CSMFO Loves Students!

As a CSMFO member, you probably already know that CSMFO values excellence in municipal finance. But did you know that CSFMO Loves Students?

Back in 2018, the CSMFO Board saw the need to reach out to the next generation of finance leaders – graduate and undergraduate students – to promote municipal finance as a fulfilling career, and to make them aware of the value of CSMFO. An Ad Hoc Student Engagement working group was formed and tasked with this ambitious goal.

In 2019, efforts continued toward getting the next generation excited about municipal finance. Outreach to colleges and universities across the state resulted in CSMFO members giving presentations and attending “meet the firms” events at various campuses. Student membership in CSMFO doubled to 40 members, with many students attending chapter events. The Board’s commitment to this effort resulted in student engagement as a permanent standing committee.

As a new standing committee in 2020, the Student Engagement Committee members continued outreach efforts to students – almost exclusively virtually – as the world shifted to virtual platforms in response to pandemic-related in-person meeting restrictions. Student membership numbers continued to climb, with 76 student members at the end of the year – many of whom took advantage of CSMFO’s generous conference scholarships for students.

This year, Committee members continue to be actively engaged with colleges and universities across Northern and Southern California. A priority has been given to schools in close geographic proximity to the 2022 conference in San Diego so that these students can be the first in line for student conference scholarships when they are made available. Outreach efforts have been focused on the following San Diego area schools: University of San Diego, California College San Diego, San Diego City College, Columbia College – San Diego, San Diego Mesa College, Palomar College, MiraCosta College, Brandman University, Point Loma Nazarene University, Revelle College, Earl Warren College, San Diego State University, National University, California State University San Marcos, and Alliant University.

Still not convinced that CSFMO Loves Students?

Here’s a look at all the great benefits enjoyed by student members –

• FREE CSMFO MEMBERSHIP
• Connections to public sector internships
• Student Community (listserv) – a fantastic way to participate in discussions and share resources with fellow students
• Mentorship opportunities – an invaluable resource at any stage of one’s career
• Free CSMFO training – both in-person and virtual
• Access to conference scholarships
• CSMFO chapter meetings – one of the best ways to grow your professional network

In addition to all these great benefits for student members, CSMFO recently added a new membership classification – Early Career. This membership class is open to recent college graduates who are actively looking to secure a municipal finance position. Membership is free for up to 2 years from your date of graduation. Early Career members enjoy free access to webinars and chapter meetings, in addition to direct mentorship by a CSMFO municipal or commercial member.

Hopefully, by now you are confident that CSMFO Loves Students!

Perhaps, you also find yourself feeling a little love for students? Maybe you have noticed that it is becoming harder to fill vacancies in accounting and finance with qualified, dedicated professionals from the next generation? If so, there are many ways you can spread the CSFMO Love –

• Reach out! Talk to students you know personally and share what you find meaningful in your profession. Encourage them to join CSMFO to learn more – with a free membership, there’s no risk!
• Invite an Intern! If there are interns at your agency this summer/fall, invite them to join you at a CSMFO chapter meeting.
• Be an Alumni Connection! If you still have connections to your school, please reach out to the Student Engagement Committee to share your contacts.
• Join us! If you’d really like to roll up your sleeves and spread the CSMFO Love, we’d be thrilled to have you on the Student Engagement Committee.

Bonus Recipe: Dad’s No-Bake Banana Pudding

This one has been a staple at our family gatherings for as long as I can remember, particularly in the summertime. Many family members have made it, but Dad is the originator of this dish – at least in our generation. No one can quite match Dad’s technique and decorative precision. He never uses a broken vanilla wafer or a too-brown banana … he is a firm believer in the visual appeal being just as important as a dish’s taste and flavor.

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 ½ cups cold water

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups heavy cream

3 bananas, sliced

½ cup lemon juice

36 vanilla wafers

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together condensed milk and water. Beat in pudding mix until smooth. Chill in refrigerator 5 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chilled pudding mixture.
3. Dip sliced bananas in lemon juice. Shake off excess.
4. In a 2 1/2 quart serving bowl, spoon 1 cup pudding mixture. Top with one-third each of the wafers, bananas and remaining pudding. Repeat layers twice. Chill until serving.

Amber Johnson is the Chair of the Student Engagement Committee and serves as the Director of Administrative Services for the City of Belvedere, California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and holds the Certified Public Finance Officer designation with GFOA. Amber has over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, with 10 years of progressive local government experience. In her free time, she can be found having wonderful adventures near and far with her family – her husband Daryl, and two young kids – Zach (8) and Gabi (6).