Happy New Year from the ASPPA Benefits Council of Atlanta!

As we enter 2008, we look both forward and back, to new goals and programs to follow another successful year. In 2007, we cosponsored the second Benefits Conference of the South, held in Atlanta September 20-21, with leadership from the IRS and DOL. Please note that the BCOS is moving to a new date, and the next
conference will be held in January of 2009.

With so much focus on investment advice, fees and fiduciary issues, our 2007 programs kept you informed of major trends and developments. In addition, we focused on “nuts and bolts” issues in an effort to promote practical problem solving, something that we will continue in our 2008 offerings.

Our Programs Committee has worked hard to produce another quality line-up for 2008. We currently expect to offer programs on all or most of the following topics:

• 401(k) Compliance Testing and Corrections
• Independent Plan Audits from the CPA’s Perspective
• Plan Design Pitfalls and Traps
• Defined Benefit Plan Funding Issues
• What to Do When the DOL Auditor Calls (from the DOL Perspective)– cosponsoring with WEB
• Retirement Plans for Tax-Exempt and Government Entities
• ASPPA Executive Director Brian Graff’s Washington Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Hot Investment Issues

These programs will be led by a host of national and local industry leaders. If you have suggestions for other programs, please feel free to forward them to me. And if you wish to help with any of the various ABC committees, I would be happy to hear from you.

It’s time to renew your corporate or individual membership. The membership application is attached. Please send it now with your payment. Note that we have improved credit card payment procedures for 2008; you will be able to pay dues and program costs with your credit card.

As new ABC President and as a member of the Programs Committee for the ASPPA Annual Conference, I encourage you to join at both the local and national level. Your membership at the national level provides the funding for the critical government affairs activities that ASPPA pursues to ensure the integrity of our industry. If you are a member of the Atlanta ABC, please note that you are entitled to a $50 discount on your first year of ASPPA membership.

Finally, I want to extend a heart-felt thanks to Joni Jennings Steele, who has worked tirelessly as ABC President for the past two years, with a Board of Directors that has explored how to ensure that our educational efforts are productive, timely and relevant. Now in our second decade, the Atlanta ABC strives to meet your professional interests and needs. Join us and become an active participant in the fun.

Sincerely,
John D. Hartness, Jr., APM
2008 President