You Are the NAEA

Opportunities to Give and Receive

The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is a member organization. Therefore, you, me, and we are all part of the NAEA. Because of the unique talents we all bring to our organization, the NAEA is truly greater than the sum of its parts. How can we leverage this information to improve the NAEA and ourselves? Get involved.

The NAEA is also a peer group, so there is no room for “us vs. them.” It is all of us. In meetings, through email, on social media platforms, or on phone calls, we can accomplish so much more together with an attitude of unity rather than an attitude of separation. We all bring something to every interaction. If we respect each other and truly listen, we get the most out of each other and great work can be accomplished.

You need to be active to activate change. If you see something that can be improved, get involved and work towards the improvement. Sitting on the sidelines will not get the job done. Be the change you want to see in the organization.

The NAEA offers an abundance of ways to get involved and activate change. It can take time and patience to learn to navigate the NAEA. And you will find there is more to the organization than what first meets the eye. Some members like to start participating at the local level at their affiliate or chapter to get comfortable and gain more experience before seeking positions at the national level. Others like to move right into a role at the national level. If you are unsure where to start, ask those already involved. You could go to meetings, ask questions, share opinions, make suggestions, and even find a mentor who will work with you.

There are both formal and informal ways for you to make an impact in our organization and our enrolled agent (EA) profession including:

• National, affiliate, or chapter board and committee positions
• Instructors at the national, affiliate, or chapter education conferences/National Tax Practice Institute™ (NTPI®)
• NAEA Education Foundation (501(c)3) board positions
• Being a mentor locally or nationally
• Writing articles for the EA Journal
• Advocating at events like the NAEA Fly-In
• Contributing to the NAEA PAC
• Contributing on interactive social media:
  — Members-only Facebook Group
  — NAEA WebBoard
• Contributing on noninteractive social media:
  — Facebook page
  — X (formerly Twitter)
  — Instagram

Most members who choose to involve themselves with the NAEA report receiving far more than they have given. For instance, I started my NAEA journey on the local level at the Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents (MaSEA), embracing the motto, “Think globally, act locally.” That was a bumper sticker I saw as a kid, and it has stuck with me. Being a second-generation EA, I saw first-hand the benefits of giving and receiving in my mother’s career as she helped start the MaSEA in the 1980s. I served on the MaSEA board, and that gave me the opportunity to participate in meetings at the NAEA, which opened my eyes to a whole new arena of EAs from around the country. This prompted me to participate on some NAEA committees.

As a result of my interest to give and invest my time to help improve the MaSEA, the NAEA, and the EA profession, I have received an incredible return on investment. First and foremost, I have met amazing colleagues around the country who are so willing to help with any tax question I might have. Many of these colleagues have become wonderful friends. And it was an honor to serve as president of the NAEA for the 2015–2016 year. I have had the opportunity to meet with several Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioners and testify before the Congressional Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, leading to changes in tax policy which have affected all taxpayers and our profession.

None of this happened alone. All of this was accomplished because of our community here at the NAEA: members, staff, and partners, such as Van Scoyoc Associates. All are working diligently to better our organization, our members, and advance the EA profession.

By giving and investing in the NAEA, we are all helping:

• Advance the EA profession.
• Encourage new enrolled agents to join the NAEA, feel like they belong, and stay as members.
• Build an incredible network of colleagues/friends across the country.
• Develop and hone leadership skills for our own practice and our lives.

What opportunities do you see for yourself in investing your time in the NAEA? What is your path? How are you going to be active in the organization to activate change? How will you contribute to the EA profession?

You are the NAEA. When you invest your time in the NAEA, you are investing in yourself, your colleagues, and your profession.

I encourage you to check out the Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Academy (SSLA) if you have not already attended. It is such a rich opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills for your organization, your practice, and your life. And this opportunity to learn, share, and grow with your fellow members creates a strong networking bond that can last a lifetime. I know it has for me! The next SSLA session will be held in Washington, DC, in May 2025. To learn more, go to: www.naea.org/ssla-leadership-academyevent.

Let us make this a grEAt day to be an EA!