Tidbits from the ASHI Message Board

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by cbellefontaine

Sorry I haven't been around in a while. I was wondering why my ears were burning.

Guilty as charged, I was the 2006 ASHI Vice President. When I donate my time and knowledge to an association, I try to do my best.

Nick has done a great job getting NACHI listed extremely high on the search engines. I feel it is an associations responsibility to create public notability by as many venues as possible. SE placement has been a long time fight of mine that seemed to fall on deaf ears. I really don't want to get back into the politics of association life. I am going to contribute positively on both boards. I hope nobody will hold that against me.

FWIW, there is only one person who is harming ASHI right now. And it ain't Nick. Nick is just doing a good job for NACHI. If people wish to criticize certain items that Nick tried that didn't work, so be-it. I applaud him for standing up, admitting his mistakes, and moving forward. If ASHI's "Janitor" (I believe that is the right term) was a little more honest, I think they would be better off. Just my two cents. I am sure the beatings will continue until morale improves.

I will not contribute to this thread any longer, but I will always be happy to talk privately to anyone. My number is listed in my signature.

Charles please do in time come back and post here it is a great place with many good inspectors .
I am sure we would enjoy your posts and we all need each other , to help keep the Inspection industry moving ahead .
Roy Cooke

[cbellefontaine]

Isn't that the ultimate goal? Thank you Roy.

[cbellefontaine]

OOPS sorry about contributing to this thread.

[nwagner]

Originally Posted by cbellefontaine

Sorry I haven't been around in a while. I was wondering why my ears were burning.

It is nice to hear from one of the respectable members who hails from "the other side"! As I said previously, it would be nice if fine folks such as yourself channeled your skills and positive energy into a new organization that sincerely has the intent of serving the home inspection industry. Gromicko himself will probably tell you that NACHI will never have all the answers. It would be nice to have a second organization that fills the void. Instead, we have two dying organizations who cling to their dying ways.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by cbellefontaine

Sorry I haven't been around in a while. I was wondering why my ears were burning.

Guilty as charged, I was the 2006 ASHI Vice President. When I donate my time and knowledge to an association, I try to do my best.

No shame there. You were elected by your peers to serve. You did.

Nick has done a great job getting NACHI listed extremely high on the search engines. I feel it is an associations responsibility to create public notability by as many venues as possible. SE placement has been a long time fight of mine that seemed to fall on deaf ears. I really don't want to get back into the politics of association life. I am going to contribute positively on both boards. I hope nobody will hold that against me.

Chuck. As the posts here have shown, and as your work has shown, very few can compare. No appologies needed or necessary.

FWIW, there is only one person who is harming ASHI right now. And it ain't Nick. Nick is just doing a good job for NACHI. If people wish to criticize certain items that Nick tried that didn't work, so be-it. I applaud him for standing up, admitting his mistakes, and moving forward. If ASHI's "Janitor" (I believe that is the right term) was a little more honest, I think they would be better off. Just my two cents. I am sure the beatings will continue until morale improves.

Nick has his faults (sorry to be real, here). So do we all (myself included).

I will not contribute to this thread any longer, but I will always be happy to talk privately to anyone. My number is listed in my signature.

Chuck. Don't be a stranger. Join in. Contribute. We are all jerks (more or less). Just try to help.

There is no shame, only honor, in that.

This is NACHI.

[James H. Bushart]

I thought I would take a quick run over to the ASHI board, before it was shut down due to lack of funds, and grab some more amusement.

Read this one. Here is a thread where they discuss the possibility of someone coming over and reading their threads....It has a surprise and funny ending.

Enjoy.

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Seems we have a problem that's apparently been with us and we just didn't know it. The Forum has been decent enough for me though I know that many find it lacking. But having non-members find their way on here and be able to not only post but add comments to already existing posts is too much.

I know that Kurt is concerned and therefore do not need to direct this towards him. Even though the Forum is used by only a few, I think this invasion should be a primary concern for the staff and BODs.

Who's actually able to work on this problem and what can be done about it?

Eric Barker
Barrington, IL



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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 07:52 AM

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Scott Patterson

Total Messages 451

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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It was corrected last week when it was brought to everyone's attention. A non-ASHI member can no longer log-in and register. Mike (our IT guy) called the WebBoard folks and they told him how to fix the problem.

Now the only way a non-member can post on our board is if they have a members number and password. If for some reason you see or know of a non-member hacking into our board, please let Mike know about it. If he has an IP address of this person that is even better.



Scott Patterson
ASHI Membership Committee Chair.




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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 10:44 AM
Originally Posted: 08 Mar 2007 10:41 AM

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Sam Reale

Total Messages 189

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Scott,

Can they read out posts somehow? I thought I read that.

Sam Reale Prowling The South Jersey



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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 11:30 AM

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Scott Patterson

Total Messages 451

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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>Scott,
> Can they read out posts somehow? I thought I read
>that.
>Sam Reale Prowling The South Jersey

Yes it is possible if a person knows what and how to do it, but we have no way of knowing because they can no longer post. When they posted on the site last week this was the only way we knew that this was happening.

Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN (Nashville)




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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 02:03 PM

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Eric Barker

Total Messages 362

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Ok. Next question. How did someone add in a comment to Sam Reale's "Cost of Inspection" under Operating your business? That was yesterday! Can a member change/add to another member's post and if so can we trace down who does that?

BYW - Mike Who?

Eric Barker (always the doubter)
Barrington, IL




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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 11:38 AM

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Bernard Loken

Total Messages 22

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Eric.

Having work and still working in the Information Technology world, I can tell you that most forums that are secured tend to have a moderator. They usually have this to do this for several reasons. Pick any of your favorite for the list below.

1. Remove profanity
2. Remove an slanders against others
3. Remind folks of rules and regulation for the forum.

As an IT person, I have moderated several Boards, and I have never written directly on a Post, unless something was removed, at which point I would State Something was deleted by the Moderator.

Also as a Moderator, I had the responsibility to report any issues to the Client, and then the client would recommend some kind of action. ie. Suspension of account for a period, usually based on what the Rules are.

I do not think the Moderator has done anything wrong, as long as it is fully documented in the forum rules, and that he or she inform what was done and by who, or just remind us of the rules.

Bernard Loken, CAPM
Whitby Ontario.

Bernard Loken
Whitby, Ontario, Canada


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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 12:00 PM

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Eric Barker

Total Messages 362

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Bernard:

I understand the roll of the moderator and believe that it's an important function. However, I tend to feel that the "Moderator's" post in Sam's initial comment may not be legitimate.

I think that the comment is in error and also that the moderator should include his/her name. Is it possible that we have not secured our Forum as is thought? If we cannot verify who made the "red ink" post then I think that there's a problem.



Eric Barker
Barrington, IL

Don't just read the Forum, add your questions and comments, we all benefit!


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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 12:41 PM

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John Ghent

Total Messages 118

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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John Ghent, Kurt and Mark Cramer are the forum committee/moderators. Staff also have access. I will look into the red ink thing.


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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 01:04 PM

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Scott Patterson

Total Messages 451

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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>Ok. Next question. How did someone add in a comment to Sam
>Reale's "Cost of Inspection" under Operating your business?
>That was yesterday! Can a member change/add to another
>member's post and if so can we trace down who does that?


I won't say that it can't be done, but the backdoor entry that those fellers were using last week has been closed. With Sam's post that was done by one of the moderators or staff. My thinking is that they are a little embarrassed with their actions and are laying low.


>BYW - Mike Who?
>
>Eric Barker (always the doubter)
>Barrington, IL
>

Mike Rostescu miker@ashi.org is our IT person.


Scott Patterson (Always looking at the bright side of life!)
Spring Hill, TN (Nashville)




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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 02:08 PM
Originally Posted: 08 Mar 2007 02:07 PM

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Sam Reale

Total Messages 189

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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If they can read out posts, the way I see it they are logged in then they can post by impersonating a member.

Sam Reale Prowling The South Jersey Coast



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Posted: 08 Mar 2007 02:52 PM

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Mark Cramer

Total Messages 128

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Jeeez you guys are paranoid. I edited the post with the red ink.

Relax. Have a cocktail. Enjoy life.

Mark Cramer
Tampa Bay Area



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Posted: 10 Mar 2007 07:50 PM

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Eric Barker

Total Messages 362

Subject: Non-member Forum postings

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Whew! I feel so much better! Thanks Mark.



Eric Barker
Jittery from the get go.


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Posted: 10 Mar 2007 09:34 PM

[William J. Decker]

Their board is so pourous as to be silly.

They should get themselves a new webmaster.

Look at all the back biting and finger pointing form the members. These guys do not have a clue about operating a web site.

This is so 3 generations ago.

You get what you pay for, and it seems that they do not pay much.

Heck, my personal web site have better ratings. (and is more secure). I just run it (I am my own webmaster and author) out of my basement.

Cost? Less than $200.00 per year (not counting my time).

If they want to be competative (and secure) they can hire my 13 year old daughter.

But they can't, because she can't get a work permit

Wish them well.

[jhugenroth]

So funny to see them post their paranoid ramblings, yet freely come to this board to post their BS. Ah, free speech... ain't it great?

[John McKenna]

James,

This is good. If the ASHI members have trouble reading their thread because their server is too slow, they can come over to this BB and
read the ASHI forum from here.... Keep posting... your helping an ASHI member who is probably reading this on a dial up connection.

They will thank you too, because it will be less strain on their server
if some of the ASHI members come over here to read their own forum.
If they have something important to post, it will be more secure over
here too. This will help them save money also.

[nwagner]

Having work and still working in the Information Technology world, I can tell you that most forums that are secured tend to have a moderator. They usually have this to do this for several reasons. Pick any of your favorite for the list below.

1. Remove profanity
2. Remove an slanders against others
3. Remind folks of rules and regulation for the forum.

Can we say COMMUNIST?!

