We are now on the downhill side of 2009. It has been a year that required careful attention to details due to the recession. Your officers, directors, and staff have risen to the occasion and have given what is required to manage the Chapter business. For this, I am sure I speak for all of you in thanking them for their willingness to give extra for the benefit of the Chapter.

Now here are some bits and pieces from the year thus far...

We have seen many changes and proposed changes in the appraisal world. I believe it has become necessary to be involved politically in issues affecting our profession. The Appraisal Institute has been a strong voice nationally and within our State. I believe that our voice has been heard. I also believe it to be essential for the various appraisal organizations to look at the common ground we share and work together to ensure that laws and regulations do not undermine our profession.

We are now in a time of rapidly changing markets and environments. Will green or sustainable buildings and developments become the norm or are they just a passing answer to a crisis? Are short sales and liquidation of foreclosed properties setting the market or do we ignore them? Was the drop in cap rates long term and is the change we see now just a reflection of the sales of distressed properties, or is it an adjustment back to previous levels? We all need help in analyzing these. The Appraisal Institute educational offerings provide help in answering or at least giving some explanation for these questions. Look over the AI educational offerings on a regular basis and let the Chapter officers know about the ones that you think will help you. If there is something you see as timely and no offering appears to address that issue, let us know about that, maybe a Chapter Developed offering can be constructed.

I had the privilege of attending the swearing in of Chuck Moody, MAI to the North Carolina Appraisal Board. It is certainly an honor for Chuck as well as the North Carolina Chapter. Congratulations Chuck! The Appraisal Institute is well represented on the Board by Chuck and Don Johnson. Thanks to both of you for your willingness to serve your fellow appraisers and users of appraisal services in this capacity.

As I have mentioned earlier, treat your designation or associate membership with the Appraisal Institute as part of your professional name. It makes us all members of a great appraisal family. As a family, what each of us does reflects on others who are designated members or associate members of the Appraisal Institute. I hope that each of us will remember this and provide the quality of work that sets the standard for professional appraisal services.

I encourage each of you to look at being involved within the Appraisal Institute beyond continuing ed and paying dues. I say again that my involvement has given me a greater appreciation of what others have done for me through their service in the Appraisal Institute. It has also been very rewarding personally in getting to know other members and their families. We need your help and insight to better identify problems and find ways to correct and prevent them in the future.

Often times I see myself as what I call a wonderer (not the wanderer in the song). I have often heard the television football experts explain that one team was getting soundly defeated because "the defense had been on the field too long". Now call me stupid, but being the simple minded fellow I am, I wonder, does that really have anything to do with it. After all, I believe the offense has been on the field the same amount of time. I haven't seen a single football game where the defense was on the field playing alone. So just why is it that they say this? I guess it just seems longer when you are on the wrong end of an old fashioned "tail whuppin." So, if any of you have insight to help our profession be on the offense, let us know. I believe that by being "on the offense" we will find it to be more rewarding at all levels.

In parting, I want to share with you some thoughts from my favorite philosopher, Dr. Seuss (now that I have grandchildren I have a good excuse to read again. Anything above Dr. Seuss is over my head). I find these to help me at times like we now find ourselves.

"Think left and think right, think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"

I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"

Bill Murr, SRA,
2009 NCAI Chapter President