As someone who loves summer, September is when I finally admit to myself that fall is coming. But right now we’re in the middle of a heat wave that feels like August. The poor air quality around the state is also a reminder that we’re still in the middle of fire season. I hope that everyone is healthy and safe and able to stay cool.
In my last message, I shared that one of my goals as President is to have OGFOA help play a role in restoring people’s trust in government. This time of year we’re all in the middle of one of the most important things we do when it comes to transparency and accountability in government. The annual audit and preparation of financial statements is so important. I know that sometimes it feels like we’re just creating reports for ourselves that most people will never read. But in many ways one of the most important parts of the ACFR is simply that it exists. Just creating the report and making it accessible is an essential part of accountability.
Obviously, there’s more that we can do. GFOA has a new “Rethinking Financial Reporting” initiative that’s trying to tackle that exact problem. How do we produce financial information for the broader public that helps reassure people that taxpayer resources are being well-managed without losing the broader context of our complex financial environments? This is one of the many great topics we’re planning on talking about at our Fall Conference in Eugene. This year’s Fall Conference is October 28 – 30 at the Graduate Hotel in Eugene. The Education Committee has done great work in planning the conference and sessions are coming together well. We hope that you can join us!
Fall is also a great time to think about starting something new. Have you considered joining an OGFOA committee? It’s a great way to get involved! You can learn more about how the organization works and get valuable professional experience at the same time. OGFOA can’t function without our members. Consider joining the Education Committee and help plan future conferences! Join the Hospitality Committee and help make those conferences fun! Check out our website to see all the committees and the ways you can get involved.
As always, thank you for your dedication to your work and your membership in OGFOA. I hope to see you in Eugene!
Brian Kennedy
OGFOA President
