Place: L’Olivier Restaurant, 465 Davis Court, San Francisco in the Club Room. (415-981-7824) The restaurant is easily accessible via BART (Embarcadero Station) and $5 valet parking is available.

NOTE: The dinner is being partly subsidized by the chapter, so the cost is a low $37. RSVP NOW please to Secretary Jack Young at jack@norcalvaluation.com and let him know you are coming September 10^th. (Do not reply to the Newsletter address—Jack is the one who needs to know! Reservations will be limited to space available.)

Connect With Your Clients Online – Web, Social Networking and Email Marketing – with Anca Mosoiu

Whether you are a single practitioner or work in a small office, Anca Mosoiu’s communication and technology presentation will assist all members in understanding the latest technology and how it can help their bottom line. Even if you are only using social applications online, your image and networking are critical elements in reaching out to new clients. Ms. Mosoiu’s talk has been tailored to ASA appraisers of all disciplines.

“To me the information age is like being at the beginning of the industrial age — so much opportunity. But opportunity is restricted to those who have knowledge and resources. By putting the pieces together you start leveling the playing field.” A staggering array of possibilities for finding and connecting with clients is available through the web. With free or low-cost services from ISP's, Google, Facebook, Twitter and email newsletter providers, gaining an online audience has never been easier. Anca Mosoiu owner of Tech Liminal will provide an overview of available tools, along with their benefits and some cautionary tales.

Some of the topics we will cover

- How to start and get your web site running.

- Establishing and maintaining your brand online through a web site

- Finding your clients through social networking tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

- Effective communication through email newsletters

Anca Mosoiu’s vision for a world of accessible technology tools compelled her to create the Tech Liminal principles and workshop (http://www.techliminal.com). Anca has worked in the business applications industry for more than 15 years in roles ranging from analyst to software engineer, in environments varying from start-ups to established corporations, and at companies that include Razorfish, Sony, Juniper Networks, and Cisco systems. After graduating from MIT with a computer science degree, she returned to her hometown of Oakland at the right time to participate in the Silicon Valley high-tech boom.
Please RSVP now to ensure your place for this valuable program! jack@norcalvaluation.com

Upcoming Events

CA State Bar Association Annual Meeting, San Diego

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
82nd State Bar Annual Meeting in San Diego

Randall Blaesi, ASA is coordinating volunteers to help at the ASA State Bar Exhibit Booth. The exhibit booth needs volunteers for the following dates:

Thursday, September 10, 2009, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (Opening Night Reception)

Friday, September 11, 2009, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, September 12, 2009, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

For more information on volunteering, please contact Randall Blaesi at rblaesi@sbcglobal.net or Cell 619-804-0434

Volunteers may earn CE credit for representing ASA

San Diego is a great venue, and the State Bar venue at the Grand Hyatt hotel is very close to Seaport Village, Gas Lamp district, USS Midway, other waterfront venues, downtown and many other attractions. I would like to see strong support and visual presence from NorCal. After all, we are promoting all of ASA and all of Calif. You get a lot of No. Cal. Attorneys, judges, arbitrators-mediators, paralegals and other specialists attending the State Bar when it is in So Cal. Statewide participation in the annual state bar event is not new, and has been beneficial to ASA and the volunteers themselves.

Ray Mattison (707) 575-0200

USPAP course and “Appraiser as Expert” Seminar

Two ASA Seminars in San Francisco

USPAP 15-Hr Course October 3-4, 2009

Expert Witness Seminar October 8, 2009

Before and after the 6th International Conference on the Valuation of Plant Machinery and Equipment

15-Hour National USPAP Course

Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4, 8:00 – 5:30

San Francisco Marriott, Fisherman’s Wharf

Sponsored by ASA NorCal Chapter

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are the generally accepted standards for professional appraisal practice in North America. USPAP contains standards for all appraisal disciplines. USPAP compliance is required for appraisers in Federally regulated transactions, State appraiser certification and licensing boards; Federal, state and local agencies; appraisal services; and professional appraisal associations.

The Appraisal Foundation requires appraisers to take a 15-hour course on USPAP for their continuing education. ASA’s two-day course, which includes lectures, materials and an exam, enables students to meet these requirements. This fast-paced course is intended for appraisers of all disciplines and will:

· Give you an in-depth knowledge of and appreciation for USPAP

· Expose you to the concepts discussed in all 10 USPAP standards, regardless of your appraisal discipline

· Give you a practical understanding of the application of USPAP concepts to your own appraisal practice

· Teach you how to conduct your appraisal practice in a professional and ethical manner

· Earn you 15 hours continuing professional education credit

About the instructor: Roger Durkin, J.D., M.S., ASA

Roger is a highly entertaining teacher, and has a 98% pass rate for the USPAP course.

