Giving Thanks

Inside this issue: President’s Message 1

ASMC National News 2

Essay Contests 3

Member News 4-10

CDFM Awarded 12

Executive Staff 13

November Issue Volume 6 * 2011

This time of the year always runs me

ragged, but in both bad and good ways.

On the stressful side, there are decorations

to put up and take down for three big holi-

days within only a few weeks, the endless

grocery list and meal planning, crowded

stores, looming shopping deadlines, and

we can’t forget RMDs and budget formu-

lation over New Years. Of course, on the

hopeful side, there are the holidays them-

selves, the endless stream of office par-

ties, the time off with family and friends,

and kids so overjoyed in the lights and

baking and celebrations because they’re

all still so new to them. (I’ll casually

leave out “continuing resolutions” from

the second category…).

Whenever my sentiment starts to lean

toward the stressed side this season (and

my pet name at home, “Grinch,” would

have me believe it does at times), consid-

ering what I have to be thankful for al-

ways gets me back in the spirit. And in a

month that spans from Veteran’s Day to

Thanksgiving, isn’t that what November

is all about? So in short, I’m grateful for

my family…for this period when I can come home to them every day…for my

friends and co-workers…for a job work-

ing among very smart, good-hearted, and

dedicated military and civilians…for the

chance to make a difference every day for

myself, my loved ones, and my country…

and for the freedom to try.

Bringing this back to our Chapter…I’m

also grateful for all the people whom I’ve

gotten to meet, learn from, be creative with,

and look forward to seeing again often at all

of our luncheons. Most especially, I want to

thank the many volunteers on our executive

committee for giving so much of their time

and enthusiasm to making our Chapter the

best it can be: fellow officers Linda, Ray-

mond, and Darrell; Service VPs Daniel,

Erich, Geoff, Melissa, and Rita; and Com-

mittee Chairs Dante, Dennis, Gaye, Karen,

Jane, Jason, Jessica, Jose, Martin, Mary,

Merle, Mimi, Regina -- you’re the best!

As this year ends, our Executive Com-

mittee has worked hard to find ways to

thank all our Chapter members for your

work by giving back to you:

Dante Cacal has developed an extensive

new Chapter Awards Program, the details

of which will be announced during our

January Financial Systems Roundtable

Luncheon.

Gaye Sakai announced a new Professional

Development Publication Award at our

November luncheon to recognize all of you willing to go the extra mile to write

about financial management in journals.

Rita Smith headed planning for our De-

cember 7th Holiday Party with an educa-

tional but very entertaining speaker, Pam

Chambers, with great food, games, and

Na Leo o Ka Luna Kālā

“The Voice of the Comptrollers”

prizes, and all for only $5 for members;

unfortunately, travel will preclude me

from attending what is bound to be our

best luncheon this year.

Mary Garcia has spearheaded the charge

to re-establish a Chapter Continuing Edu-

cation award in the amount of $1,000; the

application deadline will come up this

Spring.

Lastly, since being able to give is a

blessing in itself, Dennis Moore and Jane

Mann revitalized our Community Service

program, giving us the chance to serve to-

gether for such important causes as the Ha-

waii Food Bank, Toys for Tots, and other

projects in the works.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Fred Dini, CDR, SC, USN, CDFM-A

National ASMC Corner

President orders FY2013 budget cuts to travel,

IT devices, and “promotional items” Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Service VPs are your financial management

network link to the ASMC Aloha Chapter:

MSgt Daniel Rea

(808) 449-3658

daniel.rea@hickam.af.mil Air Force VP

CPT Geoffrey Mosley

(808) 438-2004

g.mosley@us.army.mil

Army VP

CDR Erich Klein

(808) 842-2006

erich.f.klein@uscg.mil Coast Guard VP

Rita Smith

(808) 472-1543

rita.smith@usmc.mil Marine Corps VP

Melissa Coté

(808) 473-1810

melissa.cote1@navy.nil Navy VP

Fostering the spirit of inter-service

fellowship and

cooperation…

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Yesterday, President Obama ordered agency heads to plan for significant cuts

to travel, employee information technology (IT) devices, printing, executive

motor vehicles, and promotional items in the FY2013 budget. The executive

order directs agencies to set FY2013 budget levels for these cost categories to

at least 20 percent below FY2010. Agency plans are due to OMB within 45

days.

Director Jacob Lew blogged on the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) website that the executive order “will cut waste and promote more

efficient spending across the federal government.”

