May 06 Newsletter



ASMC Washington Chapter, P.O. BOX 16237, Arlington, VA 22215-1237

ASMC - Washington Chapter

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A Five Star Chapter

May 2006

Date: 10 MAY 2006 LUNCHEON Time: 11:30Am Place: holiday inn

President’s Message

By Capt Thomas McGuire

President, ASMC Washington Chapter

Greetings everyone!

Are you ready for the PDI?!

Summer is upon us and that means national PDI in San Diego!! It promises to be a wonderful event! We are always happy for more volunteers to help work the chapter booth, so if you’d like to join the fun, please send your Name, email address and phone number to Brenda LaFleur lafleurbl@ at 703 607-7200 x142. Everyone who has taken part in this in the past has had a blast!

Our guest at this month’s luncheon will be Mr. Charles A. Calhoun, Program Director for the Army’s General Fund Enterprise Business System. Please join us in welcoming him this Wednesday, May 10th at the Alexandria Holiday Inn. See you there!

Capt Thomas F. McGuire

ASMC, Washington Chapter President

Today’s Speaker

CHARLES “CHUCK” CALHOUN

Program Director, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller)

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Mr. Calhoun is the Program Director for the Army’s General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) and is the senior information resource manager in OASA (FM&C). As the senior career functional representative he is responsible for the business process reengineering of the Army’s accounting and financial systems. He develops and implements Army-wide business process changes to ensure compliance with financial statutory and regulatory requirements; leverages commercial software technologies and products to meet the Army’s financial systems requirements; and, ensures reengineered accounting and finance business processes and systems comply with standards developed by the Federal Accounting Standards Board , DoD Financial Management Regulation, and other applicable statutory requirements.

Mr. Calhoun returned to the Department of Defense in June 2005 after six years at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) where he was the Business Systems Architect and Agency Business Process Lead for NASA’s Integrated Financial Management System.

Mr. Calhoun began his civil service career in 1977 with the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, South Carolina as an Accounting Intern. Over the next 22 years, he held numerous positions within the Department of Defense, including: Operating Accountant, System Accountant, Data Analyst, Program Analyst, Cost Analyst and Functional Architect. From February 2003 to July 2004, Mr. Calhoun was detailed to the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP) staff to assist in the qualification testing of commercial off-the-shelf software and update of the Federal Core Financial Systems Requirements.

Mr. Calhoun is a U.S. Navy veteran. He earned his Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Montevallo and his Masters of Arts from Ball State University.

Mr. Calhoun’s honors and awards include ASMC Budgeting Award, Special Act Awards, Performance Awards and Certificate of Appreciation from the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

National News

CDFM Acquisition Module Available

ASMC is pleased to announce that an optional fourth module of the Certified Defense Financial Managers (CDFM) exam is now available. This optional module deals with the rules governing acquisition of major defense systems. Candidates enrolled in the CDFM Program will take the basic three modules and become CDFM, and those who elect to take and then pass the optional fourth module examination will become “CDFM with Acquisition Specialty”.

Why Become “CDFM with Acquisition Specialty”?

We believe CDFMs should take the fourth module because passing it:

• Provides objective evidence of knowledge of defense acquisition rules and regulations, which will be highly useful if financial managers are assuming acquisition jobs

• Demonstrates depth of knowledge that will help in winning promotions and jobs

•Offers personal satisfaction by demonstrating knowledge of key information important in financial management

How to Prepare For This Test

ASMC has commissioned the creation of a one-day course that will help you prepare for the module 4 exam. The course, to be taught by a former professor at the Defense Acquisition University, will be first presented at the ASMC National 2006 PDI in San Diego. Unfortunately this pre-conference event is now full. However, if your command or base/installation would like to arrange for a local presentation of the course please contact Mr. John Bunnell (bunnell@).

