HISTORY OF AKRON CHAPTER IMA
By
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Ken Bechtol |
N.A.C.A.
(National Association of Cost Accountants) was formed in 1919 in Buffalo,
NY. The Akron chapter was established with 63 members during the 1938-39
competition year. Akron chapter charter date was February 24, 1939. On
July 1, 1957, the Association name was changed to NAA (National
Association of Accountants). On July 1, 1991, the name was changed again
to IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) to reflect the broader base
of membership.
Prior to forming the Akron Chapter, Akron
accountants attended meetings at the Carter Hotel in Cleveland. The
interest in forming a local chapter grew as accountants with careers in
common and going to Cleveland monthly for dinner decided to form a chapter
here in Akron.
The chapter started meeting at the Portage
Hotel, and in the early days, a great deal of emphasis was on Fun. Sam
Smolie would play the piano and members would sing. Wives were
participating in some events and normally a dance would be held at
Christmas with the Red Schwartz Band. Molly Mollenkopf and Milo Zaveson
started the practice of shaking as many hands as they could, which led to
the tradition we have followed for many years called “The Hand”.
Logan Monroe (the Monroe Award) was
involved in forming the chapter, and two Cleveland members named William
“Arme” Armstrong and Tom Dickerson were known as the “Mom and Pop”
founders of the Akron chapter.
The chapter did not always have technical
sessions, but had discussion groups, plant tours, and extemporaneous
meetings. Board meetings were required but not held monthly.
Meetings, which started at the Portage
Hotel, moved several times over the years, with major time periods spent
at: The Chesterfield Inn, The Firestone Country Club, The Mayflower Hotel,
The University Club, The Women’s City Club, Tangier Restaurant, and the
Martin Center.
The practice of singing at meetings
continued until the 60s at the Women’s City Club. Lou Amer was the Master
of Song and even published songbooks. Lou evidently did not have a
replacement as the practice died out in the 60s as chapter members
developed other forms of entertainment.
During the 40s, the chapter enjoyed a
period of organization and rapid growth. We had the backing of major
company officials and strong “common sense” guys ran the organization
during that era. Chapter members were not interested in competition and
used the meetings for more social and information exchange than we do
currently.
During the late 40s, interest grew in
National Competition with Charlie Reinherr gaining the Second Place
Stevenson Trophy in 1948-49.
The 50s period was a period of let down.
We had grown to 250 members, and we had obtained national recognition, but
interest in NAA was static. The attitude was “let’s not talk about NAA
points, do what’s right for the chapter membership, and the points will
come automatically as the membership is serviced”.
In the 60s, we generated enough membership
(555 members) and had an opportunity to move our strong Canton group
membership to chapter status. National put pressure on the chapter to
spin off Canton, but some of the membership was reluctant to leave the
Akron Chapter. Glen Woodson led Akron Chapter to its only First Place
Stevenson Trophy in 1960-61, and then helped with the June 1, 1961
spin-off of the Canton Chapter and became its first president. The 60s
were years of awards and recognition.
In the 70s, we continued to generate
membership and win banners and awards. Our chapter had developed with the
assistance of many industry and business leaders. During the 70s, two
major reductions of membership came when we spun off Cuyahoga Valley
Chapter (July 1970) and divided the Akron Chapter into two chapters, Akron
Summit and Akron Cascade (June 1, 1977). In its final year of its 39-year
history prior to the partitioning (513 members), the Akron Chapter won the
Stuart Cameron McLeod Society Third Place Stevenson Trophy and the
prestigious Presidents’ Award Trophy in 1977 (for 1972-77 years).
Milo Zaveson, Clyde Van Horne, Jim Pohl,
and Glen Woodson developed the Past Presidents’ Club, and Charlie Reinherr,
Lou Amer and Ed Kramer formed the Investment Club.
In the 80s following the partitioning of
Akron Chapter, the Akron Summit Chapter was initially in a period of
rebuilding. The first several years were difficult, but the quality of
the membership during and after the split made the Akron Summit Chapter
viable and strong. In its 12 years of existence, the chapter received
eight banners, six national awards for public relations, and, the most
prestigious award of all, the Presidents’ Award Trophy in 1987 (for
1982-87 years).
The Akron Cascade Chapter was also in a
rebuilding posture, reflecting the exodus of white-collar jobs from the
Akron area. The Akron Cascade Chapter began the post-partitioning period
well by winning the Remington Rand Second Place Stevenson Trophy in
1977-78. During its 12 years of existence, the chapter also won a banner,
five national awards for Public Relations, Membership Achievement, and
Socio-Economic Achievement, and won the Ohio Council Monroe Award for
seven consecutive years (1978-84). The chapter was blessed with two women
presidents during its 12-year existence.
On July 1, 1989, the Akron Summit and Akron
Cascade Chapters merged (due to dwindling membership) and re-established
the Akron Chapter. Since coming back together, the Akron Chapter has
received ten national banners (most recently, the 12th
place banner for 2008-09) and four national awards for Public Relations and
Membership Achievement. Following the September 11, 2001 disaster, Roy Howarter suggested that we show our patriotism by reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance at chapter meetings. The chapter offers usually two hours of
CPE at most meetings by scheduling a pre-technical session and technical
session slate of speakers.
In 2000, the Cuyahoga Valley chapter was
merged into the Akron Chapter (due to declining membership). In
the Fall 2005, several members of the former Youngstown chapter
transferred into Akron chapter.
Today, the approx. 285-member Akron Chapter
is widely recognized as one of the leading chapters in the nation,
celebrating its 72th year.
For a bit of nostalgia, here was one of
the tunes we used to sing at Akron Chapter meetings:
PLEDGE TO
N.A.C.A.
Tune: Auld Lang Syne
We’re members of a loyal band
A fellowship so true
With purpose but to give our best
In all that we may do
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CHORUS
N.A.C.A, we pledge to thee
Our loyal service true
We’ll give our best to meet the test
N.A.C.A. for you.
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So, all for one, and one for all
This spirit will prevail.
Join hands and grip in fellowship
True friendship ne’er can fail.
REPEAT CHORUS
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