A look into the 2019 CSMFO Strategic Plan development

By Karla Romero, Finance Director and Treasurer, City of La Quinta and Marcus Pimentel, Assistant Director of Health, County of Santa Cruz

Being in CSMFO leadership always has its perks and the annual strategic planning is definitely one of those.

Every Fall, CSMFO Board Members, Chapter Chairs and other leaders gather to share ideas, aspirations, struggles, and envision the future of CSMFO. This year 42 members dedicated 2-1/2 days to immerse themselves in a CSMFO strategic planning session and in person board meeting held at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA (also home to the 2020 CSMFO conference).

A new facilitator, Mike Messina, led the Strategic Planning charge and encouraged attendees to dig deeper, think bigger, ask more questions, and only then, after thoughtful discussions, start to formulate solutions and action plans. For some of us this was a struggle as we wanted to jump in at the start and fix the problem, that’s what we do.

Numerous accomplishments were derived from the prior Strategic Plans  including progressive ideas to enhance member benefits, provide innovative training ideas, increase student engagement, and update technology and online resources.

2020 marks the start of a new 3-year strategic planning cycle for CSMFO. With a new plan comes new endeavors and innovative ideas all inspired by our vision to be the preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government
finance.

As in the development of prior Strategic Plans, everyone’s collaborative ideas built upon one another and evolved into new progressive concepts. Membership education and benefits, career development support, succession planning, and technology enhancements were key talking points during this planning session. CSMFO will continue through its upcoming board meetings to refine these ideas into our next Strategic Plan.

All are welcome to join our Board Meetings and step into a leadership path. If you are ready to expand your finance family and are interested in building upon your skills or just want to give back, make the call or email someone on the CSMFO Board or a local chapter representative. You’ll find all their contact information here. Or you can submit your interest form directly to CSMFO.

CSMFO has thrived for 63 years from members just like you.

Your input and volunteer efforts are not only needed, they are essential to ensure all member perspectives are taken into consideration and incorporated into future plans. So let CSMFO match your passion with the right role and let your best self come through.

Now, back to the 2019 Strategic Planning session. While there was a lot of mental lifting as we explored in team breakout sessions how we might add more value to all our members, there was also some fun through team building exercises.

One put half the attendees (let’s call them group A) against the other half (group B) in a test as to who can line up fastest by their birth-dates. The trick was, no one could talk. Group A flew into action but became worried about their own order as Group B seemed to be investing extra efforts and time in confirming their order. When the bustle finally ended, it was Group A who was perfectly aligned while Group B… we’ll let’s just say they were calendar challenged.

Perhaps the highlight of the strategic planning session was having the opportunity to have a little fun on the last day of the event. Those in attendance got to enter California Adventure early in the morning before the park opened and ride Radiator Springs Racers multiple times in the cool morning breeze. For many, this felt like a lifetime treat.

Those feelings grew as everyone felt like celebrities as they exited the park, donning their CSMFO gear, and walking towards and then past the days eager visitors waiting for the entrance ropes to drop. Thank you to our Executive Director Melissa Manchester and the SMA and M&AMS team for their attention to detail to coordinate a jam packed, well organized, and fun event.

In all, there was a common feeling from this year’s event that with our collective shear grit to make a difference and our love for finance, together we will make it happen. So we embark on a new plan with renewed passion, energy, and skills to enhance our members and our own professional and personal lives.

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Marcus Pimentel is the Assistant Director of Health of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. Marcus serves CSMFO as the Chair of the Communication Committee and editor of CSMFO News. Marcus has over 20 years of local government finance and administration experience in the Monterey Bay area. Marcus is also a member of the 2019 Host and Membership committees. He is proud of his family’s Portuguese heritage and is grateful for his wife Laurie and daughters Kaitlynn and Kirsten.

Karla Romero, Finance Director and Treasurer for the City of La Quinta is responsible for financial planning, reporting, and record-keeping. In addition, Mrs. Campos is the Chair for the Coachella Valley CSMFO Chapter and Vice Chair of the CSMFO Communications Committee. Ms. Romero has 20 years of combined public and private financial experience. She has earned both a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Business Administration degree in Business Administration. She is highly involved in succession planning and employee development within her organization. After mentoring young women with the Ophelia Project for numerous years, she is now actively mentoring staff with a focus on finding personal passion and fulfillment in their daily work.

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