You may also study on your own using the addendum to the CDFM textbook that is now available. To purchase a copy of this addendum, which we will sell for $15, send your request to ASMC (ATTN: Textbook Sales, 415 North Alfred St. Suite 3, Alexandria, VA 22314) with your payment and full mailing address. If using a credit card you may send your request via email, with the subject line “ACQUISITION MODULE TEXTBOOK,” to acqmodule@ or via fax at 703-549-3181. Include your credit card number, expiration date and your complete postal mailing address.

Enrollment and Taking the Test

If you are already a CDFM, there will be no added enrollment fee to take the module 4 exam for the rest of this calendar year (2006). All you need to do is send an e-mail with the title “ACQUISITION ENROLLMENT” to AcqModule@ and include your name and certificate number. Once your enrollment is reactivated you will be notified via email and you can take the module 4 test at any authorized testing site for the current test fee of $95 per examination. If you pass and receive a letter of confirmation from us, you are eligible to refer to yourself as a “CDFM with Acquisition Specialty.” Exercising your option to take the Module 4 exam will not jeopardize your status as a CDFM.

Those who pass and want a revised certificate indicating their new specialty will be required to pay a fee of $35 to cover the costs of the new certificate. If you pass the module and want a new certificate, send an e-mail titled “NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST” to AcqModule@ and include your name (as you wish it to appear on the certificate), full mailing address and credit card information.

Individuals currently enrolled and taking the basic CDFM tests, and future enrollees, will automatically be eligible to take this optional fourth module examination. For the moment there is no change in the enrollment fee. However, if an individual wishes to take the fourth module he or she must let us know so that we may authorize the module for your purchase and also hold your CDFM certificate until all four modules have been completed.

PDI Workshop Reporters Wanted

The ASMC website will feature highlights of the PDI, including reports on a selection of PDI workshops. We're looking for volunteers to serve as our reporters. No experience required!

This is a wonderful opportunity to share PDI training with those who are not able to attend, and to be published on the website of your professional association.

PDI 2006

Register for a dynamic training event, May 30 - June 2, 2006, at the San Diego Convention Center.  Be sure to check out the Special Events page to learn about optional events on Tuesday and throughout the week.  Events include Microsoft courses, a Volksmarch, the 5K, a health fair and a San Diego Padres game!

If you anticipated attending and reserved a room, but now are unable to attend please release your reservation.  Room availability is tight and PDI registration exceeds last year's pace.

Achievement awards are presented annually to individuals and teams who have been nominated for outstanding accomplishment within one of the functional fields of comptrollership.  The selection committee has determined all calendar year 2005 winners.  Winners have all been notified by phone or e-mail.  Congratulations to all the winners!  Click here for list of winners.

Source: ASMC National website:

Washington Chapter Fair PDI, 2006

LOOKING FOR AN ENERGETIC TEAM TO WORK THE BOOTH at CHAPTER FAIR PDI San Diego, 1 Jun 1800-2200

Kick Off Meeting was Thursday 20 April 1130 Century Café Crystal City (next to NFCU, south side Crystal Center)

Objective of the Kick Off meeting -

• Get a list of volunteers (name, email, phone work, cell, hotel)

• Talk about costumes and give-a-ways.

• Assign leads for prizes, marketing, work schedule

Chapter Fair 2006, a Carnival by the Sea atmosphere entitled "On the Boardwalk".

There will be No Booth Decorations required.

Volunteers will be working a booth (already set up by a Carnival Crew).

The Washington Chapter Game for the Booth is the Triangle Toss -

The Triangle Toss board is a slanted board with 6 containers mounted on it in the shape of a triangle. It is placed at the back of the booth. The player tosses beanbags into the containers. To make the game harder you can require the player to get all three beanbags in one container in order to win first prize. Otherwise, 3 beanbags in wins first prize, 2 wins second and one wins third.

