Vermont is a small state of only 625,741 people, according to the 2010 census figures. There are only 250 appraisers in the state and the Vermont Chapter of the Appraisal Institute has 70 members. The mission of the Vermont chapter is to provide its members in obtaining the latest in appraisal education and advance candidates toward a residential or commercial designation. The chapter exists solely for the benefit of the members. We hold four membership and board of directors meetings each year, usually incorporating a 4-7 hour continuing education class.
We are a small but very vibrant chapter that is well attended and supported by our members. The goal of the Vermont chapter each year is to offer a minimum of 21 hours of quality qualifying education and/or continuing education and to advance networking of its members through chapter activities and the creation and public distribution of a membership roster. A new roster, with an update of new members, was published in 2011 and is distributed to clients throughout the state.
Each year we hold a series of four to seven hour seminars, taught by local experts, on changing Vermont laws; such as the updates to the Vermont septic system regulations, ancient road reassignment appraising, current land use law and tax calculations and other relevant courses that affect Vermont appraisers in their daily practice. We also present Appraisal Institute 7-15 hour seminars and courses toward advancing our members to designations. The USPAP 7 hour Update course is always offered in January of the two year recertification cycle. The new 2012-2013 USPAP update course is scheduled for January 6, 2012 in Burlington.
We will continue to offer courses that are required for the MAI or SRA designation and assist anyone in finding the AI courses necessary to complete their work on these designations. Over the past few years we have four members that have completed the requirements for the MAI or SRA designation. Others are completing this work at this time. Our current chapter budget balance allows us to offer any course, even if we break even or even take a loss.
We continue to work with the Vermont Mortgage Bankers Association and other partners in developing classes of common interest. We have had joint meetings with VMBA on an ongoing basis to learn about and discuss issues that affect both entities.
We publish a chapter newsletter four times a year; winter, spring, summer and fall to offer our membership the latest information on changes to the appraisal profession. The newsletters announce our latest seminar and course offerings and give all members the opportunity to request any course they need toward a designation. We will do our best to see these courses are held in Vermont.
If anyone wants to get on our email list to receive these newsletters please send your request to [email protected].
Sean Sargeant, SRA is the Vermont Chapter of the Appraisal Institute 2012 president, Rutland, Vermont.