The Appraisal Institute’s rich heritage provides a unique opportunity to market to the entire profession in innovative and impactful ways. This heritage is not only defined by our extensive Body of Knowledge but also by our membership, which comprises the brightest minds in the industry. By leveraging our existing membership and education programs, we can modernize our education delivery to meet industry needs more effectively and position ourselves for sustained success. Key initiatives include:

1. Lead with Education:
   • Establish education as the primary pathway to the Appraisal Institute’s designation programs and industry leadership.
   • Emphasize our role as the premier provider of professional development within the appraisal profession.
2. Revise Education Structure:
   • Transition to a “for-profit” or profit-center approach to ensure sustainability and growth.
   • Align education offerings with market demands and emerging trends.
3. Foster Innovation in Course Development:
   • Engage a new generation of bright members to develop courses on cutting-edge topics like has been done more recently with green valuation and blockchain technology.
   • Expand the diversity of educational content to address evolving industry needs in a streamlined development timeline.
   • Remove barriers to timely class delivery and ensure accessibility for all members.
4. Utilize Chapter Resources Nationwide:
   • Standardize and scale chapter-developed seminars and programs for nationwide use.
   • Promote collaboration across chapters to create a consistent an equitable educational experience with the student in mind
5. Enhance State Approval Processes:
   • Cross-train staff to efficiently manage state approval processes and safeguard against lapses using automated monitoring systems.
   • Develop an automated backend system to streamline long-term state approval cycles.
6. Upgrade Technology for Education Delivery:
   • Invest in engaging, modern technology platforms for online and hybrid education.
   • Revise the website and registration process to be mobile-friendly, intuitive, and efficient.
7. Implement a Subscription-Based Model:
   • Align subscription offerings with Appraisal Institute and state continuing education cycles.
   • Focus on a hybrid delivery model that integrates chapter-led and online courses.

Leveraging Our Unique Chapter Network

One of the most rewarding attributes of the Appraisal Institute is its robust chapter network, which allows us to deliver education at the local level. This grassroots approach is unmatched by other providers in the country. By enhancing resources and adopting adaptable revenue-sharing models, we can extend the reach of our classes nationally, both in-person and online. This dual approach enables us to meet the diverse needs of institutions, professionals, and affiliates seeking high-quality education.

With these strategies, the Appraisal Institute will solidify its position as a leader in professional education, ensuring that our offerings are timely, relevant, and accessible to all.

In recent years, it has become evident that the current organizational structure is outdated and rooted in practices from a bygone era. To create a more equitable organization that truly serves its members, a modern approach to governance must be adopted.

Under the present structure, leaders who seek meaningful change at the Board of Directors level face significant hurdles. The bylaws currently prioritize the Board’s interests over those of the general membership, limiting opportunities for transformative progress. Additionally, the lack of mechanisms for general members to participate in voting or governance decisions restricts accountability and transparency.

The following illustration is a suggestion of how a modern approach to a member-service organization should flow:

Note: The current structure gives significant authority to the Executive Committee, whereas the Executive Committee should serve at the pleasure and direction of the Board of Directors. It is my recommendation that the Bottom-Up Approach solves most of the concerns from membership and would yield enhanced member value and appreciation.

To address these challenges and align the organization with modern standards, the following steps should be considered:

1. Empower Members in Governance:
   • Implement a governance model that provides general members with greater influence and participation in decision-making processes.
   • Introduce voting mechanisms that allow members to voice their preferences and hold leadership accountable.
2. Promote Accountability:
   • Revise the bylaws to ensure the Board of Directors operates in alignment with the interests of the membership.
   • Establish clear checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power within the Board.
3. Modernize Leadership Selection:
   • Create pathways for members to elect leaders who prioritize organizational progress and inclusivity.
   • Encourage a culture of selflessness and service among candidates for leadership roles.