Chapter Fair 2006 has been revamped! There will be a variety of carnival game booths for all ages, a DJ playing beach music, dancing, food, and even a dunk tank! Costume contests replace the booth decorating contest. Each participating chapter will man a carnival game booth and profit from the total game sales. Game tickets will be sold at a central ticket booth so there will be no money collection required in the game booths. In lieu of individual prizes/trinkets, winners will receive tickets to enter into door prize drawings held throughout the evening. Chapters may award prizes to winners, in addition to the tickets, to attract more participants but it is not a requirement.

If you were not able to make the meeting but are still interested in helping, please send your Name, email address, phone number to Brenda LaFleur lafleurbl@ 703 607-7200 x142 so future meetings and announcements may be sent directly to the volunteers.

We desperately need your help, as of the present time, there are not enough volunteers to assist with the booth, so if you are interested, please contact Brenda LaFleur at the info above as soon as possible.

PDI Chapter Fair Q&A

Q. Can you clarify the last sentence in the third paragraph of the Chapter Fair Invitation “If you plan to conduct a raffle please refer to the attached site for guidelines? ”?

A: Tickets purchased to play games are not considered a raffle but if your chapter chooses to conduct a raffle at your table, and then the guidelines apply.

Q: How many tickets do we charge to play each game?

A: One (1) ticket. Refer below for the level of difficulty:

a) win-win, 1 ticket per chance;

b) easy, 1 ticket per chance;

c) intermediate, 1 ticket (receives 2 chances, if 1st chance wins then 2nd chance is voided);

d) hard, 1 ticket (receives 2 chances, if 1st chance wins then 2nd chance is voided).

Q: How will chapters raise money for their scholarship fund?

A:  Game tickets will be sold at a ticket table/booth manned by San Diego Chapter for $1 per ticket. Ticket sale proceeds will be divided equally between participating chapters.

Q: How does the prize drawing work?

A:  Game winners will receive an entry form to enter into prize drawings. Winners need not be present to win.  Winners must claim their prize Friday morning. Exact time and place of pick up TBD. Unclaimed prizes will be donated to a local charity.

Q: What kind of contest replaced the booth contest? What are the categories for the contest?

A: There will be a beach style outfit contest with the following categories:

a) Best Male

b) Best Female

Q: Does the $50.00 fee for reserving a booth include one carnival game booth AND a table for Chapters to display Chapter information and have prize drawings?

A: Yes, a game booth and an optional 6-foot table with 2 chairs will be set together.  There is no requirement for Chapters to decorate the booth/table. We are not encouraging Chapters to hold a 'raffle'. If you choose to do that then you will need to determine how to comply with CA law. 

Q: Will a Chapter man the carnival game booth they "select" for the entire evening?

A: Yes.

Q: If we give raffle tickets away and accept a recommended donation from the recipient of that ticket, that our Chapter can keep 100% of these donations?  And, because we are giving away raffle tickets, we do NOT need to register with the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts?

A: That is a possible interpretation; however we (and the National office) are not encouraging chapters to have a 'raffle'. 

Q: Do we get to pick a game to man? How does the process work?

A: A list of games and instructions are enclosed. The game booth selection is based on a first come, first serve basis. Please submit 3 games your chapter is interested in. We will do our best to accommodate each chapter’s request.

Q: Do we need to set up game booths?

A: The company providing the games will set up Thursday morning. There will be no one allowed to enter the Chapter Fair area during set up which should be completed by 4:00PM. Since there is no booth decorating, it is expected that Chapter Fair Participants should be able to enter the area between 4:00PM and 5:00PM to familiarize themselves with their selected game booth.

Q: Will we be able to display our chapter banner?

A: Yes. There is a bar that goes across the front of the booth that you can hang a banner with “s” hooks or string, but you need to allow for the one foot overhang on the front of the booth.  If you need “s” hooks please specify quantity.

Q: Are we allowed to bring edible goods i.e. candy, baked goods?

A: Per contract with the convention center, perishable, edible items are not allowed to be brought into the convention center to give away.

Q: What concessions will be sold at the Chapter Fair?

