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Good morning! I have a subject that has been largely ignored (in my belief) for quite awhile - Why is the SRWA designation not acknowledged in other fields/industries like the Planners, Appraisers, Real Estate, Engineers, etc. designations? I feel International needs to publicize just how extensive the education and experience required for the SRWA is, and see what we all can do to elevate this designation to stand with our peers and colleagues in our chosen fields.

President Jim Struble, SR/WA, appointed a special task force that is reviewing the designations and certifications offered by IRWA. As part of that responsibility, the task force is reviewing how to enhance the recognition and prestige of the SR/WA and will be making its initial report to the IEC following the task force’s second meeting scheduled for late March 2008. The fact that the task force has been conveyed is evidence that your concerns regarding the designation’s lack of visibility and acknowledgement is recognized as an important issue by IRWA’s elected leadership.

There does seem to be a negative light on not only the IRWA but also on many other organizations for whom local governments pay all or a portion of the membership fees for. Here is an interesting news report from Hillsborough County, FL stating just that:

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/a ... ryid=67282

The government official that was interviewed tried to rebut this negative press but didn't really go into enough detail in my opinion of how important organizations like the IRWA are to those in local government and the Right-of-Way profession.

The SR/WA does not have the professional emphasis that say a PE has. I would suggest that the designation be changed to CPRW as in Certified Professional Right of Way. A certification means more to most than does a "senior" member. My .02 worth.

Meowy wrote:There does seem to be a negative light on not only the IRWA but also on many other organizations for whom local governments pay all or a portion of the membership fees for. Here is an interesting news report from Hillsborough County, FL stating just that:

Interesting story that lumps professional association dues with subscriptions to sports illustrated. My guess is that the interview questions didn't distinguish the two.

In my mind, one of the big differences between IRWA and the other associations is generalization versus specialization. In appraisal an MAI designation is well recognized to indicate that a person is an experienced and qualified appraisal specialist, which benefits all aspects of appraisal.

I believe it is harder for the public to grasp the overall concept of an SRWA, especially when they are hiring someone for expert witness testimony or another specialized task. I'm not sure what percentage of our membership are truly generalists, but I only do appraisal. It helps me to know the other fields, but the attorneys that hire me just want to know that I know how to appraise properties, not deal with relocation or engineering.

This is fact that the task force has conveyed is evidence that your concerns regarding the designation’s lack of visibility and acknowledgement is recognized as an important issue by IRWA’s elected leadership.

Crystal Meth

I am an SR/WA and a CPESC (Certified Professional Erosion Sediment Control) from the IECA (International Erosion Control Association). Within the erosion control industry, the IECA is light years ahead of the IRWA in terms of training, annual meeting agenda, certification process, and recognition of their professional designation.

I would urge the IRWA to attend the IECA annual meeting (the next one is in Reno in Feburary) and observe how this organization is operated. It is probably the best run organization that I have been a member.

Michael R. Allen SR/WA, CPESC

Appraisers, attoneys, real estate professionals, doctors,and engineers are "certified" in accordance with state statues, and are recogonized as such. Designations, as the ones set out by the IRWA, are not given the same status as those set out above, because there are no statutory requirements for the designations. If the profession requires certification by the state, you cannot legally practice that profession, absent the certification.