Payroll, Brockovich and Charo:
APA Conference in Texas

By Linda Braziel

The American Payroll Association's (APA) 20th Anniversary Congress was held in San Antonio, Texas this year and it wasn't all big hair, Erin Brockovich and "cuchi-cuchi." Erin Brockovich, the famed file clerk who made history over the exposure of Hinckley, California residents to toxic waste, delivered the keynote addresses. She was as flamboyant and personable in person as Julia Roberts portrayed her in the film. Her main message to us was to "hear how grit, tenacity and a refusal to accept defeat can help you overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve your goals."

As for the "cuchi-cuchi" part of this story - Charo provided the Congress entertainment this year. Okay, I admit, I cannot give you an in-person account on fiesta night. I just could not make myself go even though several people tried to persuade me that Charo's guitar playing is legendary. I can tell you that the next day, during the "Charo Look-Alike" contest; there were some guys and gals (Texas talk) who didn't look that great in costume.

As I sat and watched bearded "Charo's", it was interesting to hear about the history of payroll organizing as a profession twenty years ago. As one speaker noted, "We were not quoted by the USA Today or the Wall Street Journal , as we are today." About 2,000 attendees nodded heads in agreement. The talk around the Congress revolved around the pride of working in the payroll profession. No one says it's easy; consensus among "payroll people" is that you have to like to be involved in an environment of constant change. Perhaps networking with people who share similar issues/goals is one of the most valuable components of attending the national conference.

Also, of great worth is the expertise of payroll professionals when it comes to the complexity and variety of issues and how we all have to respond to change. All agreed how very difficult it can be to respond to legislative changes . Just last December, the administration wanted to grant a "tax holiday" from the social security portion of the FICA tax so that the economy would be stimulated. The APA was instrumental in lobbying, letting the administration know that systems across the country would be impacted negatively, that withholding would be nightmarish and yearend reporting would be compromised.

The workshops were of great value. They ranged in topics from payroll specialties to special forums and from organization and development to technology issues. I don't think this will be a surprise to anyone in Financial Management - that I found that organizationally we're either in front or at the head of the pack. I heard talk of measurements; I didn't see anything. I heard talk about building a culture; I didn't see examples of a recognition or diversity initiative. I think we can be proud of the workplace we're building. As I think about it, perhaps coming away from a national conference with the thoughts that I can put our Payroll Office and staff up against any office and staff in the county far exceeds the value I gained from the socializing, networking, workshops and regulatory updates. I believe I owe my thanks to V'Ella and the EIT for the way we do business, to all my Financial Management colleagues for helping me to grow and to all the people in Payroll who make our office the best. Learning to appreciate what you have is not a bad week of work!