1980 The Society becomes the umbrella organization in dealing with the various educational accreditation agencies, previously the responsibility of each Chapter. At the fourth annual convention in San Diego, the establishment of a permanent headquarters for the Society in Sacramento is proposed. The first TV spots promoting Enrolled Agents are aired by the Sacramento Chapter. CSEA dues increase for the first time since the Society’s founding: a one-year membership now costs $20.

1981 CSEA’s Bylaws are changed to designate that each Chapter would be entitled to one seat on the Board of Directors; Chapters of more than 100 Members are entitled to two seats (previously, the Board was constituted to ensure that the northern and southern parts of the state each held an identical number of seats). CSEA enrollment stands at over 1,000 Members, and the Society’s Newsletter is upgraded to a monthly publication entitled The California Enrolled Agent.

1982 The Board of Directors decides to produce a series of seminars to raise much-needed operating funds for the Society; Tom Hess, EA, and Hayden Wisdom, EA, volunteer to personally produce the seminars. The Society lacks the money to even promote the seminars (scheduled for May as “Education Month”), and relies upon funds loaned by the Chapters and some of the Directors. The “road show” seminars reach from San Diego to Redding and are a tremendous success, instituting a new era for the Society. Following that accomplishment, the Society increases its Member benefit package to include insurance and discounts on tax research manuals, hotels, and rental cars. The first computer for the Society’s use (a gift from the Chapters) is installed for then-Executive Director Bill Sprague.

1983 The second annual “Education Month” is a resounding success; a one-day “Super Seminar” held at Lake Tahoe draws more than 200 attendees, twice the number expected. CSEA membership tops 1,500. At the Society convention in Monterey, the Director of Practice announces he is considering drafting proposals to require the continuing professional education of all Enrolled Agents. The first CSEA Long Range Plan is adopted; one of the goals is for the purchase of a building “to house the Executive Office and headquarters of the Society” (at that time, the Society was housed in a spare room in the Executive Director’s home).

1984 “Education Month” is expanded as Las Vegas and Reno are selected as sites for the Super Seminars, now a 2-day event. The CSEA Scholarship Fund is created.

1985 The Society creates the Legislative Action Fund, which successfully combats the proposed so-called “Model Accountancy Act” sponsored by the California Society of CPAs. In February, the Society unveils its new official logo. Dues are raised to $40, the first increase in four years. Membership exceeds 2,000 for the first time.

1986 The Super Seminars expand to a third day, enabling EAs to fulfill their annual IRS requirement. In addition, sixteen one-day seminars are held throughout California in May. The California Enrolled Agent publishes its first annual “Good Stuff” issue, with a wealth of information about the Seminars and other useful information. After two years in a small office, the Society relocates, renting space at its current location on Ramos Circle in Sacramento. The Thomas P. Hess Award is established to recognize extraordinary contributions to the educational goals of CSEA and its local Chapters. The 10th annual convention is held in San Diego, and – after two years of discussion – new Bylaws are approved.

1987 At the annual convention in Sacramento, outgoing President Hayden Wisdom, EA, expresses the necessity of purchasing a permanent headquarters for the Society, and makes the first donation to a Building Fund.

1988 A series of four television programs entitled “The Tax Professionals” air on PBS and are extremely successful in informing the public about EAs; additional programs would be produced and aired over the next few years. CSEA receives the IRS’s “Meritorious Public Service Award”, recognizing the Society’s contribution to greater understanding of federal tax laws, and for CSEA’s creation of the PIES (“Problem Identification for Early Solution”) program. The Society begins its “We SpEAk Tax” promotion, and for the first time, utilizes a toll-free number to promote Members’ Services. The Society’s Scholarship Fund is expanded.

1989 A third Super Seminar is added. The Society’s Building Fund passes $100,000 and a search begins for a permanent headquarters. Many CSEA Members provide tax assistance to victims of the devastating Bay Area earthquake.

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