In budgeting for travel, the order encourages agencies to utilize alternative

strategies to government travel, such as teleconferencing and video-

conferencing. The order directs agencies to use government-controlled space

to “conduct business and host or sponsor conferences. Agencies are also or-

dered to review permanent change of duty station (PCS) travel policies.

The order directs agencies to assess their use and inventories of employee IT

devices. Agencies are to “ensure that they are not paying for unused or under-

utilized IT equipment or software.” The order requires agencies to limit the

number of mobile phones, smartphones, and laptop and tablet personal com-

puters.

Agencies are urged to limit hard copy printing. The order says agencies are

to "presume that information should be provided in electronic form, wherever

practicable.” Agencies are also encouraged to utilize OMB's Federal Strategic

Sourcing Initiative to acquire printing devices or services.

The order directs agencies to limit the size of the executive motor vehicle

fleet. In planning for achieving efficiencies in managing the executive fleet,

the order says agencies should follow the guidance provided in the Federal

Fleet Performance memorandum. This memorandum directs agencies to opti-

mize the size of the vehicle fleet and improve its management.

Agencies are also directed to limit the purchase of so-called “promotional

items.” These items, often referred to as “swag,” include plaques, coffee

mugs, clothing, and other commemorative items that are given to participants

in conferences or for other promotional reasons. OMB Director Lew de-

scribed these items as “non-essential” and “non-work related gadgets.”

This article located on the ASMC National Website: www.asmconline.org.

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The Annual ASMC Member's Essay Award is ongoing with online submission due date of 28 Feb 2012 at http://awards.asmconline.org/. This year's Essay Question is: "The Department of Defense (DoD) faces significant reductions in future obligation authority. Explain and analyze potential courses of action for implementing reductions while maintaining the strength of our military." Award Criteria . Entrants must be members in good standing of the American Society of Military Comptrollers at the time of submission and selection. . Essays may not be previously published articles. . Duo or group authored essays will not be accepted. . Essays must be original and must not exceed 1,500 words. . No member will be permitted to be a repeat winner for more than two consecutive years. Recognition Winners of the Essay Award may have their essays published in the Armed Forces Comptroller magazine and/or the ASMC website. Up to three winners will be selected each year from qualified essays. The first place winner receives $750; second place receives $500; and third place receives $250. All winners receive a plaque, which is presented at the ASMC Professional Development Insti-tute (PDI). By 23 Feb 2012, please have your ASMC members submit their essay to me (mary.c.garcia@navy.mil) as a Word document and I will forward to Nationals. Past winners from our Aloha Chapter include Debbie Higa from the Navy.

The Annual ASMC Member’s Essay Award

Aloha Chapter October Meeting Recap Page 2

Round-table discussion on financial management operations in a deployed

environment and during exercises---Article by CPT Geoffery Mosley

Attendants at the 19 October 2011 luncheon included financial managers across the

Department of Defense. The moderator for the discussion was Lt Col Steven Minkin, USAF.

The panel members included: Col Brian O'Connell, USAF; LTC Loren Darmofal, USA; CDR

Fred Dini, USN; Ms. Roselyn "Roz" Amamalin, DoD Civilian and Master Gunnery Sergeant

Ivan Harris , USMC. LCDR Jose Vargas, USCG, also participated as a panel member via

Skype. These speakers have a myriad of experience in both the deployed environment and in

various military exercises. Members of ASMC were credited with 1 CPE for attending the

luncheon.

The panel members answered questions on a range of topics from the major challenges faced

to the best policies implemented to the deployed experience from the civilian perspective. One

of the major challenges discussed was the difficulty in consolidating daily reports and data

from remote locations in a timely manner. The best policy implemented concerned the draw-

down of (U.S.) cash on the battle field. This was accomplished by expanding the use of the

electronic funds transfer (EFT) effort and writing all new contracts in local currency. Finally,

the deployed financial management experience from the civilian perspective was based mostly

on building a good rapport with the supported troops and gaining a mutual respect for each

other’s ability to successfully complete the mission.

The round table forum provided a very positive atmosphere to which the audience had the op-

portunity to both ask questions and provide follow-on input based on their own deployed ex-

periences. It was especially unique to see both the similarities and differences of financial

management operations across the departments. This luncheon was a highly successful event

and there was a significant benefit to gaining the perspective of deployed financial manage-

ment operations across a range of topics and from the joint service representatives.

Free CDFM Audio Training Available

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CDFM Module 3, Speaker: Mr. Ron Davidson, CDFM-A December 13-14, 2011 12:00PM-

4:00PM Eastern (7am-11am Hawaii). Training will be held at 250 Makalapa Dr. Building 250

fourth floor. Please provide the names of the participants to Karen Morinaga and Valerie Jaic-

tin NLT 12/9/11 so she could request the visitor badges.

