Book 2 - Appraisal Institute of Canada

CEO REPORT
Revisiting the three Rs
Georges Lozano, MPA
AIC Chief Executive Officer
In primary school, we were always taught
that mastery of the three Rs: ‘reading, ‘riting,
and ‘rithmetic’, was essential to achieving
success in the business world. Today, professional
associations similarly need to achieve three
different Rs if they want to succeed. Unlike other
times, when associations were founded primarily
on member loyalty, today, although loyalty is
much valued by associations, success is measured
by the relevancy, recognition, and resources
associations achieve.
For the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC),
it is no different and the activities that AIC
is undertaking are aimed at these targets.
Relevancy and recognition are objectives that
are important from both an internal or member
perspective, and externally. Associations need
to provide their members with programs and
services that are relevant and benefit them in
their professional lives. Externally, successful
associations need to be relevant to their
stakeholders and be seen by them to play a
valuable role. Recognition follows relevancy
and organizations that are relevant are usually
recognized for that by their members and the
public alike.
The third R – resources, are essential to any
organization if it is to achieve its objectives.
Resources include financial, human, and others
such as information and strategic resources.
Associations, in particular, rely heavily on
human resources in the form of the volunteers
that provide leadership and support for their
programs and activities.
AIC has addressed these three Rs in recent
years in a variety of ways. Achieving recognition
for the membership as the leaders in real
property appraisal and related advisory services
has been a top priority. As you are well aware,
communications and marketing have been the
focus of much of our work. This summer will
mark the launch of the new marketing program,
and activities will be undertaken on a regular
basis to promote the Institute, its members, and
the AACI and CRA designations across Canada.
While communications and marketing may
have been the most visible activity, much work
has gone into making improvements to the
program of professional studies and related
professional resources. Our quality standards
continue to be increased to ensure that the
caliber of professional associated with the
Institute compares favorably with other toptier
professions. In this respect, over the past
months, a new professional final examination
has been put in place consisting of a multipart
integrative written exam and a professional oral
interview. Together, they are the final admission
requirements that Candidates must fulfill to
achieve professional designation.
Designated members now have
more options than ever to develop
their professional careers, with a
great variety of continuing education
courses that include many new
specialty areas. Career development
has been emphasized as an important
part of professionalism. The We Value
Canada workshop introduced over a year
ago has assisted many non-designated
and designated members in planning their
careers. The Professional Practice (formerly
Standards) seminar has been updated and
enhanced. Professionalism and quality control
were also addressed through the development
and introduction of the Candidate Registry a
couple of years ago. It has been well received
and recognized by stakeholders as a mark of
professionalism of the Institute and its members.
Recognition is earned. As the saying goes: by
their deeds you shall know them. In this respect,
AIC has been working diligently to enhance its
standards, education, and professional practice
program, among others, to ensure that AIC
members will command the highest respect and
recognition by their peers and clients.
AIC wants to be
relevant to its
members first
and foremost
and, as such,
there are
many initiacontinued
on
page 14
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Canadian Property Valuation Volume 52 | book 2 | 2008 Évaluation Immobilière au Canada