| Letter from the President
August 2009
As the society begins a new fiscal year (July 1), we want thank each of you for continuing to support the local society. The society serves an important role in advancing the investment profession and the mission of the CFA Institute in the Tampa Bay region. The overall mission for the society has several components. The following comments detail some of our objectives and accomplishments from the past year.
Networking
Our monthly meetings are intended to provide investment professionals throughout the Tampa Bay region with an opportunity to exchange information and ideas. This opportunity to network with peers was especially valuable during the period of economic upheaval and market turmoil experienced last year.
Education
Speakers are selected for their ability to provide current information relevant to the investment decision process. Our members have a broad range of specific roles within the investment profession and we attempt to identify topics appealing to a large segment of the membership. Among the topics discussed in past year were emerging markets, alternative investments, U.S. political outlook, U.S. investment strategy (equities, fixed income, municipals), Federal Reserve policy and risk evaluation. In the fall, among the topics our scheduled speakers will address are the current economic climate and alternative valuation models to GAAP financial statements.
University Outreach
The society is actively engaged with the students and finance faculty at the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa. We strive to provide a platform for the students to interact with our members and gain exposure to career opportunities for investment professionals in the Tampa Bay region. This year we encouraged students to attend meetings through discounted rates and establishment of a student membership. Other activities targeted at students included presentations to student finance associations on the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and co-sponsorship of a CFA Institute provided speaker on the University of Tampa campus.
CFA Program Candidate Support
The society continues to support candidates for the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in the Tampa Bay area. CFA Institute sponsored scholarships were provided to ten (10) candidates during the current year. In addition, an online collaboration opportunity was created to monitor the candidates’ progress as they prepared for the exam. Board members were onsite after the exam to acknowledge the candidate accomplishments by providing token gifts from the society and the CFA Institute. Graduates of the CFA program will be feted at our annual Charter Recognition Ceremony in the fall.
CFA Institute Liaison
The society also serves as the conduit between our membership and the CFA Institute. The CFA Institute is actively engaged in providing career development, employment search and educational opportunities. The society leadership is familiar with these resources through the interaction with CFA Institute staff. Please contact any of the board members or the society administrator if you need help utilizing these resources or need an advocate with the CFA Institute.
Hopefully, I’ve provided some insight into how the society utilizes the resources provided by your membership to support CFA charterholders and advance the investment profession in the Tampa Bay area. Please forward any comments regarding the society’s mission, goals or accomplishments to the society administrator. We appreciate any feedback or suggestions provided by the membership.
Finally, I’d encourage every member to make an effort to attend a meeting during the upcoming year. Every individual on the board appreciates the opportunity to interact with the members. I think you’ll also be encouraged by the quality of our programs and the vitality of the local investment community.
Best personal regards,
Sterne K. Cole, CFA
President
CFA Tampa Bay |
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