Directions:

COMPACFLT Makalapa Compound (enter through Borcher's Gate, directly across from

NAVSTA Halawa Gate). Building 250 is located on top of the hill to your left. Parking is in

the crater. No cell phones are allowed in the work spaces.

On the day of training please contact any of the following to enter the building:

Valerie Jaictin 474-5878 Karen Morinaga 474-7868 Eric Hatakeyama 474-7866

For more information contact Gaye Sakai, Professional Development Committee Chair @

gaye.sakai@navy.mil.

PDI Online is one of the many valuable membership benefits ASMC. Ensure you keep your membership current and stay connected so you don't miss any of ASMC's valuable benefits and resources.

ASMCOnline.org Your most complete source for defense financial news, information, and online education.

ASMC Connection

Stay informed of news and updates with this members-only monthly e-newsletter.

Armed Forces Comptroller Journal Keep your management skills sharp with in-depth articles on defense financial management

issues.

Chapter Membership Network and connect with local colleagues.

As a member you also enjoy significant savings on:

Audio Conferences

Distance-based learning by leading experts.

Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Certification.

PDI Online Online education where you can earn more than 80 CPE's.

The Aloha Chapter of the American Society of Military Comp-

trollers is a professional organization dedicated to maintain-ing and improving the high standards of Comptrollership.

Emphasis is placed on education, training as well as the ex-change of ideas and techniques for resolving common issues

of the Services - Department of Defense and Coast Guard. The Aloha Chapter was established in 1977. Current mem-

bership is approximately 400 civilian and military personnel, who specialize in all aspects of Financial Management. We

are located on the island of Oahu in the State of Hawaii. For further information on how to join, contact any of the Team

Service VPs listed. Visit us at: http://chapters.asmconline.org/aloha

Mission: Promote education, training, and professional de-

velopment in financial management while fostering the spirit

of interservice fellowship and cooperation.

Vision: An active, enjoyable, social organization, hosting events envisioned and created by the members, supporting

members in achieving their fullest personal and professional potential in defense financial management.

Values: Integrity; Excellence; Commitment

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, 7 Dec.:

ASMC Holiday Party,

The Club at Koa Malina,

MCB Kaneohe.

POC = Service VPs

RSVP at https://

einvitations.afit.edu/

ASMCHoliday/anim.cfm

NLT Thurs, 1 Dec.!!!

Wednesday, 18 Jan.

"Financial Systems

Roundtable" Luncheon at

Tradewinds Enlisted

Club, JBPH-H (POC =

Capt Darrell Randolph)

Being a member of ASMC will…

Enhance your knowledge of the financial management profession and your

career development. Additionally, it will provide you with the opportunity to

meet fellow Financial Management professionals. The materials you will

receive from the national office staff will include the quarterly Armed Forces

Comptroller Journal magazine. Added benefits include:

Monthly electronic news letter with meeting information, upcoming

events, and community news about the chapter

Monthly meetings featuring professional speakers about topical FM

issues

Opportunities to expand your network, both socially and profession-

ally, through participation in ASMC activities

Visit us at: http://chapters.asmconline.org/aloha/

President’s Leadership Quote:

"Leadership rests not only upon ability, not only upon capac-ity; having the capac-

ity to lead is not enough. The leader

must be willing to use it. His[/her] lead-ership is then based on truth and charac-

ter. There must be truth in the purpose

and will power in the character."

-Vince Lombardi

Aloha Chapter Information

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RSVP at https://einvitations.afit.edu/ASMCHoliday/anim.cfm NLT Thurs, 1 Dec.

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ASMC Aloha Chapter Membership Program Information

This year, our chapter has grown between May and November from 381 to almost 450 new mem-

bers!! Our Membership Program is very active and has included setting up a recruiting booth at the

Regional Professional Development Institute held in Hawaii in August 2011. We were most success-

ful getting to know new folks from the Pacific Region who ultimately joined ASMC Chapters from

various areas within the Pacific. We also added about five new members to our very own Aloha

Chapter. We have set up recruitment booths at several "Partnership Luncheons" which have drawn

crowds of interest. In the future we will be Partnering with the AGA Hawaii Chapter for two lunch-

eons. We will also have a recruitment campaign kick off from January-March with a membership

growth goal of 500 for our Chapter!!

Currently we have three members in our Membership Committee, a Membership Chair and two mem-

bers. We are gearing up to high tempo for our recruitment campaign in January.