Durkin holds designations in 5 appraisal disciplines, and his appraisal practice encompasses the valuation of a wide range of property including real property, personal property.

Roger has been providing appraisals for 35 years for decedent estates, charitable donation, gift tax, probate, environmental and general civil litigation. His clients include attorneys, the FBI, USSS, U.S. Customs, IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Marshals’ Service.

What will I take home? A current USPAP manual for use in your own work setting

Are CEUs available? A continuing education certificate will be forwarded following the course, verifying your hours of attendance and exam results

Who should attend? ASA members; appraisers; realtors; loan officers; attorneys; bankers; CPAs; anyone involved in the appraising profession, regardless of area of work

Completion of this USPAP program is a requirement to become an ASA Candidate member. Designated members who take the course and pass the exam will receive 15 hours of reaccreditation credit. Appraisers who have recently completed a 15-hour course through another state-approved program are not required to take the ASA course.

“Appraiser as Expert Witness”

Thursday, October 8, 2009 (8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)

Location: San Francisco Marriott, Fisherman’s Wharf

Sponsored by ASA NorCal Chapter

After the 6th International Conference on the Valuation of Plant Machinery and Equipment

Roger Durkin, J.D., M.S., ASA, and Robert Podwalny, FASA, will offer a multidisciplinary seminar on “The Appraiser as Expert Witness”

This seminar is about being an appraiser as an expert and the role of the expert witness, from the court's perspective. How do disputes get resolved, how courts work, what are the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence as they apply to appraisers? Learn direct- and cross-examination tactics, the psychology of persuasion, and courtroom conduct—from dress to communication and body language. Learn from case studies just what judges think about appraisers!

You will learn:

Pre-engagement considerations
Interaction between expert and attorney
Discovery/investigation
Preparation of the expert's report
Critique of opposing expert's report
Trial preparation
Qualification as an expert
Conduct at trial
Do's and don'ts while on the witness stand
Early member registration fee: $225 includes textbook (pictured)

About the instructors: Roger Durkin, J.D., M.S., ASA operates Durkin Law, PC with two other attorneys and Durkin Valuation Consultants in Boston. His appraisal practice encompasses the valuation of a wide range of property including real property, personal property, and business valuation all backed by expert witness support.

Durkin holds 5 appraisal designations from ASA. His educational background includes a Master’s in valuation and Juris Doctorate. He has published four text books: Narrative Appraisal Report Writing, Marketing Appraisal Services, Personal Property Theory and Practice, and the text for this seminar, The Appraiser as Expert Witness. (See USPAP info above for more about Roger Durkin)

Robert Podwalny, FASA, is a court designated expert witness by the Oakland Superior Court and the Administrative Board in Maryland, and course developer and senior instructor of ASA Machinery and Equipment Principles of Valuation. He has taught valuation courses throughout the United States as well as in Mexico, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan and China. Bob developed and taught courses for the World Bank Economic Development Program. He is a frequent author of articles on valuation and a speaker at numerous conferences and meetings.

What will I take home? A copy of Durkin’s textbook, The Appraisal as Expert Witness

Is reaccreditation credit available? A uniform reaccreditation credit certificate will be awarded, verifying 8 hours of attendance

Who should attend? Appraisers; realtors; loan officers; attorneys; bankers; CPAs; anyone involved in the appraising profession, regardless of area of work.

USPAP &/or Expert Witness Registration

Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr. __________________________________________________

Full name

Address _________________________________________________________________

City____________________ State/Prov __________________ ZIP/Postal ____________

Country_________________ Email____________________________________

Appraisal discipline: BV G&J MTS PP RPARM

Check here if you are a Real Property appraiser taking the course for certification

Membership

ASA AAA AI AFSMRA NAIFA RICS ASA Member ID #__________ (for course credit)

Designation: FASA ASA AM Candidate Associate Applicant ___________

(Member rate applies to members of above organizations. Register for one course or both.)

