John Mello, Appraisal Institute

“The Appraisal Institute and its chapters have enjoyed an extensive and successful collaboration during the Appraisal Institute’s 84-year history.” This statement opens the Introduction to the Appraisal Institute’s (AI) “Chapter Operations Manual,” a nearly 200-page manual that details AI chapters’ functions and responsibilities. It goes on to specify the most important roles of AI chapters, “… chapters are able to provide key services to AI’s professionals, including … first-rate education and timely knowledge and information about the valuation profession …” Based on my own experience, two words that appear in the quote are essential: education and profession.

Education of exceptional quality is developed at the national and chapter levels. Those AI education offerings that are delivered at the chapter level provide appraisers with uniquely efficient access, relevant local context, support for professionalism and opportunities for area appraisers to connect and exchange knowledge and experience.

Professional appraisal education has been the hallmark of the AI’s Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter (AI: MA/RI Chapter), having received numerous accolades and commendations from the AI’s international range of operations and appraisal clients. The breadth and quality of its education program are the result of the dedication and foresight over the years of the Chapter’s education committee, executive director and instructors as well as its past and current boards of directors and officers. It is an on-going, essential mission and responsibility for the chapter. For it is at the chapter level where appraisers are most directly introduced and developed and where the standards for professional quality and integrity are supported and advanced. The chapter’s education program also has been complemented over the years by collaborative programs with other valuation organizations such as the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers (MBREA), Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO), among others.

The chapter’s education activities are re-energized as the seasons change from summer to autumn. On reflection, however, one joint program that capped the summer season was the Chapter’s 2016 “Summer Social: Newport Harbor Sailing Cruise (despite its rain-out), Golf Tournament and Wrap-up Social” which was organized by the chapter’s incomparable social committee, assisted by other chapter members. This event also included the AI’s Connecticut Chapter and the MBREA. Supporting education resources, the event’s golf tournament successfully raised over $2,000 for the AI: MA/RI Chapter’s Hewett/McKinney Scholarship and the MBREA’s Kinsella Scholarship funds, respectively.

Now moving into the fall, the schedule for classroom courses, seminars and other events is a busy one. Check the chapter’s website www.massri-appraisalinstitute.org/ for details on the following events that are scheduled for the remainder of 2016:

• 10/23/16: Mortgage Brokers Convention, Boston.

• 10/24/16: New England Appraisers Expo (joint with MBREA), Norwood, Mass.

• 10/26/16: MA/RI Chapter volunteers at Appraisal Institute exhibit.

• 10/27/16: National 7-Hour USPAP 2016-17 update, Warwick, R.I.

• 11/02/16: “Go To” Meeting: AI candidates, affiliates and individuals interested in pursuing AI designation or affiliation (organized by the chapter’s candidates’ guidance committee)

• 11/07/16: Drone technology and its appraisal impact, Woburn, Mass.

• 11/14/16: Litigation appraising: topics and application, Braintree, Mass.

• 12/01/16: Supervisor appraiser/trainee appraiser program, Burlington, Mass.

• 12/07/16: Chapter holiday meeting and officers installation, Sudbury, Mass.

In addition to the above chapter programs, it is important also to note that the AI provides courses and seminars which are offered throughout the country (and abroad) as well as On-Demand Online Education, Webinars and Live (Synchronous) Online Education. For details check: www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/.

Partnering with the chapter in support of its education programs and activities are its 2016 sponsors. The chapter’s membership expresses great appreciation for the important support that has been made possible by Joseph J. Blake & Associates, Inc. and CB Richard Ellis/ New England (platinum sponsors) and Cushman & Wakefield and Vision Government Solutions (silver sponsors).

John Mello, SRA, is the 2016 president of the MA/RI chapter of the Appraisal Institute.