Book 4 - Appraisal Institute of Canada

they were held. For instance, my son and I hada firsthand opportunity to consider the value of“spotting the Big 5” (i.e., lion, elephant, leopard,rhino and cape buffalo) at Kruger National Park inSouth Africa. I also had the opportunity to meetwith the directors of the South African Councilfor the Property Valuation Profession to discusscommon challenges to our profession. Personally,I achieved and learned far more than the myrecorded 13 CPD credits would indicate.This past year in Hong Kong, I had theopportunity to network with, as well as listento, presentations from members of our WAVOsister organizations from Australia, Hong Kongand Singapore. Did you know that we have AACIsworking for the assessment department (RVD) inHong Kong?It was interesting and I suppose somewhatreassuring to learn that these senior volunteers inour sister organizations are facing similar changesand challenges as we are at the AIC. Commontopics were: the market place shift from singleproperty appraisals to mass appraisals for lendingpurposes; the need to set high educational andprofessional standards to distinguish valuationas a profession; and, the need for internationalMy Dad and I at the Dragon Boat Races with theHong Kong Institute of Surveryors.“By planning ahead to mixbusiness with pleasure, yourCPD record can representacquiring memories,experiences and learning far”beyond the hours entered.partnerships, such as WAVO, to not only allow forthe portability of members and their designations,but also to show the international relevance andcredibility of the designation back home. Anadditional common opportunity identified fromthis group is the high ethical standards that weset for membership. These high ethical standardsare a critical component of the services that weoffer as professionals and are especially relevant indeveloping economies where this shared value maynot be self-evident. Once again, the satisfaction,learning and professional development obtained atthis international symposium was far greater thanindicated by the 15 CPD credits I recorded.At a recent Credit Valley chapter meeting, oneof our members was relaying the learning anddevelopment that he had obtained by attendingWorld Valuation Congress (WVC) events held overthe past 25 years; of the 11 that were held, only onewas hosted in Canada. Professor Phillip White of UBCwas well ahead of his time in identifying the need forestablishing international valuation organizations likethe WVC. Although the WVC appears to be no longeractive, the groundwork was laid and, in many ways,organizations like WAVO and IPTI are fulfilling andredefining the gap that was left in the provision ofinternational professional development opportunitiesfor valuers.The next time you consider your continuingprofessional development, why not approach it alittle differently? Rather than looking at it as creditsthat AIC expects you to achieve, look at it for theopportunity that it really represents over the fiveyearcycle. Take the time to look at the websites ofour sister organizations and other related institutesand review the conferences and symposiums thatthey offer.Consider how wrapping some family time ora personal goal around one of these professionaldevelopment offerings could bring additionalbenefits. Maybe then some of the credits thatyou record on the website will be more than justnumbers. By planning ahead to mix business withpleasure, your CPD record can represent acquiringmemories, experiences and learning far beyond thehours entered.Charles Johnstone; an unknown clown; Philip Western,API; and Tom Johnstone, AACI – Honorary, clowningaround with friends and family.Charles Johnstone, AACI, is Chair of AIC’sProfessional Qualifications and CompetencyCommittee. He is a managing director at AECInternational, a Canadian consulting firm thatspecializes in property assessment and propertytax managementclick here to return to table 0f contentsCanadian Property Valuation Volume 54 | book 4 | 2010 Évaluation Immobilière au Canada 25