USPAP Course Includes USPAP manual ($50 value)	Tuition	Early-Bird (Paid before Sept 10)	#	Price (enter )
Regular	$375	$350
Member (see above)	$350	$325
Appraiser as Expert Witness Includes The Appraiser as Expert Witness ($35 value)
Regular	$275	$250
Member (see above)	$250	$225
Combo – Both Events
Regular	$650	$600
Member (see above)	$600	$550
		Total		$

There are four easy ways to register for this offering:

EMAIL: ASA.NorCal@gmail.com (preferred)

MAIL: USPAP Course, 10 Northcreek Place, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

FAX: (925) 939-4567

PHONE: (925) 939-4367 Pacific Time (Nancy Stacy)

Payment: All fees must be paid in U.S. funds drawn on U.S. banks. Please √ payment method:

Check enclosed (payable to ASA NorCal)

Pay to ASA.NorCal@gmail.com

VISA MasterCard American Express:

Credit card # _____________________ Exp. date _________ Security Code_______

Cardholder _________________________________________

(As name appears on card)

Signature________________________________

Hotel Reservations:

Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf

1250 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94133 USA

Reservations: 800-525-0956

Mention “ASA Conference”

Online: www.marriott.com/sfofw

Rates & Reservation Codes:

Single/Double $199 + tax

Phone code ASAA-$199

Online code ASAASAA

Triple/Quad $219 + tax

Phone code ASAB-$219

Online code ASAASAB

October 8^th Program Meeting:

Roger Durkin, JD, ASA
Narrative Appraisal Report Writing: Good, Bad & Ugly!

Most narrative appraisal reports are a rambling elongated jumble of disjointed unsupported statements and assertions. Typically, such reports are filled with boilerplate, appraisal jargon, idiomatic expressions, and professional society dogma. All wrapped in a weighty package. It is common humor among appraisers that a gorged report is sold by the pound.

Historically, the teaching of narrative appraisal report writing has been an enigma wrapped in an appraisal association’s mystical dogma.

Appraisers take a myriad of courses and learn to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk, but miss the importance of being bilingual, i.e. being able to communicate in the language of the reader. Appraisal classes, with few exceptions, do not teach students how to communicate with clients. One should not need an appraisal dictionary to puzzle through the narrative report.

Roger will go over examples of some the bad and ugly BV, MTS, PP and RP appraisal narratives he has reviewed, followed by some examples of GOOD narrative appraisals. A rare and valuable opportunity to learn from the author of “Narrative Appraisal Report Writing”.

Roger Durkin has been a multi-discipline/general practice appraiser for 35 years. He is also an attorney. The appraiser-side taught the attorney-side and visa versa. Seeing appraisal reports from both sides of the dispute adds considerable insight. As Einstein said about science, “the eureka is in comprehending.”

Mark your calendar: October 8th, 6:30 at L’Olivier restaurant. We will have to limit reservations to room capacity, so you might want to reserve early. jack@norcalvaluation.com

Calendar

SEPT 2009

10^th (Thur) Chapter Meeting “Connect with Clients Online” Anca Mosoiu

OCTOBER 2009

3-4^th All-discipline 15-hr USPAP, SF Fisherman’s Wharf

4-7 MTS International Conference at Fisherman's Wharf, SF

8^th Expert Witness Seminar, SF Fisherman’s Wharf

8^th (Thur) Chapter Meeting “Narrative Appraisal Writing: Good, Bad & Ugly” Roger Durkin

NOVEMBER 2009

12^th (Thur) Chapter Meeting “Vines and Wines – Market Trends” Tony Correia

DECEMBER 2009

No chapter meeting. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Cherish your family!

JANUARY

14^TH Chapter Meeting

FEBRUARY

11^th Chapter Meeting

MARCH 2010

11-14 MTS 208, Marine Vessel Survey - SF

11^th Chapter Meeting

Image s from the Leadership Retreat

Our Leadership Retreat was a resounding success. Under the inspired guidance of facilitator Sharon Jenks, we set goals for the upcoming year, and are well on our way for an outstanding line-up of program meetings and seminars.

We also identified ways to make our Board of Directors meetings more efficient, and moved the board meeting time to 4:30 so that we will be finished and ready to greet the members at 6:30. Your chapter has a lot to offer in helping you build your appraisal practice through skills, education and networking with other top professional in the field. We hope you will take the opportunity and reap the benefits! -ns

David Belgum, facilitator Sharon Jenks, President Doug Baxter

Secretary Jack Young, Nancy Stacy, G&J Director & Governor Greg Ansel

Governor Greg Ansel & Stephen Braitman

John Barnet, BV Director, Immediate Past President Robin Erdmann & Treasurer Gil Mitchell

Treasurer Gil Mitchell, and Legislative Liaison Chuck Warren

Roger Rapport, PP Director

President Doug Baxter, ASA

Congratulations on your advancement, Doug!

Sharon Jenks, Facilitator, & Nancy Stacy, G&J Director & Newsletter Editor

Our award for Best Newsletter!