Thank you

Dear Colleagues,

As I begin to ready for my last Board meeting as President of ISA I wanted to share some thoughts and thank you’s.
  
Four years ago when I was fortunate enough to be elected to the Board of Directors I came to the position with a great depth of knowledge regarding the workings of ISA; or so I thought.  As a CORE instructor for many years I had dealt with eight different Boards of Directors,  2 Executive Directors, 3 Education Coordinators at headquarters, numerous staff changes  and seven other CORE instructors not counting the Distance Education CORE instructors who at one time numbered 24 total.  And this was just my time as an instructor.

As a member of ISA for nearly twenty years now I have seen many changes.  Some of the changes were very good, and some unfortunately were not.  But hopefully the not so good changes went by the way side as the organization worked its way through growing pains.   When I joined ISA we were a profit-based organization headed and owned by Maury Fry.  We are now and have been for many years a not-for-profit organization owned by our members.   My how times have changed. 

The profession of Personal Property Appraising has been making great changes over these past 30+ years ISA has existed.  We have been at the forefront of these changes every step of the way.  Many times the changes to our programs and/or positions have been followed or copied by other organizations and that is perfectly fine. Actually it is quite a complement to our group. 

When I came to the Board ISA was certainly at a crossroads.  I know that many members had worked very hard to keep our organization moving forward.  We were in a very troublesome financial condition.  We were in need of real professional guidance, perseverance and financial belt-tightening.  And so as a group we put our heads down and went to work.  The first thing to change was our business model of running our organization – from a self-contained office to a society managed office.  And so we moved to Chicago. 

Our first management group didn’t work out so well, but you don’t know until you try.  We didn’t stay with them very long and landed at Sentergroup.  What a fortunate day that was.  I have to say when I first met Craig Sondalle of Sentergroup I thought him a little too sharp.  I really thought he was just trying to sell us, and so did the other Board members who met with him.  Funny, we decided to go with the other guy; we should have gone with the sharp young man the first time around. With the help of Sentergroup led by Craig Sondalle and our Joe Jackson we have moved mountains to be on solid financial footing.  It is my hope that in the future the decision makers will make good financial decisions to keep us moving forward.  

Things are moving upward and forward.  I believe that the changes that are afoot are good for ISA and as these changes are publicized I hope that the majority of the members will approve.    I cannot share with you all that we have been working on.  But you do know about the website – it is coming soon, it takes more time than you can imagine as there are many pieces to the puzzle.  But the puzzle is almost complete and it makes a pretty picture. 

So before I change my seat at the BoD I would like to give a few public thank you’s.   First to Gloria Moroni for teaching from the beginning the correct way to be a professional appraiser and for taking me to “her” meetings to meet “her” associates, thanks mom.  To my daughter Kate Martin who has been my work partner so that I could do my ISA work, and who now is an appraiser like her grandmother and mother.

To my fellow past instructors who had taught me so much and helped me to understand the needs of the ISA education program; so that when I was in the position to do something about it, I could and I did.
To my fellow Board members these past four years –for your support, your hard work and your input – I am so proud to have served with each and every one of you.   I look forward to my remaining two years to see the projects we have worked on come to fruition.

And to the members of ISA who have listened and understood my vision.  Through your support I know that we are on a good path, I know that we have turned a huge corner, and I know that ISA will be around for years to come.  I would ask just one thing from those of you who can: step up, join in and have your voice heard – you never know where a strong voice can bring you – maybe to one of the most  exhausting , fulfilling and joyful  positions in your life. 

Thank you
Judith Martin, ISA CAPP
President, ISA  

ISA Recognizes Course Attendees

ISA would like to announce the attendees of the recent Appraisal of Fine Arts course:

Lauren Bradley, ISA – Fountainville, PA

Madeline Brophy – Dallas, TX

Michelle Castro – New Orleans, LA

Moncia Fidel, ISA AM – Miami, FL

Sylvia Fraley, ISA – St. Louis, MO

Carlette Fredrickson, ISA – Springdale, AR

Wendy Gerdau, ISA – Los Angeles, CA

Holly Hackwith – Omaha, NE

Kelly Knoll – West Bloomfield, MI

Shannon Law – Minneapolis, MN

Kim Morrison – Hinsdale, IL

Scott Palmer, ISA – Elgin, IL

Cindy Stephenson, ISA AM – Southampton, PA

Irene Szylinger, ISA – Toronto, ON

Wendy Treacy – Aurora, ON

Rosalie Wardell – Healdsburg, CA

Elise Waters – El Prado, NM

Congratulations to those who attended the course and taking this important step in further your industry knowledge!

