In the Community

Posted by: Ross Nisly

Kent State University Alumni Association’s had a record number of volunteers participate in the Fourth Annual National Day of Service Saturday, April 21, 2012. There were volunteer locations throughout Northeast Ohio, as well as Central Ohio and even in Raleigh, North Carolina and Southern California! My wife and I volunteered at the Haven of Rest in Akron, Ohio, a rescue mission home for the homeless community in Akron.

There were about 35 volunteers at the home and we were able to help out in a few different ways. Half of the group washed dishes to help prepare for Haven of Rest’s annual banquet the following week. For this banquet, they use a special dinnerware set that is only used for this specific event, so there were plenty of dishes to be cleaned. The other half of the group went to the donation center and did a little spring  cleaning; some of our tasks included making beds, sweeping and mopping the floors, wiping the walls, folding and sorting laundry and washing mats. This building had over 100 beds that are available for the homeless men in the community, and Haven of Rest also has another building that houses homeless women and children.

I have volunteered at the Haven of Rest a few different times and always enjoy my time there; they do a great job with what they do to help out the homeless community!

Posted by: Chris Valponi, CPA

The lives of people in the Cleveland corporate world and at an East Cleveland High School may seem worlds apart, yet Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) is able to bring them together for one special event: the Youth Career Olympics. This event is a one day illustration of the types of experiences that Y.O.U., headed by Carol Rivchun, offers impoverished Cleveland youth all summer long.  I hope my experience will provide a glimpse into this special event and organization right here in Cleveland!

Our firm was paired up with Shaw High School for this year’s Olympics. Artemus Carter, the Youth Career Coach, introduced me to my team mates Yvonne Hardy and Taylor Williamson. They were a little nervous about the whole process, but it was a great experience to get them comfortable and build their confidence.

We competed in the Corporate Challenge, which is similar to Jeopardy using business and career-focused questions.  There has been a lot of internal competition at Zinner to see who can coach a championship team; Zinner’s reigning champion coach, Reggie Brewington Jr., has several victories under his belt and I was hoping for my first one this year!

I met my team early that morning at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lyndhurst Building, which is a beautiful campus.  The day started with some nervous practice and we jumped right into the first round.  The score was close, but we won!  That first win gave us a little extra confidence that carried a long way.  We stormed through the second round, where unfortunately Shaw’s other team (coached by Reggie) was eliminated. In the finals, the girls went on a roll, and we won!

The event was a learning experience for the youth and adults alike.  The students got a great opportunity to try something new and get a taste of the working world where they plan to build a career.  I had a chance to put myself into another person’s shoes and learn about the world they face.  These are the types of experiences that Y.O.U. offers not only on this day, but all throughout the summer with their Summer Jobs Program.  Youth are awarded summer jobs with actual employers in the Cleveland area, allowing them real-life work experience. Thank you to Carol Rivchun, Pam Macer and the rest of the Y.O.U. staff and Board for hosting us; it was a fun event and now I have bragging rights for next year!

Posted by: Barbara Theofilos, CPA

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society hosted one of its many fundraisers in Cleveland on April 14, 2012. The chilly weather didn’t stop people from participating Saturday afternoon when participants gathered at Cleveland Browns Stadium to support a very important cause: the fight against MS. The event consisted of a 2 mile walk through downtown Cleveland.

This was my first year participating in this event. My team, the “Queen Bees” consisted of friends and family members who were all there for the same reason: to support those affected by MS. Our decision to form a team seemed like a last minute one with only 2 weeks until the event, but I couldn’t be more thankful that we did it. Our team raised $2,300 in just 2 weeks! I never expected to raise that much in such a short period of time, but our team pulled together and we did it.  The entire event raised over $230,000! Donations for the event are still being accepted by the MS Society through June 30, 2012.

The National MS Society has locations across the entire country; our local chapter, The Ohio Buckeye Chapter is located in our backyard in Independence, OH. All of the chapters share the same goal – to strive toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS not only affects the diagnosed, but also the family and friends of the diagnosed. The society helps all of those people who are affected by MS by raising funds to aid in important research and other programs and support to ultimately find a cure for MS. I’m looking forward to participating in the walk again next year! Go Queen Bees!

Last week’s “2012 Perspectives: Women Who Excel” Conference was a huge success, with hundreds of professionals gathering in historic Severance Hall to hear the panel, including Zinner Managing Partner Robin Baum, discuss the “power of perseverance.”

After a lively networking breakfast, the sold out crowd filled up Reinberger Chamber Hall for a town hall Q&A session with Robin and the four other female panelists: Esther Potash, CIO of Olympic Steel; Dr. Kandice Kottke-Marchant, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and Section Head of Clinical Pathology – Cleveland Clinic; Candace Klein, Founder & CEO of Bad Girl Ventures and SoMoLend; and Patricia Adams, President & Founder of Zeitgeist Wellness Group.

