The Fort Worth, Texas Chapter of the American Payroll Association

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Date: 2008-10-17 09:20:27

APA Newsletter April 2008

THE PAY April 2008

Fort Worth Chapter of the
American Payroll Association

April Meeting

Who’s Speaking?

Please join us on Thursday, April 3, 2008 for the monthly professional education meeting at Woodhaven Country Club from 11:30 - 1:30. The FWAPA guest speaker will be Ouida Peterson, speaking on “125 Cafeteria Plans“

Ouida Peterson is an award-winning speaker who is nationally recognized for her expertise on the complex and specialized subjects of COBRA, HIPAA and 125 plans. She has conducted more than 1,200 seminars, webinars and approved CE classes across the country and is a highly sought-after presenter known for her personable and engaging style. She delivers a compelling presentation full of anecdotes that bring these difficult subjects to life and quickly engage the audience in the real world of compliance.

She has received many industry awards including the Outstanding Texan of the Year and her professional organization’s most prestigious honor, the Hollis Roberson Award. She was also recognized as the first recipient of the William G Wetzel Excellence in Public Speaking Award – this was a very special honor for Ouida because she credits Bill as her inspiration, mentor and hero.

She and her late husband Pete began a cattle ranch – the “Middle Age Spread” – Ouida spends her off time wrangling their 5 great-grandchildren, running the cattle ranch; hunting, fishing and doing wildlife photography.

Luncheon Reservations
Log into: www.fortworthapa.org
Scroll down the menu links and choose Luncheon
Select the Online Luncheon RSVP Form
Complete the request

Reminder
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Saturday April 26, 2008 Sundance Square Downtown Fort Worth.

Member Spotlight
Andrea Nabors Wilhelm

Andrea Nabors Wilhelm lived in Pennsylvania until she was 6 and then moved to Texas. Her family settled in Grand Prairie where she still lives. Andrea met her life long friend Andi Hawkins in the 2nd grade who is also a FTWAPA member. She had not seen Andi in a long time and can you just imagine their surprise when Andrea joined FWAPA in 2000 and Andi was the treasurer who received her money. They had only been in touch at Christmas and high school reunions and did not know they were in the same profession. They have really enjoyed renewing their friendship since then.

Andrea married in February 2007 her long time fiancé Ron and between both of them they have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Her hobby is making pottery, but has not had time to do much lately. Andrea usually sells her excess pieces at craft shows.

Like most of us, Andrea got into payroll by accident. She had gone to UTA majoring in commercial art, but found that clerical work paid a lot more than art. She was doing A/P for a company in 1979 and her boss noticed how detail oriented she was and decided she should be a backup for payroll. When the payroll clerk left 6 months later, they gave her the job permanently. She really loved doing the payroll and knew she had found her calling.

She has been with Texas Plywood & Lumber Co., Inc. for 10 years processing payroll and assisting the controller. When Andrea started in payroll the company had multiple companies in 2 states. They currently have 2 locations in one state and more employees.

The most unusual experience in payroll was at her previous job. She was hired to assist the owner's wife who did the payroll, human resources, and oversaw the accounting department. After one week of intensive training by the owner's wife, she said to her that Friday that "I hoped that you will be able to remember everything on Monday." She assured her over and over that she would have no trouble at all since Andrea had taken such good notes. Well, Monday came and the owner's wife didn't show up, nor Tuesday. She had decided to divorce

her husband and had left the state on the weekend never to return.

Andrea had to scramble to get a payroll out, but the biggest challenge was taking over the owner's wife’s files and notes. You see the owner and his wife were Chinese and her files and notes were in Chinese. Since Andrea could not read Chinese she had to go to the owner for translations who always laughed that she could not read it. She was there 9 years and never learned to read or speak Chinese, but she never missed a payroll.

YUM, chapter member Cheryl Cook is heading a committee to put together a chapter cook book. Send your favorite recipes to Cheryl.cook@adp.com

Officer Elections

April is the month for new opportunities and election of officers for 2008-2009. Our Chapter needs you now. Take the initiative, step up and share your talent, energy, and ideas by giving back to your Chapter. A volunteer is someone who is a light to others by willingly doing the tasks at hand; being aware of others needs and doing something about it. Our members are our greatest asset.

More Chapter News

YUM, chapter member Cheryl Cook is heading a committee to put together a chapter cook book. Proceeds from the cookbook will benefit Tarrant Area Food Bank. Send your favorite recipes to Cheryl.cook@adp.com. If you want to share a memory include a short story about why this recipe to special to you.

APA’s 26th Annual Congress

Now is the time to register if you plan to attend the APA 26th Annual Congress, May 13-17, 2008 in Austin, TX. In 2007 there were 260 Congress attendees from Texas. APA has issued a challenge to Texas to be the state with the most attendees since Congress is in our backyard. Talk to someone who has been to congress and they will tell you what a unique and rewarding educational experience it is. You can still save $50 if you register before April 15, with the Rio Grande Special. Registration information can be found on the APA website www.payroll.org.

Fort Worth Chapter APA
2008 Calendar
***************************************

Speaker/Topic/ Chapter Activity
April 3, 2008	– Ouida Peterson “125 Cafeteria Plans”
May 1, 2008	– James Jones & Henry Monck ”Child Support Garnishments” & Clothing Collection to Benefit Women'
May 13-17, 2008	– 26th Annual APA Congress – Austin, TX
June 5, 2008	– Joan Truman “Chapter 13 Regulations” Tarrant Area Food Bank
July 3, 2008	– Jeff Kikle, Fidelity “401k Regulations”

To contact any Chapter officer visit our website at www.fortworthapa.org

Chapter and Community News –
Coming Events

Even though temperatures are rising, it is giving time at the Fort Worth Chapter of the APA!!! Remember we are celebrating Christmas in July this year for the Safe Haven families in Fort Worth. We will be collecting both item donations as well as monetary donations for gift card purchases over the summer months to deliver the goods at the end of summer in time for the start of school.

June will be the month to collect women’s clothing and bath & body products. As you do spring cleaning or make room in your closet for that new summer wardrobe bring your gently used clothes to pass along to that lady that has none. Keep in mind, what may be out of style to you will be an exciting new wardrobe for the lady that has nothing.

July will be the last month of donations. We will collect canned non-perishable food items and toys for the kids. Thank you for supporting this great cause and giving so much to those with little. This is a true testimony of the wonderful, caring members that are part of the Fort Worth Chapter of the APA.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of these FWAPA Members:
Velma Martin, vmartin@dickies.com
Tammy Wyatt, twyatt@virtuoso.com
Gina Martinez, gmartinez@dickies.com

Thanks to these members and vendors for being friends to our chapter.

ADP
RIA
National Bond and Trust
Amon Carter Museum

The Fort Worth Chapter Newsletter is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. The information contained in this newsletter is obtained from reliable statutory resources.