Recent Activities of the Marketing and Promotions Committee

This has been a busy summer for the Marketing and Promotions Committee.  We have redone the piece that goes to potential sponsors and advertisers so that it offers more year-round opportunities for a wider range of budgets (view it here!), placed an ad in Maine Antiques Digest which will run through the fall, brainstormed ideas for future ads, added free links in related industry websites and started reworking our old prospecting brochure.  What’s really great about all this activity is that many members took one project and ran with it.  Some people really did commit hours of effort into their project but most helped achieve major goals with short time commitment.  I say this to let all of you know that there is plenty of room for more busy appraisers to make a contribution to the society through committee involvement. 

When asked what membership benefits are important, members consistently say advertising that leads to jobs for our appraisers.  I commend the creativity of the members of the Marketing and Promotions committee for their efforts to find ways to promote ISA and the use of its members to those who hire us.  We will also be promoting the advantages of our educational system to those who are considering becoming appraisers.  Another aspect of this committee’s task is to find sponsors and advertisers to help pay for further educational programs and for our annual conference.  Now, I understand that raising money is not a favorite hobby for most of you but surprisingly this is one of the most rewarding aspects of my service.  I have had several calls from sponsors who attend conference just to tell me how impressed they are with our programs.  They all tell me that our members are friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.   You are the ones who have resold them on the value of continuing to sponsor and advertise with us. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Marketing and Promotions committee please contact board liaisons Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP at: libby@LibbyHollowayAppraisals.com or Steve Roach, ISA AM at: Roach.Steve@gmail.com for information on current projects. 

Online Registration Open for Assets 2012

The full program is just a few weeks away from being launched, but you can register for Assets 2012 online now and make your hotel arrangements today! Super Saver pricing is in effect for the remainder of 2011. Register by December 31^st in order to receive $150 off the regular registration price.

Here is a look at the schedule to help you plan your trip. More details are coming soon!

Abbreviated Schedule
Friday, April 20, 2012: Optional Tour Day for ARC and Fine Art
Saturday, April 21, 2012: Full day of education
Sunday, April 22, 2012: Full day of education
Monday, April 23, 2012: Half day of education, meeting adjourns at 2:15pm

We’ve highlighted all the ways that you can save while attending Assets 2012. We look forward to seeing you at the Tempe Mission Palms in Tempe, Arizona, April 20-23, 2012!

Super-Savings

Through the end of 2011, we are offering a special discount of $150 off the regular conference pricing. Also, pricing for the 2012 Conference has not increased and Assets 2012 will offer additional breakfasts and lunches for attendees, lessening your out-of-pocket costs while at the meeting. Act fast to take advantage of the lowest registration fees possible!  Tours are limited 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 the balance on March 31, 2012.  This option is available if you register on or prior to Tuesday, March 1, 2012 and for credit card users only.  This option is not available with online registration. For more details please see the registration form that accompanies the Advance Program in November.

Chapter/Group Discounts

ISA will offer a special group discount of $50 off the current registration fee for groups of 8 registrants or more. This option is not available with online registration. 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.

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 Tempe Mission Palms during the conference ($179 value).  Email your names to isa@isa-appraisers.org by December 1, 2011.  There’s no limit on the number of names you can provide!

Discounted Hotel Rates

By committing to a block of rooms at the Tempe Mission Palms, 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 March 17, 2012 – room and rate availability cannot be guaranteed after that date. For more information or to reserve your room, click here.

Airport Shuttle Service

With your stay at the Tempe Mission Palms, you are able to receive complimentary roundtrip transportation between the conference hotel and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  The Advance Program will provide more details; no reservations are necessary.