FPA Pgh Logo
 


                      May 2012 Newsletter

Greetings!

 

This month brings more exciting news about our Chapter, upcoming events, and benefits for our members. We encourage you to read on and take advantage of the great opportunities available to you. 
In This Issue
President's Message
SALUTING SERVICE
PA Legislative Alert
Update from Olde Stonewall
2012 Heart of Financial Planning Award
CFP Exam Scholarship Opportunity
May Membership Milestones
NexGen Concerence
President's Message

 

Saluting Service Update from our President: 

 

Did you know that Western PA has one of the highest per capita veteran's populations in the country? Many of these brave men and women continue to serve their community when they return to civilian life. The FPA's Saluting Service event on May 22nd is your chance to say "THANK YOU" and have a terrific time doing it!

 

Saluting Service is FREE to attend and open to all. The evening will be filled with beautiful and patriotic music along with an inspirational speech by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Barry Bridger who was imprisoned at the "Hanoi Hilton" in a cell next to John McCain. Additionally we will be honoring 25 men and women who have been nominated for the "First class Patriot Achievement Award" and announcing the winner. A $10,000 donation will be made by FPA of Pittsburgh to the Veteran's Leadership Program in honor of the winner.

This is an evening you will not want to miss!!! Additional details can be found on our website and by visiting Facebook. Make sure to read this Sunday's Tribune Review where our event and the nominees will be featured in a special insert.

Most importantly, please register to attend at www.fpapittsburgh.org or 412-653-1054 and plan to bring your family and friends. You'll be proud to be a member of the FPA!

 

In Service,

 

Ruth A. Forsyth, MS, CFP®

 

 
 
Saluting Service
Step up and join the Financial Planning Association of Pittsburgh to Salute Service to our country and our community.

 

The Financial Planning Association of Pittsburgh presents the first Saluting Service Event.  All nominees and attending service men and women will be honored.

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
4141 Fifth Avenue., Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
6pm to 9pm
  • Guest Speaker: Lt. Col. (Ret) BARRY BRIDGER    A highly-decorated, 22 year veteran of the US Air Force, more than 70 combat missions over North Vietnam, and a six year imprisonment in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton".  Lt. Col. Bridger tells his inspirational story in the evening program.
  • Picnic on the lawn and Hall of Valor Tours
  • Music, Entertainment, and Special Guests
  • Presentation of the First Class Patriot Achievement Award

The Award

First Class Patriot Achievement Award

Honoring a veteran who has served the U.S. and serves the community.

 

 

  CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OUR NOMINEES!!!

PA Legislative Alert !!!

 Bill Introduced in Harrisburg Will Eliminate Income Tax Deduction For Contributions

To Out-of State 529 Plans

 

PA SB #1135 will repeal parity - the same tax treatment for ALL 529 plans, and allow on the PA sponsored 529 plans to enjuoy the PA state income tax deduction, which is equal to the federal gift tax limit, or $13,000 per contributor per account.  Pennsylvania currently offers only two 529 savings options:  The Pennsylvania 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan, which is administered by the state Treasury Department, and the Pennsylvania 529 Investment Plan provided by Vanguard Investments.  Among other things, this bill will:

 

  • Limit PA families to additional tax savings by only choosing a college savings plans offered by the PA Treasury
  • Limit the choice of savings behicles of PA families to one investment manager
  • PA families using a PA financial advisor would hnot have access to the same tax benefits as the PA sponsored plans.

This bill has already passed the PA Senate Finance Committee and will be voted by the PA Senate very soon.  If you disagree with this proposal, be sure to contact your PA State Senator or Representative and let your voice be heard.  To learn more about this very important issue, contact Chris Stack, Esq. at www.savingforcollege.com or by calling 203-656-6627.

7th Annual FPA of Pittsburgh Golf Outing

 

An update  from Golf Chairman, James Eisnor:

 

The outing was another great success. The weather was phenomenal and 70 golfers participated for the 5th year in a row.  Based upon all the positive feedback, we will have another outing at OLDE STONEWALL next Spring. The event will be either the last Friday in April or 1st Friday in May.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND BRING A FOURSOME!

