Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors United Healthcare & Jackson National

Message from FPA LI Chapter President, Mark Badami

Four Pillars of the FPA Long Island

These truly are exciting times for the FPA Chapter of Long Island! I look forward to being a part of the continued success and forward movement of this organization. The Board and I are committed to leading FPA LI in a direction that allows for our members to grow professionally, through education on today’s most pressing topics and networking, allowing you to provide the highest level of service to your clients.

I thought in my first newsletter as President of the FPA of Long Island, this would be a good time to reinforce the many reasons why you should continue to be a valued member of this fine organization. Too many times I have heard people who are not members of the FPA say, “Why should I join, I don’t see the value?” To that I say, “Shame on you!” There are many things that the FPA Chapter of Long Island brings to the table, I like to call them the Four Pillars of the FPA LI.   

Pillar 1 - Charitable Intent … Each year we give back to the community by hosting or supporting other organizations, such as National Association of CPA Practitioner’s Ellen Gordon CPA 4(a): Cause 5K Run/ Walk in June at Eisenhower Park, with the proceeds benefiting Island Harvest. This year we will also participate in a “Build Day” for Habitat for Humanity. We hope many of you will join us and show off your house building skills. Please continue to check our website for dates and more details.

Pillar 2 – Advocacy Program . .. In response to a request from the National FPA, our local chapter has developed a new Board Position. Allow me to welcome Joyce Streithorst, CFP®, MSFS, CDFA as our new Advocacy Chair. She has hit the ground running and has already arranged for us to visit with state law makers in Albany on Tuesday, May 14th for our first NYS Advocacy Day. In addition, Joyce has also made arrangements for our chapter to join FPA National as they meet with federal law makers in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 5th and Thursday, June 6th. We welcome those members who would like to accompany us to Washington. This is a great opportunity to meet our representatives and voice your opinions on today’s issues. The FPA LI chapter will be providing transportation to both locations. Moreover, any member who has relationships with these law makers, please reach out to us. We would like to know who you are and who you know.

Pillar 3 - Program Meetings … One of our strongest points and is headed by two dynamos in the industry, Larry Sangirardi, CFP® and Cliff Walsh, CFA. Our chapter promises no less than eight (8) program meetings offering at least two (2) credit hours per workshop. So far, in January we hosted our traditional “Understanding the New 1040” course. The meeting was especially helpful to understanding how the New Trump Tax Plan will affect our clients. In February, our very own Pro Bono Chair, Dan Mazzola, CFP®, presented, and simulcasted in two locations, Garden City and Holbrook, on “Smarter Social Security” . This was a broad overview of the Social Security program as it pertains to retirees and their beneficiaries, while emphasizing spousal and survivor benefits. The auxiliary benefits were examined, and attendees learned how to optimize payouts using a simple strategy for their clients. It was truly a dynamic presentation! The March 27th meeting was two-fold, Medicaid and Protecting the Homestead and Divorce Planning – Mediation vs Litigation . The speakers, both attorneys, shared their knowledge to offer 2 CE credits to attendees. Keep a look out for the invitation to the next chapter meeting on Wednesday, April 17th.

Pillar 4 – NexGen Committee . .. Our final pillar is our commitment to our younger members. This Committee is being led by one of our newest member of the FPA LI Board of Directors, Youxi Liu, CFP®, CPA. Youxi has committed to increasing awareness to our younger professionals about what the FPA LI has to offer. One of the biggest draws to young professionals, is our Mentorship program. What better place for a young advisor to meet up with more seasoned advisors and ask them questions pertaining to the business? This is also a big part of the business succession plan that some of our members who are close to retirement age might be looking into. It can assist them in assuring that their clients are well taken care of once their book of business is sold. Our NexGen committee, has the ability to help our chapter grow and prosper.

And that is not all that we do! One of our favorite programs is the FPA LI Annual Scott Hirschbein Memorial Golf Outing. Where else can you play a round of golf, have breakfast and lunch for $185? The outing will be held at the Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge on Monday, June 3rd. This year’s Golf chair is Stephen Conroy. Steve is also FPA LI’s Director of Membership. Steve is doing a spectacular job coming up with great ideas for what will prove to be one of our best Golf Outings yet. The event fills up fast, so don’t hesitate to sign up as soon as possible.

