CFA Connect
The Newsletter of the CFA Society of Minnesota |
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| Next Event: |
February 10, 2011 With Guest Speakers:
Megan Brinkman
& Anne Maloney
of Callan |
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Annual Sponsors
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We appreciate all of our sponsors, including
2010-11 Annual Silver:
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Committee Updates
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Business Committee
Next Meeting: 03/2011
Taxes done, Chair Jessica Murray and committee are beginning development of a
long-term financial plan.
Education Committe
Next Meeting: 03/2011
Global IRC event is this month, and Stalla classes are running. Contact Chair Jake Seltz to get involved!
EmploymentCommittee
Next Meeting:
2/15@4:00pm
Career Day planning is underway. Contact Kristine Mogollon for more details.
MembershipCommittee
Next Meeting:
3/15 @ 3:30pm
This active committee is enhancing our new Mentor program and coordinating with New Charterholders. Contact Josh Howard to get invoved! Program Committee
Next Meeting:
02/09 @ 4:00pm
Have you noticed the number of great programs we've offered recently? We always welcome suggestions! Send them to Chair Kim Brustuen. Marketing Committee
Next Meeting: 03/2011
Chair Karen Florez is welcoming new members to help with a number of public awareness and marking initiatives, including a media directory.
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Global IRC
Investor Relations Day
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Students are working hard researching Lawson, talking to team mentors for support. Meanwhile, judges and graders are looking forward to Challenge Day: February 17th, 2011!
A big thanks to:
 and our many other supporters for making this Local Investment Research Challenge possible. |
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Support your Society!
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Is your firm interested in increased visibility while supporting your local investment community?
Sponsor today!
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| Welcome New Members |
11 new members
joined CFA Minnesota in January. Welcome! |
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Recommended Reading
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Use Your Resources:
Rather than highlight a specific book this month, we'd like you to take a quick minute to check out the resource on our website. We're always looking to add books and information that will be useful to our members. CLICK HERE to visit our website's Recommended Reading page to see the full selection of books that members, candidates, partners and supporters have suggested in recent months. Then, email us to make your own suggestions!
Remember, every time you shop at Amazon.com, use the portal on our website to support your CFA Society!
Click here to for more information about this and other recommended reading available for purchase through our Amazon.com Store! Every time you shop at Amazon.com, you can support your local CFA Society. Simply purchase through our Amazon.com portal - located on our home page and our NEW Recommended Reading page.
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HELP!
Have you Moved?
Gotten a New Job?
New Title?
Update your Profile!
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Update your CFA Account:
Our members periodically check their account information through the CFA Institute portal. However, we find that members don't always have the correct information ont their name badge at events, or sometimes discover they're missing emails. Please take a minute to update your account information.
CLICK HERE to Update your Profile today!
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Financial Funny
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"A bill was passed in the senate today, making it legal for mutual fund managers to use performance enhancing drugs."
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| Registering for Events | |
A note about event registration through our new website:
For the past year, we have been taking advantage of the registration portal provided by CFA Institute. The new system includes attendance tracking, automatic application of CE credits for members, and an estimated savings for our society of more than $10,000 per year.
Using the system is simple. Each individual registrant must have a CFA Institute website log-in name and password. All that is required is first/last name and a valid email address. Unfortunately, at this time the new system does not allow guest registration in the same way our previous application allowed. Guests are welcome, but will need to have their own user name and password. As host, you are welcome to create this account for them.
On-site registrations will be allowed as available, payable with check or by registering online on-site. |
| Networking |
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Join the CFA Minnesota Linkedin Group! | | Social Networking |
We have recently started a Facebook Group. Click here to begin networking with colleagues through this social networking utility. |
| Join Our List |
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Greetings,
Punxsutawney Phil proclaims an early spring, and the CFA Society of Minnesota announces a full February calendar of events! Our Annual Economic Dinner last week was a huge success. Read below for an overview of what you missed and a link to some materials from Mr. Crescenzi.
