Please Welcome ASHI’s First Compliance Director
Jim Vykopal is in place as the first ASHI Director of Compliance. He is working part time from his home in St. Louis and will move to Chicago sometime next month.
Jim will play a crucial role in the desired elevation of the Society in the important area of compliance and will help to increase the level of professionalism within the industry, the legislative community and the general public.
“I am honored to be your ASHI Director of Compliance,” said Jim. “This is a newly created position and I have already had numerous questions from ASHI members in St. Louis about what I will be doing. Many think this will be a new function, something like a private eye, snooping around looking for ethics and standards violations. Nothing could be further from the truth. I will actually be doing work that was previously accomplished by others on the dedicated ASHI staff and the ASHI Members who volunteered for the Complaints and Standards Committees. And since this is a new position, I will have the opportunity to shape how we focus on client complaints and ethics issues. I have many ideas and will be working with the staff to develop these ideas to strengthen ASHI and serve the ASHI membership. “Right now, I will take this opportunity to tell you about myself. I will be moving my family to Chicago from St. Louis where I have been a registered architect for the past three decades and an ASHI home inspector for over 12 years. I have been active in the ASHI chapter as president, secretary, COR rep and several other positions. I have also volunteered my time to serve on local municipal boards including the Planning and Zoning Commission and most recently, the Board of Adjustment. I feel that this position provides a perfect opportunity to share my professional knowledge, contribute based on my business and civic background, and have a positive impact on the ASHI membership. I am intent on sharing my own experiences and expertise to help the ASHI membership perform their jobs in such a way as to avoid compliance issues. I am excited about the possibilities of making this a great proactive experience for the ASHI organization and for me.”
As the Director of Compliance, Jim will eventually be solely responsible for the administration and oversight of ASHI’s Complaints Program, including complaints filed on Ethics violations, Logo Use by Membership and non-membership, and consumer complaints. He will serve as the permanent Chair of the Complaints Committee and will also serve as the Staff Liaison to the Standards of Practice Committee.
See “First Thing” for highlights of July Board meeting
The Board of Directors met July 13 in Phoenix, Arizona. Highlights from the meeting can be found in the Aug. 1 edition of the monthly newsletter, “First Thing,” posted under Latest News in the Members Only section on www.ashi.org.
Reaching for 6,000
In June, HQ mailed information about joining ASHI to those who had contacted the Society in the past 12 months. The list was then categorized according to Chapter location, and Chapter Presidents received the names of prospects in their area along with a letter to send as a follow-up to the first mailing.
The Membership can help the organization reach and exceed the 6000 goal. Spread the word about the benefits of belonging. Encourage others to join. Working together ASHI will exceed 6000 in membership by this fall.
Reorganization strengthens membership services
As part of the recent reorganization at ASHI HQ, Assistant Executive Director Jim Jones, CAE, now heads up an expanded Membership Department. Heather Henning oversees the department as the Membership Manager. In her new role, she coordinates department projects. Under the direction of Jones, Tonya Abbott handles Membership records, and Senior Administrator Yvonne Romanowski is responsible for projects related to attracting new membership. She also provides support for chapter activities.
Compliance Director Jim Vykopal rounds out this new department designed to enhance overall service to the Membership.
Changes in other areas include Cindy Paterkiewicz (formerly Wittrock) adding oversight of Information Services to her duties as the Director of Finance and Administration, and Russell Daniels gaining the assistance of Isabelle Fraser. She is now responsible for the mail, while Daniels continues to handle building management, inventory, project sales and print coordination.
There were no changes made in the other departments: Chapter Development and State Affairs; Marketing and Meetings, and Communications.
Advertising opportunities
Take advantage of the heavy traffic on ASHI.org to advertise your product or service. Contact Carlos Tabora at HQ for Web site banner rates and space.
All contracts for advertising in the ASHI Reporter must be renewed for the October 2002 issue. Most rates remain the same, with increases for special positioning. The 02-03 rate card/reservation form is available on ashi.org or by request from sandyb@ashi.org or 847-759-2833.
Space is limited. Don’t get left out. If you haven’t already done so, contract for your Web and print advertising space today!
MRC reminder
Claim forms will be mailed this month to all who need to report 20 MRCs by Sept. 30, 2002.
Questions? Please email heatherh@ashi.org. Please do not send information unless asked to do so.
Chapter seminars are listed in “First Thing” and the Education Corner of the ASHI Reporter at no charge. Additional visibility can be achieved by purchasing an ad in the magazine.
ASHI calendar of events
• October 25, 2002, Chapter Leadership Day, Chicago, Ill.
• October 26, 2002, Board of Directors meeting Chicago, Ill.
• January 15, 2003, Board of Directors meeting Orlando, Fla.
• January 15-18, 2003, InspectionWorld, Orlando, Fla.
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