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September Meeting: Credit, Collections and Cash Flow Andrew Harmelin, principal of A.I. Consulting, will discuss Collection Issues And Recommendations For Members at the September Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 pm at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Details on the Calendar.

All Appraisers Are NOT Equal Steven F. Harski, Chapter 35 President, says: Did you know? Anyone can say, "I'm an appraiser." Other than real estate appraisers, who are state-certified, appraisers are not regulated by statute or agency. That's why it's important to seek out an appraiser accredited by a recognized professional organization such as ASA, which sets rigorous standards of experience, education, methodology and ethical conduct. For an appraisal that's valid in court, accepted by banks, insurance companies, auction houses, and the IRS, look for an ASA appraiser.

Welcome to the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers!

Leading Appraisal Organization
The American Society of Appraisers is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary appraisal organization. Founded in 1936, the ASA includes specialists in all types of tangible and intangible property, both real and personal.

Serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey
The Philadelphia Chapter (Chapter 35) of the American Society of Appraisers represents accredited ASA members serving the greater Philadelphia region spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Many Fields and Specialities
Our members provide appraisals in the disciplines of Business Valuation, Gems and Jewelry, Machinery and Technical Specialties, Personal Property and Real Property (Real Estate).

Why Choose An ASA-Accredited Appraiser?

O. John Ohanian, ASA:  2010 Sinclair Award Winner!

The 2010 George D. Sinclair Professionalism Award was presented to longtime Philadelphia Chapter member, O. John Ohanian, Jr., ASA at the Chapter's May 19 meeting. The Award, which was created in 2003 by the Philadelphia Chapter, recognizes an individual -- not necessarily a Chapter member -- whose actions have enhanced the appraisal profession. The Director of Financial Valuation Services at the Colmar, PA firm of Pritchard, Bieler, Gruver & Willison, PC, John has been engaged in the valuation of closely held businesses and intangible assets since 1978. As the 2010 recipient of the Sinclair Award, John Ohanian is both honored by and does honor to the award.

Award Winning Chapter (Again)

At the ASA International Appraisal Conference held in Orlando, FL in July 2009, The Philadelphia Chapter won the Best Chapter Directory Award, and received Honorable Mention for Best Chapter Public Relations Award. In previous years, the Chapter won Best Chapter and Best Mentor Program Awards.

Advice About Selling Antiques & Collectibles

Susan M. Golashovsky, ASA, Secretary of ASA's Personal Property Committee, offers sound advice to people "who are thinking about selling valuables" in the ASA press release Appraisers Offer Advice To People Looking To Cash in Their Antiques and Collectibles. Ms. Golashovsky is a personal property appraiser whose eponymous Doylestown, PA appraisal service specializes in residential contents, antique furniture and american folk art.

Ms. Golashovsky, who says the economy has depressed the market for mid-priced antiques and decorative arts, is quoted extensively by Caroline Tiger in her May 1, 2009 article, "In tough times, people cull their stuff for quick cash" for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Calls about selling have gone from one a week to one a day, says Ms. Golashovsky, and they're usually about mid-priced pieces. To determine whether the caller is desperate to sell, her first question now is "Why do you need the appraisal?" She used to ask "What do you have that you want me to appraise?" Deploring the frenzied marketplace, she says "It's upsetting. It's gotten to the point where I don't want to pick up the phone."

Ms. Golashovsky is one of the Philadelphia Chapter's most quotable notables. Just after President and Mrs. Obama moved into the White House, Susan was called upon to discuss the stretched antique tall post bed delivered to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave by Leonards New England. Read more...

Chapter Supports George Sinclair Fund

At a time when true heroes and great leaders are hard to find, the Philadelphia Chapter is fortunate to have had among its members George D. Sinclair, FASA (1925-2005), whose example continues to inspire. To carry on George's tradition of generous mentoring, the Chapter established a George Sinclair Memorial International Education Fund in 2006, making the initial contribution. The Fund, which is administered by ASA, provides tuition assistance to qualified international applicants, including most recently to Machinery & Technical Specialties Candidate, David Mbindyo of Kenya.

This year, with the economy making scholarships more important than ever, the Philadelphia Chapter is pleased to announce a grant-in-aid to the George Sinclair Fund of $750.

Past Regional Governor J. Mark Penny, ASA of Hempstead & Co., Inc. in Somerdale, New Jersey has also made a generous contribution, donating the $250 honorarium he received for conducting the recent USPAP Update Course.

ASA members and the public are encouraged to support the fund too. Donations to the George F. Sinclair, FASA International Studies Fund can be sent payable to "ASA Chapter 35" to ASA-Philadelphia, 8 Terrace Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, or payable to "ASAEF" to ASA Educational Foundation, 555 Herndon Parkway, Suite 125, Herndon, VA 20170.

USPAP Refresher

A warm thanks to real property appraiser Robert J. Luciani, ASA who conducted a UPSPAP Update Course on October 15, 2008 at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The course, which is required for all ASA members and all State Licensed Real Property Appraisers, attracted 30 participants!

Furniture Arts

Also very well attended and also held on October 15, 2008, but at Girard College, was the Seminar on 18th and 19th Century Philadelphia Furniture conducted by decorative arts expert Philip D. Zimmerman, Ph.D., and coordinated for the Chapter by Rochelle Eisenberg, ASA, the principal of Art Directives, Inc. in Fort Washington, PA.

Networking at the BAR

A special thanks to all the Chapter members who volunteered to man the ASA Booth at the Philadelphia Bar Association Bench/Bar Conference in Atlantic City, NJ the weekend of September 19-20. They made it possible to put the Chapter Directory in the hands of over 400 attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals attending the conference.