Processes that Work

But what does it take to get to that point? Again and again, a similar process plays out. Initially the coalition is nurtured by a few at start-up. Nevada’s group began after two appraisers were invited to serve on a task force evaluating the need for BPO legislation, and realized the impact a group could have on the legislative process. Williams says NCAP started when five or six appraisers began getting together and talking about shared concerns. “Once you know there’s interest in a group, you have to determine what your goal is, what you can accomplish and how you can go about it,” William says. “Someone has to be willing to make the sacrifice and put in the time and effort to get things going.” Neff agrees: “The biggest initial challenge can be finding that leadership, someone willing to take the ball, organize and come up with a plan to keep it going.”
 

Early decisions can have long-term impact: issues like non-profit status, whether the group’s primary purpose is to promote the profession or serve as a political action committee, all impact how the group registers and operates. Sources of funding need to be decided. Until the group is formalized someone may need to put up seed money to cover start-up costs on the promise of repayment later.
 

Outreach to appraisers, explaining the coalition’s purpose and goals is critical at every stage of development. “The challenge in the beginning is the same as it is today, convincing people that if they are going to be a professional appraiser, they should be a member of this group,” says Williams. “You’ve got to energize appraisers to get involved and show them all you’ll be able to do as part of this group,” adds Lifferth. With today’s communications options, that outreach can be easier and have more immediate impact.
 

Don Clark, Clark Realty Services, Virginia Beach, VA has been working with Perry "Pat" Turner, SRPA, SRA, P.E., and others to establish the Virginia Professional Appraiser Coalition now being organized there. The effort was launched with a post on the Virginia section of AppraisersForum.com. “Someone suggested it would be a good idea to have an appraisers’ coalition in Virginia,” Clark says. “A few of us talked back and forth about the idea online and it just snowballed from there. Appraisers from across the state started expressing interest. An initial exploratory meeting was timed to coincide with the quarterly meeting of the Virginia Appraisal Board in Richmond this past February. It was open to all interested appraisers and promoted by email and personal networking.  More than 100 showed up. The only real challenge we’ve faced so far is that everyone is in a great hurry to get this done but it takes time, effort and some money.”

They also invited representatives of NCAP, including Williams, to address the gathering to explain the benefits of a coalition. Attendees named a steering committee to draft a mission statement and bylaws. These were circulated to potential members in April as the next step toward formalizing the group. Once feedback is received, dues will be set, necessary paperwork will be filed, elections held, and the membership drive for a formal coalition will intensify.

Dues alone will not carry a group’s efforts. Lifferth, for instance, notes the lobbyist employed by his group runs about $15,000 a year. With or without a lobbyist, there are other costs even in start-up phase. Creating a legal entity entails paperwork and legal fees. “You’ve got to have a website,” advises Brunson, underscoring the importance of another long term operating expense. “It’s the best way to disseminate information about who your group is, what it does and explain why someone might want to become a member.”

In most cases, coalitions look to continuing education programs and conferences as long term income streams. “One of the ways ICAP is funded and growing is through seminars,” notes Neff. “Along with dues, they are important to keep the group going financially.”

“It has to be a combination of dues, and something else,” agrees Brunson. “We offer classes that are open to all appraisers, we’re not an educational provider but we look for places where we can fill gaps in continuing education to help members and give them more value from the organization.”
 

Building an effective coalition to benefit the profession poses many challenges, short and long term. Fortunately, that work has been done and proven, giving start-ups many models on which they can build. “I’d advise anyone considering putting together a coalition to get started by contacting a successful organization in one of the states that already has one, and take a look at their bylaws,” says Williams.

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