Adopting these measures will not only modernize the organization but also foster a sense of ownership and engagement among members. By prioritizing equitable governance, the organization can position itself as a forward-thinking and member-centric institution prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

Members have frequently reported that communication is often limited, untimely, or improperly delivered. Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful organization, and for our membership-based organization, it is imperative to address long-standing issues and adopt modern solutions that prioritize member needs. Additionally, the current approach overwhelms members with excessive emails while failing to provide centralized, efficient, and transparent information-sharing tools. To address these issues, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Develop a Comprehensive Member Portal
   Create an enhanced member portal that serves as the central hub for all communications and organizational updates. This portal should:
   • Provide real-time access to key documents such as meeting minutes, committee updates, and Board of Directors leadership decisions to promote transparency.
   • Include interactive features for members to customize their preferences, such as selecting topics of interest, frequency of notifications, and preferred communication channels
   • Offer a robust, searchable database so members can quickly find relevant content focused on meeting minutes, committee updates, and Board of Directors meetings.
2. Modernize Internal Communication Platforms
   Replace outdated tools, such as the current Communities platform, with a modern, mobile-friendly system that supports dynamic member engagement. For example:
   • • Adopt platforms like HiveBrite or similar solutions that enable group collaboration, idea sharing, and streamlined communication across committees, project teams, and members
   • Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with other organizational tools and is intuitive for users of all technical backgrounds.
3. Streamline Email Communication
   Reduce the volume of emails sent to members by implementing a more targeted and concise communication strategy.
   • Categorize emails by priority and relevance, sending only essential information to respective member and allowing the member to choose.
   • Introduce digest-style emails that consolidate updates into a single, easy-to-read format.
   • Provide members with the option to opt into or out of specific communication categories, ensuring they only receive the information they find valuable.
4. Establish a Regular Communication Cycle
   Consistency fosters trust and engagement. Develop a dependable communication schedule that includes:
   • Monthly newsletters highlighting key organizational updates, upcoming events, and member achievements.
   • Quarterly reports summarizing major developments and financial updates.
   • Regular updates from leadership, including transparent discussions on decisions, challenges, and future plans.
5. Leverage Analytics to Measure Engagement
   Utilize analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts and identify areas for improvement:
   • Track open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics for email campaigns and portal usage.
   • Conduct regular surveys to gather member feedback on communication preferences and satisfaction levels.
   • Use data insights to continuously refine communication strategies and tools.
   • Share these analytics with Chapter and Regional Leaders to better educate membership about the metrics.
6. Promote Transparency and Accessibility
   Transparency is critical to member satisfaction. To enhance accessibility and trust:
   • Ensure all key documents, decisions, and updates are readily available in the member portal.
   • Provide clear explanations of organizational policies, governance decisions, and strategic goals.
   • Host periodic virtual town halls or Q&A sessions where members can directly engage with leadership. This should not occur only after Board of Directors meetings, but Monthly or Semi-Monthly so members are engaged and knowledgeable.
7. Empower Members Through Customization
   Recognize that members have diverse needs and preferences. Empower them by:
   • Allowing customization of communication preferences, such as choosing topics of interest or preferred delivery formats (e.g., email, portal notifications, or mobile alerts).
   • Offering multilingual content options to accommodate diverse member demographics.
8. Invest in Training and Support
   Ensure members and staff are equipped to make the most of new communication tools:
   • Provide onboarding and training sessions for members to navigate the new portal and platforms effectively.
   • Maintain a dedicated support team to assist with technical issues and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

By implementing these strategies, the organization can transform its communication practices, fostering stronger member engagement, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that every member feels informed and valued. Modernizing communication is not just a necessity; it is a commitment to building a more inclusive, responsive, and forward-thinking organization.

It is imperative for our organization to adopt a bold, transparent, and assertive approach to advocacy. The Appraisal Institute is uniquely positioned to lead the profession (as the largest association of appraisers in the country) by protecting member interests, advancing the industry’s role, and influencing policy decisions that impact our profession. Below is a comprehensive action plan that outlines best practices for a modern and effective advocacy strategy.

