What Your Membership in ASA Can Do for You!
ASA’s goal is to help you succeed in your career and enhance the prestige of the appraisal profession.
A Tradition of Excellence
When you join a society known for its professional leadership, established tradition of excellence, dedication to education and commitment to ethical standards, it conveys that you, as a professional, desire to be considered among the best and you are willing to work hard to become a professionally designated member of ASA. The American Society of Appraisers is committed to helping you through this journey by offering educational courses, conferences and publications designed to foster your professional development and by providing a support system within ASA’s disciplines, extensive chapter networks, and headquarters staff to assist and guide you along the way toward ASA designation.
Making an Investment in Your Professional Development
Accreditation
As an accredited ASA appraiser, you will be recognized internationally as the best in the profession. Accreditation in the society is based on appraisal education, experience, comprehensive written examinations and a peer review of appraisal reports. A designation from ASA means you have met the high standards of these requirements. In addition, ASA’s ongoing reaccreditation and continuing education requirements ensure that you remain up-to-date in your appraisal practice.
Education
ASA provides training opportunities and continuing education programs tailored for you. ASA’s introductory Principles of Valuation courses are designed to help you learn the fundamentals and apply them to your appraisal practice. Advanced courses focus more on the specific appraisal techniques and standards you will need to succeed in today’s competitive world. Regardless of your skill level, all ASA members receive discounted tuition rates to save you money!
Publications
ASA publications will keep you current on trends in the profession. As an ASA member, you will receive a free subscription to ASA Professional Magazine online and discounted rates on technical journal subscriptions available through the various ASA disciplines. You will also receive a free subscription to ASA Fast-Read providing you quick updates in the appraisal profession bi-weekly and discounted rates on a wide variety of publications considered essential resources for every appraisal practice.
Legislative Affairs
ASA is your voice on Capitol Hill! Representation in the legislative process affecting appraisal standards and practice (whether on Capitol Hill or in state capitols around the country) is critical to the profession, and ASA works on your behalf to keep Congress and the administration informed of the concerns and priorities of professional appraisers.
ASA Conferences
To survive and thrive in these tough economic times, professional appraisers must connect with each other and continue to learn by taking advantage of significant educational opportunities. Many successful professional appraisers attend ASA’s conferences and events throughout the year. They know the hazards of struggling with complex problems alone and come to build their resource base and glean advice from experts and colleagues. ASA welcomes all members (especially new members) to attend these important events.
ASA Logo Use
Promote your ASA membership and designation! Accredited members may use the ASA logo on business cards, letterhead or on a Web site.
Career Center
Find your next appraisal job through ASA. The ASA Job Bank lists available appraisal positions throughout the country. Are you an employer? Sign up to reach qualified candidates with ease.
Grow Your Practice Through Networking and Referrals
Referrals
ASA helps you succeed! Last year more than 130,000 referrals were provided to people seeking the services of an accredited appraiser through ASA’s extensive direct referral system. Referrals come through ASA’s toll-free number as well as the Find an Appraisal Expert search function on ASA’s Web site.
Public Relations
Benefit from ASA’s proactive public relations program that informs millions of users of valuation services of the importance of hiring ASA-accredited appraisers. ASA’s PR Staff send press releases to local media outlets on your behalf when you become accredited, they can provide a basic press release template for use with your business, and will assist when you have been contacted by the media. In addition, staff provide informal advise and webinars on messaging, how to make the most of interactions with media, and how to market your practice using new media techniques (like blogs and RSS feeds). Staff also provide general media training and one-on-one consultations at the International Appraisal Conference.
Networking
Your membership in ASA also provides you opportunities to build a network with your peers. Whether you attend an ASA conference or get involved with one of ASA’s 70 local chapters, ASA helps you meet other professionals who share your commitment to professional standards and practices. Did you know that ASA members refer thousands of appraisal assignments to colleagues each year which translates to increased business opportunities for you! In addition to traditional networking opportunities, ASA also offers list-serve subscriptions so members can share information or ask for help or guidance from other members, and ASA will soon offer chat room technology with the release of the new ASA Web site in mid-2009.
ASA benefit partners is a “Members Only” program providing discounts and special offers from ASA’s name-brand partner vendors. ASA benefit partners offer goods and services including liability insurance, shipping, expert witness directory listings, car rentals, framing services for your ASA accreditation certificate, credit card/payment processing services, subscriptions, databases and much more. ASA members can find details on these and other exclusive member benefits by logging onto the benefit partners page at: www.asabenefitpartners.org.
ASA Member Services—Here to Help!
ASA member service representatives respond to hundreds of calls and e-mails each week. Our toll-free telephone number (800) 272-8258 (asainfo@appraisers.org) will connect you with a member service representative who can assist you with course or conference registration, book sales, dues payments, general membership information and much more. ASA also has full-time, knowledgeable, discipline-specific specialists who are well-versed in the various discipline accreditation and reaccreditation requirements. Our specialists are available to answer questions, walk you through the process or assist you in any manner. Call us today—we are happy to help!