Trade Associations

[greg voos]

As a Appraiser WannaBe in the field still taking classes, is there a overwelming preference in the trade oreganizations that represent appraisers?

 

[Anonymous]

My own personal preferences are as follows; Educational programs, the Appraisal Institute. Nice group to attend meetings with; IFA. Effective representation of appraisers, The Appraisers Guild.

 

[greg voos]

Walt thanks for the help. I emailed the Atlanta Area Chapter of the AI and they were very helpful. They gave me some interesting info concerning their future mentoring network they plan to start in GA and nation- wide.

Thanks again

 

[David Riggs]

What was the info about the nation wide mentoring/networking walt?

thanks
David

 

[David Riggs]

I mean Greg!

 

[greg voos]

David,
Happy to pass it on. Heres a copy.

My name is Greg Voos and I'm currently taking online classes through MLS towards my Registered Appraiser classification. Also I have sent in my application to be an affiliate member of your org. My question has to do with Mentoring. Does your organization have a networking program to match new appraisers with a Mentor. From my novice perspective there seems to be a real problem getting experience once you have completed your initial class training. Is the State Board addressing this in any way that you know of with say some form of a tax incentive for the mentors, or any other way to compensate the Mentor for the added time and liability? Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated by an eager student wanting to enter the field.

Response:

Greg, the Appraisal Institute is currently developing a mentoring program for our members. Sheila Barnes, VP of Human Resources is working on this effort from a national perspective.

The Atlanta Area Chapter is working on a project whereby we are mailing out brochures to all of our designated members asking them to sign up as a mentor. We are also mailing brochures to our new members giving them an opportunity to sign up for the trainee program. We hope to get lots of members signed up so that we can match trainees with the mentor volunteers.

Designated members who (through this program) mentor a trainee for up to 18 months, will receive $200 toward education programs, national conferences, or membership dues.

I do not know if the state board is doing anything to address the mentoring problem. I am copying Bill Aaron at the GREAB to find out if he know's of any efforts to help Registered appraisers obtain their required experience hours.

In the mean time, please read the attached word document that we created titled "Sharpen your Skills while you Look for a Mentor." I also encourage you to attend our quarterly chapter dinner meetings for networking opportunities.