 

Let’s not forget about our ever improving and motivating FPA of Long Island Annual Symposium & Exhibition . This year will mark our 20th year of hosting this momentous event. Last year we had such speakers as NASCAR’s Legend, Jeff Gordon talking about what retirement looks like for a NASCAR driver, and Mountaineer Alan Mallory shared what it takes to climb one of the world’s tallest and most technical peaks. Both presentations were dynamic and motivating. This year the Symposium will be held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Wednesday, October 30th . Chaired by two incredibly creative individuals, John Baldi, CPA and Joyce Streithorst, CFP®, this event will be brought to a new level that has not been seen before. Anyone who would like to contribute ideas can get involved by joining the Symposium Committee. Keep a watchful eye out for the next committee meeting reminder emails. Having chaired this event the last two years, I can tell you first hand that this is truly a rewarding experience. 

Our Membership Committee Chair, Stephen Conroy has his work cut out for himself. This year we set a goal of Membership in our chapter to 400! An increase of 50 new members! Please make a point to join us at our next Membership Drive to not only mix and mingle with fellow and prospective members, but to find out how you can get $50 off next year’s membership just by referring a new member. Know anyone new to the Industry? Encourage them to join! The FPA Spring Membership Drive is going on through April 30th, offering new members a savings of $200 off membership dues!

Our Fee Advisory Group is being chaired by new Board Member, Dominic Privitera, CFP®, CRPC®.

This elite group is where Fee only professionals get together to brainstorm different ideas about business as well as discuss economic trends and forecasting ideas in a small group setting. If you are interested in attending one of these meetings, you need to act fast when you see the email. Space to the Fee Advisory Group meetings are limited to only 25 members. Check the website regularly for dates and locations. 

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t recognize the following people who work tirelessly for the FPA LI on a daily basis. Our Past President and current Chairman of the Board, Craig Ferrantino, CWS® . Craig has helped shape and guide this organization in many ways through the years with his leadership. We truly appreciate his support and all that he has done to keep us moving forward. Our Chapter Executive, Trish Cimpric, works many hours a week to keep the FPA LI membership informed of what’s happening each month and keeps things moving in a timely manner. Michelle Blair, RFC is our chapter Secretary. A truly thankless job and she does it well with her great guidance and wisdom. Lastly, our Chapter Treasurer, Scott Sanders, CPA is a terrific example of what hard work is to a volunteer board. His standard is to always remain busy and never let the dust settle. 

Thank you to all for your commitment to our organization and thank you for your voices which help shape our Chapter. We hope to see many of you throughout the year at our many chapter events and guarantee you will have fun, be educated on current trends, and move your business forward. Check our website often www.fpali.org f or information on upcoming events. 

Remember, if someone asks you, “What does the FPA do for you?” the answer is simple… just explain the Four Pillars and tell them to join us today! 

Have a great year!

 Mark A. Badami, CFP®

 Chapter President

 FPA of LI's Annual Scott Hirschbein Memorial Golf Outing   – June 3, 2019 Wind Watch Golf & Country Club

FPA LI 2019 Golf Partnership Packages

Foursome - $740, 4 golfers for 18 holes of golf, includes Breakfast & Lunch.

Individual Golfer - $185

Breakfast sponsor - $500 (2 available) 

Lunch Sponsor - $1000

Registration Sponsor – $1000

Tee Sign - $125 or 6 Boxes of Golf Balls, company sign displayed on golf course.

Raffle Sponsor – Donate an item for the raffle – company recognition during event. 

Contact Patricia at 516.542.2004 for more information

Earn CE Credits at FPA LI Program Meetings!!

March Program Meeting offered 2 Presentations. 1st was on Divorce Planning: Mediation vs Litigaton. Attorney, Jennifer Sparacino discussed the benefits of mediation and the challenges of litigation, advising the attendees of the financial pitfalls that divorce has on clients. Attorney, Steven Kramer, who is an annual speaker at the FPA LI Annual Symposium & Exhibition, once again provided us with an engaging presentation on Medicaid and Protecting the Homestead. Steven shared his knowledge of the various options clients have to protect their assets in their senior years.

The next program meeting is scheduled for April 17th and will be on Compliance & The RIA Platform

The Meeting will take place at:

145 Pinelawn Road, Melville from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM.

Register Now! 

Please keep an eye out for the invitation.

Save the Date for Upcoming Meetings:

May 15 ^th – Succession Planning

June 19th - Life Insurance Credits