“Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting.”
                                                                                          —Ivan Misner

I don’t know about you, but the last couple of weeks since the Oct. 17 deadline passed have felt just as busy as our official “busy season.” Would you agree? This networking quote spoke to me since it has recently been harvest season for many of our farmer friends and clients. As the Chapter Board and its officers are winding down the year, we also are looking forward to planning next year (yes, already!). I know incoming President Andrew Le will have many updates for you when his presidential messages begin next year. I’m excited to see his vision come to fruition, and I will let him tell you all about it.

First off, I’d like to congratulate two of our board members on their acceptance into the CalCPA Leadership Institute program: Secretary/Treasurer Toby Benguerel and Director Megan Stambaugh. This is a competitive, state-wide program where participants attend workshops to further their leadership, planning and management skills. It is a great honor to have not only one, but also TWO individuals representing our chapter in this program. I look forward to them sharing their experiences with us.

Firm Olympics was a blast, and we appreciate everyone who attended. Twelve teams showed up to play Ladder Toss, Bottle Bash, Corn Hole, Chippo and Ring & Hook. In the end, the team from Atherton & Associates won the trophy. Congratulations to them! Come back next year to see if you can win the trophy!

ABC Modesto boasted a little more than 50 people in attendance with a nice profit going to the Chapter Scholarship Fund. Meanwhile, the ABC Stockton Committee has been hard at work planning their ABC Night event at The Kitchen on Nov. 3—I’ll see you there too!

The Scholarship Committee recently reviewed 24 student applications. The committee will be proposing plans to the board soon for who of the 24 will receive scholarship awards. As Chapter president and a representative of the Scholarship Committee, I look forward to co-presenting these awards with faculty who have taught our scholarship winners. Come to Chez Shari on Nov. 30 to see these deserving students receive their scholarships and to participate in speed-mentoring them.

Our Nominations Committee has a slate of directors to join our board for 2023-24. Once the board approves this slate, you will be receiving an electronic slate to vote on—stay tuned! Speaking of next year, please let myself or Rachael Fleming know if you are interested in serving on a committee or on the SQ Board of Directors. Even if the rosters are full, we would love to still include you at events and add you to the roster for the near future.