Chapter President Profile

Donna Gettings, CPP

North Mississippi Chapter

By Caren Bennett

When Donna Gettings learned she had been nominated for President of the North Mississippi Chapter, her first reaction was surprise!

"Initially, I was quite intimidated by the nomination for President, but with the encouragement and support I received from coworkers and fellow chapter members, I decided to accept the nomination," Donna said.

Since becoming President, Donna has worked to bring exposure to her chapter. At this time, the North Mississippi Chapter is the only APA chapter in the state. Donna's goal is to find ways to reach more payroll professionals in the state and provide much needed educational and networking opportunities. The chapter has taken a step in this direction this year by hosting quarterly Payroll Professional Networking luncheons as a way to reach out to payroll professionals in the area.

"The luncheons are also a great way to engage our members who may not have the opportunity to attend our regular monthly meetings in the evening," Donna said.

Donna's hard work has paid off; in her first year as President, chapter membership increased by 25%. Attendance at monthly meetings also steadily increased with each passing month. In August 2009, the North Mississippi Chapter hosted their first statewide payroll conference, which was a great success and an event of which Donna is very proud. She is even more proud of the "spirit, passion and dedication" shown by the chapter's officers and members while preparing for the event.

Interacting with members is a great aspect of being chapter president for Donna. She enjoys hearing stories about how members ended up working in payroll.

"Let's face it," Donna said, "most of us don't grow up wishing and hoping to be a payroll professional. I don't even recall seeing a payroll professional at my high school's career day. Most of us wanted to be ballerinas and astronauts. Somehow we ended up in this career and fell in love with it. Payroll professionals love what they do and I enjoy finding out what led them to this career and what they are most passionate about."

While balancing the responsibilities of the position with her job and family can be a challenge, Donna notes that "being a part of the chapter is such a source of enjoyment and satisfaction that it isn't too hard to find the motivation needed to keep focused on the position." Donna earned her CPP certification in 2006. She has 18 years of payroll experience and looks forward to 18 more. In her free time, Donna is an avid reader and also enjoys camping and fishing with her family.

Free Chapter Leadership Webinar: Chapter Incorporation & Tax Filing on August 20

Is your chapter incorporated? Are you filing your chapter's Form 990 or do you have to? What's a 501(c)3? Do these questions come up at chapter meetings? Take advantage of the FREE Chapter Leadership Webinar: Chapter Incorporation & Tax Filing, exclusively for current or future local chapter officers. Learn the information and tips you need to file for tax-exempt status as a nonprofit educational organization.

Register for the free Chapter Leadership Webinar:
Chapter Incorporation & Tax Filing today!

Our special guest speaker, Taunya Fritzsching, CPP, Galveston Bay Area Chapter President and Houston Chapter Committee Member, will walk you through chapter incorporation and the IRS form filing process. Join Chapter Relations on Friday, August 20 at noon CDT for this FREE 90-minute webinar. During this session, chapters will also gain insight on filing for nonprofit status, chapter record retention, and tax filing requirements.

For more information or questions, please contact Chapter Relations at chapterrelations@americanpayroll.org. Please note that no RCHs will be awarded for this webinar.