The discussion focused on both the professional and personal obstacles these accomplished women had to overcome in order to achieve the success they enjoy today. Topics ranged from turning non-answers into “yes” and tips for being a successful leader to who to turn to for inspiration and book recommendations. One key piece ofadvice that all the panelists abide by is the importance of connecting with people on a personal level before worrying about the business side to increase the chances of a longstanding professional relationship; as Robin mentioned, “People do business with people.”

Robin, who admitted that she knew she wanted to be an accountant from the age of six, defined the buzzword of the day, perseverance, as always challenging herself: “It isn’t necessarily getting over people saying no; it’s looking for the opportunities and asking to be able to take advantage of that.”

A nearly two hour discourse was interspersed with bursts of laughter and applause from the audience and panel alike, a fact not lost on Robin Baum who relished the overwhelming support of the predominately female crowd:

“To be able to sit in a room of this many women and realize everyone is here by choice…that’s very inspiring.”

A summary of the conference discussion can be found online here.

Zinner & Co. staff out in support of Robin

The month of April normally means the end of the busy tax season, but this year it is quickly being redefined as the month of Zinner Managing Partner Robin Baum!

Already selected as a recipient of the John Carroll University 2012 Alumni Award, Robin was also chosen to be on the panel for the “2012 Perspectives: Women Who Excel” Conference – not to mention the fact that she currently graces the cover of the April issue of Cleveland’s Smart Business magazine.

The conference, sponsored by Smart Business and presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, features Robin and four other leading women executives sharing their insight on what it takes to redefine and reinvigorate personal leadership style in order to develop solutions to overcome obstacles and move a business forward.

“I look at something and if I pose a personal challenge to myself, I’m going to see it through and that’s the definition of perseverance,” says Robin in the Smart Business feature. “I hold my bar higher than anybody could hold it for me.”

Robin will be joined on the “Power of Perseverance” panel by Patricia Adams of Zeitgest Wellness Group, Candace Klein of Bad Girl Ventures, Dr. Kandice Kottke-Marchant from the Cleveland Clinic and Esther Potash from Olympic Steel.

The event, which takes place on Friday, April 13 at Severance Hall, is expected to sell out.

The Smart Business article on Robin can be found online here.

All of us at Zinner & Co. would like to congratulate Robin Baum on another well-deserved recognition!

Zinner & Co. LLP. would like to recognize our esteemed Managing Partner Robin L. Baum, CPA, as a recipient of the 2012 Alumni Medal, the highest honor awarded annually by the Alumni Association of her alma mater, John Carroll University.

Representing the class of ’87, Robin is one of four alumni being recognized for accomplishments in their profession, exemplary family and personal lives, contributions to their community and dedication to John Carroll University, thereby reflecting well upon JCU’s educational efforts, moral principles and philosophical tenets.

A Cleveland native, Robin received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from JCU and has more than 25 years of experience in public accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs and the JCU President’s Council, where she has participated in the Planned Giving Committee work as well as campus speaking engagements.

Robin was also recognized in 2003 as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by Crain’s Cleveland Business, the same year she became Zinner & Co.’s third managing partner in its 74-year history. She has chaired the Corporate Committee of the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Foundation and the Jesuit Retreat House.

Nominees for the 2012 Alumni Medal were submitted by the JCU community to a committee of former presidents of the Alumni Association. This committee selected Robin, who will be recognized at the annual Alumni Medal Recognition Dinner on May 18 and again at Commencement on May 20.

As a vital part of the Zinner & Co. family for nearly 22 years, all of us wish Robin Baum a well-deserved congratulations on her prestigious award!

Posted by: Sue Krantz, CPA

I am honored to be a member of the Board of Trustees of the Epilepsy Association.  This year, Zinner & Co. joined the Association in supporting  Purple Day on March 26^th .  Purple Day was conceived by a young girl in Nova Scotia, Canada, Cassidy Megan, who sought a way to make a greater impact on Global Epilepsy Awareness Day.  The Purple Day goal is to increase the public’s awareness of epilepsy as well as to let people with epilepsy everywhere know they are not alone.   Cassidy chose the name Purple Day because lavender is the international color for epilepsy. The lavender flower is associated with solitude, which is representative of the feelings of isolation many people affected by epilepsy often feel. Purple Day is celebrated worldwide on March 26.

In support of Purple Day, the entire staff of Zinner & Co. wore purple on March 26^th – shirts, sweaters, ribbons, necklaces, earrings and even nail polish.  Our lobby was decorated with purple balloons, streamers and flowers and a Purple Day sign, and our purple candy bowls were filled with purple candy. Zinner and Co. also donated website space for a Purple Day message that was scrolling on our front page.

