Fellow Members,

We're looking forward to networking with our members at our 6th Technical Dinner Meeting of the year which will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Hanover Manor in E. Hanover, NJ.  This will be a joint meeting with the Central Jersey Chapter (CJC) of the American Payroll Association (APA).  February is a good month to sit down with our colleagues in the payroll profession and commiserate about the difficult month we’ve just spent closing the prior year; as well as celebrate that it’s now behind us (or almost behind us).  The presentation will be given by John P. Quirke from the law firm of Archer & Greiner, PC on the topic of “Top Wage and Hour Mistakes and How to Avoid Them”.  Mr. Quirke will also discuss how to survive an audit.  You can learn more about the APA CJC at www.apacentraljersey.org.

Last month's joint meeting with the Raritan Valley Chapter of the IMA, as well as the presentation by Andrew Zezas from Real Estate Strategies Corp on the topic of “Aligning Real Estate Strategies to the Strategic Business Plan” was very enlightening.  I just started a new job in January as a controller of a company.  Real Estate Strategies were one of the lowest priorities on my list prior to Mr. Zezas’ presentation, but that has certainly changed now.  Please join me in thanking Andrew for his excellent presentation on behalf of the Morris-Essex Chapter; as well as thanking Mr. Hugh Gordon, CMA, president of the Raritan Valley Chapter for hosting our joint meeting.   

Can you believe that we’re now more than half-way through our chapter year.   It never ceases to amaze me how time flies.  Believe it or not, it’s time to setup the Morris-Essex Chapter’s Board of Trustees for the 2008-2009 Chapter Year.   We’re looking for volunteers, so if you’re interested in a board position, please contact me or any of our current board members and let us know.

Let me end this month's message by reminding everyone of the wonderful learning and networking opportunities you have by attending a Technical Dinner Meeting. I would also like to remind everyone that the chapters' board looks to the members of the chapter for input on meeting topics as well as other ideas and suggestions to help our members maximize the benefits that membership in the IMA can provide. 

I look forward to seeing you on the 20th of February!

Sincerely,

William Barish
Morris-Essex Chapter, President