March 
President's Message
Hello Everyone,
As we move into March, your Board has been busy planning and setting the stage for a fantastic year ahead.
Last month, two of our Board members joined our Executive Director at the Chapter Leaders Conference in Denver. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers from other chapters, share innovative ideas, and bring back new strategies to make our chapter even more engaging and valuable for all of you. February also brought our chapter meeting via Zoom. While we all prefer gathering in person at The Federal Reserve, I hope the virtual format saved everyone some travel time while still allowing you to enjoy a wonderful presentation from Margaret Ann Pyburn and Brooke Moor, who shared excellent real-life scenarios and practical insights. We truly appreciate their time and expertise.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting events on the calendar. Our Spring Member/Partner Appreciation Event will take place on Wednesday, May 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Regions Field. A special thank you goes to Brad Acton for planning what promises to be a fun day. Later in the year, our Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, at The Fennec. We are especially grateful to Marly Green for the months and hours already devoted to ensuring the Symposium's success.
Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to our chapter. I look forward to seeing you at our chapter meeting later this month!
Isabella Blount, CPA , CFP®
Financial Advisor
Chapter Meeting
March 19 Chapter Meeting: Charitable Planning with Business Interests and Other Non Cash Assets
The vast majority of charitable giving in America today is made in cash—but what if there were a better way? Learn how to help your clients leverage business interests, real estate, and other complex assets to achieve their charitable goals in a more tax-efficient way. National Christian Foundation is an industry leader in navigating these complex gifts, taking in 269 non-liquid assets valued at $612 million in 2025 alone.
Learning Objectives
By attending this session, participants will learn:
- Understand how non-cash assets such as business interests and real estate can be used to support charitable giving in a tax-efficient manner.
- Identify key planning considerations and strategies for navigating complex charitable gifts to maximize impact for clients and charities.
- Recognize the role of specialized organizations, like the National Christian Foundation, in facilitating and administering non-liquid charitable contributions.
Speaker:
Michael Booth
Senior Gift Planner, National Christian Foundation
Mike joined the National Christian Foundation (NCF) in 2007 and currently helps individuals grow in their roles as stewards of the assets God has entrusted to them. His primary focus is providing insight into the most effective ways non-liquid assets—such as real estate, business interests, restricted securities, and personal property—can be used to fund giving opportunities. These types of gifts often provide significantly greater tax benefits than selling the asset and donating the proceeds to charity.
Mike graduated from Mercer University in Atlanta with a B.A. and earned his J.D. from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Prior to joining NCF, he served as Director of the Great Commission Foundation of Campus Crusade for Christ. He has also served in various leadership roles, including director and trustee for other nonprofit organizations.
1 CFP® CE
Unless otherwise specified, all meetings are on the 3rd Thursday
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Federal Reserve Bank, 524 Liberty Parkway
Directions and parking information here
Format: Eat together in a gourmet style cafeteria until 11:55, then move to conference room for presentation. Food is not allowed in conference rooms. Please RSVP and arrive on time to enjoy lunch and the speaker.
Registration: $15 members, (see below for Guest Policy)
$160 - 2026 Season Ticket, covers all regular chapter meetings
RSVP: by the Friday before the meeting.
Register NowCalendar of Events
2026 FPA Meetings & Events
Mar 19 March FPA Chapter Meeting "Charitable Planning With Business Interests and Other Non-Cash Assets" with presenter Mike Booth, senior gift planner at the Federal Reserve
Apr 16 April FPA Chapter Meeting at the Federal Reserve "The Pimco Advisor Playbook" with presenters Russell Olson, Nick Kleinhenz & Sean Brock
May 13 Member Appreciation Social in the Baron's Suite
Aug 20 August FPA Chapter Meeting at the Federal Reserve
Sept 16 Sept 16 Pre Symposium Happy Hour at The Foxhole at The Fennec
Sept 17 Sept 17 Symposium at The Fennec
Oct 15 October FPA Chapter Meeting at the Federal Reserve
Nov 19 November FPA Chapter Meeting at the Federal Reserve
Symposium
We’re heading back to The Fennec on September 17, 2026, for our annual symposium—early-bird registration is now open!
Early bird rates apply before August 21
Pre Sympoisum Social
September 16th
Foxhole at the Fennec 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres to kick off the Symposium!
Parking instructions: Please refer to the map below for parking available in side lot and Valet parking.
Partnership
Become a Corporate Partner
OUR VISION FOR OUR PARTNERS
To develop a long term, professional and mutually profitable relationship with our sponsor partners and to create an excellent working relationship between our members and partners.
The Financial Planning Association is one of the largest, most active, and most sophisticated financial advisor groups in the country with over 17,000 members (over 70% are CFP® professionals!) and nearly 77 active local chapters. The FPA North Alabama is widely recognized as a leader in the financial planning community and one of the most successful chapters in the country.
Our chapter is a past recipient of Outstanding Achievement Awards in the categories of Advocacy, Financial Literacy, and Partnering with Like-Minded Organizations.
Our members include financial planners, broker dealers, insurance professionals, attorneys, CPAs, investment specialists as well as banking and thrift professionals.
The chapter’s 170+ members are a dynamic, vibrant audience. Members collectively manage substantial investment assets on behalf of clients. Many FPA members are nationally known and active within leading professional groups and societies. FPA North Alabama members have a wide range of industry experience ranging from seasoned forty or more years to novice first year planners.
PARTNER BENEFITS
RECOGNITION
Visibility as an FPA North Alabama partner throughout the year at all FPANA events, in all newsletters, as well as on our website.
EXPOSURE
You are welcomed to our chapter events and will be introduced to our membership on a consistent basis. The financial professionals you’ll meet through the FPANA Chapter can help you build long-term business relationships.
EXHIBIT TABLE
Members are continually looking for information on new products and services to meet their clients’ needs. Platinum and Gold level partners can display their materials at our monthly chapter meetings to a targeted audience.
OPPORTUNITIES
You have the opportunity to meet and share your message with attendees at the chapter meetings, partner event, and annual symposium. It’s an excellent time to collect business cards for follow-up marketing.
EXHIBITOR SPACE
Exhibitor space is provided at our annual FPA of North Alabama Symposium.