Through our NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION PROGRAM, we present Membership Packages along

with an Aloha Chapter coin to all new members to our great Chapter. Our membership packages in-

clude a Welcome Letter along with a Description of Membership Benefits, Chapter Officer Org Chart

and List of Committee Chairs, Current Newsletter, List of Events, Aloha Chapter Constitution/

Bylaws, National Documents and a write up entitled "Why Have You Joined?" which lists some of the

many benefits to being an ASMC Aloha Chapter Member.

For information about becoming a member, please contact Ms. Regina Torosian, Aloha Chapter

Membership Committee Chair, at Regina.Torosian@hickam.af.mil.

The Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Program establishes a standard of excel-

lence for Defense financial managers. The CDFM is significant as it denotes expert knowl-

edge in all areas of the DOD Financial Management (FM). The Aloha Chapter CDFM Certifi-

cation/Professional Development Chair is Gaye Sakai and committee members are Karen Mo-

rinaga and Valerie Jaictin. This year (June 2011- May 2012) our CDFM program goal is to in-

crease CDFM's by 10%. To meet this goal the Aloha chapter has coordinated the set-up and

advertisement of the centrally funded CDFM class for all our members, funded and hosted au-

dio classes in November for CDFM Modules 1 and 2, and investigating the possibility of

bringing a Module 4 class to Hawaii in the Spring. Take advantage of the opportunities pro-

vided by the ASMC Aloha Chapter and become an "expert" in DOD FM.

EDFMTC training opportunities: 12 seats available at the EDFMTC Classroom session held at

Ford Island Conference Center on Mar 19 -23 2012 0730-1630

Sign up at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/edfmt/

CDFM Certification / Professional Development Committee Information

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Branch Recruited By Name Full Name Join Date Total

Air Force Jason Erar Donna Scaffidi 7/5/2011 1

Sharon Miller Micheal Christipher Wade 7/7/2011 1

(blank) Chastity Ramirez 6/9/2011 1

Legina Mackey 5/2/2011 1

Lisa Mallery-o'leary 3/30/2011 1

Air Force Total 5

Army (blank) Timothy K. Johnson 7/5/2011 1

Lula M. James 9/14/2011 1

Mira Kim 8/9/2011 1

James U. Okeke 1/23/2011 1

Calvin Cody Phillips 7/22/2011 1

Maurice G. Pritz, Jr. 8/16/2011 1

Michelle K.S Santos 9/12/2011 1

Army Total 7

Coast Guard (blank) Jan S. Iha 10/15/2011 1

Kylene Yamauchi 10/20/2011 1

Coast Guard Total 2

Defense Agencies (blank) Michael Gregory Wedge, Sr. 5/10/2011 1

Defense Agencies

Total

1

Department of

Defense (blank) Yvonne M. Yoshioka 6/13/2011 1

Department of

Defense Total

1

Marine Corps Sherman Lessane Christopher A. Miles 6/28/2011 1

Faye Rau 6/28/2011 1

(blank) Kenisha J. Berry 1/3/2011 1

Marine Corps Total

3

Navy Miriam Mefford George Devries 5/23/2011 1

Nina Picon Mary Mafnas 6/21/2011 1

Patricia Tharp-duenas John T. Duenas 6/17/2011 1

(blank) Dorine Haunani Carter 5/20/2011 1

Regan Michio Tamura 5/18/2011 1

Thomas O. McGauley 5/12/2011 1

Felicitas R Basa 7/11/2011 1

Eric Y. Hatakeyama 8/1/2011 1

Raymond Potts Doyne Damian Clem 8/30/2011 1

William Sims Lily P. Grace 9/20/2011 1

Navy Total 10

Other (blank) Wendy L. Hammer 9/12/2011 1

Patrick H. Oki 9/12/2011 1

Other Total 2

Grand Total 31

New ASMC Aloha Chapter members (since May 2011)

Aloha Chapter CDFM

Awarded

ASMC congratulates all from the

Aloha Chapter who have

passed their required CDFM exams

indicates award in the last 30

days

All active CDFMs are listed. If your

CDFM is sus-pended or inactive, you will not appear

in this listing.

