The rewards of diving in.(A message FROM THE CHAIR)

The end of summer signals the end of swimming season--diving into pools, jumping into lakes, splashing in the ocean. But autumn also brings with it an opportunity to dive into something else--volunteering.

Some people just jump in when it comes to swimming, but others prefer to ease in--testing the water with their toes first. The same can be true of volunteering. For those who like to ease into things, the Society offers a "feel good" event that provides just such an opportunity--Accounting for Kids[R] Day.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Volunteering for Accounting for Kids Day allows you to step outside of your usual schedule and make a difference in your community. In just one morning, you can introduce children to the importance and power of financial literacy. Accounting for Kids Day focuses on inner city schools where kids may not be exposed to financial management concepts, let alone the possibility of going to college and becoming a CPA.

The Society handles the legwork and provides all the materials. You can even volunteer to teach a classroom with your friends and colleagues. Find out more about what it is like to volunteer for Accounting for Kids Day on page 56.

Be their hero: Give them something new to dream about. If you ask a group of kids what they want to be when they grow up, many will say doctor, teacher or police officer--professions they are exposed to in their daily lives. Think back to when you were a child--how would you have known how to cannonball into a pool if you hadn't seen someone else do it first? Accounting for Kids Day is our chance to show children what a CPA is and encourage them to consider a career in accounting. Nothing makes me smile more than to hear a child say "I want to be a CPA."

Accounting for Kids Day is also ...