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Statement from the President
Dear GSA Members & Associates:
I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve the Georgia Securities
Association as President this year. Under the leadership of Katy
Ryan, the entire GSA Board of Directors worked very hard in 2006
to fulfill the mission of the Association. We are looking forward
to building on the successes from previous years to educate the
membership, communicate important issues with the membership, lobby
on behalf of the membership, give back to the community, and provide
opportunities for networking with colleagues.
Last year, in addition to hosting a presentation by long-time corporate
sponsor Aflac Inc., we hosted
several meetings to educate the membership which featured outstanding
speakers such as Ralph Acampora, Director of Knight Research at
Knight Capital Group, Brett Redfearn, Senior Managing Director and
Market Structure Strategist of Bear Stearns, and "Dr. Bob"
Froehlich, Vice Chairman & Chief Investment Strategist of Scudder
Investments.
This year will inevitably present challenges to our community of
investment professionals. With the help of our parent organization,
the Security Traders Association,
the GSA will provide timely information on the changes affecting
our markets as well as be an influential voice in legislative matters
that affect our industry. Please take the opportunity to refer to
this website for updates on any issues and events targeted to GSA
members.
As successful and responsible members of the investment community,
the Georgia Securities Association makes an effort to give back
to the local community. In 2006, the GSA made charitable donations
of over $50,000, the largest of which was to the Georgia
Council on Economic Education to support the Georgia
Stock Market Game. The Stock Market Game is a comprehensive
educational tool that provides students with real life skills and
experiences in math, computers, reading finance, and the American
economic system. It consists of a 10-week simulation that allows
participants primarily from grades 4 through 12 to invest a hypothetical
$100,000 in the stock market. The students think they are playing
a game, but they are really learning economic and financial concepts
they will use for the rest of their lives.
The GSA also gave four college scholarship awards of $4,000 each
to needy recipients whose families are involved in our industry,
and we made a donation to Bert's
Big Adventure. Bert's Big Adventure is a special trip designed
to provide families a magical weekend at Walt Disney World. These
families have children, aged 5 to 12, who are experiencing a chronic
or terminal illness, and have a proven financial need. The GSA is
extremely grateful to the membership and in particular to the corporate
and preferred sponsors for their continued financial support which
makes all of our charitable giving endeavors possible.
The GSA Fall Outing continues to afford members a tremendous opportunity
for professional interaction and we are looking forward to this
year's event on October 18th & 19th. The business meeting and
dinner will again be held on Thursday evening at the Georgia
Aquarium. We are hoping to match last year's enormously successful
event, so please mark your calendar and take advantage of the chance
to meet your peers and exchange ideas.
Finally, the Georgia Securities Association can only thrive with
your participation. We need your help to guide our industry and
its investors through an ever-changing workd, and we are always
looking for new ways to involve our members. Please feel free to
contact me directly with any thoughts that can help make our organization
better. With your financial support and personal involvement, we
can face the 21st century with the education and the confidence
needed as members of the Georgia Securities Association. The upcoming
year promises to be an exciting one for our industry and we look
forward to seeing you throughout 2007.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Roman
President
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