American Society of Appraisers (ASA) president's message

I am excited and honored to be voted in as this year's American Society of Appraisers Boston chapter president, the chapter is one of the largest in the nation, at just under 300 members. We have a great high energy core group of membership and have stimulating speakers and educational programs scheduled for the upcoming year, including one of Boston's premier marketing and public relations firms, a contract law attorney, business law attorney, one of the leading trust and estate attorneys in Boston, a business valuation educational seminar, personal property educational session, and "a night out, cocktails and tour of the new Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) located on Boston's Fan Pier. We also offer USPAP updates and have a report writing course upcoming in 2008. The ASA is committed to fostering professional excellence in its membership education, accreditation, publication and other services. Its prestige is intended to contribute to the growth of its membership and to the appraisal profession. The ASA is the only multidisciplinary society in the United States representing more than 5,000 individual appraisal professionals who are committed to providing consumers the best appraisal/valuation expertise available on the market. ASA was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Herndon, VA. * ASA has more than 5,000 members in the U.S, and in 44 countries. * Members are located in 16 regions, and in 81 state and local chapters. * ASA is governed by a 19 - member board of governors. * ASA is the only society that accredits in all six professional disciplines: appraisal review and management, business valuation, gems and jewelry, machinery and technical specialties, personal property and real property. For 70 years, ASA has been fostering professional excellence by * Accrediting members only after they complete a rigorous testing and evaluation process that requires years of study, training and peer review; * Providing continuing education programs and training opportunities to members both at the chapter level and at the national level. * Maintaining a strong role in the Appraisal Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and recognized by the U. S. Congress since 1989 as the sole source for uniform appraisal standards and qualifications; and * Requiring that all members subscribe to the Appraisal Foundation's Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the ASA's Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics, which the society enforces through a grievance process. "Homebuyers need to protect themselves by checking the credentials of everyone involved in the transaction and requesting that their assigned appraiser be state licensed and accredited by a national professional organization," said Mike Evans, a fellow of the ASA . Liz Clement is the American Society of Appraisers Boston chapter president.