As I compose this message, just across the hall from me are two dedicated ALGA members. Why are they here, you may ask? They are performing an ALGA Peer Review!

The ALGA Peer Review program is just one of the many professional services offered through your membership in ALGA. Our office is being reviewed for the fourth time and on the occasion of every one of our peer reviews, we have learned how to better our performance to best ensure that we efficiently and effectively follow government auditing standards. I could not state it more directly than this: a peer review is a positive experience! Over the years, our office has embraced the opportunity that a peer review presents to gain insight from other dedicated audit professionals. There is no doubt that the City of Orlando and its taxpayers has benefited from the improvements recommended by our peer reviewers.

If you have not considered participating in the peer review process, I encourage you to re-consider your position. There are several ways for you to get started, you could:

• Review the many articles and reports on peer review available on our website.
• Call a colleague that has had a peer review or has participated as a team member.
• Attend the peer review training seminar at the Annual Conference in Philadelphia.
• Volunteer to be a peer review team member.
• Volunteer to be a peer review team leader.
• Call your peer review coordinator to schedule your peer review!

The Peer Review Committee, led by the illustrious Alan Ash, is always looking for a few good men or women to volunteer their time and talents on a peer review team. Speaking from my experience, you will certainly learn more about the standards, learn new techniques and practices, and read interesting audit reports and working papers on all manner of subjects. More than all of this, you will meet interesting members, dedicated auditors and make new contacts for the inevitable times when you need support and guidance in the course of your audit work. [National] Association of Local Government

I am happy to report that the Strategic Plan is complete! The hard work putting the plan together will lead to making our association more effective in the pursuit of our three main objectives:

• Be a recognized voice for local government auditing
• Provide exceptional, relevant, and affordable services to members
• Maximize the effectiveness of the organization by developing and maintaining a consistent strong internal support system

If you attend the Annual Conference in Philadelphia, you will receive a copy of the Strategic Plan of your own. Of course, we will also post it on the website.

Big kudos go out to Gerald Schaefer and the Professional Issues Committee. In February, the Board received the results of the 2007 Member Satisfaction Survey. These results will be used by the Board to refine the services provided by the association and guide us into areas we can assist you to grow professionally. Thanks also to those of you who took the time to give us your opinions and comments. We can better serve you when your opinions are known, so never hesitate to give them to any Board member.

Is he really going to go this again? Yes, and I am not going to apologize for being repetitive: it is time for YOU to get involved. Our Association is only successful when we have many dedicated individuals volunteering by participating on a committee, speaking at a seminar or conference, writing a LGAQ article, or in many other ways. I am certain there is something for you do!

Finally, as this is my last President’s Message – I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my ALGA colleagues for the support and assistance they gave during my term as President. I wish Jerry Shaubel much success as our next President.

George McGowan 2007-08 President
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