Next Steps on GFOA's DEI Journey

Advancing excellence in government finance is interconnected with GFOA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). GFOA has long incorporated principles of DEI with both employees and members and had the opportunity over the past year to formally commit to our DEI initiatives. Along with the creation of an executive board committee focused on the topic, addition of DEI to GFOA's bylaws and Code of Ethics, and taking the CEO pledge for diversity and inclusion, GFOA has been active conducting research on how DEI impacts public finance. This session will highlight GFOA's recent research into political polarization, fairness, and behavioral science; present GFOA's strategy for DEI in the future; and provide an opportunity for members to give feedback and comments on where GFOA can be most helpful with future projects.

Terri Velasquez, CPA, CPFO, Jennifer Brown, Veronica Carrillo, and 2 others

1 CPE credit

Basic

Annual Black Caucus Business Meeting

The Annual Black Caucus Business Meeting will be used to address the business of the Caucus, including the election of new officers. An update on the activity of the Caucus will also be provided to members. This year’s business meeting will feature two guest speakers. First, will be Jonathan Blasher, Director of Parks and Nature for Oregon Metro to discuss how the organization has worked to implement a $475 million bond measure to improve access to nature, water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, and the region’s climate resilience around principles of racial equity and climate justice. Second, will be Sebrina Owens-Wilson, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director at Oregon Metro. She will discuss how the regional government strives to deliver racial equity outcomes in the Greater Portland Area, focusing on one of their current initiatives, the Construction Career Pathways Regional Framework.

Jon Blasher, Margaret Dalley-Johns, Sabrina Owens-Wilson

1.5 CPE credit

Update

Small Government Forum - Networking Event

GFOA's Small Government Forum provides an opportunity for members of small governments to network and exchange information on topics unique to the demands of managing a small government. In this session, a panel of speakers will discuss unique challenges that small governments face with recruiting, cross training employees, and individuals taking on multiple roles in an increasingly complex public finance environment. Created in 2015, the Forum is currently open to GFOA members in small jurisdictions from the United States and Canada with populations of 25,000 or less, or with employee counts of 500 or less.

Gloria Butsch, Norman Eckstein, Chas Ann Fadrigo, MBA, and 2 others

2 CPE credits

Basic

3-2-1 – Liftoff: Launch of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus

Thanks to the efforts of the members of GFOA's LGBTQIA+ task force, GFOA will be launching a new affinity group for LGBTQIA+ members. This session will be the first official meeting of the group. We will discuss the process that led to the group's formation, review bylaws, elect officers, and hear from members of the task force. We encourage all members of the community and allies to attend and make themselves heard.

AK

Kevin Bain, Jennifer Davis, Andrew Kramer

1 CPE credit

Basic

Separate but Together: The Role and Benefits from GFOA's Network of State and Provincial Associations

GFOA does not act alone in working to advance excellence in government finance. While each exists as a separate organization, the state, provincial, and regional GFOA associations support public finance issues below the national or international level and provide critical support to members and excellent opportunities for education classes, networking events, and leadership positions. In this session, speakers will discuss the role of GFOA's more than fifty association partners and what members can expect in the future as we work together to enhance member benefits.

Community for Canadian Issues

As Canadian governments work to confront workforce, revenue, and expenditure challenges in today's new fiscal environment, GFOA is working to build a stronger network of Canadian finance officers to share best practices, develop relationships, trade stories and experiences, and learn from each other’s collective knowledge. In this session, leading Canadian finance officers will discuss the challenges faced by their jurisdiction and the approaches to overcome them. In addition, attend to hear about plans for GFOA's new Community for Canadian Issues and learn how you can become more involved.

Note: Immediately following this session, GFOA will be hosting a lunch discussion/networking event for Canadian GFOA members