ASA and NAIFA to Merge

ASA & NAIFA to Merge

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) are working toward a consolidation.

A task force has been appointed to develop a consolidation plan. Both see this as a win-win situation for each association. Suggested guidelines for the consolidation include a common name and support for existing designations.

ASA currently has 5,800 members; NAIFA has 3,500 members.

The goal is to complete the consolidation by the end of 2000. The task force has already met in Portland, Oregon in the middle of June. The following issues were discussed:

Emerging threats to the appraisal profession;
Emerging opportunities for appraisers;
How the proposed consolidation would help appraisers to overcome the threats and take advantage of the opportunities;
Identification of the top priorities for a consolidated association; and
Possible organizational and governance impediments to achieving desired results.

The discussions so far have taken place in a non-adversarial atmosphere and agreement exists on most issues. The task force will seek input from members of both associations. This input will be factored into the further work of the task force. Two more meetings have been scheduled before presenting its recommendations to a joint board meeting.

Steve
Stephen Traub, ASA
Publisher, PVM ^SM

The author, Stephen Traub, ASA, is Chief Commercial Appraiser for Property Valuation Advisors, Newburyport, MA. He is a certified general appraiser in NH, ME and MA. He can be reached at 978-462-4347 or:
by e-mail: straub@shore.net