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Ronald Ahn Sonny Alinio Michelle Alombro

Rick Altman Todd Anderson, CDFM-A Karl Anforth

Jemilyn Arnaldo Amy Austgen Karen Baker

Barkley Carolyn Bethel Kenton Bradford, CDFM-A

Mike Brown Dante Cacal Rosalinda Canlas

Marissa Chee, CDFM-A David Chun Jason Coleman

Rhonda Compton Melissa Cote, CDFM-A Tanaka Cross

Marianne Curry Gloria Dabu Benedicta deGuzman

Robert DeGuzman Cristina Deleon Fred Dini, CDFM-A

Resurreccion Escasa Mike Fernandez Stephani Fortin

Keith Fry Gordon Fukumoto Mary Furtado

Mary Garcia Rob Garrett Jill Geronimo, CDFM-A

Rachel Goya Paul Graves Gary Green

Kimberly Hanashiro Niles Hanashiro Grace Hawkins

Brook Hess Debra Higa Claudia Higashi, CDFM-A

Al Hu, CDFM-A Joe Hudoba, CDFM-A Cindy Ishii

Valerie Jaictin Gregory Jones, CDFM-A Marcus Jones, CDFM-A

Lisa Kempker Valerie Kidani Ronald Kirkland

Sharon Kishaba Russell Kitrick Erich Klein

Naomi Kodama Michael Krisman Diane Kuderik

Keith Kunichika Wendy Kwong Bridget LaPierre

Song Suk Lee Valerie Lee DJ Lopez

Cole Low Desmund Lum Krista Mangiliman, CDFM-A

Ed Manzano Tom Marszalek Nessie Martin

Melissa Masuda-Wong, CDFM-A Jarrod Mcgee Miriam Mefford, CDFM-A

Fay Miller-beasley Laurie Minami Karen Morinaga

Geoff Mosley Denny Nagle Johnny Naputi

Kevin Nekomoto Lance Okihara Kelly Papineau

Merle Perez Jayme Peterson David Petray, CDFM-A

Cal Phillips Cynthia Pierce Raymond Potts

Timothy Prince Jb Ramos Marisa Rhode

Larry Rice Jose Romero Janine Ruiz

Kathleen Russell Kotsakis Gaye Sakai, CDFM-A Noriko Salangdron

Grant Schroeder Kelly Sedlacek Colleen Seui

Debra Shigemura Lynn Shimabukuro Mimi Shiroma

Kristy Shitaoka Bill Sims, CDFM-A Frederick Springer, CDFM-A

Susan Steeger Charlene Sterling Karl Stoetzer

Alexandra Stone Jim Suster Laurie Takase

Larry Tanaka Aaron Thomasy Lyle Tom, CDFM-A

George Tombe Andy Trillo Libby Trinidad

Raymond Tung, CDFM-A Tiffany Uchimura, CDFM-A Debbie Uyeno

Linda Vanblaricom Jose Vargas Linda Warrick

Frank Winczner Michael Witsman, CDFM-A Ellen Wong, CDFM-A

Julie Yerkes Doreen Yoneda Mark Yoshimura

Betty Young, CDFM-A Jeanie Young, CDFM-A Mary Zadlo

Janice Zheng, CDFM-A Jan-Hendrik Zurlippe

President Fred Dini frederick.dini@navy.mil

Vice President Linda Heffernan linda.heffernan@hickam.af.mil

Secretary Raymond Potts raymond.l.potts1@navy.mil

Treasurer Capt. Darrell Randolph darrell.randolph@hickam.af.mil

VP Air Force Daniel Rea daniel.rea@hickam.af.mil

VP Army CPT Geoffrey Mosley g.mosley@us.army.mil

VP Coast Guard Erich Klein erich.f.klein@uscg.mil

VP Marine Corps Rita Smith rita.smith@usmc.mil

VP Navy Melissa Cote’ melissa.cote1@navy.mil

Membership Regina Torosian regina.torosian@hickam.af.mil

Corporate Merle Perez merle.r.perez@navy.mil

Five Star / Awards Dante Cacal dante.cacal@gmail.com

Community Service Dennis Moore dennis.j.moore.ctr@usmc.mil

Publicity SFC Erica Jones erica.a.jones@us.army.mil

Newsletter Jessica Bode jessica.bode1@us.army.mil

Partnering LCDR Jose Vargas jose.l.vargas@uscg.mil

Program Mimi Shiroma mimi.shiroma@navy.mil

Professional Development

Gaye Sakai gaye.sakai@navy.mil

Scholarship Mary Garcia mary.c.garcia@navy.mil

Webmaster Jason Erar jason.erar@hickam.af.mil

Mahalo to the Aloha Chapter Team for your contributions to this edition of

the newsletter! We welcome your comments and feedback. Aloha!

All contents copyright © ASMC Aloha Chapter 2011.

ASMC Aloha Chapter PO Box 29564

Honolulu, HI 96820

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