It's not very wise (or fair) to ask most CPAs to devote time to volunteer activities during tax season.  However, in the wake of Enron, Andersen and other highly publicized accounting scandals, the FICPA believed it imperative that members of the Florida Legislature be able to "put a face" on the accounting profession during the 2003 legislative session.

That's why, in early March, the FICPA Governmental Affairs team invited seven current and incoming members of the FICPA's 30-member Board of Governors (BOG) to come to Tallahassee and visit the Capitol. Incoming 2003-2004 BOG members Lora Douglas, Hubert Gill, Clay Price, Stam Stathis, Mia Thomas, Jose Valiente and John Wilkinson attended. The group was selected based on a series of criteria that included the legislative district in which they reside, their tenure on the BOG, the amount of experience they had with the legislative process, and their area of practice.  Primarily, the focus was on creating a diverse group of individuals to interact with the FICPA's Governmental Affairs staff and with state legislators.

The night before the visit, Governmental Affairs staff briefed the attendees on protocol and new security measures at the Capitol as they prepared for a day of rigorous footwork.

The day of the big visit began at an early 6:45 a.m. With one more briefing session, and distribution of a packet of information that included a directory of the Florida Legislature and an overview of the day's scheduled appointments, the members were off to explore the halls of state government. Attendees were asked to wear comfortable shoes - advice they soon found to be quite valuable.

At day's end, the trip to the Capitol included visits to 18 members of the House and Senate; a visit with Diane Carr, the new secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation; a private tour on the floor of the House chamber by the speaker's liaison; and a quick bag lunch at the FICPA office.  From 8:30 a.m. to nearly 4:00 p.m., the day included many handshakes and introductions, little time to stop and sit down, countless trips up and down steps and elevators, and even an evacuation of the Capitol that forced the group to climb down 13 flights of stairs along with hundreds of other staff and visitors.

Even though the focus of the meetings with state legislators was primarily informative and introductory, many legislators asked BOG members their opinions on issues ranging from the state budget shortfalls to education. It was very obvious, though, that each of the seven attendees received a very warm welcome at their state Capitol.  The legislators visited were given the opportunity to see the faces of members of an organization that represents more than 18,000 licensed professionals across the state.

Attendee John Wilkinson says his experience at the Capitol was a rewarding one, and that he was impressed with the role the Governmental Affairs staff plays in advocating the interests of the accounting profession. "Just the process they go through, and all the individuals they have the opportunity to meet - the give and take on the political scene" were all impressive, he commented.

"We were given such an enriching experience," said Mia Thomas of her visit.  "I commend Buddy (Turman), Jennifer (Green) and the Governmental Affairs team for all the hard work that they do for our profession."

The FICPA Governmental Affairs team plans to schedule future visits to the Capitol for new Board members annually, as time and issues permit, as part of the overall grass-roots efforts of the FICPA - something attendee Wilkinson says would be a great benefit to members.

"It's a long day, there's no question about it," said Wilkinson. "But if you're interested in legislative policy procedures, it's well worth your time. I was thankful that I had the experience, and I appreciate the opportunity."