 

Here is a photo from the event, courtesy of James Eisnor:

 

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO FROM THE EVENT!! 

2012 Heart of Financial Planning Award
 
The Heart of Financial Planning Award is not just any old form of recognition.  It's an esteemed acknowledgement of an individual or a gorup who has used FPA's Core Values of competence, integrity, dedication to relationship building and stewardship to contribute to the financial planning community and/or the public.

Nomination Forms for this award are available at www.FPAnet.org

The Award recognizes indivudual professional (e.g. CFP(r), attorney, professor, journalist), financial planning firms, FPA chapters, or organizations who engage in extraordinary work, contributing and giving  back to the financial planning community and the public through financial planning.  Award recipients embody the heart of financial planning and represent FPA's Core Values.  Award recipients will be recognized at FPA Experience 2012 as well as through other FPA media outlets (press releases, social networking sites, etc.).

It would be an honor to the individual and the Pittsburgh Chapter to have someone from our Pittsburgh membership be nominated and win this esteemed award.  
Mark Your Calendar!!
 
Future Upcoming Events:

September 5th.         Investment Conference

October 18th.            Financial Four'um

November 7th.     Practice Management Conference

December 6th.          Code of Ethics Conference
 Taking the CFP® Exam in JULY???

 

Win a scholarship to Keir's Live CFP Exam Review with materials!

 

Keir Educational Resources, a leading provider of professional education will award one scholarship per FPA chapter for the July 2012 exam cycle.

 

 Successful candidates may choose their location at any live 4 day reviews. See locations and dates at www.keirsuccess.com.

 

Materials are included, and the retail value of this prize is $925.00

 

Click HERE to APPLY!!!

Membership Milestones

Congratulations to the following FPA of Pittsburgh members who reached membership longevity milestones in May:

  

               Andrew Costanzo             30 years

         Garrett Hoge                     20 years

   Robert Musar                      5 years

   Charles Pinchotti               10 years

   Sherri Donaldson              10 years

   Thomas Keeler                  10 years       

Don't Miss NexGen Conference!!!
 

WHEN:                  June 5th, 2012

 

WHERE:                River's Club Downtown

                             8 - 8:30: Breakfast & Networking

                             8:30 - 10: Presentation

 

SPEAKER:             Ed Lettieri

 

TAGLINE:             "Don't have a plan, or want to make yours more than an exercise? Based upon Dave Mullen's approach, and the best ideas from 20 years in the field, we will help you build a plan that makes sense, is actionable and well... do-able. We'll give you a calendar, a template and ideas that will work for you. You'll walk out with a roadmap to success!"

 

DISCUSSION

TOPICS:                   Motivation & Goal Setting

                                Defining Your Target Market

                                Creating Your Business Plan

                                Marketing

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!  Need more information or have a question?  Visit the chapter website at www.fpapittsburgh.org or contact us at fpa.pittsburgh@verizon.net.
Quick Links
  
  
  
FPA Automatic Renewal Policy

The FPA is excited to announce that you are now able to sign up for automatic renewal of your FPA membership!

 

If you sign up for automatic renewal, your membership will renew in the month that it is due and in the subsequent years going forward.

 

Click here to sign up for automatic renewal today!

 

NexGen
Planners under the age of 36 are encouraged to contact Michael McGrath or Stephanie McElheny to find out about the great opportunities available through NexGen. 

Attention FPA Sponsors!!!

Are you interested in sponsoring the Pittsburgh Financial Planning Association or one of our events?

 

Interested parties may  contact John J. Harm III for a copy of our 2012 SPONSORSHIP BROCHURE.

 

Media Training

If you would like to qualify to respond to requests for media interviews, click here  to access the mandatory training, complete the Media Participation Agreement , and then contact Ruth Forsyth to be added to our Chapter's media response list.

 

To qualify to speak to the media, you must be a CFP in good standing, a member of FPA, and have a minimum of 3 years experience as a financial planner. 

 

Media Interview Tips    

First Class Patriot Achievement Award

 

Sign up for tickets and invite your clients!

 

Volunteers Needed For This Event!