Deadline Tomorrow – Call for Nominations

Have you submitted your nominations for the upcoming ISA Board of Directors election?

Nominations or letters of intent and a resume are due to Jan Durr, ISA CAPP, no later than Tuesday, July 1.

This year, we have three vacancies which must be filled, and we are seeking candidates who will lead and inspire our membership. Each vacant position is for a three-year term. The ISA Board meets four times a year, two via conference call and two are in person, with one taking place at the annual conference and the other in Chicago at ISA headquarters.

Candidates for director must have been members of ISA for at least three years and must currently be an Accredited or Certified member in good standing. Your letter of intent, detailing your qualifications and desire to take us to the next level, are most welcome. Please send letter and resume to Jann Durr no later than Tuesday, July 1.

Jan Durr, ISA CAPP
Chair, Nominating Committee
704.635.7694
JanRobbinsDurr@gmail.com

If you are looking to become a leader in your professional community, this is your opportunity. Submit your nomination now.

You are looking more like Maria Sharapova every day!

Author: Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

Maria Sharapova, like many professional athletes, has a team of coaches to enhance her game. They include physical trainers, nutritionists, a team of psychologists, a marketing team, and even hitting partners. Evidently it takes a village to make a Maria Sharapova. While most of us will never be mistaken for a world class tennis player, we can all take a lesson from this approach: Professionals who are at or wish to be at the top of their game, both on the court and off, take advantage of being coached.

Employing a coach usually takes a bit of money although there are many coaching opportunities available free or at low cost. Every city has a group of volunteer professionals available to help small businesses get off the ground or move to the next level. SCORE arranges a one on one consultation with a retired business executive. If you have not looked into this opportunity, I urge you to consider it. It is enormously helpful to see your business through another businessman’s eyes. Your community has opportunities with professional business clubs, networking breakfasts, and Chamber of Commerce after-hours events that help keep your business ‘in the game’ and connected with others in the business world.

Members of ISA also have opportunities by virtue of membership. Annual conference is a concentrated opportunity to be with the best in the industry. Questions are welcomed by them, as well as, by the many seasoned members in attendance.  Our own Todd Sigety’s generous power point program at conference gave every member, newbie or old hand, access to a powerful presentation; one that would take time and experience to produce on our own.

ISA perennially and proudly points to the friendliness and generosity of members, however the recent conference survey results made Board members realize we need to strengthen this.  While we were encouraged by overwhelmingly positive feedback, we also heard about our weaknesses, and we want you to know we are definitely paying attention. It seems that not enough of our members are aware of the new Mentorship Program at ISA. This idea, fairly new at ISA, is certainly the best on-the-job training program a new appraiser could hope to have although we certainly need to “market” this opportunity much better. We also have a new membership committee at ISA (I am Board Liaison). This new committee is working to reach out to all members, helping them to stay engaged with the process of being or becoming a member, furthering their ISA education, and making sure their questions and concerns are heard and offering help. We are working also at some ideas for pairing old hands with new members at the next Conference so that new members can have a chance to ask probing questions…one-on-one. Conference is a perfect place to facilitate this. We are also considering more ways to come together socially at Conference; especially important for young and new members. Collegiality is one of the greatest advantages of an ISA membership. Everyone thrives in such an atmosphere; it is the hallmark of the best coaching and a clear opportunity for gaining an edge. Just ask Maria.

Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

To be the best appraiser, you’ve got to do the work

Many years ago, a golf instructor said to me, "Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent." Though stated in the context of a sport, this statement has a lot of validity for appraisers.

Recently, I completed my five year re-qualification course through the ISA in Kansas City, MO. While many appraisers bemoan this process, it is an important one to undertake. Are you perfecting your craft or simply defaulting to bad habits and making them permanent?

As professionals in the appraisal industry, we have a duty to stay abreast of and educated about the latest trends, methods, and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice guidelines.

ISA is the only appraisal association in the industry that requires appraisers to re-qualify every five years through a required course (on site or online) and an appraisal review process. In addition to completing the re-qualification course, one must submit evidence of your commitment to professional development, through conference/course attendance and hours worked in the industry. This advanced attention to requalification standards distinguishes the ISA. We are the organization with the highest requalification standards, ensuring our appraisers remain relevant throughout their careers.

So what has this two-step process taught me?

There is nothing like a classroom setting where you can discuss the changing standards of the appraisal industry with your colleagues. Part of the classroom component involves an appraisal review, not only by your instructor, but with a number of your colleagues. This process can lead to fruitful discussions, clarification, and a refining of your skills and methodology. The focus is on developing a credible, well-justified report, and at the same time you are further developing your network of appraisal professionals.

While the notion of “good, better, best” was developed by Albert Sack in his book Fine Points of Furniture (1950), it should also apply to ISA appraisers. We should be aiming for the best, which starts with being dedicated to your craft and keeping on top of your field. If you are on the fence about continuing with ISA and think that the re-qualification process is arduous, it is. But it is worth it. As the athletic saying goes…just do it.

Hughene D. Acheson
B.A.(Hons.)/M.Litt. History of Art

Hughene Acheson, Principal
Fine Art Consulting
Acquisitions, Advisory & Appraisals

Congratulations to course attendees!

ISA recently hosted the Core Course in Appraisal Studies in Toronto, ON at The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. Please join us in congratulating our course attendees on taking the initial steps to their formal appraisal education!

June 2-8 Core Course in Appraisal Studies – Toronto, ON

Crystal Arnold Winnipeg, MB	Peggy Calhoun San Antonio, TX
Sylvie Cataford-Blais Montreal, QC	Armen Dohanian Dallas, TX
Philip Dombowsky Ottawa, ON	Emma Frank Toronto, ON
Maria Gianino St. Louis, MO	Kelly Juhasz Toronto, ON
Jennifer Lynch Taos, NM	Andrea Mateka Toronto, ON
Caitlin McCullough Toronto, ON	Steven McNeil Ottawa, ON
Laura Partington Morgantown, WV	Rachael Storey London, ON

Be sure to mark these upcoming courses on your calendar:
July 14-16/ 21-22: 15 Hour Personal Property USPAP (Live Online)
August 1-2: Requalification (Naperville, IL)
September 15-21: Appraisal of Fine Arts (Naperville, IL)
September 29 - October 4: Antiques & Residential Contents (Naperville, IL)

Call for Nominations

The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications from members wishing to be considered for the ISA Board of Directors. Three vacancies must be filled and we are seeking candidates who will lead and inspire our membership.

Our members look to the Board to do their utmost to encourage enhanced opportunities for the membership, such as quality educational programming and the promotion of the appraisal industry, so that each individual member can benefit professionally and personally from their connection to ISA. The membership will count on your energy and commitment to these objectives. As a Board member you will have direct input into these important priorities. It is a position of responsibility and great opportunity.

While the effort is a serious one, the Board meets just four times per year with two of the sessions in teleconference. Two meetings are in person with one meeting to be held at the annual conference and the other at a meeting in the headquarters office in Chicago.

Here is your opportunity to lead, to inspire others, to work for the good of your profession and the benefit of the membership.

We will be pleased to accept letters of intent to run for the Board along with your resume. Kindly let us know how your accomplishments can best serve the Board and the Society. Please submit all letters of intent to Jan Durr, ISA CAPP no later than Tuesday, July 1. If you would like additional information we will be happy to send it to you.

Please contact: 
Jan Durr ISA CAPP Chair, Nominating Committee
704.635.7694
JanRobbinsDurr@gmail.com