Improving the Profession? Really?

[Don Clark]

I thought the purpose of the forum was to post about ways to improve the profession. Instead it has turned into the 10,000th posting about how bad the NCAB is, multiple complaints about the NCAB as well as other Appraisal Boards & Commissions. Why can't we just for once stay on the subject. We don't all live in North Carolina nor do we have a bone to pick with that state or any other state. How about something positive in ways to improve the profession? If you don't like a system, work to change it. I worked with my state delegate a few years ago and got the composition of the Virginia Appraisal Board changed from 4 appraisal members out of a 9 member board to 6 appraisers, and had the use of a mechanical or rubber stam seal dropped from the regulations. (Communicator Magazine, December 2000-"How one appraiser changed the system"). Don't get me wrong, some posters have been severly harmed, mistreated, denied due process, and generally been illegally treated. I agree they have. However, we have heard their stories over and over again. It is now time to move on IMHO. Please?

Maybe Wayne could come up with another forum called "Board Bashing".

Don Clark, IFA

 

[Terry Russell]

Don,

If it is your desire to change the subject of “Improving the Profession” and have concerned participants discuss YOUR Selected topics, why do you post rumors of the “Behind the Scenes” actions that may or may not be fact?

In addition, if you are tired of hearing about the NACB actions, why do you keep posting about it? It appears that you are attempting to incite a reaction from those who have been affected by recent NACB decisions.

Here is part of your post from this morning 10-11-2002.

“I thought the purpose of the forum was to post about ways to improve the profession. Instead it has turned into the 10,000th posting about how bad the NCAB is, multiple complaints about the NCAB as well as other Appraisal Boards & Commissions. Why can't we just for once stay on the subject. We don't all live in North Carolina nor do we have a bone to pick with that state or any other state.” (Who is WE?)



Now here are excerpts from your posts about who is failing the USPAP course the second time. I will point out that you mention NCAB in every post. Then after making such statements you rescind them because you do not have the facts to back them up.

“Some states are beginning to balk. North Carolina is not going to require USPAP be taught in 2003, Georgia is pushing for states rights, and all hell is about to break loose when 2003 rolls around and there is no one to teach prelicense or CE USPAP in many states. Also, rumor has it that this is the first step in the AF taking over all appraisal education. I do not personally believe that but there is great concern. Should be like watching someone make sausage, not something you really want to watch”

“I am speaking to a larger issue than just North Carolina.”

“I know you will most likely carry your disdain of North Carolina politics and the regulatory board for the rest of your life”


“It seems that the NCAB has the money and hires their own.”



And lastly, I had hoped the copyright issue would not come up again, but here you go stating the quote below which is totally false. Maybe the AF should have a course on copyright law and you could teach it, that is after you pass the instructor’s course. THE second time around…………………………….

“Copyright gives the foundation the legal authority to decide who teaches USPAP.”

Terry

 

[Stephen J. Vertin MAI]

Don:

Given all that is going on in your neck of the woods I can imagine you can use all the positive news you can get. The sniper was front story on every channel of world news. I am sure it is scary being near such intense evil. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. You and all fellow appraisers on the forum in that part of the country please be careful and God keep you safe. It really makes appraisal discourse seem insignificant.

Steve Vertin

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Or as the economist Keynes said, "in the long run, we are all dead."

 

[Don Clark]

Steven,

Thank you. I am in Virginia Beach, about 150 miles from the Fredericksburg area and 195 from DC. However, I have a son who live in Fairfax just off the beltway, and my daughter who works across the street in a shopping complex from the Michaels store where the first Fredericksburg shooting took place. I am very concerned for them and for my grandchildren. Your thoughts and prayers are respected and appreciated.

Don

 

[Restrain]

The interesting thing is, this is not the first time this has happened. In the early 50's, Texarkana, Texas was terrorized by a sniper, who killed several people then just stopped. They never caught him. In the 80's, in Houston, "Riding Shotgun" was not just a term for riding in the passenger seat. People were shooting at other drivers with shotguns along the freeway. The police finally got a handle on it, but for a while, you never knew when you would be a target. The scary thing about this guy in the DC area is that he only shoots once, then is gone. At least with a running gun battle, someone's going to get a license plate. This guy is gone before the vehicle is really ID'd. It's going to take luck to catch him since he has no pattern.
Roger

 

[Head Surfer]

Don,

I too share your concerns about this particular forum. I would like some suggestions. Ideas I have are:

1. Starting a separate North Carolina user group (like the Florida Appraisers user group) so only North Carolina appraisers can belong and keep the NC stuff there. After all some of the same stuff about NC comes up over and over and I am sure that appraisers from other states coming to the Improving the Provession forum get tired of hearing it and would like to read some positive things about the entire profession and not just NC.

