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  D.C.&#160;20549</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">FORM 8-K</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT
  REPORT</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Pursuant to Section 13 OR
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of
  Report <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Date of earliest event
  reported)</font>: November 24, 2008</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
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      </div>
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                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<img src="logo.jpg" alt="logo"> </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">COMMUNITY
        BANK SYSTEM, INC.</font></div>
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              <td width="100%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 4px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 4px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px solid"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font>
  
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Exact
        name of registrant as specified in its
  charter)</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
        </table>
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
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      <div>&#160;</div>
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              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Delaware</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">001-13695&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">16-1213679&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
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              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(State or
        other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></td>
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                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Commission File
        Number)&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
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                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(I.R.S. Employer
        Identification No.)&#160;</font></div>
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              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
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              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">5790
        Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">13214-1883&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
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                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Address of
        principal executive offices)&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Zip
        Code)&#160;</font></div>
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      <div>&#160;</div>
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      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div align="center">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">&#160;(315)
  445-2282</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code)</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">_________________________________</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;(Former
  Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check the
  appropriate box below if the form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following
  provisions:</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Soliciting
  material pursuant to rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 5.02(d) Appointment of
  Directors.</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Community
  Bank System, Inc. (&#8220;Company&#8221;) announced that its Board of Directors increased
  the size of the Company&#8217;s Board and appointed two new independent directors to
  the Company&#8217;s Board at a meeting on November&#160;18, 2008 based upon the
  recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Committee.&#160;&#160;The appointment of James W. Gibson, Jr., CPA and James A.
  Wilson, CPA, CFE to the Board will be effective January&#160;1,
  2009.&#160;&#160;The Company&#8217;s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had
  reviewed candidates who would meet the independence standards of the New York
  Stock Exchange and enhance the level of certain&#160;identified skills and
  experience&#160;on the Board before recommending the appointment of the new
  directors.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
  Gibson recently served as a Partner in KPMG, LLC, a global network of
  professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services, in New
  York City.&#160;&#160;During his more than 35 year career with KPMG, he was
  responsible for audit and financial service oversight for the Firm&#8217;s world-wide,
  national and regional banking and financial service clients.&#160;&#160;Gibson
  is a Certified Public Accountant and has memberships with numerous professional
  organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
  the Community Banker's Association of New York State and the Independent Bankers
  Association of New York.&#160;&#160;He earned a bachelor&#8217;s degree in accounting
  from the University of Florida.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
  Wilson served as a Partner for Parente Randolph, LLC, one of the top 35
  accounting and consulting firms in the United States, in its Wilkes-Barre, PA
  office through April 2008.&#160;&#160;He previously served as Director for the
  School of Accounting for the International Correspondence School in Scranton,
  PA.&#160;&#160;He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
  Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and Pennsylvania
  Institute of Certified Public Accountants where he chaired the Financial
  Institution Committee.&#160;&#160;He earned a bachelor&#8217;s degree and MBA in
  accounting from The University of Scranton.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
  appointment of the new directors is not subject to any arrangement or
  understanding between the new directors and any other person.&#160;&#160;At this
  time, committee memberships have not been determined; however, based upon their
  independence and status as financial experts, the new directors will be
  considered for membership on the Company&#8217;s Audit Committee.&#160;&#160;The
  Company is not aware of any related party transactions as defined in Item 404(a)
  of Regulation S-K that exist with respect to the new directors.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
  addition, the Company&#8217;s wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Community Bank, NA,
  announced that it has appointed five new directors to its Board.&#160;&#160;Mark
  E. Bolus, Neil E. Fesette, Edward S. Mucenski, John Parente and John F. Whipple
  will join the Bank&#8217;s Board effective January 1, 2009.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A press
  release announcing the appointment of the new directors is attached hereto as
  Exhibit 99.1.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
  9.01&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
  following exhibit is filed as a part of this report:</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
  No.</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;&#160;Press
  Release, dated November 24, 2008, announcing appointment of two new independent
  di</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">rectors.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Signatures</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
  to the requirements of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 144pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Community
  Bank System, Inc.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div align="center">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">
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                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date:
        November 24, 2008</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">s/ Mark E.
