Book 2 - Appraisal Institute of Canada

President’s Message
AIC’s continually evolving
member services
Gordon J. Tomiuk
AACI, P. App, AIC President
The Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC)
is a professional association with
some 4,600 active members. Imagine
how easy it would be to service our members
if everyone valued basically the same type of
property and for the same reasons. Such is
not the case with AIC. We have members that
provide a wide range of services to a wide
range of clients. Our members are real property
experts in the residential market, the IC & I
market, special use properties, contaminated
properties… the list goes on and on.
Individually, members must feel that they are
getting their fair share of services and that the
scale is not favouring one member over another.
Our members value properties for financing
purposes, dispute purposes (as in marital
separations), expropriation purposes, purchase,
sale, net worth calculations, risk management,
taxation… and again the list goes on and on.
The manner in which AIC develops and
delivers member services is critical. It takes into
consideration fiscal responsibility in providing
members with good value for money. Add to this
list the Institute’s need to explore new opportunities
for our members, to design and deliver the
educational requirements, and to incorporate the
new services within CUSPAP and our insurance
coverage. Now, you are thinking: wow, how do
they do all of that? The answer is quite simple. It is
largely because of the dedication of staff and volunteers
who are passionate about our profession
and the Institute. But, in addition to the human
resources that make the Institute’s programs and
activities possible, adequate financial resources are
indispensable and that is why it has been necessary
to increase the membership dues.
Let’s summarize some of the improvements
to existing programs as well as to new member
services.
In the area of professional designation requirements,
we have added a final written professional
examination and a new ‘behavioural’ interview
that focuses on a Candidate’s experience in
handling professional work. Online CPD courses
have increased in number, with over 20 minicourses
from UBC that address specialty areas
of practice, emerging markets and stakeholder
needs. Further, the Learning Advisory Committee
will be looking at a Prior Learning Assessment
Recognition Program.
The International Financial Reporting Standards
that will come into effect in 2011 present a whole
new challenge for our members and the Institute.
However, the potential for increased business is significant,
since every asset will have to be recorded
at market value for publicly traded companies. This
could potentially be one of the most promising
developments in real property valuation since the
Institute began over 70 years ago.
Canadian Property Valuation Volume 52 | book 2 | 2008 Évaluation Immobilière au Canada