Book 4 - Appraisal Institute of Canada

Mp r e s i d e n t ’ sessageCollaboration isthe key to evolutionGordon J. Tomiuk, AACI, P. AppAIC Presidenthen I began my term asPresident six monthsago, I took time to reflectupon the AppraisalInstitute of Canada’s long list of recentachievements, as well as the manyinitiatives then underway. At that time,as now, it is heartening to realize thatall of the changes we have undergoneand continue to experience have beenpossible thanks to the concertedefforts of national and provincialvolunteers, staff, and the support of ourmembership.As you may recall, these changes,including new policies and programsthat have been rolled out over the years,were necessary to meet the needs of themarketplace, increase the professionalismof our members, raise the profileof the profession and better protect thepublic. Our objectives and the methodsfor achieving them were identified in AIC’sstrategic plans developed in consultationwith our members.The successes we have enjoyed havebeen the result of the collaboration thathas taken place at the chapter, provincialassociation and national levels. In thisrespect, it has been the members volunteeringon the board, committees, andworking groups, with the support of staffacross Canada, who have made it all possibleand for which we should all be trulyappreciative.Our record of success is proof thatteamwork pays off. Instead of ‘us versusthem,’ this organization has embracedIt has been the members volunteering on the board,committees, and working groups, with the support ofstaff across Canada, who have made it all possible.collaboration and cooperation and wehave the positive results to prove it. Thecooperation that we have seen is basedon two things in particular: mutual trustand delegation of responsibility.As a professional, non-profit organizationcomprising 11 associations, roles andresponsibilities must be clearly spelledout. Volunteers and staff have differentfunctions to carry out and they must worktogether fully respecting each other andtheir respective roles.The Board of Directors is directlyaccountable to the membership at boththe provincial and national levels and it isresponsible for managing the organizationin accordance with the bylaws approvedby the membership. The Board’s rolemandate is all encompassing, but its mainfunction is to provide policy direction andleadership at the top level, ensuring thatthe organization achieves its stated goalsfor the benefit of its members.Because it has a great many responsibilities,the Board of the Institute delegatesspecific functions to its committees,including its standing and ad hoccommittees. The Executive Committeeis established in the bylaws to handlethe day to day administration of theInstitute and deal with implementationissues. Educational policy matters aredealt with through the Learning AdvisoryCommittee, while professional affairsare handled by the Professional Qualificationsand Competency Committee.Professional Practice matters fall underthe auspices of the Investigating, Adjudi-C a n a d i a nAppraiserVolume 51 • book 4 • 2007EvaluateurC a n a d i e n