In the coming weeks, we have a full slate of offerings:
2/10/11 Effective Presentations, with guests from Callan
2/11/11 "Day in the Life..." Series kick-off spotlights Valuation Analyst
2/15/11 Study Group for CFA Candidates
2/17/11 Our first ever local challenge of the Global IRC, featuring 6 schools
2/19/11 Return of the Night Shredders - Ski Outing and Social at Afton
And those are just our member events! Planning is underway for our Career Day event in late April, other committees are working on initiatives and our industry partners are also offering great events. Read on for more details and get involved! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Best Regards,
Maren Amdal
Executive Director
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| UPCOMING SOCIETY EVENTS: |
(Register for Society events on our calendar page)
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2/10/11 - Effective Presentations | |
Effective Presentations & Communication Best Practices presented by Callan Associates, Inc.
Join us for a presentation on making effective presentations and closing the sale by Megan Brinkman and Anne Maloney from Callan.
Founded in 1973, Callan Associates Inc. is one of the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the country. Headquartered in San Francisco, the firm provides research, education, decision support, and advice to a broad array of institutional investors through four distinct lines of business: Fund Sponsor Consulting, Independent Adviser Group, Institutional Consulting Group, and the Trust Advisory Group.
 |  | | Megan Brinkman | Anne Maloney | |
February 10th, 2011
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Sofitel Hotel
5601 West 78TH Street
55439 BLOOMINGTON, MN
For more information or to register for this event, click HERE. |
2/11/11 - Day in the Life of a Valuation Analyst
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 of a Valuation Analyst
with Joe Skorczewski, Chartwell Financial Advisory LLC
Joe will be speaking on the following topics: personal education and experience path, duties and responsibilities, continuing education, related industries, skills gained, employer desires, potential career paths, words of wisdom, etc. After the presentation, event members will join Joe in a tour of Chartwell's Minneapolis offices and "job shadow."
February 11th, 2011
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Free to Members, $15 - Non-Members
CFA Society of Minnesota
1300 Rand Tower
527 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
For more information or to register, click HERE.
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2/17/11 - Global IRC, Local Challenge!
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Global Investment Research Challenge
The Challenge is an equity research competition among student teams from the world's top university business and finance programs. Students write an equity research report on a publicly traded company and present their findings to an expert panel. Local winners can move on to compete in the Americas competition and eventually a worldwide final.
Join us for the local competition! Come watch our six teams present on February 17th. This FREE event is open to othe public and all are encouraged to come support these students.
Thrivent Auditorium
625 4th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Registration: 4:30 PM
Event: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
FREE!
For more information and to register, please click HERE.
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| 2/19/11 - Ski Social at Afton Alps | | | Social & Ski Outing for CFA Members and friends
The CFA Society of Minnesota is an important facilitator of a vibrant investment community. Educational programming is the largest effort within our society, but we also remember the "community" component. We saw how successful the Night Shredders event was last year and decided to have a second round of "shreddin' the gnar"! Our goal is to provide an atmosphere to meet new people, network and enjoy the "hills" of Minnesota.
the second annual
NIGHT SHREDDERS!
Afton Alps - Saturday, February 19th, 2011
Meet at 11am!
If you have any desire to get on a Minnesota snow packed hill, please come! Experts and novices alike are encouraged. Please email ERIC DARLING if you have any questions.Hope to see you there!
Cost: Individual lift ticket: $41; Group Tickets ( 20 or more); $33; Rental; $25
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| JOB BOARD SPOTLIGHT: |
To feature an open position at your firm, click here | |
More than 15 positions currently posted! | |
 Employer: Your Firm Name Here
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Each month, more than 3,750 Twin Cities Investment Professionals recieve this newsletter. Promote your open position here! For more details, Click Here.
Click here to visit the main CFAMN Job Board page.
