Fun'd Auction

Dear ISA Colleagues,

It’s baaaack! Pull out your 2011 calendars and mark them for an evening of barbeque, bourbon, and Fun’d. Yes, the Fun’d Auction will be revived and held Sunday evening, February 20th, during ISA's Annual Conference, Appraising America. The Foundation’s Board of Directors is looking for new ways to energize its primary fundraising event. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 to support appraisal education so that we can continue to award grants and scholarships. We would like to ask for your help and creativity to help us achieve this goal.

We’re asking for quality items for the silent and live auctions, items that have typically not been offered in the past. Do you, or does someone you know, have a vacation home or time share they would be willing to donate the use of for a vacation getaway? How about dinner and an evening on someone’s yacht? A cruise to Mexico for 2? A meal with a celebrity? A hunting weekend? Air miles? Subscriptions? A course registration fee? Tickets to a concert or sporting event? The possibilities are limitless, and this is where your creativity kicks in.

Because the Foundation for Appraisal Education is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), those who donate items for the auction are entitled to claim their fair market value as tax deductions, and successful bidders can deduct any monies paid above the fair market value of the items they purchase. Of course, monetary gifts are always welcome and may be deducted in their entirety. We are grateful for smaller items as well such as collectibles, paintings, silver items, good out-of-print reference books, tools of the trade, etc. Every dollar we raise will put us closer to reaching this year's goal.

Please send your auction items to: Carol Wamble, 302 South Cameron Court, Hermitage, TN 37076. Carol has asked that packages be sent via UPS, if possible, and that a signature be required on packages sent through the mail.

We are also looking for volunteers to help before, during and after the auction. If you would like to join us in our efforts to raise money for the good cause of supporting appraisal education, please contact Beth Szescila at beth@houstonappraiser.net, Fred Winer at fred@pwpusa.com, or Carol Wamble at wambleappraising@bellsouth.net .

Beth Szescila, ISA CAPP

Foundation for Appraisal Education President

Thankful

As the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching I have been thinking of the things I am thankful for...


I am thankful for the encouraging movement ISA has made in the past year.

I am thankful for all those members who have rejoined ISA for this year

I am thankful for all of our new members who have joined ISA this year.  

I am thankful to all those members who have given us feedback on the changes we have made; both positive and negative (it shows members are paying attention). 

I am thankful to all those members who have worked on different committees to make our society move.  

I am thankful to our instructors who work so hard to make sure that the attendees experience is rich and full of information.

I am thankful to our Sentergroup staff who has worked so hard to make sure our members are taken care of in a professional manner with grace and humor.  

I am thankful that the ASSETS 2011 is set to go and our members are registering at a quick pace.

I am thankful to all of our speakers for ASSETS 2011 who are going to make this the Must Attend Conference of the Year.

I am thankful to all our signed sponsor and potential sponsors who are going to help make this a win/win for both ISA and them.

I am thankful to the conference committee who worked at lightening speed to get the speakers, the tours, and the sponsors. 

I am thankful to the Southern California Chapter who gave ISA a very generous gift when they closed their chapter.

I am thankful to my fellow board members who have made our working together a joy.

And most importantly, I am thankful that this profession of being an appraiser still keeps me excited and wanting to go to work each day.  And for that I must say finally I am thankful simply for ISA.  

I wish you each a safe and happy holiday.
Judith Martin ISA CAPP
President, ISA

What is a Guest Blogger?

You may have previously seen statements on posts asking for anyone interested in being a guest blogger to contact ISA. You may have asked yourself, “What is a guest blogger and what do they do?” That is very simple, as a guest blogger you would be sharing a story with ISA. Do you have an experience with ISA that sticks out in your mind; your first course, conference, appraisal after becoming a member, etc. We would like to hear from our members about your experiences with ISA. We would like to hear how ISA has made a difference in your professional or personal life. If you think you have a story that you would like to share or have questions about being a guest blogger, please contact me at: mstearns@thesentergroup.com.


Michelle Stearns
Education & Credentialing Coordinator

NOTES FROM THE BOARD

Your Board of Directors has just concluded another successful October meeting in Chicago. The big news for 2010 is that ISA is financially stable. Those of you who have just sent in your annual renewal fee are probably thinking “they better be”, but in the past few years of uncertainty for our industry, as well as many others, that is saying something. Congratulations to the staff and membership who have worked hard this past year trimming programs that were outdated and filling in with better benefits for our members.

Another accomplishment that the organization can be proud of is the continued move toward the excellence of our educational programming. Leon Castner has done a wonderful job this past year as our Educational Director. He has been instrumental in the development of the new course materials which will continue through 2011. He is also assisting in the development of more easily obtainable education through Webinars and Distance Education. Watch Leon’s monthly education reports for more news on the 7 hour USPAP update course currently awaiting approval from the Appraisal Foundation. Michelle Stearns is in our home office in the role of Education and Credentialing Coordinator. Many of you have had a chance to appreciate her knowledge and compassion as you have worked on your credentialing process. Our other new association is with Northern Illinois University. A record number of Core course and continuing education attendees have seen the benefits of this association in person. Those who have attended our fall classes at this facility have appreciated the comfortable and professional environment. Many thanks as well to instructors, committee members and staff who have worked on the development of webinars, course rewrites, credentialing policies and evaluation processes.

