The Joint Committee held a Face-to-Face training session for all Chairpersons on January 10-11, 2008.  The purpose of training was to quickly get the TAP Leadership Team prepared to fulfill responsibilities for the coming year.  Pertinent highlights of the two-day program which may interest you are below.  I am using this forum to report as a time-saving tool.  During our conference call Tuesday I will entertain your questions.

1. Personnel:  Of special interest to Area 4 is Bernie’s commitment to “fast-track” Sandy McQuin’s replacement.  Barbara Foley is scheduled to return to the Area 4 office on January 20.
2. Calendar:
1. A Town Meeting is scheduled for May 1 in Springfield, Illinois.  Since this meeting is in our geographic area, Area 4 will have some responsibilities.  Two other areas have Town Meetings:  February 21 in Alabama; March 11 in North Carolina.
2. The Annual Meeting is currently scheduled for December 8-12, 2008.  Efforts are underway to reschedule that meeting one week earlier (December 1-5)
3. Joint Committee Teleconferences are the 1st Wednesday of each month.  Area 4 Committee Members are welcome to attend.  I will double check and forward to you the phone number, authorization code and time of the call.
4. EITC Day January 31.  More information to follow.
3. Panel Member Recruitment:  The Joint Committee is forming a committee to address some TAP member recruiting issues.  Please advise me if you have thoughts, suggestions, or would like to participate on the committee.
4. Outreach
1. Three-fold function:  Inform about TAP; Generate Issues; Get Taxpayer invested in the system.
2. Report name and number on monthly agenda.
5. Referral Process
1. Follow Template
2. Only “one-bite” unless tax law change or significant new data/information.
3. Complete quality review at Area level
4. Patti Wagner is Liaison to accelerate IRS responses.
6. Housekeeping items:
1. Any member wishing to have a mentor please let me know.
2. All members are requested to have your bio on TAPSpace, along with your picture.  Returning members, please update your information as appropriate.
3. Please complete the Meeting Satisfaction Survey following each meeting, and return the completed form for compilation and distribution of the information/suggestions.
4. During discussion, please advise us of thoughts both positive and negative.           
5. If you have specialized skills or interests (research, writing, editing) applicable to our work, please let me know.
6. Items for the monthly teleconference agenda should be in the hands of Mary Ann and/or Stan two weeks before the conference call.  This request is so that we can prepare the agenda with adequate time allotments. Our goal is to have the agenda and all pre-reads in your hands at least a week in advance.