2. I need someone to moderate this particular forum (and others also). I don't read near all the messages, probably less than 5% on the board and don't have the time to do a proper job moderating the forums. A good moderator will keep the particular forum on the specified topic, and moving or deleting those messages that stray.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Don Clark]

Wayne,

Your suggestion for a North Carolina User Group similar to the Florida User group sounds like a great idea. I nominate, although I have not asked him, Bob Ipock, a frequent poster on this forum. He also attends most if not all NCAB meetings and could report on those meetings in that forum. I am a state Certified Residential Appraiser in Virginia and North carolina. However, my home base is Virginia. I have met Bob Ipock. I suggest you contact him. If he is not willing I may have some other suggestions if you will e-mail me at cdclark3@ix.netcom.com

I would also like to see a thread within the "Improving the Profession/Political Action or another forum on what the average appraiser can do to promote the profession. I have some experience in that regard and would be willing to help, or moderate that thread/forum.

Don Clark, IFA

 

[George Hatch]

Wayne,

I disagree that the affairs of the NCAB are of concern only to their local appraisers. The NCAB is apparently very influential in AARO and can be fairly described as the leader of the "State's Rights" faction of appraisal boards that are actively working to eliminate the Appraisal Subcommittee and gut The Appraisal Foundation. The NCAB sets the tone and the example for some of these other boards. The NCAB apparently believes that the state boards should answer to no higher authority, not the ASC or The Appraisal Foundation, and not even the courts, in their interpretation of the USPAP.

The problems reported for the NCAB are not unique, but they are pervasive. There is some sentiment on this forum that if the NCAB can be influenced to develop and follow a more standardized enforcement regime that at least some of the other states will follow their lead. If the NCAB is left alone to its own devices or activity, they will very likely create an appraisal standard that bears no resemblance to the USPAP, and they'll take at least some of the other state boards with them.

Therefore, what is happending in the NCAB right now is (or should be) of great concern to all of us, no matter where we live and work. If the NCAB is successful in going their own way, we could all face an uncertain future where appraisal standards mean nothing. This issue transcends the marketing of the appraisal profession, the improvement of appraisal standards, and appraiser education issues. It is job number one right now, or at least it should be. Since the only way to lawfully improve this situation is through political action, this forum thread is the perfect venue. I urge you to not isolate it or move it.

I do agree that a forum moderator probably would help out.

George Hatch

 

[Head Surfer]

Okay it seems there is more to this than I thought. Also it seems that some of you have personal differences with others that participate in this particular forum.

So here's what we're gonna do:

1. To those who don't want to read the NC stuff. Don't click on those topics.

2. To those who want more positive stuff. Post more positive stuff instead of complaining about the negative stuff (remember you weren't supposed to click on the NC board topics, see #1 above).

3. To those who post the NC stuff. Keep it in this forum and don't start multiple topics about it. Our system keeps all topics "live" (they are not archived) so there is no point in posting something again that was posted two months ago. So if you have an "update" about the topic that started two months ago do a search and find the topic and post the update on to the end of it instead of starting a brand new topic about it and making this particular forum look like it is about the NC board.

There, that should settle it. I urge you to stop fighting among yourselfs and help us build a more positive forum instead of getting a reputation as the "whiners and complainers" forum.

If anyone still wants a NC only forum I would welcome a private email about it and if they volunteer to be a moderator and IF they are impartial (i.e. not pro or con about the NC Board issue) then I will consider it.

If anyone wants to moderate this particular forum and IF they are objective and don't have bias with regards to the issues I would consider that also.

For those of you who have written me asking me to take a position, remember I provide the Appraisers Forum and take pride that it is independent and not controled by anyone, thus it doesn't express the view points of any particular concerns. Therefore it doesn't seem right to me that the Appraisers Forum should express editorial positions, rather we provide a vehicle for appraisers and those concerned about appraisal to express their positions. I just ask that everyone do it within our rules and respect the other person's opinions even though you disagree with them.