Appraisal Institute Reaches Out to Young Appraisers
August 25, 2008 08:00 AM
CHICAGO (Aug. 25, 2008) – A little more than halfway through an aggressive campaign to increase membership, the Appraisal Institute is reporting an increase of greater than 2,400 members as of July 31, 2008, thanks in large part to the organization’s efforts to recruit younger members. This record-breaking figure, which includes new Associate and Affiliate members added since the beginning of 2008, has the Appraisal Institute on track to surpass the number of members joining in any one year throughout the organization’s 75-year history.
“Young appraisers are the future of the profession and the future of our organization,” said R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, president of the Appraisal Institute. “Welcoming younger members affords them the opportunity to network and learn from established appraisers, who are able to pass along their knowledge, experience and commitment to professional practice.”
The Appraisal Institute’s recruitment campaign kicked off in March when the organization began promotions to encourage future industry leaders to advance their careers through membership. As a result of member feedback, the Appraisal Institute created special membership categories to benefit those just getting started in the profession. The Trainee Associate Membership category was established for individuals pursuing an appraisal career, while the Affiliate Membership category was expanded to include university and college students.
To tout membership benefits, the Appraisal Institute’s campaign is taking advantage of various methods to reach new and aspiring members, such as direct mail pieces, online advertising, video testimonials and tool kits. The organization has been quick to promote its redesigned Web site, improved "Find an Appraiser” online feature and the creation of specialized member call centers as benefits that new members instantly can take advantage of to build their careers and businesses.
“Though this is a challenging time for the real estate industry, this also is the time when appraisal clients are looking for valuation professionals who clearly have demonstrated greater competence, independence and ethics in real estate valuation,” noted Pugh. “Members of the Appraisal Institute have the knowledge, integrity and adherence to ethical standards that the market demands. Our younger associates and affiliates stand to gain a competitive advantage over their peers by learning from our MAI, SRPA and SRA designated members.”
For more information on how to join the Appraisal Institute, visit www.appraisalinstitute.org/membership/.
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The Appraisal Institute is a global membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with nearly 24,000 members and 91 chapters throughout the world. Its mission is to advance professionalism and ethics, global standards, methodologies, and practices through the professional development of property economics worldwide. Organized in 1932, the Appraisal Institute advocates equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the appraisal profession and conducts its activities in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Members of the Appraisal Institute benefit from an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and may hold the prestigious MAI, SRPA and SRA designations. For more information regarding the Appraisal Institute, please visit www.appraisalinstitute.org.
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