2020 is in full swing as we head into the spring! - by George Demopulos

The Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute 2020 is in full swing as we head into the spring! 

Our next Board of Directors meeting is being held on Wednesday, March 24^th in Braintree, MA at the Braintree Residence Inn. We will be discussing the chapter education and social events as well as reviewing our chapter committee reports and finances. All chapter professional members are welcome to attend any Board of Directors meeting. 

The chapter is proud to continue to provide scholarships to our members who are seeking their professional designations. The Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter and the Appraisal Institute Education & Relief Foundation offer a variety of scholarships to assist candidates, practicing affiliates and college graduates. The Chapter’s Hewitt Scholarship Fund has two scholarships: One for current chapter candidates to complete the Demonstration of Knowledge Requirement (up to $750) and another for recent college graduates to attend trainee courses. The fund will also be awarding one scholarship per year to a recent college graduate for the three courses required for a Trainee license offered by the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Please contact our offices directly for more information regarding all our scholarships. 

Our education offerings for 2020 are in full swing and we have a terrific line-up of education for new appraisers who may need introductory classes? The chapter is reaching out to local colleges and universities to reach out to future appraisers and offering the following trainee courses: 

• 15 hour National USPAP course - June 5 and 6 in Woburn, MA; 

• Basic Appraisal Principles - September 11,12,18,19 in Braintree, MA; and 

• Basic Appraisal Procedures - October 30, 31 and November 6, 7 in Braintree, MA.

For all chapter educational offerings please visit our website at www.massri-appraisalinstitute.org. You can also follow our chapter on Facebook! 

The chapter and its member professionals also continue to give back to our community! Once again we will be volunteering on our annual Jay Zeigler Service day on April 15^th! Join the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter as we once again honor the memory of Jay with a day of service. Back by popular demand, we will once again be volunteering at Cradles to Crayons in their new location in Newton, MA. Over the past 12 years, chapter AI professionals have donated hundreds of hours to worthwhile service projects. 

Cradles to Crayons is a place where as a team we will roll up your sleeves and help provide local children with the basic essentials they need to thrive–at home, at school, and at play. While Cradles to Crayons runs on volunteers, it also depends on having an ample supply of new and like-new children’s items. Please consider cleaning out your closet for like-new children’s items to donate and bring with you. This time of year, the organization is especially in need of new pajamas, size 2T and above. 

Our chapter is made of the very best commercial and residential appraisers providing real estate solutions for clients throughout New England and beyond. Our chapter designated professionals specialize in all aspects of real estate appraisal and consulting and are ready to provide these services to all of our clients, current and future. A complete list of our members and their appraisal concentrations can also be found on our website, http://massri-appraisalinstitute.org/ 

Please feel free to reach out to our offices via our website for any additional information you may need regarding the MA/RI Chapter of the Appraisal Institute or to find a qualified appraisal professional for all your appraisal needs you may have in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

George Demopulos, MRICS, RA, SRA, AI-RRS is the 2020 president of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and president and chief valuations officer at Lincoln Appraisal & Settlement Services (LASS) and Lincoln Abstract & Settlement Services, Providence, RI.