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The County Auditors' Association of Ohio (CAAO) represents
the interests of Ohio's eighty eight County Auditors. You
can contact CAAO at:
County Auditors Association of Ohio
66 E. Lynn St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 228-2226
Fax: (614) 228-8901
The Association was formed in 1867 for the express purpose
of promoting and protecting the interests of taxpayers in
the State of Ohio and improving the administration of county
government. In addition to providing educational opportunities
to County Auditors, the CAAO works closely with the Ohio General
Assembly to offer legislation to assist County Auditors in
carrying out their duties.
This page will describe the activities of CAAO.
MEMBERSHIP
STAFF
COMMITTEES
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS & STRUCTURE
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS
MEMBERSHIP
CAAO membership is divided into four categories: Regular,
Honorary, Affiliate and Subscribing. Regular membership is
limited to County Auditors and duly appointed Deputy Auditors.
 Honorary
membership is reserved for former County Auditors and Deputy
Auditors. Affiliated membership is limited to employees of
County Auditors' Offices or their professional associations
who support mutual goals with the CAAO. Subscribing membership,
sometimes called vendor membership, includes businesses and
others with an interest in the activities of the CAAO. This
membership program is a vital component of the CAAO. Vendor
members contribute greatly to the success of the association.
The CAAO is divided into four districts: Northeast, Northwest,
Southeast and Southwest. Each district elects their own officers
on an annual basis, usually a President, Vice President, and
Secretary/Treasurer. Districts generally meet monthly or bimonthly
to conduct the business of the Association and to provide
educational opportunities to their members.
STAFF
Frances S. Lesser,
Executive Director (left)
Thomas P. Pappas, Legislative Counsel (right)
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
& STRUCTURE
The officers of the CAAO are President, two Vice Presidents,
and Secretary/Treasurer, who are elected at the annual business
meeting of the Association .
The President and Vice Presidents serve one year terms while
the Secretary/Treasurer serves a two-year term. The officers
also include the Immediate Past President. On a rotating basis
every year, one of the districts elects, from their membership,
someone to serve as Second Vice President of the CAAO.
The following year, unless successfully challenged, this
person succeeds to Vice President and then subsequently to
the Presidency in the third year.
This system provides for continuity for the Association and
allows for smooth transitions from one year to the next while
providing for a democratic election process. With the inclusion
of the Immediate Past President, each district is represented
by an Association officer.
COMMITTEES
There are three committees listed in the
CAAO Constitution to which each district appoints members.
The Executive Committee consists of four regular members from
each district appointed annually. The Executive Committee
is charged with consideration of all the business of and activities
of the CAAO. The Legislative Committee consists of four regular
members from each district appointed in odd-numbered years
to serve two year terms coinciding with the term of the Ohio
General Assembly.
 The
Legislative Committee is responsible for the consideration
of legislation that impacts county government in general and
the County Auditor in specific. The Committee takes positions
regarding legislation and members are called upon to testify
before committees of the Ohio General Assembly. The CAAO retains
the services of legislative counsel to assist in formulating
legislative policy and monitoring legislative activity. The
Conference Planning Committee consists of the Second Vice
President and four regular members, one from each district.
The Conference Planning Committee is charged with the responsibility
of planning two conferences per year and the New Auditors'
Seminar following the County Auditors' election. A number
of standing committees are appointed annually by the President.
These committees include: Agriculture, Government Finance
Officers' Association, International Association of Assessing
Officers, Ohio Council of County Officials, Weights and Measures
and others. In addition, the President may appoint special
committees as the need arises.
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
The CAAO convenes for two conferences each year to provide
continuing education opportunities for County Auditors. The
Summer Conference, in June, takes place at a location selected
by the President. The Winter Conference, in December, is held
in Columbus. The annual meeting, including the election and
installation of officers, takes place at the Winter Conference.
The New Auditorsí Seminar is held once every four years following
the election of County Auditors.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION
County Auditors are required by law to complete at least twenty-four
hours of continuing education per term. Sixteen hours must
be completed during the first year of the term of office and
at least two hours of ethics and substance abuse education
must be included. The CAAO is charged with approval of courses
as well as record keeping. The CAAO bylaws require forty-eight
hours of education per term. Continuing education topics include
real estate valuation, technology solutions, detecting theft
in office, and personnel issues. County Auditors who complete
100 or more hours of continuing education during their term
of office receive the ìDistinguished County Auditor Award.î
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS
• International
Association of Assessing Officers
• Ohio Council of County
Officials
• Ohio Geographically Referenced
Information Program
• Ohio Government Finance
Officers Association
• Ohio Weights & Measures
Association
• County Auditorsí Real
Estate Officials
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