You know, there are things said on any BB which would not be considered P.C. but what about it? If our so-called "unprofessionalism" is bad for business, Mr. Bushart would have closed up shop a long time ago. Heck, if I was a prospective client who knew next to nothing about home inspections, I would be very interested in Jim's services. I would prefer to have a home inspector who takes no shame in exposing the industry's demons over someone who will only do what is considered P.C. I would seek the home inspector who is going to tell the undoctored truth about my house, not the one who sympathizes with my realtor.

[James H. Bushart]

I posted this on another thread where it was related to the topic, but here is the latest from the ASHI message board. Enjoy.

Subject: ASHI financial problems

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Is ASHI in real need of financial help. I have read some posting and am waiting to hear about the need to send more $$ to ASHI to keep us from drowning. I am to believe that it is all tied into the NHIE and ASHI and poor money management.


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Posted: 04 Apr 2007 12:49 PM

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Jerry Simon

Total Messages 146

Subject: ASHI financial problems

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>Is ASHI in real need of financial help. I have read
>some posting and am waiting to hear about the need to send
>more $$ to ASHI to keep us from drowning. I am to believe
>that it is all tied into the NHIE and ASHI and poor money
>management.

In real need? As opposed to what, *fake* need?



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Posted: 04 Apr 2007 01:40 PM

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Eric Barker

Total Messages 361

Subject: ASHI financial problems

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Seth,

What posting was that? Do you have a copy of it?

Eric Barker
Barrington, IL

Don't just read the Forum, add your questions and comments, we all benefit!


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Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:42 PM

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Walter Jowers

Total Messages 827

Subject: ASHI financial problems

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>Is ASHI in real need of financial help. I have read
>some posting and am waiting to hear about the need to send
>more $$ to ASHI to keep us from drowning. I am to believe
>that it is all tied into the NHIE and ASHI and poor money
>management.

Can you cite a source for this info?

Thanks,

WJ



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Posted: 04 Apr 2007 02:39 PM

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Rob Paterkiewicz

Total Messages 40

Subject: ASHI financial problems

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Hi Seth,



The reports of ASHI’s demise are greatly exaggerated!



What you are referring to is plastered all over the NACHI Discussion Boards by a Jim Bushart out of St. Louis. For some reason he has a strong dislike of ASHI and desires to spread ill will about us as far as he can. I guess I had better be careful as he likes to lurk on the ASHI Discussion Boards and then copy and paste various threads over at NACHI.



Either an ASHI member provided him with access to the ASHI Boards or he found a way to break in. He also seems to have an open line of communication with at least one of ASHI’s Chapter Presidents who has shared an internal letter from us that was clearly not meant for distribution to a rival association. Seems odd to me that one of our own would go out of their way to hurt their own association and the reputation of their fellow ASHI inspectors.



Regarding the issue you raise. ASHI was affected by the decline in real estate transactions over the past year just like everyone else. Our Associate category took a hit in terms of individuals not renewing their membership at the end of 2006. We had strong renewals in our Certified Inspector and other categories, surpassing what we anticipated. Because we had a larger number of non-renewals in the Associate category then what we budgeted for, we had to take action to avoid ending this year with a loss.



Since guys like Mr. Bushart will likely copy and paste this thread elsewhere, I’d prefer not to share specifics. You can give me a call at the office and we can talk further if you desire. You are also free to contact Frank Lesh, ASHI’s President or David Tamny, ASHI’s Treasurer. I’ll tell you this though, since ASHI actually charges membership dues, as compared to NACHI which does not, the impact described above should not be a big shock. As we begin the creation of a new Operating Budget, we’ll be better able to determine the dues income amounts to expect in 2008.



So no, ASHI is not drowning, this has nothing to do with the NHIE, or money management issues, or any other bizarre notion that Mr. Bushart or others like him have dreamed up. The ASHI Board and Staff needed to make some fiscal moves to protect the memberships’ assets and frankly I view that as appropriate business management.



Thanks for expressing your concern. I hope I’ve been able to shed some light.


Rob Paterkiewicz, CAE, IOM
ASHI Executive Director

[John McKenna]

ASHI quote
"I’ll tell you this though, since ASHI actually charges membership dues, as compared to NACHI which does not"

How come I keep paying dues... I didn't know NACHI was free????

[James H. Bushart]

Stay tuned to this thread.....

Tonight, I will post a thread where an ASHI Candidate (who also happens to be a member of NACHI) is abused by his own ASHI association for daring to ask a question about ASHI's financial status.

For asking about the letter that ASHI sent (secretly) to its chapters requesting money to pay for their insurance bill, this Candidate's ability as a home inspector was immediately called into question.

And they wonder why their new members has dropped "significantly" and adversely affected their budget! And leading the attack on the Candidate was ASHI's chairman of recruting new members, Scott Patterson.

I am going to give the thread an hour or two to finish up, then bring it over here. This one is certain to bring the test of puke into your mouth as you read it.

[Nick Gromicko]

Better copy it as they go.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Better copy it as they go.

You don't think they would delete a thread from their own message board, just to keep it from being read here, do you, Nick?

I'll bet they wouldn't do that, knowing that it would make them look even worse for censoring their remarks than for making them in the first place. Right, Scott?