If you haven’t read through the Assets 2011 Conference materials yet you had better hurry. Many members have already registered for conference and tours. From the Heart of Country Show to Leigh Keno to Joseph Bothwell we have the opportunity to gain skills and network contacts which will improve our business...great job Nashville Conference Committee! Come learn the latest in industry standards, learn about tools that will help you build your business and spend time with friends from across the country. Conference is also a time when committees meet in person. Many of you have expressed great ideas or an interest in becoming involved in ISA. This will be a great time to learn more about where your talents fit best. There is no better way to make ISA work for you than to work to make ISA a stronger organization. The Fun’d Auction to benefit the Foundation for Appraisal Education is returning this year. If you have never experienced a Fun’d Auction then you definitely need to be there to see what all the buzz is about. The Foundation is currently accepting donations for the auction. Please see their web site, www.foundationforappraisaleducation.org, for contact information.

Our progress cannot happen without the hard work of your Board of Directors and staff. The board is sad to be loosing Darlene Hines as a Director after six years of dedicated service. Darlene is rotating off the board but will continue to be involved with the future of ISA through committee participation. We welcome new board member Sally Ambrose who brings experience as an appraiser and from her service on many committees including Ethics, Designation and Review, ARC, Nominating and Specialty Studies.

I can’t wait to see everyone in Nashville in February. I won’t be hard to find...I’ll be at the head of the Barbecue line!

Libby Holloway
ISA Secretary

ISA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS and RECOGINIZES ATTENDEES

We’re pleased to welcome the following new members who have joined the Society since July 1, 2010:

If you know someone you’d like to recommend for membership, please forward their contact info to Sara Porter, ISA’s Membership & Operations Coordinator, at sporter@thesentergroup.com.

ISA would also like to recognize those who have successfully completed the recent Core Course in Appraisal Studies, in Naperville, IL October 25-31, 2010. Congratulations on your successful completion of the Core Course and best of luck as you further your education, knowledge and experience through the ISA courses and membership!



Assets2011.org is Live!

The wait is over… the conference website is live with all the info you have been waiting for! Visit assets2011.org for program information, sponsorship and advertising details, and to register now.

Just a reminder…there are so many ways to save while attending the ISA Annual Conference, which is taking place February 18-21, 2011 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN.

SUPER-SAVINGS

Through November 19, 2010, we are offering a special discount of $150 off the regular conference pricing. Plus, 2011 member pricing reflects a saving of $50 over 2010 prices. Act fast to take advantage of the lowest registration fees possible! Tours are limited attendance and registration for them is on a first-come, first-served basis.

PAYMENT PLAN

Pay 50% of your meeting registration at the time of registration and pay the balance on January 28, 2011. This option is available if you register on or prior to Friday, January 7, 2011 and for credit card users only. For more details please see the registration form.

CHAPTER/GROUP DISCOUNTS

ISA will offer a special group discount of $50 off the current registration fee for groups of 8 registrants or more. The registration forms must be submitted with full payment and must be submitted at the same time. Email isa@isa-appraisers.org for more information. The newly formed Tennessee Chapter just took advantage of this great promotion and registered 20 people! Why shouldn’t your group or chapter be next?

REFERRAL PROGRAM

ISA’s conference success relies on attracting non-members to the meeting. For every 5 non-member names (with email) you provide to ISA Headquarters, you will receive one entry into a drawing for one night free at the Gaylord Opryland during the conference ($169 value). Email your names to isa@isa-appraisers.org by November 1, 2010. There’s no limit on the number of names you can provide!

DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES

By committing to a block of rooms at the Gaylord Opryland, we are able to offer you the lowest possible hotel rates. By staying at the conference hotel, you help ISA fulfill this commitment, receive a great rate, and are perfectly positioned in the center of the conference activities. Don’t miss a minute of the action – book your room today! Discounted rates are available until January 14, 2011 – room and rate availability cannot be guaranteed after that date. For more information or to reserve your room, click here.

HOTEL PROMOTION
Win your stay at the conference hotel! Every attendee who books into the ISA room block and stays at the Gaylord Opryland for the conference (minimum 3 nights) will be entered into a raffle to win a free hotel stay for the conference (maximum 4 nights)! With a value of almost $700, you can’t afford to miss this promotion!

DISCOUNTED AIRFARE

ISA has negotiated discounts with American Airlines. Visit aa.com for fares and use code 4521BM to book.

DISCOUNTED SHUTTLE SERVICE

With the Gaylord Opryland, ISA is able to provide discounted roundtrip transportation between the Gaylord Opryland and Nashville International Airport. To book your transportation, click here.

P.S. Advance Programs are in the mail to all members – watch your mail boxes!