1. Establish a Proactive Advocacy Agenda
   • Identify Priority Issues: Regularly engage with members to understand the challenges they face, including legislative, regulatory, and market-driven concerns.
   • Develop a Policy Roadmap: Create a clear and actionable advocacy agenda that outlines short-term priorities and long-term goals.
   • Align with Member Interests: Ensure all advocacy efforts align with the needs and priorities of the membership, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.
2. Strengthen Member Engagement in Advocacy
   The Leader Development and Advocacy Conference (LDAC) is by far one of the most beneficial programs leadership and advocacy programs available to members. Some Regions have developed more local version of this over the years.  We can expand and develop a uniform program for all state coalitions, chapters and regions to implement.
   • Advocacy Training for Members: Offer workshops, webinars, and toolkits to empower members to advocate for the profession at the local, state, and national levels.
   • Leverage Grassroots Advocacy: Mobilize members to contact legislators (use political engagement portals which are implemented nationwide), participate in public hearings, and share personal stories that illustrate the value of the profession. This is currently left up to individual chapters with marginal support from National.  We must developed advocacy prompts to be emulated nationwide.
   • Regular Updates: Provide members with real-time updates on advocacy efforts, including successes, ongoing campaigns, and opportunities for involvement.
3. Build Strategic Alliances
   • Collaborate with Industry Stakeholders: Partner with other professional organizations, trade groups, users of appraisal services and coalitions to amplify advocacy efforts and share resources. The Appraisal Institute should not go it alone to protect public trust and the interest of all professionals.
   • Engage Policymakers and Regulators: Maintain open lines of communication with legislators, regulatory agencies, and key decision-makers to ensure the profession’s voice is heard.
   • Public Outreach: Educate the public on the critical role appraisers play in safeguarding property values, market stability, and economic integrity.
4. Emphasize Transparency in Advocacy Efforts
   • Publish Advocacy Reports: Regularly release detailed reports that outline advocacy goals, strategies, and outcomes to the members and industry participants - similar to that as quarterly reports in Public companies.
   • Member Access to Information: Create a dedicated section within the member portal (discussed in Communication section) for advocacy updates, position papers, and meeting summaries.
   • Host Advocacy Town Halls: Conduct virtual and in-person town hall meetings to discuss advocacy initiatives and gather member feedback.
5. Enhance Communication Channels
   • Targeted Messaging: Develop tailored communications that resonate with various member segments, including residential, commercial, and specialized appraisers
   • Education the Public: Develop tailored Social Media and landing pages to teach the public the value appraisers bring to the public trust.
6. Assert a Leadership Role in Policy Advocacy
   • Position the Organization as a Thought Leader: Publish white papers, research studies, and expert opinions that demonstrate the profession’s value and expertise. We have the Body Of Knowledge, but it is rarely used in a fashion to educate the public - expand beyond our current publications.
   • Respond Quickly to Emerging Issues: Establish a rapid-response team and/or subject matter experts to address legislative or regulatory threats as they arise in each Region.
7. Measure and Report Success
   • Track Advocacy Outcomes: Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of advocacy efforts, such as legislative wins, member participation, and public awareness.
   • Celebrate Successes: Share advocacy victories with members to highlight the organization’s commitment and effectiveness.
   • Continuous Improvement: Rely more heavily on member feedback and performance data to refine advocacy strategies and address areas of improvement.
8. Expand Recently Created Public Relations Project Team
   • Expert Representation: Appoint experienced members to serve on the Public Relations Project Team that advises on policy issues and advocacy strategies.
   • Inclusive Representation: Ensure the project team reflects the diversity of the membership, including geography, expertise, and practice areas.
   • Accountability: Require the project team to report regularly to the Board of Directors and membership on progress and results.
   • Conversion to Committee: Seek to convert this project team to a Committee so long term Advocacy remains a primary objective of the organization.

By adopting a modern, assertive, and transparent approach to advocacy, the Appraisal Institute can position itself as the leading voice for the profession. This action plan not only defends and protects members but also strengthens the organization’s reputation and influence. Through proactive engagement, strategic alliances, and unwavering dedication to member interests, we will ensure the continued growth and success of our profession.