Have you been searching for a way to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery on our

Mississippi Gulf Coast?

Here is your opportunity to serve! As a financial professional in Mississippi, you are in a unique position to help with the economic recovery of this region of our state. Through the combined efforts of The MSCPA, The AICPA, The North Carolina Association of CPAs, the Alabama Society of CPAs, Operation Hope, and others to be named later, a Gulf Coast Service Camp is being organized. A similar project was implemented very successfully in the greater New Orleans area in November of 2007. This year’s project will expand on that success and experience when it comes to Mississippi the week of May 19-24.

You are invited to be part of this project! Please review the information below and let us know ASAP if you are interested. We need to get the ball rolling now to identify our volunteers! If you are interested in participating, please complete the Volunteer Application. We need to select our team by the end of March! For those of you in public practice, I know it’s tax season . . . but please take two minutes to review this and respond as soon as possible.

Details are being developed and finalized, but here is a brief summary of what is expected:

This project will involve CPAs and other Financial Professionals to help small businesses and non-profits on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Financial professionals living on or near the Coast will be needed for on-going assistance. The target audience is small business owners. Financial Literacy programs for establishing or re-establishing small businesses are at the center of this project. In order to participate, applications will be completed so that those needing assistance can be pre-qualified and assigned to the most qualified financial professionals. The AICPA’s Financial Literacy Program will be the cornerstone of this endeavor. We will use materials already developed by the AICPA and others.

The program will involve one-on-one counseling / coaching with local business people as well as group presentations. Day and evening programs will be scheduled – to include QuickBooks. We will need CPAs who are experienced with QuickBooks to assist. Bob Spencer with K2 Enterprises also plans to assist. Other topics will include cash flow management, budget planning, credit counseling, debt management and restructuring, working with your banker, the loan application process, starting up a new business, etc. We hope to get the legal profession involved as well. Opportunities to help with Habitat for Humanity or similar projects are planned. This would probably occur on Saturday, May 24.

Participants in the 2007 project in New Orleans contributed $500 each. This covered expenses for transportation, hotel, and meals during the week. Incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the individual (souvenirs, going out after dinner, etc.). In all cases, the participant’s firm or company paid the full amount.

Additional Information: Volunteers will be staying in local (fully-renovated) hotels.

To read about a similar project in Louisiana in November, 2007, please CLICK HERE

For additional information, please contact:

Marty Rawls

Mississippi Society of CPAs

Phone: 601-856-4244

Toll-free in-state: 800-772-1099

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Contact information

Name

MSCPA member ID

Work Phone

e-Mail

Emergency contact information

Name

Phone 1

Phone 2

References

Name

Phone & email

Relationship to applicant

Name

Phone & email

Relationship to applicant

Tell us about yourself (use additional pages, if needed.)

Why do you want to volunteer for this experience?

What are your expectations—both professionally & personally—for this volunteer experience?

Tell us about yourself (continued)

Do you have unique personal or professional skills that will enhance the experience for others? Tell us about your greatest strengths.

Have you engaged in other financial literacy efforts? If so, please describe them.

Do you have any special health considerations? Please list any allergies or other travel considerations that might affect your work or housing arrangements.

Are you willing to present the results of your trip to your local MSCPA chapter after your return?

_____ Yes _____ No

Agreement & signature

By submitting this application, I affirm that:

· I have read the MSCPA Gulf Coast Volunteer Agreement and agree to be bound by its terms.

· If selected for service, I will prepare to the fullest extent possible prior to the trip.

· During the experience, I will act in a professional manner at all times.

· Upon my return, I will seek other, similar local service opportunities.

Name (printed)

Signature

Date

MSCPA Gulf Coast Volunteer Agreement

Release & Waiver of Liability

Commitments

If selected for service, you agree to certain pre-trip preparation. This will include getting to know the other team members, completing any reading assignments (online, email), as well as other exercises deemed pertinent to the trip. You also agree to submit to the Team Leader’s authority as well as that of our on-site host(s). You commit to payment in full within the scheduled deadlines (see below).

Payment

A non-refundable deposit of $250 will be due with your application. You may submit your signed application in advance of the payment, but no application will be considered until your deposit has been received. The balance of payment will be due by March 28, 2008.

You are welcome to raise funds individually. However, there will be no MSCPA-organized group fundraising efforts, and no amounts paid to MSCPA will qualify for tax deductibility.

Additional Costs

Your payment covers the associated expenses of your on-site experience: meals, lodging, transportation (to/from airport, to/from jobsites, and any other group-sponsored travel), project costs, and administrative expenses. Your payment does not include the cost of travel. All additional costs incurred by you during free time and/or outside the project agenda will be your responsibility. For example, you will be solely responsible for any fees or costs due to problems caused by any travel agent, airline, or other vendor.

Participate at Your Own Risk

You agree that participation in a volunteer activity of any kind brings its own share of risks and rewards. As a result, you agree not to sue the directors, staff, members, or agents of the Mississippi Society of CPAs, Inc. for any injury, illness, property damage, or death that arises from project-related activities.

Photographic Release

You grant and convey unto MSCPA all rights, title, and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by MSCPA during the project.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS IS A LEGAL AND BINDING AGREEMENT.

Gulf Coast Service Camp Article