CMI Outline Proposal - Just Do It!

[mrowan]

Folks

Nick is right with his comments as far as trying to get participation with other associations. But winning a battle and winning a war are two different things.

I have been trying to get a higher tier inspection level going locally for years. No inspector wants it or wants to get involved in the start up of it. As a result I took the CMI logo and went to town creating Master Inspector Network. We now are about to brand CMI and NACHI to every realtor in North East Florida, and yes everyone of our inspectors are NACHI and CMI. And yes there were some typos on the booklet, but I believe they are taken care of now by Catherine.

Also, contrary to a few beliefs there was never any under lying currents to the changes being proposed at national level for this to be a much better and recognized designation! I know those people that know me personally, are very aware if this too. My goal is to make this the most respected credential in the industry and again one that every NACHI member and others will be proud of.

So.. I have attached the Christmas present you all have been waiting for. I have not read it in detail in a while, it is 8 or 9 pages!. It consists of a brain dump as I call it, but is a starting line to get the ball rolling on the CMI.


Here is a summary of the attached document and my discussions with Nick:

1. Existing members are grandfathered. Never in question.
2. New membership qualification requirements will change – a two tier/level approach, one that combines experience only and one that includes a combination of experience and education. An experience component critical for CMI.
3. A separate web site and message board – www.masterbuildinginspector.com and www.homeinspectorlive.com
4. A closer review of approved education – with maximum limits on introductory level courses.
5. An annual membership fee change – Existing life time members excluded.
6. A new association to manage the designation and membership. (ASMBI)
7. Set up of a consumer relief fund and inspector relief fund.
8. Establish a mentoring program
9. Establish a peer review program
10. Establish a collaborative marketing program in every city
11. Establish a realtor participation program
12. A CMI E-Bate(rebate) program

As far as members looking to sign up and become a life time member, I have agreed with Nick to keep this open until January 15th 2007. All new applications must be received through the new registration form on www.masterbuildinginspector.com. All moneys generated will go to the expenses of setting up quarterly meeting of CMI leaders, and other requirements, the first of which is slotted for the end of January.

Merry Christmas to all and I am looking forward to a great 2007.

Michael

[wforsyth]

Fine. I'd like to be a CMI. I assume that since there are people in CMI now who have been in biz approximately the same time as me, and similar experience and education, that there won't be a problem with me joining?

[bkelly1]

www.masterinspector.com. Is this link right?

[cdemsky]

www.masterbuildinginspector.com

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by bkelly1

www.masterinspector.com. Is this link right?

I just called Michael to let him know he misposted that link.

Regards

Gerry

[jmichalski]

I know the site is clearly a work in progress...will there be more Master-specific language on there? (something like why hire a CMI as opposed to a standard inspector?)

Also it is nitpicky, but there is a typo in the spelling of "Inspector" under the locater area.

Also, will the two tier designation carry any discernable difference (a different logo, etc)?

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Am i correct that we will no longer be advertised as CMI but advertised as ASMBI ?????????

[gbeaumont]

Hi to all,

here are my first thoughts to be misquoted, taken out of context and generaly picked apart.

BTW< I Have not as yet read the attachment, so this is off the cuff.


Here is a summary of the attached document and my discussions with Nick:

1. Existing members are grandfathered. Never in question.
No one should have any issue with that.

2. New membership qualification requirements will change – a two tier/level approach, one that combines experience only and one that includes a combination of experience and education. An experience component critical for CMI.
Further discussion about implementation will be required.

3. A separate web site and message board – www.masterbuildinginspector.com and www.homeinspectorlive.com
Great and no doubt a relief to many

4. A closer review of approved education – with maximum limits on introductory level courses.
I personally have no issue with that as we are looking at Masters

5. An annual membership fee change – Existing life time members excluded.
Personally I believe that this will not be sustainable, as benefits rise so will costs and these should be borne by all members.

6. A new association to manage the designation and membership. (ASMBI)
I have no current opinion, but believe it will need some structure to manage CMI outside of NACHI

7. Set up of a consumer relief fund and inspector relief fund.
I have not even thought about that, but if some form of self insurance is possible I would concider it.

8. Establish a mentoring program
Most certainly

9. Establish a peer review program
I believe the rolls and rules for this need further discussion.

10. Establish a collaborative marketing program in every city.
Thats gonna be tough in most markets. (at least in the short/medium term.

11. Establish a realtor participation program
Anything that open up the lines of communication between professionals is good.

12. A CMI E-Bate(rebate) program
I guess I need to read up on this one

These are just my initial thoughts

Regards

Gerry

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by hvalenzano

Am i correct that we will no longer be advertised as CMI but advertised as ASMBI ?????????

Henry I am still reading this myself but believe that CMI will become a designation managed by ASMBI, CMI itself is just a certification mark, not a brand.

Regards

Gerry

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

Henry I am still reading this myself but believe that CMI will become a designation managed by ASMBI, CMI itself is just a certification mark, not a brand.

Regards

Gerry

Thanks Gerry

I was afraid they would say that. i was marketing it the other way. That just shot some marketing bucks!

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by hvalenzano

Thanks Gerry

I was afraid they would say that. i was marketing it the other way. That just shot some marketing bucks!

Henry, that was the way Nick registered the mark, it actually is much harder to get than just registering a trade mark or filing a patent proposal.

Regards

Gerry

[Henry Valenzano, CMI]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

Henry, that was the way Nick registered the mark, it actually is much harder to get than just registering a trade mark or filing a patent proposal.

Regards

Gerry

O Well!! its not the first mistake i have made and for some reason i don't think it will be the last.

[ekartal6]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

1. Existing members are grandfathered. Never in question.
No one should have any issue with that.

It is an issue when a few of the grandfathered CMI's have admitted they don't have the qualifications. This is not wild ***** speculation as one of our frendlier members had mention on another thread.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by ekartal6

It is an issue when a few of the grandfathered CMI's have admitted they don't have the qualifications. This is not wild ***** speculation as one of our frendlier members had mention on another thread.

Erol,

Let me ask you this...

As a member of ASHI, you were required to do 250 inspections according to their SOP in order to become a member.

How many of those 250 inspections were reviewed? All of them? If not, how do we know for certain that they were ever accomplished?

And, as part of the review, was the client contacted? If not, how do we know that those chosen for audit were not accomplished strictly by computer?

Where does validation end and common sense begin? At some point, a man (or woman) must be taken at their word. Would you agree?

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by ekartal6

It is an issue when a few of the grandfathered CMI's have admitted they don't have the qualifications. This is not wild ***** speculation as one of our frendlier members had mention on another thread.

Hi Erol,

I have always been a believer in 2 things, firstly that promises should be kept, and secondly in Darwinian theory, if there are one or two CMI's who were previously admitted by Nick who may be below the bar they will either grow into CMI's proper with the support of other members (Michael did comment on the mentoring part) or unfortunately their businesses may not survive what we all expect to be a tough market over the comming year.

I hope for the former rather than the later.

Regards

Gerry