Branding

Work continued on ASHI Brand elements, external marketing plans, and the internal communications program. Board representatives, staff and the consultants met in Chicago the last week in May to move forward on shaping brand elements that will allow the Society to maintain its position in a changing environment. The Public Relations committee met the following week to plan for introducing the plan to the Membership once the Board of Directors has approved the elements, the funding and the schedule for launching it. The Board will have the results of all their work in hand at the July Board meeting.

Observe, participate, learn, and share July 18-19 in DC

Watch your Board of Directors in action. Give feedback on proposed
revisions to the ASHI Code of Ethics. Participate in a townhall style ASHI meeting. Attend an educational seminar and reception sponsored by the three DC area chapters
– NOVA-ASHI, MAC-ASHI and Greater Baltimore. And best of all talk shop with your colleagues from throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC area.  

Here’s what’s tentatively planned.

• Friday, July 18,  9:30 a.m .- Noon Hearing for proposed revisions to ASHI Code of Ethics
• Friday, July 18, 9 a.m. – Noon Chapter leadership training
• Friday, July 18, 2:30 – 5 p.m. Townhall meeting
• Friday, July 18, 5 – 6:30 p.m. Reception
• Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ASHI Board of Directors Meeting
• Saturday, July 19, Seminars

Visit www.novaashi.org and signup@novaashi.or for seminar information.
Contact the hotel directly before July 12th for reservations – Washington Court Hotel, 800-321-3010. Contact Angie Stark at HQ for additional information.

Code of Ethics hearing dates and locations announced

The first step in any change to the ASHI Standards of Practice or Code of Ethics is a hearing. After working on a revised Code for several years, the Ethics Committee will be taking that first step by presenting a revised Code at three hearings.

• Thursday, July 10, 2003, 7 p.m. His Lordship’s Restaurant on the Berkeley Marina, Berkeley, CA (This is in conjunction with the Golden Gate Chapter Meeting.)
• Friday, July 11, 2003, 3:30 –  5 p.m. Woodfield Hyatt, Schaumburg, IL (This is in conjunction with the Great Lakes Chapter educational seminar.)
• Friday, July 18, 2003, 9:30 a.m. – Noon, Washington Court Hotel; 525 New Jersey Ave. N.W. Washington, DC (This is in conjunction with the NOVA, MAC-ASHI and Greater Baltimore Chapters Townhall event.)

The proposed Code will distributed prior to the hearings. Hearings offer an opportunity to learn the rationale for the proposed changes, hear the opinions of others and voice your own opinion. Those who are unable to attend a hearing will be invited to provide feedback by e-mail or mail.

The final step in this important process is for the Members to vote on the proposed Code. For it to be adopted, 30 percent of the Members must vote, and two-thirds of those voting must vote “yes.”  

Watch for the rationale from those who have been working on this projects for several years. Please consider their thoughts as you think through this important matter and participate in the process.  

Blocking scammers and spammers   

Recently “Find an Inspector” on ashi.org has been used by pesky individuals for something other than its intended purpose: to help consumers find ASHI home inspectors. To thwart the activity, the function has been changed. Open-ended messages are no longer allowed. Consumers now contact you by selecting a phrase that’s already written, such as “I’m ready to schedule an inspection. Please contact me as soon as possible.”

ASHI also filed the papers for an injunction against another pesky operator, who has been using information from the site to pester the Membership. A judge has stepped in to mediate the case.

These changes and actions should keep the spammers and scammers out of our territory.

InspectPAC prepared to enter political  arena

InspectPAC authorization forms from the Membership are coming in daily. The Political Action Committee is on its way. If you’ve returned your form, watch for more information on how the committee will be using its influence on ASHI’s behalf, and how you can support those efforts with your donation.   

ASHI must have your permission to solicit your contribution. Therefore only those who return the authorization form will receive details of this important initiative. Consider doing so today. Join with the others in the ASHI Membership to let your voice be heard speaking for the Home Inspection profession.

Attend Chapter Leadership Day-Learn about branding

It takes time to make plans, and Chapter Leadership Day is only a few months away. Plan now who will travel to Chicago to participate in a what is anticipated to the first opportunity for local leaders to see tangle results from the work that’s been done since the kick off the concept at InspectionWorld last January. Other topics of interest to chapter leaders will also be on the agenda.

Media list program still available to chapters

Could your chapter use a list of broadcast and publishing contacts in your area? A personalized list for your region is available to your chapter for $50. E-mail Sandy (sandyb@ashi.org) or Russell (russelld@ashi.org) for an order form.

Leadership agreement reminder

Council Representatives, please return your signed Leadership Agreements to the attention of Angie Stark @HQ.  

On a personal note

Tifanni Sterdivant  has resigned as ASHI’s Meeting Planner to spend more time with her family. Results of the search for her replacement will be coming soon.

ASHI calendar of events

• July, 10, 2003, ASHI Code of Ethics Hearing, Berkeley, CA
• July 11, 2003, ASHI Code of Ethics Hearing, Schaumburg, IL
• July 18, 2002, ASHI Code of Ethics Hearing, Washington, DC
• July 18-19, 2003, Townhall gathering and Board of Directors meeting, Washington, DC
• October 24-25, 2003, Chapter Leadership Day and Board of Directors meeting, Chicago, IL
• December 13, 2003, Committee Leadership Workshop, Chicago, IL (tentative)
• January 14, 2004, Board of Directors meeting, Albuquerque, NM
• January 15-17, 2004 InspectionWorld, Albuquerque, N.M