The Appraisal Foundation (TAF) recently released its January newsletter with what is already happening to ring in 2024. TAF President David Bunton indicated that by the end of February, all three of its councils and two of the three boards will have met.

“It is only the second day of the year, and if you glance over at the calendar section of this newsletter, you will be able to see that we are wasting no time in getting started. By the end of February, all three of our councils and two of the three boards will have met, with the Appraiser Qualifications Board not far behind,” Bunton said in the newsletter. “As many of you know by now, the board of trustees voted to adopt new bylaws on Dec. 12, 2023, marking the first major governance changes at the foundation in over a decade which completely restructures the board of trustees, ends the ability of any organization to directly appoint someone to the foundation’s board of trustees and introduces a new opportunity for organizations to partner with the foundation in their mission to build public trust in the appraisal profession.”

Bunton also noted that throughout this year, the board of trustees will be implementing these changes which will have wide ranging impacts throughout the organization. One of the biggest changes will be the creation of the new partner category.

Likewise, he went on to say, the new edition of USPAP is now in effect.

“We have received positive feedback from instructors and students who have taken the new 7 Hour USPAP Update Course, and the Appraisal Standards Board plans to continue gathering feedback from stakeholders throughout this year,” the TAF president said. “Throughout this year the Appraiser Qualifications Board will be hard at work reexamining each aspect of the criteria. This will be an in-depth project, so be sure to tune in to each public meeting to learn more about where the board is in their work and how you can share input.”

Bunton also shared that in hectic times, it can be hard to slow down and really engage with those around you.

“We do not want a busy calendar to get in the way of our relationships with stakeholders,” he said. “In fact, throughout this year, we hope to strengthen those bonds by engaging more and building new partnerships with folks from every corner of the profession and beyond. We look forward to spending this year collaborating with stakeholders like you to uphold public trust in the appraisal profession.”