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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Registration for Assets 2011 is Open!

Registration for Assets 2011- Appraising America is now available. From February 18-21, 2011, ISA will be in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland for another fantastic annual conference. You can register online or download a registration form. There are lots of ways you can save money while attending Assets 2011. View all the money saving discounts you can take advantage of to attend Assets 2011.    

The conference committee has worked hard to bring great speakers this year like Leigh Keno, Joe Bothwell, William Adair, and David Lindquist. You can view the entire program schedule now In addition to the fantastic educational program taking place during the meeting, there are many more exciting things going on with conference this year!

Social and Networking Opportunities

Assets 2011 will be a great place to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Read about all the planned events to network with your peers:

Saturday: welcome breakfast, two coffee/networking breaks

Sunday: buffet luncheon, two coffee/networking breaks, “Meet the Speakers” event,

Bourbon and Barbeque + Auction dinner

Monday: coffee/networking break, closing luncheon

In addition, there are also activities for first-time attendees in the works to make them feel extra welcome and connected to the ISA community.

Heart of Country Antiques Show

This year, ISA has co-located Assets 2011 with the Heart of Country Antiques Show, which is also taking place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. All Assets 2011 attendees will receive a one day pass to the show included in their registration. Plus, as an attendee of Assets 2011, you will have the option to attend the Heart of Country Preview Party on Thursday, February 17 for half the regular price!

Friday Tours
 
Friday, February 18, 2011 will be reserved for a day of tours around Nashville. Two specialty tours will be offered covering a variety of attractions including Cheekwood Mansion, The Hermitage, the Parthenon and more. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early to ensure your spot. Tour registration includes transportation via motor coach and lunch at Cheekwood Mansion.

Fine Art Tour
Antiques and Residential Contents Tour

Requalify in Nashville

On February 22 and 23, immediately following Assets 2011, ISA will offer its two day onsite requalification course. Take advantage of your time at conference and “kill two birds with one stone” by taking the requalification course. Early registration pricing for the course is available until January 11, 2011.

We look forward to seeing you in Nashville! For questions about conference, call headquarters at 312.981.6778 or email isa@isa-appraisers.org

Rachel Walsh
Meetings Coordinator

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

ISA Announces New Membership Cards

In an effort to expand ISA member benefits, we will now provide members with membership cards. These plastic cards will allow ISA members a “portable” manner to promote their level of professionalism by conveying their affiliation with the International Society of Appraisers.

ISA will provide these new cards along with the dues payment thank you letters. Members in good standing can use their new membership cards to identify themselves to potential and current clients, along with the general public, and show their involvement and level of designation with ISA. Each member card will have the member’s name, along with member number, designation and card expiration date.

Upgraded, professionally designed and printed membership certificates will now be available for purchase, along with an assortment of framing options. ISA has partnered with a renowned designer and producer of custom certificates and members will receive a brochure with the dues thank you letter that will provide information on obtaining a professional certificate and frame.

If there are any questions, please contact me at sporter@thesentergroup.com.

Sara Porter
Membership & Operations Coordinator

Thursday, September 16, 2010

ISA New Dues Invoicing Schedule

As ISA has rolled out its new dues invoicing schedule, there have been a few questions from members about how it was developed.

As an association, ISA’s member services and benefits are tied to the period of time covered by the dues paid by each individual. As a result, ISA is making every effort to give you, the member, as much notice as possible to pay your dues prior to your expiration date.

The changes we have made to our invoicing schedule allow members to receive up to 3 invoice reminders before their membership is scheduled to expire. The three membership reminders will go out 75 days, 45 days and 15 days before a member’s expiration date. Our goal with sending you these invoice “reminders” is to help ensure your membership does not lapse, so you’ll continue to receive uninterrupted benefits (such as your “Find an Appraiser” listing on ISA’s website).

In the event you have not renewed your membership, a lapsed letter will go out 15 days after your expiration date to remind you that your membership has expired. At this point, per ISA’s Bylaws, you’ll no longer be considered a “member in good standing.”

If a member renews within one month of expiring, there will be no renewal charge. After one month of lapsed membership, there is a membership renewal fee of $75.

As ISA continues to grow, we hope to enhance our level of member benefits, services and educational opportunities.

If there are any questions, please contact me at sporter@thesentergroup.com

Sara Porter
Membership and Operations Coordinator

Monday, September 13, 2010

BALLOTS ARE IN THE MAIL!

The ballot materials for the Board of Directors elections were mailed on September 2nd, so if you’re a voting member, you have probably received your packet by now. Be sure and complete the ballot and return it to ISA headquarters, postmarked no later than Monday, September 27, 2010.

Many thanks go to a dedicated and focused Nominating Committee who gave time, thought and effort to choosing a stellar ballot of candidate leaders for the Board of Directors positions. The present ballot represents individuals with exceptional skills in many areas. The committee concentrated on choosing those candidates with proven speaking and presenting skills as communication is the key to leadership. We also strongly considered those who demonstrated an understanding and capability with the ‘new technology’ and who held the promise of bringing the membership up-to-the-minute in our complex world. We held in highest regard those candidates whose professional life and commitment was clearly exemplary, as the representation by those who know and appreciate what appraisers do on a day to day basis is so important to our membership. Luckily, we found many candidates that fit our search for the ‘perfect package’. I know you will have as hard a time deciding as we did. In addition our thanks go to an extraordinarily capable group of volunteers who stepped up to the plate and offered to run for the position of Board of Directors. You are the backbone of ISA and we are in your debt.

Be sure to cast your vote in this important process!

Mo Aubry, ISA CAPP, Chair
The Nominating Committee


(As a reminder, voting in ISA elections is limited to current ISA Associate, ISA Member, ISA Accredited Member and ISA CAPP Members; ISA Prospect, Candidate, Retired and Affiliate Members are not eligible to vote, per approved Bylaws.)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Enhanced Report Writing Class to Convene Sept. 30

Ever confused over the types of acceptable report formats? Ever have to do an appraisal in an unusual or unique style due to the client's wishes? Ever done a government appraisal (not the IRS) and couldn't figure out what they really wanted?

This class is for you. It will review the 3 main appraisal reports and then introduce new types of formats including spread sheets, data management, charts, and official "laundry lists." We will also share ways of making your reports better and, at the same time, comply to both USPAP and ISA.

This is a chance for you to upgrade your products and get more work. In addition we will assist you in making your reports more readable, user friendly, and technologically state of the art.

This is a workshop. Friendly, suggestive, and helpful. It will not only take you to the next level of appraisal transmission, but enhance your work to a degree you thought not possible.

Register now. The class runs for 2 days at NIU in Naperville starting Sept. 30. 15 PDC's will be awarded.

To view the previous in depth ISA Forum post, click here.

Leon Castner, ISA CAPP
Director of Education