Randy’s Summer Message

To my dear EPCNYC Members,

As we approach what used to be known as the hazy, lazy days of summer, I want to wish you all the happiest of summers ahead. August is upon us, we have 4 weeks left, so I hope you are able to smell some proverbial roses. I personally look forward to my own summer bouquet, consisting of great sailing, biking, and hiking, and maybe a book or two from the ever growing reading list!

EPCNYC has thrived over the past four years—we have moved our dinner events and showcase Estate Planners Day to the Union League Club.  We have been blessed with great, dynamic speakers on relevant topics, plus excellent food and plenty of wine! Truly we have witnessed a renewed energy and vibrancy in the group.

I am personally committed to making a big difference in this, our 60^th year. But, as said in the old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  As I said at the July dinner, I (and the Board) want to go far—far into the future, 60 years in fact, when most of us will be long gone, but hopefully EPCNYC will be alive, thriving and better than ever.

But, for that, we need to go together!

Let me ask you a few questions:

1.       Do you find your EPCNYC membership worthwhile?

2.       Do you have any friends, colleagues, acquaintances who might be great members and be an asset to our group?

3.       Are you willing to solicit 2 to 5 people to potentially join?

4.       Would you like to receive an Amex $100 card or a great prize?

5.       Do you want EPCNYC to reach our BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) for this year of our 60^thbirthday? We call it 60 for 60—adding 60 new members in our 60^th birthday year.

I hope that you all agree that this is a worthy goal. I know if each and every one of you commits to this, we’ll get there easily.

Please reach out with your thoughts, comments and feedback as we all strive to make EPCNYC better and better during the coming years. And, I thank all of you for your continued participation and loyalty and for those of you who remain standing, you dedication to helping us meet out 60/60 goals as we march forward for the next 60 years!

Randy Kaufman
2018-2019 EPCNYC President

That same year, the Estate Planning Council of New York City (EPCNY) receives its certificate of incorporation on June 11th. EPCNY’s purpose was articulated as:

a)       To provide a better understanding of the services which attorneys, life underwriters, trust officers and accountants render;

b)      To promote cooperation between  each of the four groups and to foster a better understanding of the proper relationship which each group bears to the other, to their clients and to the general public

c)       To provide a medium for the discussion of topics of common interest.

Six decades later, our purpose has endured!  As the times have changed we have expanded our membership to other key participants in our field, including bankers and other financial services providers.  And EPC remains dedicated to promoting and supporting our community of estate planning professionals.

I am honored to serve as President as EPC celebrates its 60^th anniversary!  It was a great pleasure to work with a dedicated Board and Executive Committee over the past four years and I am humbled to fill the large shoes (some stilettos) of all the Past Presidents. I look forward to serving you, our dear members and truth be told, our only significant asset.  Our meetings provide a platform for discussion of various current estate planning topics of common interest. In addition to the excellent educational information and technical content, our meetings give our members the opportunity to network, meet old friends and make new ones within the greater New York City professional community.

EPCNY has thrived over the past four years—we have moved our dinner events and showcase EPC day to the Union League Club.  We have been blessed with great, dynamic speakers on relevant topics, plus excellent food and plenty of wine! Truly we have witnessed a renewed energy and vibrancy in the group.

Please reach out with your thoughts, comments and feedback as we all strive to make EPCNY better and better during the coming years. And, I thank all of you for your continued participation and loyalty as we march forward for the next 60 years!

Randy Kaufman
2018-2019 EPCNYC President

The Estate Planning Council of New York City, Inc. has been awarded the highest honor available to an estate planning council affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, the Leonard H. Neiman and Walter Lee Davis, Jr. Council of Excellence Award. 

The award ceremony was Wednesday, November 15, 2017 during the 54th
Annual NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pictured below (left to right) are current EPCNYC President, Ruth Flynn Raftery, JD, CPA; Chair of the Membership Committee, Geoffrey B. Sargeant, CFP, AEP; and NAEPC liaison, and Rick Chalifox.

EPCNYC has been awarded the highest honor available to an estate planning council affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, the Leonard H. Neiman and Walter Lee Davis, Jr. Council of Excellence Award. 

Click Here to view the Press Release.

Check out the Money Matters report "Estate Plans Cut Down Confusion When Dividing Assets" here. And be sure to check back on October 28th and 30th as this is the first of three estate planning segments that the Money Matters Report will be airing.