Posted by Cochise on July 05, 2008 at 12:01:17:
"The Appraisal Institute is providing information and services on the Internet as a benefit and service in furtherance of the Appraisal Institute's nonprofit and tax-exempt status. " (Appraisal Institute Website, 7/2008)
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE THE LEGITIMATE OBJECTIVES OF A "NON-PROFIT AND TAX-EXEMPT" CORPORATION?
"AI-ASA-ASFMRA Unification Talks Continue
Leaders of the Appraisal Institute, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the American
Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) are currently discussing the feasibility of
a merger of these three organizations. In terms of membership the Appraisal Institute leads with
approximately 22,800 members, followed by the ASA with approximately 6500 members and the
ASFMRA with approximately 2100 members.
As the talks continue, the Appraisal Institute is evaluating whether or not a merger would
benefit our members and our organization in terms of reaching several of our long term goals:
increasing our market share, becoming the dominant voice of the real estate profession, increasing
the demand for our services, enhancing the value of the SRA designation in the market, and
increasing the designation rate for both the SRA and the MAI designations.
Under discussion are
topics such as how the various membership designations would be reconciled into one organization, the process by which designations could be achieved by member candidates, how the new
organization would be governed and what the new organization would be named.
Further details regarding the progress of the merger talks are expected later this year. Please
note that a merger cannot occur unless at least 60% of the designated members of our organization
vote to approve the proposal, according to our national bylaws. The Appraisal Institute is being ably
represented in these ongoing talks by J. Richard Donahue, III, MAI, Walter Carpenter, Jr., MAI, Alan
Hummel, SRA, Oscar E. “Bud” Kunkel, SRA and Matthew Smith, MAI, SRA." (Hampton Roads Chapter of the Appraisal Institute
Residential Associates’ Newsletter, Summer 2007)