A: Hot dogs, assorted salads, pizza, nachos, Cracker Jacks, popcorn, cotton candy, potato chips, pretzels, candy/caramel apples, ice cream, churros, assorted beverages.

Q: Do the chapters have to purchase prizes?

A: No. ASMC will purchase $800 in game prizes.

DoD Information

DoD Achieves Military Equipment Milestone –FM Get Training for Next Step

By Mr. Ric Sylvester, Deputy Director, Acquisition Resources & Analysis for Property & Equipment Policy, in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)

The Department of Defense (DoD), for the first time in its history, has established the value of each item of military equipment in the DoD inventory, using a consistent approach that can be audited. To meet this challenge, the Property and Equipment (P&E) Policy Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), working with the Military Departments, developed a way to consistently establish the value of military equipment based on a set of principle-based business rules. Then, over a three-and-a-half-year period, P&E Policy Office accountants reviewed more than 1,100 programs and applied these business rules and valuation process to each piece of military equipment.

Having established the initial value of the military equipment is a huge accomplishment and a key step toward obtaining a clean audit opinion for DoD and the Federal Government—and it represents the Department’s drive to fulfill the promise in the President’s Management Agenda to “secure the best performance and highest measure of accountability for the American people.”

Now, this important initiative calls for the financial management community to work with the acquisition workforce and the logistics community across all the Military Departments to assert that the military equipment baseline value is ready for audit.

These three communities within the Department are essential strategic partners in achieving improved financial management, because the business events that trigger financial transactions occur out in the functional communities. Financial managers must work with Program Managers and Inventory Managers to capture those events and record them accurately. To help foster the necessary coordination and cooperation across the communities, the P&E Policy Office has launched a new training program and website.

Onsite Training

The P&E Policy Office, assisted by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), has designed a training program to instruct Financial Managers and members of the Acquisition and Logistics communities on the basics of Military Equipment Valuation (MEV), including how to value, capitalize, depreciate, account for, and report military equipment data on financial statements. The training is being conducted in 12 locations across the United States, now through early June 2006. Training in Washington, DC area begins May 23, 2006.

Advance registration is required, and space is limited, so REGISTER TODAY by going to and clicking on the link for Onsite MEV Training.

New Website

The P&E Policy Office also launched the Military Equipment Valuation & Accountability (MEVA) website: . The website is designed to help people who are new to MEV. It features an MEV Overview video presentation and provides general information, including why and how the initiative is being implemented. It also describes the specific process being used to determine the initial baseline of military equipment, how this baseline will be updated and maintained, and how military equipment values will be determined in the future.

MEV Matters

Implementing MEV is important for the entire DoD. It gives senior management officials reliable and accurate information, comparable across programs over time, to make better investment decisions—and it helps build the public’s trust that DoD is prudently managing its financial resources. For additional information, visit .

Upcoming Events

DATE EVENTS

23 May CDFM Module 2 Training

30 May – 2 June National PDI-San Diego

8 or 12 June Exec Board Meeting

12 June ASMC Luncheon

6 July Exec Board Meeting

10 July ASMC Luncheon

13 July Annual Golf Tournament

Please make a reservation if you plan to attend. The Chapter uses this number to guarantee a certain amount of lunches to the hotel. If you find that you cannot attend, please cancel. Otherwise, the Chapter may have to pay for your luncheon.

Chapter News

Mr. Jorge Roca was promoted to GS15 - Director, Management Services and Internal Review Directorate.

Ms. Wanching Yu was the raffle winner from the April Luncheon.

Chapter CDFM News

New CDFMs Invited to Attend the May Luncheon!

In accordance with the Washington Chapter's CDFM Recognition Program, the following new CDFMs have been invited to attend the May luncheon as guests of the Chapter.

