IRWA Chapter 26

International Right of Way Association
Chapter 26

President's Message

Thank you to all who attended our recent installation banquet for officers serving for 2012-13. The banquet was held at Boizao Brazilian Steakhouse in Tampa where myself, Wendi McAleese (VP) and Rick Joslin (Membership and 1 Year Director) were installed by long-time member and SR/WA Karen Manning, Principal of AGS. Installation of Steve Cross (Treasurer), Connie Rook (Secretary) and Pam Taylor (PDC) will be done at the next board meeting scheduled in May. Attendance was 20 members and it was my pleasure to present the Chapter 26 Professional of the Year to Mr. Norris Smith. As everyone knows, Norris is completing his Director position this year but we hope to keep his experience and knowledge around as an active member going forward. We are truly grateful for all Norris has done for the Chapter behind the scenes and volunteering his time to represent us throughout the nation in region and national meetings. Good luck to Mr. Joslin who will be taking his position...you have some big shoes to fill!

Norris and I just returned from attending the Region 6 Spring Forum in Montgomery, AL where you can find minutes of the fall meeting and budget under News. This 1 day forum was held on Saturday April 28 and sponsored by AL Chapter 24. All but one chapter in our region was in attendance where business matters were handled concerning financial obligations to the upcoming annual conference in Seattle as a Region and as Chapters, committee reports, chapter concerns, upcoming education, and even International updates from Daniel Stekol (Business Development Officer for IRWA) and Lisa Harrison (International VP) who were in attendance. There is also a possibility of a merger with Chapter 76 (Ft. Lauderdale / Miami) based on some challenges and struggles they are having that may present opportunities for us all. More to come on that.

The Region 6 Professional of the Year was presented to Mr. David Bell, SR/WA and VP of Volkert & Associates, Inc. and our Region 6 Nominations Chair. I have personally known and worked with David since he came in the consultant world and I know of no other who is more deserving of this award. At this meeting I was able to address to the Region and International officers our Chapter's concern of the future given the state of the economy in Florida, present our challenges and assess the future. Both the Region and International were more than understanding and willing to help in anyway. I was able to come away with some ideas to help our Chapter and one big one is establishing a budget.

As expressed in my presentation at the installation banquet, we are a solvent organization at this time but with possible big expenditures for officer travel to forum's and conferences required by our by-laws, and financial losses incurred by our conferences and classes the past 2 years, it is time to make a real hard assessment of our current chapter status as it cannot sustain with the current model. Therefore, we are going to reduce the conferences back to 1 a year in hopes that it will invite more options for topics and attract those who have only one such opportunity on an annual basis for such things. We will continue the Happy Hours in Tampa and the luncheons in Orlando but now focus some funds to making these events even more attractive to membership and also put more emphasis on classes. Please know the IRWA offers an abundance of on-line courses for which the Chapter receives an honorarium for each person in our chapter who participates. Its a logistical and expense saving way to get your education.

For these reasons, we will be working on an operating budget that has not really been done for our chapter so we know our capabilities and where we need to improve and focus attention. We are a non-profit organization and we are expected to put money back into the education industry for which we exist but we also have a fiduciary to the existence of the chapter. This budget along with recommendations will be forthcoming very soon for membership input.

These are the realities of the time but I do see glimmers of hope in Florida that will hopefully take us back to better days. Until then we must persevere and face this challenge head on which I and the board plan to do with some ideas to make it more affordable and beneficial to membership to be involved so we can sustain and shine once again.

Thanks to you all who help keep us going!

Wade

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	Chapter Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Welcome! Operating in the United States and Canada, the IRWA is a single corporation, with approximately 100 entities that manage and deliver the Association's quality services. It is the only professional association that is the pre-eminent source of right of way educational and professional services worldwide. The IRWA comprises a dynamic global community of nearly 10,000 dedicated right of way professionals. Members receive cutting-edge solutions to industry challenges through specialized education courses and seminars, a program of professional development, as well as thought-provoking forums for the exchange and advancement of ideas. The continued success of the IRWA is a result of its quality services and programs, kind and supportive staff, and its dedication to the advancement of right of way work as a fully recognized profession. Since it's inception as a not-for-profit association in 1934, the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) has served a growing number of professionals. IRWA is an individual membership association with approximately 8,300 members throughout the U.S. and Canada. This membership includes: Engineers, Appraisers, Property Managers, Acquisition Agents, Lawyers, Surveyors, Title Experts, Environmentalists, and Relocation Assistance Agents. Because the Association has expanded into an international association, composed of 77 Chapters, it now plays a stronger and more significant role in the development of the economies of the United States and Canada. This is especially true with respect to the multitude of vital community, regional and national improvements, highways, flood control projects, public utility construction, pipelines, railroads, and all other public and quasi-public development activities. Any person who is principally engaged in the acquisition, management, disposition of real property or interest therein, in connection with public, quasi-public, or private enterprise is eligible for membership in this Association.