Letter from the President - June 2024

Letter from the President

As we step into the promising terrain of 2024, I am deeply honored to continue serving as your President for another term. My gratitude extends to each member, the dedicated Officers, and the esteemed Board of Directors for placing their trust in me to lead this esteemed association.

As your President, I am committed to being a trustworthy steward of GFOA-WMAs resources and reputation. In alignment with this year’s Annual Women’s Conference theme, “PROPEL”, everything that we venture towards is designed to do just that- to propel us forward into a future of growth and achievement. 

So, what does this commitment look like for GFOA-WMA in 2024? 

We remain dedicated to being a valuable resource, providing relevant insights, professional development, and continuing education that resonate with our diverse membership. This year, we have identified four main objectives: website, webinars, scholarships, and capacity building.

Website: GFOA-WMA is set to launch its new website later this month. This modern platform will boast a clean, user-friendly layout, serving as an additional professional resource for our members. It will also be your go-to source as we prepare to host the national GFOA conference in 2025.

Webinars: Continuing our commitment to core services, GFOA-WMA will offer four conferences this year. Additionally, in collaboration with our corporate sponsors, we will host at least three (3) webinars, providing three (3) additional opportunities for you to earn CPEs.

Scholarships: The Abdool S. Akhran Scholarship, originally designed for high school students in the District of Columbia, has been revamped for greater impact. Now available to non-traditional and/or graduate students studying Public Administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, or business administration (with a specific focus on government). Stay tuned for more details!

Capacity Building: At our December annual conference, I expressed my desire to welcome a new president at the end of my term in December 2025. The Board and I are actively working to enhance the association's capacity, including identifying new board and steering committee members. Ensuring the future and effectiveness of the association requires having the right people in the right chairs. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.

Wishing you all a year filled with growth, prosperity, and success. Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Rhonda Cheatham, President

Rhonda Cheatham

Chief, Management Operations | OFRM