Earnest Daniel

Adam Dorosz

Brig Gen Sandra Gregory

Stuart Hart

Christopher Heinbach

Reginald Howard

Todd Howey

Timothy Landvogt

Bradley Lewis

Lenell Lucas

Karl Payne

CDFM Module 2 Training

Fifty ASMC members will participate in the CDFM Module 2 Training on 23 May. The class will be held in the Pentagon and from 0730 until 1630 in Room 3D1019. The response to this course was tremendous with well over 100 replies. Selections to participate were made based on when the replies were received. Several email notices have been sent to the top 50 candidates to determine their availability and as people have declined others from the waiting list have been notified to plan to attend. Currently we do have 50 people who have indicated they will attend. So anyone who has not been notified should assume they will not have a seat in the class.

Entrance into the Pentagon requires a building pass for the NCR or two photo identification documents. Only one attendee has indicated they need an escort. Please allow extra time to get through the security station on 23 May.

Those who will attend will need to bring with them the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course textbook which can be purchased for $40 from ASMC Headquarters. Since the book will be mailed, recommend orders be faxed to (703)549-3181. Orders should include credit card number, expiration date and the zip code for the credit card mailing address. Attendees must bring a textbook.

CDFM Modules may be taken in any order, module 2 was selected since it had the most interest and since timing seemed right for the subject: Planning, Programming and Budgeting (all organizational levels); Cost and Economic Analysis; Business Management Process Improvement; Fiscal Law. Thanks to all who have assisted in getting this class organized especially Darlene Thompson, MDA, and Cheryl Haggard, DISA.

Chapter Competition Program

The Chapter Competition Program (CCP) is designed to promote interaction with each Chapter and National in order to provide an effective professional organization.

This is achieved by providing all Chapters an opportunity to gain points to be considered for awards that are presented yearly by the National organization.

The following are some of the categories that are considered:

a. Membership growth,

b. Chapter awards and high school scholarships,

c. Newsletters, publicity, and chapter web sites,

d. Community service events,

e. Specific administrative functions such as an annual audit, constitution and bylaws, and membership rosters,

f. Publication of articles and technical papers,

g. Certified training programs

An annual report must be submitted to National by 10 April of each year. The Chapter Competition period runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Additionally, other awards are presented based on the points gained from Chapter Competition:

a. Five Star Award - minimum activities required to maintain a basic, healthy chapter:

1. Monthly meetings,

2. Newsletters,

3. Executive Board meetings,

4. Membership and Executive Board Rosters,

5. Annual audit

6. Constitution and Bylaws

b. Community Service

Student Scholarship

2006 Student Scholarship Recipients

The Washington Chapter is presenting ten awards of $1,000 to:

• Letitia Wu

    Langley High

• Kendall Ingram

    Osbourn High

• Linnette Lam

    West Springfield High

• Richard Walsh

    West Springfield High

• Vanessa Holliday

    Osbourn High

• Sheetal Patel

    Potomac Senior High

• Christopher Hughes

    Servern School

• Kathleen Greulich

    South River High

• Charles Harris

    Northern High

• Michelle Romanek

    Northern High

Member Services

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

As a member of ASMC, you and your family are eligible for membership in Pentagon Federal Credit Union, one of the best values offered to the Army, Air Force, and DoD communities. They’ve been providing financial services specially designed to meet the unique needs of the military community for almost 70 years.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of low-rate loans for cars, homes, and just about everything in between. Their flexible checking accounts and high-yield certificates and savings plans will help you with your everyday financial needs. And, their rates are some of the best in the country.

No matter where you are in the world, you can access your accounts at Pentagon Federal and conduct transactions 24 hours a day via live-agent, toll-free telephone, or Internet service, through traditional branch offices, fax, mail, and more than 530,000 ATMs worldwide.

They’re especially proud to offer you the 9.9% APR ASMC Visa Gold card with no annual fee, no cash advance fee, and no balance transfer fee. With one of the best rates in the nation, the Pentagon Federal ASMC Visa Gold card features the ASMC logo, so you can let everyone know that you’re a proud member of ASMC. You can apply for the card online right now using their secure online loan application.

