Spring, I love it. The Red Sox are trying to find themselves while still managing to stay within a few games of first place which provide great topics for sports talk radio enthusiasts. The Bruins, they're on track to be playing in June. I'm looking out my window at a magnolia tree and daffodils in full bloom. Yes, I love spring, a time of anticipation.
What does all this have to do with MA-RI Chapter? Spring is a great time to evaluate, modify and act on plans that were formed in the winter. This is a good time for looking at the chapter website and planning your next educational offering. Running classes is expensive for the chapter and you can't always count on annual availability. If we're running one of your required classes you should give it consideration. Traveling to take classes is expensive, take it from one who has experience in that regard.
In addition to classes there are other things for candidates to consider and plan; experience review, demonstration reports and my all-time anxiety generator, "The Comp." The trouble with spring is that it's a short season. The calendar says spring starts March 20 but by the time consistently good weather arrives the kids are getting out of school and summer vacation plans are in full swing. It's best to get your professional plans solidified before the summer sets in because the year goes by at warp speed from there.
My point is, use this time wisely to plan and execute for the rest of the year. Candidates for Designation have defined timelines to obtain the goal of designation. Winter turns to spring turns to summer....and another year passes. You have minimum annual requirements. Review your plan and execute!
Your chapter has been busy with offerings. We had our annual Jay Zeiger Service Day at the Greater Boston Food Bank. I think everyone had a good time and I know we moved a mountain of product. Thanks to all who volunteered and thanks to Greg Curtis, MAI (our newest MAI - congrats) who coordinated the event.
Our spring chapter meeting and Candidates for Designation program was held in April. The Candidates Committee did a great job of coordinating their event. Fred Eichmann, MAI, SRA (RI's newest MAI - congrats) spoke about his approach to tackling "The Comp" and Douglas Gablinske spoke about the residential 45-hour program. The meeting was informative and I think everyone took away important information.
The chapter meeting program focused on Special Purpose Properties. Zach Bowyer, MAI presented an insightful look at the world of seniors housing, Jonathan Jaeger, MAI prepared a lodging presentation and Lawrence Curtis, president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment presented a program on affordable housing with an overview of tax credits. The presentations were outstanding.
I want to reiterate and emphasis a government affairs message and request I made in my April President's Message. Section 43 of Massachusetts House Bill 3918 contains the following language; "Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a licensed or certified real estate appraiser or a real estate appraisal trainee who timely completed, in accordance with the requirements of the Appraisal Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation, the 7-hour national Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal update course before the effective date of this act and was the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the board of real estate appraisers prior to May 26, 2011 for failure to complete the continuing education requirements of section 184 of chapter 112 of the General Laws shall have that disciplinary action rescinded and permanently removed from the appraiser or appraisal trainee's record."
I ask that you support this section the bill by contacting your state legislator, an email will do! You can find contact information at https://malegislature.gov/People/Search. Do the right thing and help end this issue once and for all.
That's all for now.
Joseph Comperchio, SRA, is the 2014 president of the Mass. & R.I. chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and works for commercial banking at Chase, Boston, MA.