Thanks For The Memories!

[Darrell Hignite]

Thought that would get your attention. The threads that I have started have swept threw this forum like crazy...Let's really tackle the biggest problem we have....

We don't have anyone working for all of us!

Sure we have AI and Nafai, and Nama, but all of us need to contribute to a national cause...Our cause as appraisers.

If nothing else, at least click on this link to the new North Carolina Professional Appraisers Coalition. It's http://ncpac.org and it's worth the click.

If all states can start one of these, then we could take 20% of all the proceeds and put into a national account to hire lobbyists for appraisers. Yes, us!!!

Don't just read this, do something and start a group in your state, heck, we'll even help...have a meeting once a year and name a few officers...JUST DO IT!

 

[Dale Smalley]

Check the link section for the AGA, as part of the union they have people to lobby the feds on our behalf.
So you don't have to start something new just join on and start yelling.

 

[Paul Ness MAI]

Pennsylvania has a similar state appraisers association.

 

[Mike Simpson]

I'll sign a petition which challenges injustices visited upon our industry but, I became an appraiser & started my own business for the same reason many others have...I love my independence & despise politics.

I'm not likely to join an organization...especially considering the fees & dues I'm paying now to be duely licensed.

I've got to recertify & take classes every two years for my Appraiser's Certification--I've got to recertify & take classes every two years for my real estate license. I had to drop my Commercial Pest Control Consultant's license because I couldn't keep up with the educational requirement (& fees & dues) for three licenses. I'm a former Realtor, a former member of the WSDA, and a former member of the NPCA.

I've recently received a waiver to challenge the broker's exam--I'll be taking the exam on the 23rd. Soon I'll be a Broker, a Realtor (again) & I'll be going after the RAA designation.

After all that--I've neither the time or the money left over to join another organization!

-Mike

 

[Dale Smalley]

I love my independence & despise politics

I have to agree but somebody has to dance with the devil. The AGA dues are small and I don't have to go to any meetings, for all I care they could be spending the money on coke and hookers. As long as they have a presence and can lobby our way I am going along with it. NAR is working them on behalf of Realtors. I have no idea about the other appraisal groups as they seem only to write letters to reprint in some propaganda mag to promote themselves.

 

[Walter Kirk]

Dale,
The Guild is having a regional meeting in Atlantic City in September. I will be there and I'll look for the coke and hookers, maybe the coke and hookers will be near the craps tables.

 

[Mike Simpson]

uhm...soft drinks and fishing--now you're talking

 

[Dale Smalley]

None for you Walt. :yellowblack: That stuff is for the congressional staff.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

hire lobbyists for appraisers

If anyone wants to know the real reason NAIFA and AI went through severe financial turmoil a few years ago, from which they have never fully recovered, look beyond the reduction of membership. NAIFA, for instance, was flush with cash generated during the late 80's early 90's.

These organizations blew millions lobbying congress to reduce the de minimus from $250,000 back to $100,000, little more. This was pre-lender pressure days (at least it was rare).

Worse, this lobbying accomplished nothing but ill will from the bankers. P. S. - the bankers have $100 to spend on lobbyists for every buck the appraisal societies mustered during those days. I have heard that has high as $5 million was spent with one lobbyest group alone by one of our societies. That figure came directly from the mouth of the incoming president of that society during those years.

I see no point in wasting money on the Feds, but perhaps the states would be a softer target. I was somewhat involved with the legislature trying to get a bill passed this year. I assure you that a lobbyist can be well worth the money, if you have money.

We were blind sided in an effort to simplify a patchwork of historic preservation laws. First, the mining industry took us to task over verbiage that already existed in law. We got past that. Then at the last minute, the Farm Bureau, for what ever possible reason raised the spector of 'property rights'. We were unable to budge the committee once the FB twisted their arms. People very friendly to our position for weeks simply voted against us. One whisper in their ear and we were dead meat.

That is the problem. Until your lobbyists and your voters can outvote the bankers and mortgage lenders, out spend them, and out donate to campaigns, you are going no where with anything they are not on board with.

Lobbying need not even approach the legislature until you pacify the bankers. I see it as near hopeless, and the only time appraisers will get a sympathetic ear will be when a crisis occurs that the bankers are blamed for, like the S & L crisis.

 

[Walter Kirk]

Terrel,
I think that you are right about wasteful or inefficient lobbying by the Instute and IFA. The Guild, however, is a member of the AFL-CIO which has the most efficient lobbying operation going. The AFL-CIO also has billions of dollars of members pension funds invested in mortgages.

I believe that the Guild has a much better chance to influence legislation on both the state and federal level than any other organization.