Arizona Society of Certified Public Managers®

By Jeff Kramer, CPM, 2009 Society President
Jeff.Kramer@gilbert.gov

Hello to all from sunny Arizona. We hope you had an enjoyable and safe holiday season. ASCPM ended 2009 on a high note with our December quarterly membership luncheon and holiday social. We enjoyed some great conversation and sharing of ideas for the new year. Kimberly Fuqua was presented the 2009 joint Society-Program Scholarship. Kimberly Fuqua is using the scholarship to complete her CPM certification this winter. We are hoping to welcome her as a new member this year. Our year-end membership totaled 100.

In addition to the great luncheon, ASCPM finished our year with several pieces of good news and accomplishments. We had a successful bylaws election in which we not only cleaned up and clarified language, but also added a new membership class that allows retired members to remain full members of the Society while only paying their Academy dues. Our goal was to lower their expenses while giving them the full benefits of membership in our organization. We also did a comprehensive update of our SOP, updated our strategic plan and membership brochure, and designed a new membership pin. Starting with the 2010 calendar year, every member will receive a free membership pin upon his or her first time renewing/joining as a member. ASCPM continues work on developing a sustainable annual conference, implementing an annual awards program, and finding ways to give back to our organizations and communities.

Unfortunately some of our ambitious plans have been delayed due to the inability of our members and their organizations to incur costs or give up time as we continue in the economic downturn. Our state budget shortfall has increased to $2 billion with our leadership unable or unwilling to find a balance. We still see many potential solutions through withholding shared revenues from the municipalities, which are all already suffering badly themselves. Recently we experienced the closing of many state Motor Vehicle Department offices and most of our interstate rest stops, and state agencies are under Governor’s orders  to cut costs and staff. Our municipalities struggle with pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs while delaying capital expenditures and even considering cuts to public safety staffing and budgets.

While we struggle today, we also know that the leadership we provide as CPMs is invaluable to our agencies as we look toward a brighter future. We truly do represent the best and the brightest. We applaud all our fellow CPMs around the country who are doing the same for their agencies. Here’s to hoping for a bright new year and to seeing many of you in Oklahoma City in October.

© Copyright 2009, American Academy of Certified Public Managers®