If you’re not already a member of Pentagon Federal Credit Union, you can join today using their secure online membership application. If you are a member, make sure you check out the ASMC Visa Gold card, it’s a winner!

Wells Fargo Capital for Knowledge®

The American Society of Military Comptrollers has teamed up with the Wells Fargo Capital for Knowledge® program, making it easier than ever for you and your family members to obtain the education financing they need! You can borrow funds to cover all education-related expenses, including a current or previous year's tuition, room and board, books, fees, and even a personal computer. An instant credit decision is available over the phone or online, and rates and terms are personalized to meet your specific credit profile.

Funding is available for: Undergraduate and graduate studies; vocational training and career advancement courses; IT certification; Private K-12 schools; Education loan consolidation.

The Capital for Knowledge program can help you by offering: Rates as low as Prime; 24-hour online account access; Affordable monthly payments; Secure online application delivery; Rate-reduction rewards; Access to the federal PLUS and Stafford loan programs

FREE online education resources are available, including scholarship and college search engines. Visit

University of Phoenix Online

ASMC is pleased to announce a new member benefit. Members may now receive a significant discount on tuition with the University of Phoenix Online. For more information or to register, call 800-366-9699, and ask to be transferred to the military team, and identify yourself as an ASMC member. More information will also be made available here in the near future.

 

Next Meeting

June Luncheon

SPEAKER: Mr. Robert Hale

TOPIC: Installation of 2006-2008 Chapter Vice Presidents

PLACE: Holiday Inn, Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria

DATE: June 12, 2006

TIME: Social 11:30, Lunch 12:00

For the most updated information on future events, please visit our website at:



Washington Chapter Officers for 2005 - 2006

|Name |Title |E-Mail |Phone |

|CAPT Thomas McQuire |President |thomas.f.mcquire@navy.mil |(703)-614-3945 |

|Beverly Velt |Secretary |beverly.veit@navy.mil |(202) 685-6718 |

|CAPT Carlos Ybarra |Treasurer |carlos.yberra@navy.mil |(703) 692-0902 |

|Elizabeth McGrath |OSD Vice President |Elizabeth.Mcgrath@osd.mil |(703) 614-3883 |

|Lucy Williams |OSD Ass't Secretary |lucy.williams@osd.mil |(703) 571-9183 |

|Robert Benefiel |DFAS Vice President |Robert.E.Benefiel@dfas.mil |(703) 607-2848 |

|Sherri Anthony |DFAS Ass't Secretary |Sherri.Anthony@dfas.mil |(703) 601-2476 |

|Jim Anderholm |Army Vice President |Jim.Anderholm@hqda.army.mil |(703) 692-4982 |

|Mary Williams |Army Ass't Secretary |mary.r.williams@hqda.army.mil |(703) 693-2818 |

|Ednora Armour-Ohanmu |Navy Vice President |ednora.armour-ohanmu@navy.mil |(703) 614-2768 |

|Brenda LaFleur |Navy Ass't Secretary |LaFleurBL@ |(703) 607-7094 x142 |

|Vacant |USMC Vice President | | |

|Arlillian Coleman |USMC Ass't Secretary |Arlillian.coleman@usmc.mil |703-614-2023 |

|Keith Hicks |Air Force Vice President |Keith.Hicks@pentagon.af.mil |(703) 604-4325 |

|Michael Ebiala |Air Force Ass't Secretary |Michael.ebiala@pentagon.af.mil |(703) 697-5596 |

|Warren Cottingham |USCG Vice President |Wcottingham@comdt.uscg.mil |(202) 267-0484 |

|LT Robert Hart |USCG Ass't Secretary |RHart@elcbalt.uscg.mil |(410) 762-6483 |

|Craig Silcox |Corporate Vice President |Csilcox@ |(202) 533-4296 |

|Brian Boshart |Corporate Ass't Secretary |Brian.boshart@ |(703) 289-6832 |

 

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