 EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS
Hello Mr. & Ms. Inspectors, Families, Friends and other interested parties,
Summer came to an abrupt halt early this morning as the temperatures dipped to 26 degrees in our little Southern Oregon Community. My vegetable garden seemed to droop out a soggy message telling me to finish harvesting the produce it has so graciously offered these last few months. Misty and I both have spent the last several evenings canning fruit and vegetables. I love the security of having all the food we work so hard for through our short growing season, finally in its places on the shelves.
Although we will still have some nice days with warmer temperatures the real message with the arrival of Fall is; It is normally the time business tends to slow down a bit and many of us go into a different mode; this is why we have the Annual Meeting in November and not in our busier summer months. A year ago the Annual Meeting was the first conference I had put together and I was so grateful we had such a successful event. I learned a great deal from that first conference. They are getting a little easier with each one. I still love to get your feedback and suggestions but prefer it done in personal emails to me at
aii@cdsnet.net.
The major details are taken care of for our upcoming Annual Meeting. There are always a million last minute things that seem to come up. Its kind of fun trying to plan for what they might be. Someone called me a few weeks ago and said, "Hey I see the fee for the Annual meeting has gone up to $300, I guess it costs more to produce now." I was happy to point out that the fee has only gone up for those who register after October 1st. There is a discount of $50 for those who register before October 1st, actually reducing the fee for full conference registrants to $250. (You may not have noticed that in the brochure, I guess my fax line will be buzzing from now till then end of the month while you are getting in those registrations). I also want to point out that some of the Pre-Conference classes have size limits on them to ensure the highest quality.
I guess I really love the anticipation of upcoming conferences knowing I will get to interact with so many of you in one place. It's great to see who the people I've met on the phones are, and for us all to meet those new inspectors I keep introducing throughout the year. I was pretty scared to go to my first conference; not having much confidence at that time. I came home feeling so validated for my choice to become a self employed home inspector, my confidence level soared. I was busy marketing my business, pouring over conference notes and so pumped up about this association. That was in 1995. I have been to every conference since then and still leave each one with that same enthusiasm that I felt at the first one.
There is so much to be gained from attending the conferences. Many members arrive at the conference on Thursday to attend Friday's Pre-Conference classes or to volunteer to help out with the classes. For this reason we scheduled the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday evening. We have also tried to build in some times for you to visit and relax as well as offering great education opportunities. I think we have accomplished that. The Friday night Hospitality Reception will be an informal setting allowing you to mill around and visit with other inspectors. There will be hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and vendors available to visit with about products and services. If any of you are interested in having a vendor table to present home inspection products and services you may have developed please contact Bill Schwahn at
mtinspectr@aol.com.
Last year we added a special treat of Sunday Morning Service for those who wish to attend. I followed Nathan around on the rodeo circuit for a few years until he met his bride, (Misty was Miss Northwest Pro-Rodeo in 1998) and stayed home for a few years to build a house and start a family. Many rodeos offer a cowboy church service on Sunday morning for those who are away from home a lot of weekends. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to worship in a barn or under a tent with others who were grateful to come together anywhere on Sunday morning. Now we have an opportunity to worship with others of our industry in an Inspector Church Service. We are so blessed to have the gift of Minister and Inspector, Greg Justice among our ranks.
Sunday afternoon we have scheduled an optional trip to Virginia City for those who have already taken Earthquake Inspection Training. I have been to Virginia City once before. There is a lot of old western history, board walk sidewalks and the original cemetery combined with (of course) some gaming machines in some establishments. On my way over the hill last time I also saw a herd of wild mustangs. You may have noticed in the conference brochure that Nevada and Oregon State Certified Inspectors will receive Continuing Education Credits for some of the classes. Does anyone know what other states have Certification Laws and what entity is the governing body? We would like to continue to apply to other states for approval to provide Continuing Education to their inspectors. I would appreciate it if you would email any information on other states that require Certification at aii@cdsnet.net .
Ballots will be mailed out this week to all A.I.I. members eligible to vote in the 2002 General Elections. We have some really tough choices to make between some very good candidates this year. Please mark your ballots as soon as you open them and return them in the stamped, addressed, envelope provided for you. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Best wishes for a prosperous inspection week. Betty Buckley Executive Director
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