StarChapter Success - AI San Diego

The Appraisal Institute (AI) ’s mission is to advance professionalism and ethics, global standards, methodologies, and practices through the professional development of property economics worldwide. Appraisal institute professionals’ benefit from an array of education and advocacy programs. AI San Diego was established in 1991 and is comprised of over 300 real estate professionals. We were able to connect with them to learn more about how they have been able to successfully implement changes for the betterment of their chapter.

1. What was AI San Diego’s strategy for engaging new members in the past year?

The chapter has gone through a lot of changes in the past 2 years. Our long-term Executive Director retired.  We made the decision to go virtual with our office space and a new Executive Director. These purposeful changes allow us to be nimbler as an organization and invest more into member events.

We held a retreat where we discussed member engagement strategy. In an effort to overcome challenges with shrinking membership that began prior to the pandemic, we brainstormed new ways to engage by creating a new event experience. The creation of this new experience driven event was with the thought of the type of members we are trying to attract and what they want. A recent event was really inspired by this, a biologist guiding a hike through a biologically sensitive habitat who will then speak about appraisal needs associated with mitigation and conservation as well as the development process associated with obtaining approvals from the federal and state Fish and Wildlife agencies.

We are hopeful as we come out of the pandemic, we can increase our engagement with both new and existing members.

2. The AI San Diego network is extensive. Does the board get ideas on how to improve membership value from other organizations?

The board is open to networking and collaboration with other organizations. We are fortunate to be part of a very collaborative industry. We regularly meet as a group with other chapters within our region to share best practices and discuss ways we can collaborate to reduce costs and increase member benefits.

3. Do you have any tips/advice to share with other organizations?

Adapt, adapt, adapt. We can no longer afford business as usual. Associations need to adapt and change to fit the needs of their members.  Listening to the needs of your members and making changes to meet those needs shows them the value of their membership

In August of 2021 we sent out statement and survey sharing what we were planning, reviewing the effort to reduce expenses, and asking things like “What would you like chapter membership experience to be?” “What is redundant?”, “What services and functions do you like?”, “What would you like to see in future?” The responses were the basis of a lot of discussion at our board retreat at the beginning of 2022.

4. How have you been able to utilize StarChapter to run AI San Diego and reach its goals?

StarChapter has helped us streamline our contact with our members. It is very easy for us to maintain email communication, like the President’s message. The website is very user friendly, both for the members and for the staff. It is easy to keep the website up to date, so members know they are getting the most current information. The member directory has been very well received and members are engaged in maximizing its potential.