        Tryniski</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 288pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;Mark
        E. Tryniski</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 288pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;President
        and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
            </tr>
        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 216pt; TEXT-INDENT: 27pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">EXHIBIT
  INDEX</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
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        two</font></div>
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text: cbna8k1108.htm
  UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington,
  D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT
  REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 OR
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of
  Report
  (Date of earliest event
  reported)
  : November 24, 2008
  COMMUNITY
        BANK SYSTEM, INC.
  (Exact
        name of registrant as specified in its
  charter)
  Delaware
  001-13695
  16-1213679
  (State or
        other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  (Commission File
        Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
        Identification No.)
  5790
        Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York
  13214-1883
  (Address of
        principal executive offices)
  (Zip
        Code)
  (315)
  445-2282
  (Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code)
  _________________________________
  (Former
  Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
  Check the
  appropriate box below if the form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following
  provisions:
  o
  Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  o
  Soliciting
  material pursuant to rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))
  Item 5.02(d) Appointment of
  Directors.
  Community
  Bank System, Inc. ("Company") announced that its Board of Directors increased
  the size of the Company's Board and appointed two new independent directors to
  the Company's Board at a meeting on November 18, 2008 based upon the
  recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Committee.  The appointment of James W. Gibson, Jr., CPA and James A.
  Wilson, CPA, CFE to the Board will be effective January 1,
  2009.  The Company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had
  reviewed candidates who would meet the independence standards of the New York
  Stock Exchange and enhance the level of certain identified skills and
  experience on the Board before recommending the appointment of the new
  directors.
  Mr.
  Gibson recently served as a Partner in KPMG, LLC, a global network of
  professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services, in New
  York City.  During his more than 35 year career with KPMG, he was
  responsible for audit and financial service oversight for the Firm's world-wide,
  national and regional banking and financial service clients.  Gibson
  is a Certified Public Accountant and has memberships with numerous professional
  organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
  the Community Banker's Association of New York State and the Independent Bankers
  Association of New York.  He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting
  from the University of Florida.
  Mr.
  Wilson served as a Partner for Parente Randolph, LLC, one of the top 35
  accounting and consulting firms in the United States, in its Wilkes-Barre, PA
  office through April 2008.  He previously served as Director for the
  School of Accounting for the International Correspondence School in Scranton,
  PA.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
  Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and Pennsylvania
  Institute of Certified Public Accountants where he chaired the Financial
  Institution Committee.  He earned a bachelor's degree and MBA in
  accounting from The University of Scranton.
  The
  appointment of the new directors is not subject to any arrangement or
  understanding between the new directors and any other person.  At this
  time, committee memberships have not been determined; however, based upon their
  independence and status as financial experts, the new directors will be
  considered for membership on the Company's Audit Committee.  The
  Company is not aware of any related party transactions as defined in Item 404(a)
  of Regulation S-K that exist with respect to the new directors.
  In
  addition, the Company's wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Community Bank, NA,
  announced that it has appointed five new directors to its Board.  Mark
  E. Bolus, Neil E. Fesette, Edward S. Mucenski, John Parente and John F. Whipple
  will join the Bank's Board effective January 1, 2009.
  A press
  release announcing the appointment of the new directors is attached hereto as
  Exhibit 99.1.
  Item
  9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  The
  following exhibit is filed as a part of this report:
  Exhibit
  No.
  Description
  99.1
  Press
  Release, dated November 24, 2008, announcing appointment of two new independent
  di
  rectors.
  Signatures
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.
  Community
  Bank System, Inc.
  Date:
        November 24, 2008
  s/ Mark E.
        Tryniski
  Mark
        E. Tryniski
  President
        and Chief Executive Officer
  EXHIBIT
  INDEX
  Exhibit
        No.
  Description
  99.1
  Press
        Release, dated November 24, 2008, announcing appointment of
        two
  new
        independent auditors.