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| WHAT DID I MISS?: |
January Events Summary
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| 01/27/11 - 2011 Annual Economic Dinner | | |
featuring Tony Crescenzi of PIMCO
More than 350 members and guests attended our 2011 Annual Economic Dinner last Thursday, featuring Tony Crescenzi of PIMCO. Tony shared his current perspective on investing, which includes: short duration and long credit exposure. In addition, his firm sees value in the emerging fixed-income markets of creditor nations and he is concerned about those markets in the European periphery.
We sincerely thank our eleven event and ten table sponsors for their support. Click here for an article from Tony which he referenced in his talk, called "Yucca Mountain."
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| INDUSTRY EVENTS: |
Other industry related associations may submit relevant listings directly to info@cfamn.org | |
| FPA Presents... February 15, 2011 | |
 The New Face of the 401(k)
Join us on February 15th to hear Kathryn Capage present The New Face of the 401(k). The 401(k) and other individual account plans are evolving to meet the needs of plan sponsors and employees, with many new rules in just the last several months. This means changes for advisers in the services they provide and how they are compensated. This presentation outlines:
(a) the new Department of Labor proposed fiduciary definition (when does an adviser become a fiduciary? what does that mean?)
(b) level fee rules, investment advice and prohibited transactions
(c) required fee disclosures
(d) further actions the government should take to improve retirement savings and
(e) how advisers can assist plan sponsors with the health of their plans.
Click here for more information and to Register
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| ACG Presents ... February 15, 2011 | |
 Monthly Luncheon featuring the Emerging Growth Award Winner:
Amcom Software, CEO Chris Heim and CFO Dan Mayleben Amcom Software connects people to each other and to the data they need. This helps organizations that depend on speed, accuracy, and productivity save lives, improve efficiency, and enhance effectiveness. Amcom Software's unified communications technologies include solutions for contact centers, emergency management, mobile event notification, and messaging. The company's products are used by leading organizations in healthcare, hospitality, education, business, and government. By continually developing its industry-leading technologies, Amcom Software has rapidly grown and solidified its market leadership.
Click here for more information and to register.
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ASA Presents... February 2nd, 2011
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The 21st Annual Buisness Valuation Conference
a parternship of ASA, NACVA, NCCIBA and UST Opus College of Business
Is This The New Normal?
The Annual Business Valuation Conference is a day-long conference offered each year in late January or early February. This conference covers topics of interest to attorneys, accountants, business brokers, business owners, commercial real estate brokers, lenders, investment bankers, appraisers and others who regularly encounter business valuation issues. The conference is held at the University of St. Thomas campus in downtown Minneapolis.
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| Stalla LIVE Prep Courses: We did it! | |
 LIVE Prep Courses for Level I, II & III
Level 3 Begins Feb. 19, 2011
University of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis
We did it! After a bit of a scramble at the start of our Level 1 class, we met the minimum requirement for class enrollments for both level I and Level II of the live Stalla classes and they are both active and open. There is still room to enroll if you are interested. Already the feedback from class participants is terrific!
Now is the time to register for the Level III Stalla class! The Level III Live Stalla course begins on February 19th. Registration is open now. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible to ensure this course proceeds as desired. In partnership with Stalla and the University of St. Thomas, CFA Minnesota is pleased to again provide our members access to these live prep courses. Classes are held on the UST Minneapolis campus and are taught by UST finance faculty and society board members. CFA Minnesota Members receive a $300 discount off the cost of Level I and Level II live classes; special pricing of $999 for the Level III class.
Use the following link to visit the Stalla website describing the program and discount: www.stalla.com/CFAMinnesota.
LIVE Level I classes start January 18 (Tuesday evenings - special pricing!)
LIVE Level II classes start January 19 (Wednesday evenings)
LIVE Level III classes start February 19 (Saturdays - special pricing!)
*Discounts are also available for employees of companies including Wells Fargo, UBS, ING, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Raymond James, Edward Jones, as well as others. Please call Stalla Customer Service to inquire about these discounts and register for classes at 877-727-7232.
