IRWA CHAPTER 1: FY 20/21 Q3
March 31, 2021
President’s Message
As we are winding down to the last few months of this fiscal year, I am grateful to see that things are starting to improve. I wanted to share some of the work going on behind the scenes. It would have been a much more challenging year to connect with our membership if the Chapter did not make communication efficiency improvements. I want to thank Nick Szamet, Webmaster for helping us to streamline the newsletter and website. Nick’s expertise and efforts helped keep Chapter information consistently flowing during this past year. The information is linked and more user friendly. It has reduced the long hours down to a couple in putting together a newsletter. Another valuable improvement is that the newsletter is assembled using software in our Chapter 1 website. We save money and time using the software we included when we updated the website in 2018. The same year we won Website of the Year. As you will find throughout the President’s message, we add links to instantly connect you to the related detailed information on the IRWA Chapter 1 website or International website. This reduces the time our members spend finding information. Please continue to use the website regularly to keep updated on Chapter 1 member information. International Right of Way Association – IRWA Chapter 1 Los Angeles (irwa1.org)
I also would like to thank Maya Hamouie, Young Professional Chair and Craig Justesen, President-Elect for the presentations that they coordinated for our Chapter this year. This included the Business Valuation and Damages: Assessing COVIDs-19’s Economic Impact presented by William W. Thomsen with Grobstein Teeple, LLP and Brad Kuhn and Maya Hamouie with Nossaman LLP. Maya also brought us the Holiday Virtual Luncheon in December 2020. And in March, Craig coordinated the Utility Relocations and Risk Management, which was presented by Mike Parker, Jamie Lupo from Overland, Pacific & Cutler. All these virtual events were successful in bringing our membership and others together.
Next, I am excited to announce that we will be holding our 29th Valuation Seminar on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. We had to be fluid with planning this year and moving to a virtual format to ensure it could be done. Many thanks to our Valuation Chair, Paul Norlen who has been hard at work to bring us the Valuation Seminar with a great line-up of topics and presenters. The flyer for the Seminar is included in the newsletter under our Valuation Chair. You can sign up to attend through our Website under events. Continuing Education Credits “CEC” – SR/WA 4.0 CEC and BREA and MCLE applications submitted for CEC. Chapter Luncheons – International Right of Way Association (irwa1.org) Pricing is $49 for members and $59 for non-members.
The IRWA 67th Annual Conference will be offered both virtually and in person this year. It will be held June 6 – 9, 2021 in San Antonio. More details can be found on the International IRWA website International Right of Way Association | IRWA (irwaonline.org).
On the education front Chapter 1 will be holding virtual classes starting in April. Thanks to Sergio Huezo, Education Chair we were able to successfully add the virtual classes on the International website. This gives Chapter 1 an opportunity to receive a portion of tuition (same as in-person) from each person registered regardless of membership status. These classes are being coordinated through Headquarters and to register you will need to go to the International IRWA website Online Virtual Classes (irwaonline.org). Please see our Education Chair article which provides a detailed list of the Chapter 1 virtual classes being offered on the IRWA website.
–Please do not forget to use your free 1-day voucher – A great benefit for members please see details below–
I will close out my message by acknowledging a wonderful and kind IRWA member, Carol Brooks, who recently passed away. Carol was an inspirational person to all who got to know her. She was a member out of Chapter 11, San Diego, and instructor for the IRWA for many years. I met her through a class she taught, and we continued to communicate as she shared her articles and life experiences. I have included an article she wrote called “In the Midst of Chaos You Can Claim Your Moment”. As it is relevant to our current times and many of you may find relatable, this is just an example of what made Carol so special.
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