engagement and information technology, summarized how CPA Canada and CPABC are working collaboratively to advance the profession. Jan was followed by a guest speaker from CPA Canada, Li Zhang, who provided 8  CPABC in Focus •May/June 2015 “What is your brand?” Vinetta Peek leads chapter leaders in an imaging exercise focused on the CPA brand. information about the national Community Connect – Financial Literacy Program (see page 20). To round out the day, chapter leaders brainstormed about how to engage members— particularly younger professionals and public practitioners—and about how to support PEP candidates, PREP students, and CPA mentors. In all, the Chapter Leaders Meeting was an inspiring, informative, and collaborative event that generated a number of promising ideas for future chapter events and activities. Get involved with your local CPABC chapter Through a variety of social networking events and professional development activities, the 15 CPABC chapters across BC provide excellent opportunities for individuals to engage with other members, PEP candidates, and PREP students in their area, as well as with their local community. Relying on the efforts of volunteers, these CPABC chapters are always looking for members, candidates, and students to assist with upcoming activities and/or to serve at the board level. If you’d like to participate in exciting activities while also giving back to the profession, go to bccpa.ca/ members/cpabc-chapters, select your local chapter, click on the “Get Involved” tab, and email the chapter to express your areas of interest.