I was tickled “purple” that the Purple Day message came alive for so many of us at Zinner & Co. and that we are all more aware of epilepsy and its effect on our community.

By: Tina Myers, CPA, MTax, AEP®

Yes! We were caught red-handed, gambling at the Crocker Cooks Casino Night event held on Saturday, March 10, which was held to benefit The Gathering Place.  The Gathering Place (www.touchedbycancer.org/). is a non-profit community-based cancer support center that offers a wide variety of FREE programs and services addressing the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individual with cancer, their families and friends.

This was a hugely successful event with almost 600 attendees and more than $130,000 (net) raised to support the organizations free programs and services. The event was held at the Urban Active Fitness at Crocker Park.  They had a number of raffle baskets and chance to win a Car for All Seasons!

Zinner & Co. always takes the chance to support our community organizations.  This is one way we support our great community programs!

Posted by: Andrea Sheets, CPA

The Zinner & Co team is very community minded and always looking for ways to give back.  During the last week of February 2012, four members of our tax department took part in a tax call-in sponsored by The Plain Dealer.  Our tax experts assisted a number of Greater Cleveland residents who needed help with filing their 2011 federal, state and local income tax returns.  The Zinner team was amongst a dozen tax experts in total and answered questions for a total of 6 hours between the two days of the event.  Area residents were encouraged to have their documents on hand before calling, and the phone lines were constantly busy during the entire 6 hours between the two days.

While there aren’t major tax law changes for the 2011 tax year, there are some new forms to contend with, and the experts from our office fielded questions dealing with an array of topics from filing status, itemized deductions, cost basis information, and medical expenses nursing care to tax credits, IRA distributions, and how to get a duplicate copy of a 1099 issued.

The Plain Dealer has been providing this service to local residents for going on 16 years and Zinner & Co. LLP is proud to be a part of this community service for practically just as long.

Posted by: Anna Sary

For the last 2 tax seasons, we have implemented a Wellness Program to encourage healthy habits and reduce stress at a time when the work days are longer, the workloads are heavier and eating habits are more quick and convenient instead of nurturing.  We form teams for a 9-week walk-a-thon challenge to encourage active movement throughout the day and enhance staff camaraderie. By providing every employee with a pedometer, the goal is to walk as much as possible over the course of each week and the individual with the most steps is rewarded with their choice of items like weights, exercise videos and books, yoga balls, water bottles, gym bags, gift cards for healthy eating options, and much more.  At the end of tax season, there will also be grand prizes given to the individual and team with the most steps.  We will also recognize and reward most improved, most spirited and most creative.  The different teams have fun coming up with their names and mascots, as well as finding fun ways to motivate each other. Some of the teams engage in group walks outside or up-and-down the stairwells. Others get together for lunch and walk to a local restaurant.

In conjunction with this Wellness Program, we have also scheduled Saturday sessions that cover a wide variety of health topics and professional services.  During the first week, we identified our Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The second week was spent learning about self-defense from protection expert, Bill Hayes, who is an 8^th degree Black Belt.  We also scheduled two different sessions for upper body massages that include both a deep tissue reconstructive technique and Swedish relaxation method.  Cindy Koller-Kass will be speaking on Celiac disease and the benefits of adopting a gluten-free diet and Ramsey Chiropractic will be presenting on the importance of listening and understanding our bodies.  A health educator from Ladies & Gentleman Salon will talk with us about the advantages of taking care of our bodies and offer suggestions to help de-stress during tax season.  Hot paraffin wax treatments will also be provided at one of these sessions, as a way to ease the pain of achy joints, swelling and poor circulation and to keep our skin moisturized.

We also reached out to local businesses to tell them about our program and ask for donations and the response from the community was overwhelming!  We are not only appreciative of their generosity, but grateful that they would acknowledge and support our efforts and the importance we’ve placed on healthy living. Ramsey Chiropractic donated several significant prizes and gift certificates for chiropractic care, Ladies & Gentleman Salon put together a beautiful gift basket valued at $150 of products services, Robeks sent gift certificates and 20 oz travel mugs, and Salon 180 spoiled us with gift certificates for a haircut & style, manicure & pedicure,  and color & blow dry services. Thank you!

Through this experience, our staff has become mentally and physically healthier, stronger, and significantly less stressed, which enables us to provide better client service during our busy season.

Week 1 Walk-A-Thon Winner – Laura Haines (75,112 steps)

Week 2 Walk-A-Thon Winner – George Anderson (91,683 steps)

Read article about Wellness Programs from the Cleveland Jewish News.
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