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| THE MACPA'S WESTERN MARYLAND CHAPTER: A HISTORY
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By M. Kathryn Burkey, CPA
MACPA History Committee
The original Western Maryland Chapter was formed by unanimous
approval of the MACPA Board of Directors on Oct. 22, 1963.
At the time, it became the third chapter following the Eastern Shore
and Montgomery-Prince George's chapters, which also were
chartered that year.
At the time, the Western Maryland Chapter included members in
Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties.
Over the years, the wide geographical area comprising this chapter
became a logistical problem for members in the two westernmost
counties — Allegany and Garrett. Since most meetings were held in
Frederick or Hagerstown, one-way trips of up to two hours for those
members were required just to attend a chapter meeting.
To help solve this problem, the chapter selected a "western
coordinator" from Cumberland in 1982 as an additional member of
the Chapter Officer group. The western coordinator was charged with the task of
developing participation at chapter meetings from members in the
westernmost area.
Then, in 1983, a new format was conceived. Several concurrent
chapter meetings were held with individual CPE programs: one in
Frederick or Washington County and one in Allegany or Garrett
County. Using this format, interest picked up and attendance at the
Cumberland site was respectable.
The next step was taken in 1984, when the chapter's treasurer
was elected from Allegany County. More programs were held in
Cumberland, and participation in more localized CPE for the two
counties blossomed.
During 1984-85, the initiative to create a new chapter with just Allegany and Garrett counties took off as a response to the good showing at CPE sessions held in
Cumberland.
On Nov. 7, 1984, MACPA President Paul W. Hart met with interested members in Cumberland to discuss forming a new chapter. He outlined the need to determine the level of interest and
commitment to chapter duties and the process of requesting chapter status.
Steering committee meetings were held and the required petition to
create a new chapter was circulated throughout the two counties.
Afterward, the signed petition was presented to the Board of
Directors.
The first officers were M. Kathryn Burkey, president; Edward
Huber, president-elect; Sharon Robinson, secretary; and Edward
Delaney, treasurer.
At the Jan. 15, 1985 board meeting, the formation of a new
chapter was approved with an effective date of July 1, 1985.
The former Western Maryland Chapter, now comprising Carroll,
Frederick and Washington counties, adopted a new name —
the Mid-Maryland Chapter. Thus, the Western Maryland Chapter
officially represented Allegany and Garrett counties.
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