The Appraisal Institute (AI), the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers (MBREA) are joining forces to develop training that addresses unconscious bias in valuation.
Each organization also has committed to reviewing its Code of Ethics and other governing documents to further ensure awareness and compliance among its membership and the valuation profession as a whole, according to a press release from AI.
“During this important time in our nation’s history, our organizations stand together to enhance existing training and ethics initiatives and work even harder to ensure that the appraisal process is free of bias or discrimination of any kind,” AI President Jefferson L. Sherman said in the release.
Specifically, the professional organizations pledge to develop training programs for appraisers covering unconscious bias issues and helping to increase awareness by connecting the appraisal community with thought leaders on bias and discrimination.
“Acknowledging that bias exists is but one small step. Together with our partners, we commit to doing the hard work of educating our members about the various ways bias can affect their work, and provide them the tools necessary to overcome bias, “ ASA International President Lorrie Beaumont said. “By doing this as a profession, and not merely as individual organizations, we hope to underscore to our members and the public just how important this issue is to all of us.”
The professional organizations have frequently worked together this year, collectively addressing COVID-19 pandemic appraisal issues and policy issues facing the valuation profession.
“We are pleased to join this effort to raise awareness about unconscious bias. We believe the material will be relevant not only to our appraisers, but our farm manager members as well.,” ASFMRA President Dennis Reyman said. “We are always looking to improve and strengthen our principles and business practices as members of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.”
“We believe there is no issue of greater importance than to address bias of any manner,” MBREA President Michael Nicora added. “We support these collective efforts, which will better equip appraisal professionals with the tools to identify implicit biases in order to maintain their obligations under USPAP and the MBREA Code of Conduct.”