July Newsletter 
Monthly Meeting
Please join us for our July Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, July 28th
Speakers:
Brooke Weaver, Hamilton County Clerk Chief Deputy
Topic: "How the County Clerk's Office Operates – The Accounting and Financial Functions Needed to Operate Efficiently."
Additional speakers include Bill Hullander who has served as as the Hamilton County Trustee for over 15 years as well as former state representative Vince Dean.
CPE Topic: Accounting - General (1 hour)
AFWA is registered with the National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have final authority in the acceptance of individual courses of CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
Tickets
$30.00 Member Reservation
$35.00 Non Member Reservation
$0.00 First Time Guest Reservation
$15.00 Student Member Ticket
AFWA National News
Our chapter hosted a networking event to meet the AFWA National Board at Hennen’s on June 24th.
With 12 national board members and 12 local members attending, it was a fun evening with a lot of great conversation and a beautiful setting!
Calendar of Events
July 28th - Monthly Meeting
August 25th - Monthly Meeting
September 22nd - Monthly Meeting
October 20th-24th - Women Who Count Conference, AFWA National, Hilton Head SC
October 27th - Monthly Meeting
November 17th - Monthly Meeting
December Christmas Party - TBA!
January 26th - Monthly Meeting
February 23rd - Monthly Meeting
March 23rd - Monthly Meeting
April 27th PR Luncheon
May 25th - Monthly Meeting
June 22nd - Monthly Meeting
Keep an eye out for dates on our CPE Seminars and updates to the calendar!
Open Board Meetings held via Zoom the second Thursday of every month.
We are always looking for topics and speakers of interest to our members. Any topic and/or speaker recommendations are welcome.
Any questions, suggestions or topics can be emailed to our general email address [email protected].
Hey Members!
Welcome to our new 2026-2027 Board. We are so excited for what the upcoming year will hold!
President - Jennifer Sabados
President Elect - Suzanne Beaty, Scholarship Committee
Vice President - Christie Jordan, Education/Legislation Committee
Treasurer - Kim Pace, Finance Committee
Secretary - Jennifer Lamb, Program Committee
Director Ex-Officio - Sandra Hogan, Public Relations Committee
Director - Morgen Rose, Publicity/Newsletter Committee
Director - Claire Ornsbee, Membership/Member Relations Committee
Director - Baylie Jones, Student Activities Committee
Director - Taylor Weaver, Bylaws Committee
Director - Taylor Chattin, Yearbook Committee
Off Board Committee Appointment - Melinda Askew, Chapter Development
Student Information
AFWA Meet and Mentor Program 2026
Chattanooga AFWA's mission is to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession.
Chattanooga AFWA is made up of all different types of professionals (you do not have to be a woman to be a member!) in the Chattanooga area involved in Accounting and Finance fields.
If you are a student that would be interested in meeting with a local AFWA Member over coffee (or a snack!) to discuss their experiences in the workforce and build a relationship in a relaxed atmosphere, check out some of the available members here!
We hope this is a valuable experience for both the students and mentors who participate. Feedback is welcome throughout this process!
If you are a member that would be interested in participating in this program, please email us at [email protected] with a brief bio to add to our list.
Committee News
Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you'd like to be involved!
Chapter Development Committee
Education/Legislation
Finance Committee
Membership/Member Relations Committee
Program
Public Relations Committee
Publicity/Newsletter/Website
Scholarship
Student Activities
Yearbook
National Conference Report
National Conference Expense Fund Recommendation
The AFWA 2026 National Conference will be held in Hilton Head, SC at the Weston Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa from October 21 – October 23, 2026.
This is your opportunity to attend a national conference and defray some of your conference/travel expenses. The National Conference Expense Fund Committee has determined that funds are available for attendance to the 2026 National Conference.
Current active Chattanooga Chapter members may request financial assistance in the event that their employer provides insufficient financial support.
The committee is making the following recommendations to be voted on at the regular August membership meeting.
1. Active members would be those members who attended at least 4 events, AFWA Chattanooga monthly meetings, seminars, or social activities, in the past 12 months.
2. The Committee voted to leave a minimum of $1,000.00 in the fund to help provide financial support for the following year.
3. The President – if funds are requested may be reimbursed up to $1,000 plus the cost of the Signature Event from this fund. The President-Elect – if funds are requested may be reimbursed up to $1,250 plus
the cost of the Signature Event from this fund.
4. The committee is recommending that we provide assistance to other current active members attending, with the amount to be determined based on the number of members applying (and attending) but will not exceed up to $1,200 plus the cost of the Signature Event from this fund if funds are available. Reimbursement is subject to the rules set forth in the Standing Rules. Disbursement will be made after the conference and receipts must be submitted to the committee chair by November 15, 2026.
All requests for partial financial assistance must be submitted by August 31, 2026 to the committee chair, Carol Drinnon.
Requests can be submitted via e-mail at [email protected].
NO LATE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
