A Strong Message at the Second Event
We can continue to build our community!
On May 14th, 37 financial planners, bankers, estate planning attorneys and other professionals gathered at The Matthews House for the second Professional Advisors Group event of the Cary Community Foundation. They were there to hear Bob Hatley talk about current financial issues and the banking industry in this area. They also heard a very specific tax planning strategy for their clients to consider in planning for their future, their children’s and for their charitable intents.
As Mr. Hatley spoke of the major challenges facing the economy and the need to rebuild confidence in the marketplace, sounds of construction threatened to interrupt his presentation. Completely unintentionally, the crew that was supposed to have stopped at 5:00 was still working to get the job done.
When Mr. Hatley had completed his remarks, the owner of The Matthews House stood and apologized for the construction noise. She said, “…but, ya know, we decided not to participate in the recession. And let me tell you about this organization, The Cary Community Foundation. We are building the Foundation right now to enable everyone to help build our community.”
It had not been planned that way. But her message could not have been more clear. These times give us the chance to prove to ourselves and to each other that we can persevere. We can continue to build our community in new ways, despite the challenges we face in doing so.
The Professional Advisors Group is growing! The next meeting will be in the fall.
Professional Advisors Group Sponsors Second Program
The committee is underwriting the May program itself. We want it to be of, by and for professional advisors. Our intent is to develop a cadre of accomplished colleagues who understand what a powerful tool the community foundation can be for their clients.
Bob Hatley will be our speaker. Obviously, in his position as CEO of Paragon Bank, he will help us get a strong perspective on the economy and financial issues in this area. Then, among ourselves, we will be discussing how the different tools at Cary Community Foundation can meet our clients’ needs as they restructure their financial plans.
This is our second confab. Last fall we met at McGregor to hear Dr. Mike Walden’s forecast on North Carolina’s unfolding economic challenges for this year. We are grateful to Curtis Westbrook for underwriting that event. The Professional Advisor’s Group will continue to have two gatherings each year. In addition, we are available to the Foundation as resources for them and their donors when it is helpful.
If you are a professional who would like to attend this event, please contact the Foundation’s Development Officer, Worth Durgin, at worth.ccf@earthlink.net or call 468-1000.
Professional Advisors Group Established
About the Committee
This Group is a bridge between the Foundation and those professionals in the community to whom our neighbors turn for expertise and counsel in considering how to arrange their financial and tax affairs. It is crucial to our mission, to help those donors accomplish their objectives and to also help other not-for-profit organizations gain appropriate support from their donors, that these professionals know our work and support our efforts.
The Professional Advisors Group
Kate Hovis, Chair
Sheila Ahler
Kathy Burns
Tanya Hervey
Ed Kenney
Jack Lancaster
Jim Lucas
Sue Sprunger
Inaugural Professional Advisors Group Seminar Fall 2008
Over forty established professionals and Foundation supporters attended the first Professional Advisor Group Seminar last fall. This informative event is the first opportunity they have had to begin building this bridge and creating these opportunities. Kate Hovis ably brought this Group together and provided a solid panel presentation, which touched on four key tax considerations that donors will need to take into consideration when making their personal financial plans and their plans for major gifts.
Featured at the breakfast meeting was Michael Walden. Given his widely recognized expertise regarding North Carolinas emerging experience in the Global Economy, Dr. Walden gave an encouraging assessment of how our state, and in particular the Triangle region will fare during this period of economic turmoil. His remarks provided an important context for donors to continue to plan and to make major gifts in the coming months.
Future events of The Professional Advisor's Group will feature continuing credit for lawyers, accountants and certified financial planners. Of this first event, Kate Hovis said, " Given the extraordinary opportunity to hear Dr. Walden speak, we wanted as broad group as possible to hear his current, important thinking. Moreover, having both professionals and some of their clients present, embodied the vey purpose of The Group. After all, our purpose is to facilitate philanthropy by connecting professionals, donors and our not-for-profit sector for the betterment of our community."