Please contact Amy Napolski, Field Marketing Specialist, at anapolski@stalla.com or (651)797-2135 if you have any questions.
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| Kaplan Schweser |
Kaplan Schweser offers online or in-class instructor-led study programs featuring valuable exam tips, study strategies, guidance and direction from the world's leading CFA curriculum and CFA exam experts. CFA Minnesota has partnered with Schweser to make this available at a 15% discount to our members.
Kaplan Schweser has helped tens of thousands of candidates pass their CFA exams. We offer the broadest array of CFA exam preparation tools available anywhere and can also help you, whatever your individual learning style and educational needs.
- Expert live, online, and multimedia instruction from the largest and most experienced staff of Finance PhDs and CFA charterholders
- SchweserNotes™ for clear and concise explanations of every Learning Outcome in the CFA curriculum
- A question bank with thousands of exam-like questions
- Six full (6-hour) practice exams for your final exam preparation
- Review seminars (live and online) and mock exams for added confidence on exam day
Receive 15% OFF select Kaplan Schweser Study Solutions and Instruction for CFA Exam review-an exclusive discount for affiliate members of the CFA Society of Minnesota.
For more information, click HERE.
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| Boston Security Analysts Society: | | |
 CFA Minnesota is happy to continue our collaboration with the Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. affiliate of the CFA Institute.
We will once again be offering the following for your personal use:
1) Practice Exam - US$149. A full-length, properly formatted practice exam based on CFA Institute's 2009 Body of Knowledge® which includes a detailed answer key with LOS and curriculum references and calculations.
2) Online Test Bank - as a special offer, receive FREE (a US$99 value) access to extra exam questions online: 700 Level I questions, 360 for Level II, and 180 multiple choice questions plus 30 constructed responses for Level III candidates - grouped by topical area.
Click HERE for some quick facts about this offering.
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| CFALA presents: Streaming Media Program | | |
 USC/CFALA CFA® Review Program
For more than 25 years the CFA Society of Los Angeles (CFALA) in partnership with the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business (USC) has offered southern California candidates a "live" CFA® Review Program for each level of the CFA Study and Examination Program.
The USC/CFALA CFA Review Program features state-of-the-art streaming media recordings of structured classroom-based instruction by practitioners in the financial industry and academics from local Universities. Instruction is focused on the comprehension of the assigned materials in the Study Guides with an emphasis on the Learning Outcome Statements.
The program includes secure access to streaming media recordings of all study sessions. Level I recordings offer over 60 hours of instruction with bonus classes in study/test-taking tips, Accounting Essentials, an Accounting Review and Quant Review. Level II offers over 50 hours of instruction and Level III offers over 34 hours. PDFs of each instructor's PowerPoint presentations and handouts are included as well as email communication with instructors and coordinators.
For Technical Requirements and Support, click HERE.
To Register for this program, please click HERE.
* There will be no refunds after February 24th, 2011.
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Study Group: February 15th, 2011
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Level I, II & III Study Groups
If you are planning to sit for any level of the CFA exam in June, 2011, we want to help you find a study group! On February 15th, we'll have a meet-and-greet for candidates interested in a study group. It will be held at Forum Restaurant in Minneapolis. Alumni will be available to answer questions and help get the group started. Contact Volunteer Travis Hoium for more information.
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Annual Premier Sponsor
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Visit the online version of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, where you'll find the latest breaking business news, updated throughout the day, some of this week's top stories from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and other popular features from the print edition. Click Here.
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Thank You to our Annual Sponsors: | | |
 
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About the CFA Society of Minnesota:
Founded in 1952, the CFA Society of Minnesota is a member of the CFA Institute. It is the 16th largest society of among the 140 member societies and affiliates worldwide.
Mission:
To enhance the investment profession by promoting high ethical behavior, professional excellence, and fellowship through high quality, innovative programming.
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