President’s final message: Thank You! - by John Drew

Well that went by fast. It was just a year ago that I was sworn in as the 2021 president of the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. In short order we merged with Maine, and I am proud to have served as the first president of the newly formed Massachusetts-Rhode Island & Maine Chapter. I hope that I was able to leave our corner of the appraisal world a littler better than when I found it, and if I did I had a whole lot of help along the way.

First and foremost I cannot say enough about our chapter executive director Lianne Andreucci. Without Andreucci’s help none of us who have traveled through the hierarchy of chapter leadership, or chaired one of our many committees, and had the success we have. I would also like to thank our chapter leadership team for their efforts this year, including vice president Brad Hevenor, MAI; treasurer, Robert Maloney, MAI; also, secretary, Zach Bowyer, MAI.

Finally, I would like to thank all of the volunteers that have helped make 2021 a success, and continue to make the MA-RI-ME Chapter the best in the country. You should all be very proud of what you have accomplished this year in education, programs, candidates guidance, public relations & sponsorships, by-laws, and government relations. The aforementioned executive team, along with Christopher Stickney, MAI and our 2022 board of directors, will lead our chapter in 2022. The new slate was recently sworn in at our first in-person Annual Installation of Officers, Directors, and Regional Reps and Holiday Party since 2019 at the Papa Razzi Trattoria in Wellesley.

On the national front, the Appraisal Institute continues to move forward. At their November meeting the national board of directors approved a strategic plan, setting the priorities for 2022. The goals include:

• Protect and improve the value of affiliation.

• Provide leadership toward a unified and inclusive profession with diverse perspectives.

• Have Appraisal Institute professionals consistently sought out by users of valuation services.

• Improve the diversity of its affiliated professionals.

This commitment will strengthen the organization through continuous improvement and modernization in education delivery, technology/communication, recruitment/retention, DE&I initiatives, and elimination of barriers to entry.

In the pursuit of these goals, on November 16^th, the Appraisal Institute was awarded a $500,000 Pathway to Success Grant by The Appraisal Foundation’s board of trustees. The grant was awarded to the Appraisal Institute for the development of a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program. The Pathway to Success Grant is designed to open up the appraisal profession to a new generation by offering an alternative route to gain the required experience hours. The grant requires that the PAREA program be brought to market within two calendar years, and that priority be given to veterans, minorities, and those in designated rural areas.

“One of the Appraisal Institute’s top priorities is to create a pathway for a diverse new group of individuals to enter the valuation profession,” said Appraisal Institute president Rodman Schley, MAI, SRA. “The Appraisal Institute is excited about this terrific collaboration and we’re proud to help the next generation of appraisers.”

On the local/regional level the MA-RI-ME Chapter education, programs, and candidates guidance teams continue their work to make available the following offerings:

Chapter Education/Programs:

• 2022/2023 7-hour National USPAP Update Course (Dec. 10^th) - Hilton Garden Inn Providence/Warwick in Warwick, RI.

• 2022/2023 7-hour National USPAP Update Course (Jan. 7^th, 2022) - Cumberland Room @ the Augusta Civic Center in August, ME (DATE CHANGE).

• 2022/2023 7-hour National USPAP Update Course (Jan. 14^th, 2022) - Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown in Freeport, ME.

• General Appraiser Income Approach Part 1 (Feb. 9 – 12) – Courtyard by Marriott in Woburn, MA.

• Basic Appraisal Principals (Feb. 18-26) – Hyatt Place in Braintree, MA.

• General Appraiser Income Approach Part 2 (March 9 – 12) – Courtyard by Marriott in Woburn, MA.

• 15-hour National USPAP Course (March 18-19) - Hyatt Place in Braintree.

Also, in a continued effort to provide opportunities to those that may find it difficult financially to begin or continue their career as a valuation professional, the following scholarships are available:

MA-RI-ME Chapter & AI Scholarship Opportunities:

• Hewitt Scholarship Fund - The Fund provides scholarship opportunities for Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Maine Chapter of the Appraisal Institute Candidates for Designation, as well as for recent college graduates. Deadline: Rolling

• Montello-Sawyer Memorial Scholarship - The Chapter will award up to 3 scholarships to a member that is a resident of the State of Maine seeking designation or that is seeking appraiser licensure. Deadline: June 1

• AIERF Minorities and Women AI Course Scholarship - Minorities and women Candidates for Designation who are active in appraising and need financial assistance to take Appraisal Institute courses leading to the MAI, SRA, AI-GRS or AI-RRS designations. Deadlines: Jan 1, 2022

• IERF AI Course Scholarship - Candidates for Designation who are active in appraising and need financial assistance to take Appraisal Institute courses leading to the MAI, SRA, AI-GRS or AI-RRS designations. Deadlines: Jan. 1, 2022

• AIERF Practicing Affiliate Course Scholarship - Practicing Affiliates who are active in appraising and need financial assistance to take Appraisal Institute courses leading to the state certification. Deadlines: Jan. 1, 2022

Additional information and links can be found at the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine Chapter website https://ma-ri-me-appraisalinstitute.org/.

John Drew, MAI, is the 2021 president of the Mass. and R.I. Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and the manager of appraisal & marketing in the Rental Underwriting Division at MassHousing in Boston.